Introducing Mat Scholes
We are lucky enough to have ourselves more than one Mat in our office , and this month it was Mat Scholes who got nabbed (on his way back from the airfield!) to answer some deep and meaningful questions. We want you to know more about Mat, and when he’s not designing stuff and flying planes for Slightly Different, what else does he have time and energy for….. my guess is, plenty!
Me: What does your job role at Slightly Different Involve?
Mat: Well as much as I’d like to be referred to as ‘Creative Genius’, most will call me a designer. Nonetheless I am in charge of fueling the creative spark of the SD Team, driving the innovation and originality that makes us who we are. I both design and build websites, as well as animation and video integration. Also I occasionally use felt tips to draw spider-diagrams and pretty pictures!
Me: Impressive Mat, so where did you learn to do all that then?
Mat: Most of my technical skills were acquired from countless hours of magazine or web tutorials, or through sheer experimentation! I’m someone that likes to be constantly learning new things! I’m not sure where my creativity originates from, yet I do know that the University of Falmouth did a great job in nurturing it during my degree in Graphic Design.
Me: They certainly are churning out some creative talent in Falmouth that’s for sure, is this what you always wanted to do.. not the felt tip pens bit?
Mat: Actually up until the age of 15 I wanted to go into law (I was very academic as a child), but after choosing a college course that proved incredibly demanding, I found myself taking refuge in art, naturally however my logical and pragmatic way of thinking steered me into design. Ever since, I have been driven to become the greatest Art Director the world has ever seen…
Me: You missed off the evil dramatic laugh there Mat! Law……so quite a change of direction then, so given that you are now not defending or prosecuting criminals, what do you love most about your job?
Mat: I love to solve problems with design and my creativity enables me to solve them in unique ways. It’s such a good feeling to know that you have made a difference to an individual or business through doing something that you love.
Me: Well said! Ok moving on from all this fluffy stuff, if you could work on your ultimate dream project what would it be and why?
Mat: In my second year at University I began a project that looked at developing a brand evolution for Google. The idea was to create a powerful brand identity for the Google of 2020 and find a way of changing the brand over time from the current incarnation, to that of the 2020 version. Ever since, I have wanted to undertake this as a real project for Google. It would be one of the most challenging design tasks a designer could ever tackle, and could make or break said individual. I would love to give it a go, so if anyone knows Larry Page or Eric Schmidt…
Me: Sorry can’t help you there Mat but if we keep going the way we are at Slightly Different, Google will be calling us any day! Another question then, who, what ,or both inspires you?
Mat: I’m inspired by anyone, anything and everything…ok that doesn’t really narrow it down much does it?! I follow numerous key figures not just in design, but also in politics, business, art, literature, advertising and the media. I feel most inspired by good ideas and they can come from anyone.
Me: Did I hear correctly that you have a theatrical background?
Mat: Well, I wouldn’t say theatrical?! I guess I have always been somewhat of an extrovert, during my years I have played solo piano performances in concert halls, gigs in pubs, performed on-stage in numerous plays, been on both TV and Radio, and given talks to audiences of thousands! I did have a brief stint in summer drama schools, and this gave me one of my greatest assets…the dramatic… pause.
Me: Hmmm yes thought as much, thank god we found you and brought you in to the fold, what with your dull and eventless life so far and all…. (dramatic pause!) Ok, so when you aren’t playing grand pianos and making movies, what other interests do you have outside of the creative stuff? (women and booze is not an answer)
Mat: Well what else is left then?! Outside of everything creative, I am an avid extreme sports enthusiast. I love to surf or go skateboarding whenever I get time, and also get to the snow once a year for my ultimate love, snowboarding! I also play a variety of instruments, and if only I had more arms, I could be a one-man orchestra…
Me: Aside from the one man band reference, why are you Slightly Different Mat?
Mat: Simply put, I am Slightly Different because.
