Meet Richard_

Hey Richard, what’s your job role?
R: I’m the Creative Director.

Awesome! What did you want to be when you grew up?
R: I wanted to design record covers for bands. I actually did this as a freelancer before we started Punch. I like to think I’ve got pretty good music taste too, as an aside…

Mmhm. I’m sure. What are you responsible for at Punch?
R: My role is split – I am Creative Director and also a co-owner of Punch – so I focus on the strategic direction of the agency, and the design, brand and creative direction of key client projects.

Sounds busy. What do you love about your job?
R: I love being able to see a design, idea or campaign in my head before I scamp it out and start working things up. I’m still a champion of sketching things out on pen and paper before moving to the computer. I’ve been told I’m good at seeing solutions to complex problems that have a lot of moving parts. I can step back and see the bigger picture without losing focus of the smaller elements.

What’s the thing you’re known for?
R: I’m a risk taker (hence starting Punch sixteen years ago), which is often a good fit with our line of work. I think this allows me to think freely because risks or the fear of failure can often cloud the creative process. I believe everybody should aim to get outside of their comfort zone in order to create great work. You don’t make great work by sitting still. Also I am quite decent at drawing, and can impress my kids with ridiculous versions of Harry Potter or superheroes, so there’s always that!

Time to get nosy. Where’s your favourite place?
R: Durham – where I grew up

Nice. If you were going to be an animal, what would you be?
R: I’d want to be able to fly, so naturally an eagle. I would also want hands though, so maybe a flying squirrel as a compromise.

Not what I expected you to say! What’s your lifestyle like?
R: Family life is quite rural, just outside Hebden Bridge in Calderdale. It’s a nice contrast to Mac screens and marketing strategies. My wife and I have two dogs and three children, quite often we just enjoy kicking around by a river or going for a few beers locally. I like to keep things pretty simple when we can, we don’t need much to have a good time.

Very cute. Do you have a saying you love to live by?
R: Absolutely not! Don’t live your life through the words of other people. Does that sound lame?

Yes. Yes it does.