#pateman

Where were you were born and where did you study? Did you always want to become a Graphic artist and designer? 

At University I studied Visual Communications and specialised in Advertising after my tutor told me that was where all the money and glamour was. So I ended up working in advertising for 13 years, with over 10 of those spent at Abbott Mead Vickers BBDO. About half way through my time there I realised I wasn't really drawing anymore, something I had done everyday since childhood. So me and my copywriter set about finding a client that we could write posters for that I could illustrate. That client was V&A Museum Of Childhood and our ads went on to become really successful at award shows, winning for illustration as well as idea. After that I was approached by illustration agents and I began taking commissions as well as writing advertising until two years ago I began to illustrate full time.

After being on the jury for D&AD, what was the most interesting piece of work that you had judged and why? 

The Dumb Ways To Die campaign for Metro Trains was by far the most interesting piece I judged at D&AD. Irreverent, funny, impactful, relevant, original, beautifully crafted and for a good cause.

East End Alphabet

What was the idea behind Je Suis Pâté and Pâté On Toast? 

I won a swimming competition at Pontin's Holiday Camp when I was a boy. A famous swimmer called Duncan Goodhew read my name out to collect my medal, but instead of pronouncing my name Paul Pateman he pronounced it Paul Pâtéman. From then on people called me Pâtéman that eventually condensed to Pâté. I wanted to use a pseudonym for my illustration work to distance it from the ad work I was doing so I called myself Pâté. Then the duck in the blender logo came which is still probably the illustration I'm most proud of. The Je Suis Pâté film was an self introduction film I did for an award I gave out at the YCN student awards and Pâté On Toast is my website because unbelievably Pâté.co.uk was taken.

What drew you to pursue graphic design and art direction? 

I love ideas and drawing, simple as that. When I was a kid I used to draw all the time, but hated the dark overlapping lines of colour you got when colouring in with felt tip pens. I loved the flat colour of professionally printed comics. When working in advertising I became familiar with Adobe Illustrator and immediately fell in love with it's mathematical precision and flat colour possibilities.

Which artists/individuals inspire your work the most? 

I find lots of people and their work inspiring but if I had to give you a top 5, in no particular order it would be Peter Grundy, Mick Marston, James Joyce, Mr Bingo and Craig & Karl.

TFL Oyster Cards

Is there a certain way you like to work? What is your creative routine? 

I like to think in the morning and do in the afternoon. I work relentlessly when I'm inspired and worry a lot when I'm not.

What has been the most rewarding project you have worked on and why? 

The V&A Museum of Childhood project. It launched my career and had everything I hold to be important in it: Ideas, craft and humour.

What are the biggest lessons you’ve learnt about creativity in the course of your work? 

You can't let anyone tell you what is good and what is not. You need your own barometer and set of principles that you use to steer your work and decide wether what you have done is worthwhile.

What do you like to do when you are not designing? 

When not doodling I love cinema, playing football, tennis and learning sanskrit. One of those statements is untrue.

Go Ultra Low

What’s the best piece of advice anyone gave you?

Leave advertising.

Checkout more of  Paul Patemen on his website or on Behance.