We're picking up on our Meet the Team series, this time we're chatting to our Lead Creative, Mike.
Who are you? What do you do?
Hey, I’m Mike, the Creative Lead at Polar. My role is to guide the creative process, assisting the design and web teams to bring brand ideas and digital experiences to life.
Describe yourself in 3 words?
Organised, Creative, Reliable
What's the best project that you have worked / working on?
We’ve got some really exciting projects that we’re currently working on in the studio, that aren’t quite ready to see the light of day just yet. However I really enjoyed working on the DishUp brand that we launched recently. As a team it pushed us creatively, working to bring the brand from concept to reality across packaging and digital, with a really well received end result.
What's the last song you listened to?
Cold War Kids - Hang Me Up To Dry
Where is the best place that you have ever been?
I would have to say Donegal in Ireland. It’s where my mum’s from and a place I’ve visited constantly throughout my life. It’s rugged, beautifully wild and has the most amazing untouched beaches. Highly recommend a visit to Slieve League and Maghera Beach if you’re ever in the county.
What is the favourite part of your job?
I love nothing more than seeing a brand come to life - that initial spark of an idea, the collaboration in developing and crafting it, through to launching it to the world and defying the clients expectations in the process.
Who/What inspires you and why
It’s cliche but I would have to say my kids. They inspire me to see things with an open mind and to be a little better every day.
How did you get started in the industry?
I graduated in 2007 with a degree in Graphic Design, and was fortunate enough to get my foot in the door at a studio within a few months. I ended up staying there for 7 years, learning an awful lot in the process. With a hunger to grow and develop, the subsequent years were spent at several different agencies, working across a multitude of sectors, from beauty to education, property to F&B, and everything in between.
The people I’ve been fortunate enough to meet and work alongside have helped shape me, the way I think and the way I create. Fast forward to today, I’m able to put all that experience into everything I do at Polar.
What advice would you give to someone who is just starting out?
Strike up conversations. Be authentic. Reveal your thought process.
Be a sponge - everyday is a school day, so take note of the people around you and learn from them.
Above all, don’t give up, stay hungry and enjoy the journey.
