Interview
Freelance designer and creative muralist – Sarah Carlton
Introduction
We are committed to shining–a–light on members of the design community by speaking to them about their journey. We will be exploring their work and sharing their story because we think it has never been more important to celebrate all forms of creativity. We were recently joined by Sarah Carlton who is a freelance designer and creative muralist.
Lets start by talking about how you entered design?
I always knew I wanted to work in the creative industry, so after a foundation degree at The Northern School of Art I went on to study graphic design at Teesside University.
I was lucky to land a junior creative role at a local printers quite quickly after graduation. I then went freelance in 2012.
In the early days of your career can you remember the challenges you faced?
I think being a young woman in any industry can be daunting. I didn’t always have the confidence to speak up. Design still feels quite male dominated but there are brilliant initiatives now like Ladies, Wine & Design to support and uplift females that I would have loved back at the start of my career.
From what we have seen, your work spans a wide–range of disciplines. Have you always been interested in multiple outlets for your creativity?
I’ve always been interested in other forms of creativity but only really focused on traditional graphic design until recently.
I think when you have your head down making sure bills are paid, sadly exploring your creativity can get pushed to one side. This changed after booking onto a spray paint workshop last summer.
Since then, I have met some great people who have helped me to start to get some of the bright colours and patterns I love in design, out onto the streets through murals and public art.
Is it hard to make these projects commercially viable?
Yes, but I am learning. Connecting money with doing something I love has always felt a bit strange for me but I have been surrounded by people who are helping me to see the value in both the creative and community work I do.
We know community is important to you, tell us about Billy No Mates?
I set up Billy No Mates (BNM) at the start of 2023 with a local cafe. Living and working in a rural area can be isolating, so I wanted a way to connect with other home or lone workers without the need to travel to cities to access co–working spaces.
We currently meet twice a month and the community we have built has been invaluable. It’s also a win win, as it’s a regular influx of heavy coffee drinkers for the independent venues that host us.
Are you taking it one step at a time or do you have any longer–term plans for the project?
We’ve had some interest recently about hosting more sessions across the North East and I am currently looking at ways this can happen. If I knew that people could find support, friendship and inspiration at BNM sessions, across the country, I would be one happy woman.
It looks like the North East looks is buzzing, what is it like from your perspective?
It definitely feels that way. Not just in the larger cities either. There are so many people quietly doing great work in “left behind” places too.
Do you have advice for anyone going solo?
Give it a bash. There are days when I need to hit a deadline after putting my son to bed and I wish I had a 9-5 but everything else that comes with being self employed is worth it to me.
If you need to work a second job, but still get to be creative when you’re not there, you are still a creative. Also, making friends in the industry will be the best thing you can do. Some of my closest friends do exactly the same as me - we all need emotional support when InDesign crashes.
Based on your experience is there one thing you think the design should do better?
Less judgement.
People should be able to feel comfortable enough sharing their work without fear of it getting torn apart online. Sometimes it feels like it is a ‘best graphic designer’ competition and it really doesn’t need to. There is enough work for us all.
What’s the short and long–term plan for you?
Short-term, I’ve been really enjoying working on public art projects so I will be planning more of that. Long-term, KINSHIP is 12 years old now (2025), if I can keep making nice things and supporting my family for the next 12 years I will be one proud lass.