OWT INTERVIEWS: THOM ISOM

When we started OWT creative we were keen to get as much exposure for our contributors as possible. So, after much delay here is the first in a series of interviews. We start with OWT favourite, Thom Isom.


Ben: Hello Thom, tell us a bit about yourself.

Thom: I graduated from De Montfort University, Leicester in 2010 with a degree in Graphic Design. Originally from Chorley, Lancashire I moved to Liverpool soon after graduating. I've spent the past 8 months working freelance, building my portfolio, making contacts and generally pondering around the streets of Merseyside. I hope to spend the next couple of years soaking up as much experience as I can; working placements, internships and freelance whilst networking with as many designers and artists as humanly possible along the way. Until then I pass the time eating porridge, listening to an unhealthy amount of post-rock music and reading WW2 books.

You were our first customer at our first zine fair, it was quite a big deal for us to see that people actually wanted to buy our work and believed in what we wanted to do with the zine. What were your first impressions ofOWT?

As far as first impressions go you guys win points for organization and presentation, you all worked liked a well-oiled machine at that zine fair. I think I remember Jon stood at the back tidying stock and putting up posters and the rest of the crew all donned in OWT tees ready to grab the attention of any passers-by. In all honestly you looked like you’d be doing it for years – Tidy stuff as well, I’m a sucker for a clean white table cloth and perfectly aligned zines and posters.

What made you want to contribute your own work?

It was a no-brainer to be honest, fresh out of university and eager to get involved wherever I could I jumped at the opportunity! Studying down in Leicester and coming back home to the northwest I felt a little out of touch with what was going on design wise - OWT made for a good transition to get back into the scene and just be involved with other up and coming designers / artists.

We've had the pleasure of bumping into you at a few different events now and each time we meet you seem to have managed something pretty special, getting features in books and websites, new jobs, more freelance work than you can shake a stick at etc. What's the attraction to keep giving up your time to create stuff for OWT?

For me the main reason is a chance to take a break from all my other work, it’s nice to take a step back from everyday design and mess around with ideas/concepts I might not usually get the chance to work with. And well, not just that but most of those opportunities above have come from being involved in projects just like OWT. I think it’s important for designers and artists alike to get stuck in and out of their comfort zone, even if it means battling against pressing deadlines. The opportunities that come from collaboration and open submissions are vital for up and coming designers. Word of mouth is a powerful thing and I think OWT is doing a good job of showing its value.

I've noticed that you and a lot of our other contributors now follow each other and interact quite a bit on twitter, anyone in particular who's work you really like? Any people you would like to work / collaborate with?

If that’s what you guys planned out to do you’ve succeeded all round! Like I mentioned previously I moved back to the north after studying at DMU and felt out of touch as soon as I got here – It’s all well and good networking and making connections whilst at University, but it’s pretty pointless when you decide to move 100+ miles away afterward.. OWT and other similar projects have helped me find my place in the northwest in terms of design again.

All round I think those who have been involved with OWT have been awesome – nice to see such varied work in each and every issue. In particular though I’ve enjoyed the pieces from Kat Currie, Matt Keers, Katherine Beefheart & Igor Termenon – Those guys have got some skills and would love to see where some collaboration could lead!

Your spread in 'Reality' was really well received in the zine and at the exhibition, could you tell us more about it?

Well, the idea came from a quote from David Hume – a Scottish philosopher & historian. Background research isn’t something I normally take too seriously but with the reality piece I quite enjoyed the process – almost as much as making of the piece itself.

The photographs were taken from a climbing trip in the Alps a few years ago… I came back from that trip with hundreds of photos, until then I hadn’t really found a suitable use for them! It fell together quite nicely in the end when I decided to go back to a technique I was messing around with at University – Curve-stitch – the craft in a design is the most important thing for me. After submitting the piece to you guys at OWT I decided to extend the series into a collection stitched & screen-printed posters. Check them out here.

What's next for you?

Well, I’m currently working full time for Merseyside council in their design department – Trying to pick up a bit more commercial experience and dig myself out of this bottomless overdraft (one day..!) – I’ve got a couple of exhibitions I’m involved with coming up in the summer and looking ahead for any designers / artists who want to get involved in new ideas (give me a shout if you’re interested) Other than that just enjoying Liverpool and seeking out new work, placements and internships every day!

If you would like to see more of Thom's work or get in touch with him have a peek at the following:
Website
Twitter