How did Young Guns get on your radar?

I was aware of it as some designers I have been following for a while have had the honour of receiving this award, but it never really crossed my mind to apply until Fer Cozzi asked me how old I was, and if I wanted to be nominated for it.

Looking through past winners for this Q&A I am only now realising the caliber of past winners. Are you sure you got the right person?

How did you end up in the creative field?

I was lucky enough to get into art and design at quite an early age, with supportive parents that pushed me to follow my interests. Since I was 15 I have been studying and practicing art and design, leading to a career in editorial design — but having no luck at getting into the type industry.

In 2020–21 I completed the MATD at Reading, and have been making fonts since. I feel incredibly privileged, lucky and grateful to be where I am in my career at this age.

Why did you decide to enter this year?

I have never entered, but I turned 28 this year so I guessed it was worth trying with very little expectations of getting anywhere. I assumed this would be a year to test the waters and I would have to re-apply next year, being my last chance to do so.

You only get to submit six projects. How did you decide what made the cut?

Luckily for me I am not allowed to talk about quite a few of the commercial projects I have worked on, so the pickings were slim. I decided to showcase a range of styles, from smaller typefaces to larger families — sans and serifs, mono, duplex and regular widths.

The real difficulty was deciding on the two personal projects I wanted to submit. I have quite a few typefaces I am proud of but I think they didn’t represent my capabilities well enough. Whereas Writer and Macrosoma (designed in partnership with Valerio Monopoli) display a broad range of skill and dedication to the craft, in my opinion.

“In a sea of sans, give me a serif to work on and I will be happy.”

What was your reaction when you found out you won?

Like most British people, receiving any kind of praise is a source of anxiety, so receiving the email filled me with a nice healthy mix of pride and shame.

I was working on a typeface, as I do most Tuesdays, told my housemates and family, and went on with my day. I didn’t think it was that big of a deal to be honest — I’m now slowly realising it may in fact be a big deal.

In what ways does where you’re living right now inspire your creativity?

In my brief time as a freelance type designer I have had the chance to work with some incredibly talented people — it’s difficult to choose. But working with Studio DRAMA has been one of the most fulfilling experiences.

Chris and Will are wonderful directors who have given me an abundance of creative freedom to be as expressive as I want, for some big clients. It’s an honour working for them.

Lewis McGuffie, an ex-Londoner now based in Estonia, is another notable designer who gave me my first few gigs. He is outstanding in everything he does — a true inspiration in the world of type.

On a personal level, I co-founded a monthly type design event in London called Type&Faces. The other co-founders, team members, speakers and audience members are all a source of inspiration in their own rights, and a pleasure to have around me.

Now that you’re part of the Young Guns community, are there any past winners you admire?

There are so many to pick from but here are some outstanding creatives that I have looked up to for a while: Firstly, Aries Moross (YG10), ariesmoross.com — stunning work, lovely person, brilliant designer.

Next up Grilli Type (YG13), grillitype.com — who doesn’t love their typefaces.

Tré Seals (YG17), vocaltype.co — an absolutely brilliant type designer with a distinct style, incredibly inspiring.

And finally Alex Slobzheninov (YG19), contemporarytype.com — doing fantastic work, and always kind and supportive since the start of my type design journey.

Name a dream project you’d love to do next. Who would you want to collaborate with?

In a sea of sans, give me a serif to work on and I will be happy. But if I have to choose a specific person: James Edmondson from OHno Type. He just seems to get it — whatever “it” is.