Helen: storyteller, foodie and our new Content Manager
Wilkie is one of the original team members, developing creative concepts to print and digital since the early naughties. We take a trip down memory lane to find out how his role of Creative Artworker has changed over the years.
How has the world of Artwork and your role changed over the years?
Massively. When I started as a junior, I worked in a dark room to produce headline settings on a typositor, before moving on to a diatronic system after going to sight and sound college in Manchester to learn how to type. Everything was command coded and you had to wait until you printed out the job to know if you had set everything correctly. It’s all much more efficient now, with a screen in front of you.
What career would you like to pursue if you weren’t an artworker?
That’s a tough one. I would’ve loved to work in the music industry but I’m very happy with what I’m doing now.
Can you tell us about a memorable project that you’ve worked on?
It’s difficult to choose after all the years of doing artwork but I would say that working on the Creative Circle Awards book in the 90s was a top highlight, as the typesetting and typography was entered into the New York Type Directors Club awards and it won. We were invited to New York to pick up the award but couldn’t make it (unfortunately) so it was received on our behalf and given to us later. Very proud to have received this award, as it’s a prestigious award in the typesetting industry and had only been won by a handful of UK agencies.
What part of your role do you enjoy the most?
The satisfaction you get from seeing the completed job, good client feedback and being happy with the final product.
Where’s one place in the world that you really want to visit?
Mikes Shed! (for those who don’t know Mike, he’s also a Creative Artworker at STM and his shed is his pride and joy). On a serious note, I’ve always fancied Hawaii.
How many Manchester City games have you been to in your life?
I had to research this. I’ve been to around 2479 games (I’ve been a season ticket holder for 44 years). I hate to think how much I’ve spent but I’ve enjoyed every minute.
Name your all-time favourite cuisine?
A Sunday roast is always a winner but I do enjoy most pasta dishes and Chinese meals, but I’m not too keen on anything that comes out of the sea.
What gets you out of bed in the morning?
The alarm clock.
When you visit us in Manchester
We have free parking available on site (M4 6AX) but, spaces are limited. Day parking is also available on Goulden Street just round the corner.
When you visit us in Leeds
If you’re visiting us in Leeds we’re based at Mabgate Mills (LS9 7DZ) and there are plenty of parking options nearby.
Day parking is available nearby with free on street parking available for 4 hours on Cherry Row and reasonably priced parking on Macaulay Street and Mabgate via an app called ‘Park Mobile’.
