Exclusive Artist Interview: Esme Hallam

 

 

Meet Esme, the brilliant London-Based Graphic Designer who infused her artistic magic into our latest sour brew cans- the Apricot and Plum Sour and the all new Blueberry and Raspberry Sour! Her creative brilliance has transformed our cans into vibrant masterpieces, adding a splash of colour and a touch of sophistication.

Here’s Brick Brewery’s interview with Esme for you all to have a little glimpse into the mind of the artist behind the art on your favourite brews.

Esme Hallam Artist Interview

Tell us a bit about yourself…

Hey, I’m Esme. I’m a Graphic Designer living in London, working for a design agency and also on some fun creative freelance projects (like these designs for Brick Brewery!)

What is your background and where did you grow up?

I grew up in Nottingham, and was lucky to be surrounded by a really vibrant art and music scene as well as some incredibly talented and creative friends. This definitely influenced my love for design, and later secured me some of my first freelance projects designing brands and artwork for musicians, film directors and events.

My route into Graphic Design wasn’t straightforward. I studied Architecture and later decided it wasn’t for me, but I did come away with some great skills including placemaking and designing graphics for a three-dimensional space.

What started off as only an interest in Graphic Design, quickly developed into a deep understanding of identity design and the importance of branding.

Fast-forward five years and I’ve worked across brand identities, strategy, positioning, naming, illustration, motion design, digital design, social content and copywriting. My designs focus on hierarchy, balance, layout and alignment, and my illustrations usually use bold colours and unusual geometric shapes.

I’ve met some great people along the way, and definitely believe it’s those I’ve worked with, their ideas and backgrounds that has helped to shape the work I create.

I moved to London three years ago, just as the second wave of the pandemic hit (not the best timing!), but it’s become home and a great place for inspiration.

What does a typical day look like for you…

Definitely starts with a coffee. I try to run at least every other day if I can, it’s the single best thing I can do for my mental health and I always think more creatively after.

Undoubtedly they’ll be a lot of designing but it’s varied and changes daily, and I’m really grateful for that. My day usually ends falling asleep in front of the TV (I’m definitely a morning person).

My weekends are filled with things outside of design, usually catching up with friends, live music or visiting new spots around London. I think time away from designing is really important. It subconsciously sparks new ideas, and means when I do come back to a project I’m feeling refreshed and motivated.

How do you like to work?

With a great playlist on. With enough time to create something I’m proud of, and with time after to reflect and decompress. Somewhere I can really focus and away from distractions. There’s a lot of content out there and ways to consume it, which can often feel overwhelming at times. So time away from my phone definitely helps!

What/who inspires you and your work?

People who challenge convention, listen, and have empathy. In the design world, Dixon Baxi. I’m always inspired by their bravery and the process and thinking behind their work. And friends and family of course.

Where or what is your favourite spot in South East London?

I went swimming in the lake at Beckenham Place Park this summer which was fun, and surprisingly not that cold!

You can follow Esme on Instagram here