INSPIRE: The Road Less Travelled...Zoe Scutts

This week, we are delighted to introduce Zoe Scutts, who discovered that all creative jobs are not equal when she decided to leave behind computer-based work to work with her hands.

Give a brief description of your career path up until now.
I graduated in 1995 with a first class honours degree in Media Production Design from the London College of Printing. Most of my Degree show collection was created on a sewing machine rather than an Apple Mac. I then worked at a few leading London design consultancies and did a stint at Channel 4. I enjoyed my early career but found the computer-based work creatively frustrating. Next, I started my own small graphic design business which lasted 10 years, but things change; life changed forever with the addition of two small children.

After enrolling myself onto a couple of creative night classes (to refresh my skills) I made the decision to go back to basics. I have ditched the mac (well, shifted it sideways!) and am now pursuing my original passion – to make things – rather than producing things on a screen.

What prompted you to pursue a creative career?
My career has always been creative, it’s the only thing I know, but going back to basics by getting dirty and using all my senses rather than just my eyes has been very exciting. There is nothing quite like the feel of moulding fresh clay or the smell of mixing silkscreen printing inks. These senses had got lost, or they had faded a little in the pursuit of my graphic design career.

What was the most difficult thing about this decision? And what was the easiest?
If I am honest the most difficult thing would be the money or lack of it! A graphic design career for me personally was pretty profitable on the whole, a client pays for YOU and YOUR time, whereas in making it’s more about recouping costs for your materials when selling items, YOUR time cannot even be added into the equation, if it was in the same manner my pieces would be priceless!!!! But the love of making is all worth the sacrifice.

How supportive of your decision were your family, friends and (former) colleagues?
Friends and family have been very supportive and positive. My husband enjoys the mess I create around the studio and tries to join in all the time! I think it may have inspired him in his work as a photographer to be honest, I have produced a couple of silkscreened printed posters using his imagery as a collaboration. My children, especially my daughter will quite regularly help me design and print various pieces - she’s even done her own range of cards which are on my site! That’s what I like about making, it appeals to all types of people of all ages but the outcomes can be so very different. It’s a family affair and we are all involved which is very nice.

How has pursuing a creative career been compared with your previous career? What are the challenges, and what are the highlights?
Both careers are/have been creative, the former was more structured and regimented. I climbed the ropes the way they should be climbed. Nowadays I make my own decisions about what I do in a day, how I market myself and whether something is right or wrong. It’s all more ad hoc. The challenge is about getting better at what I do and trying to market it in the right places and get it out there for people to see – probably the biggest challenge!

The highlights are the making for me, closely followed by a sale or a compliment about my work. It inspires me when friends from my previous career give me positive feedback.

Have you had any regrets about choosing a creative career?
No, none whatsoever. I have always enjoyed what I do and I count myself very, very lucky to have made a good living out of something I love so much – it doesn’t always happen in life.

What has been the best thing about your decision to pursue a creative career?
The flexibility it gives me. Like most mums you try to be everything to everyone and be everywhere. Whilst I am no supermum I am able to pursue making at the same time as running a family.

If you could give one piece of advice to someone considering taking up a creative career, what would that be?
Go for it! It’s inspiring, challenging and fun and sociable. To do something that is fun on a day-to-day basis is what it's all about isn’t it?

What are your plans for the future?
I am a prolific maker and use lots of materials in my pieces including clay, paper, ink, resin, wool and glass. If we take two of the mediums I work with (as we’ll be here forever otherwise!) Ceramics - I now have my own kiln, so in the next few months I hope to really step-up the production process after previously having to wait for mass firings at my pottery night classes.

With my silk-screened work I hope to experiment with smaller paper pieces like limited/bespoke cards, invitations and letterheads – it’s all in my head at the moment, but it’s very exciting!

I hope to introduce a good range of ceramic and paper goods into galleries and independent stores at some point in the next year or so – that’s the masterplan! Wish me luck, I’m going to need it.

You can see more of Zoe's beautiful work at www.madebyzoescutts.com, and you can also find her on Facebook and Twitter.