Meet the Board; Ben Philp – A Quickfire Q & A

Ben Philp, Creative Director, Creative Coop

Who are the board of Creative Colchester and what do they do? It’s time for the next in our mini- post series about the broad range of creatives who make up Creative Colchester. This week, Anna is talking to Ben Philp, Creative Director of Creative Coop.

What is your first creative memory?

Wow, this is a tough one, drawing and painting at pre school I think.

What is your role and how would you describe what you do?

Creative Director at Creative Coop. We are a design studio covering branding, design, websites and web tools, with third sector clients and those doing social good. Because we are a small studio my role is so varied. This involves being responsible for the creative work we produce, working with clients and building relationships, helping to win new business, managing people, company strategy and growth, running the finance side of things and also being involved in day to day project work.

How did you get into the creative industries?

I studied Art Foundation, then done a degree in graphic design. This then meant I had the portfolio and some professional contacts but the hardest thing was to get through the interview stages and to keep applying. At the time less than 10% of design students got jobs. 6 or 7 interviews later I got my first job as a junior designer at a design agency in Farringdon and over 100 people applied.

Did you always think you would have the role you have now?

I always wanted to work in the creative industries and also had a interest in business, so while as a kid I didn’t plan it, once I started my graphic design course it was always a long term goal.

What was your first job?

I had a business selling fishing products that I designed and manufactured at 14 which I kept going until I was 25. Sales declined in the winter months and my first PAYE job was at 18 where I worked at Homebase for 3 months. That was my only non design based job I have had.

What has been your hardest professional challenge and how did you overcome it?

Taking the company from a position where turnover had almost halved and doubling it within 18 months. The Brexit vote had really impacted our turnover heavily clients pulled a lot of projects and clients were very wary on spending. We dug in deep as a team worked hard and the results paid off, this meant a lot of very long days and changing strategies. Then we had covid a couple of years after and again work was pulled however we were better prepared this time and increased our sales through covid.

What’s the one piece of advice you would give to someone wanting to work in your sector?

You need to stand out. Work really hard, get involved in creative sector events, make great connections and be prepared to take on lots of criticism. Oh and don’t take your parents to a job interview, yes it happens!

What is the most inspiring creative moment you’ve had this year?

Meeting other local creatives. Being in Colchester has been a lonely place to work over the last 5 or so years and since me and Julia Payne (Founder of The Hub UK and board member) starting the creative social meet ups a year ago we have met is so many people that we never knew worked here. It’s been really rewarding to see it turn from an event of 8 people to regular numbers of 45+.