Rob Ball
Graduated – 1997
Profile
Rob joined The Partners in 2000 after ‘basically pissing about for a couple of years’. After 13 years he had worked his way up to Creative Directorship collecting many prestigious awards along the way. Rob is an extremely talented and self-effacing designer who is also an adept and very talented illustrator.
He has won several top awards including a D&AD Gold, New York Festivals Gold, Campaign Awards Gold, Cannes Lions Gold, Art Directors Club Gold and a Graphis Platinum award. He is currently now part-time at The Partners as he concentrates on developing his illustration. Rob is represented by Mendola Arts.
The Disciples of Design Q&A
How and where did you secure your first job?
I joined The Partners through a recommendation from my mate Steve Owen. I was working as an office clerk at the time and took all my holiday entitlement for the year to do a placement. Nine years later, I’m still here.
Did anyone ever ask you what grade you got?
Only my mum and dad.
Who’s work has inspired or influenced you the most?
I don’t really get inspired by anyone in particular – I’m inspired by fear of failure. I get inspired a lot.
Where do you get your ideas from?
Mostly from ripping off other stuff, then changing it enough so no-one notices.
What would you have done differently at University knowing what you know now?
I wouldn’t have had that pint of Old Tom at The Black Horse.
What’s the best thing about your job?
Comparing it to 99 percent of other jobs.
What is the most unusual thing you have done in your career?
I had a look round Puff Daddy’s superyacht for a photo shoot in Monaco once. I really blended in.
What do you look for in graduates and their portfolios?
Attitude. I like enthusiastic students who realise how lucky they are to even be considering making a living out of colouring things in like what we do.
Any advice for students entering the industry during the recession?
It’s hard to get a job in the creative industry even when the sun’s shining so do the same things but quicker, louder and weirder.
Portfolio
The Grand Tour - The National Gallery
50 Goodies & 50 Baddies - Personal Project
