Like practically every designer working in the UK in the past 30 years, Creative Review magazine has played a huge role in our development as designers. For many people it’s their first peek into the elusive inner workings of ‘the industry’ and has always been a brilliant source of news, well written opinion and information. This was especially true before the internet changed the way we consume information, but even now, getting hold of a new printed copy is as much of a thrill as it was back when we first discovered it. That’s not to say CR haven’t moved with the times, their blog is a lively platform for debate and one of the best in the business for design news and gossip. Their new iPad app (unveiled this week!) is as stonking as we knew it would be. In our opinion, they’re the best, most useful and most established industry magazine around. Over the last few years, we’ve become friendly with the CR crew and thought it would a good idea to get them involved with our Ten Questions series.

Editor Patrick Burgoyne was kind enough to take the time to give us his answers. Covering a range of topics from bilge tanks to idiotic maths teachers, here’s what he has to say…

Photo: George Foote

1. How do you describe what you do?
I’m Editor of Creative Review, a monthly magazine, a website and an iPad app for the visual communications community.

2. What made you want to do what you do?
I always wanted to write and I was always interested in ‘visual culture’: this job allows me to combine the two.

3. How would you describe your workplace?
Think of the ‘paperless office’, then think of the opposite of that.

4. What is your favourite colour?
I love 100% yellow but would never dare wear anything in it. What I laughingly call my ‘wardrobe’ is your standard issue mix of black, navy, grey, more black and some brown stuff for when I’m feeling adventurous.

5. Who is your favourite artist or writer?
Artist – David Byrne. Not primarily a visual artist but someone whose work, in whatever medium, I am always excited to see/hear/read. I had the chance to interview him last year but couldn’t face the idea that he might disappoint, so I let Rick Poynor do it instead. I regret it now.

Writer – PG Wodehouse. Like a lot of people, I used to think he was just a posh twit who wrote about other posh twits. Then I read him. Now I urge everyone I meet to give him a try. If you love language and wit you will love him too.

6. What was your previous job?
First: stacking shelves in Solar Superstore, Sudbury, Suffolk. Nearly got fired on the first day because my friend Ian threw a bag of flour at me. Worst: cleaning out the bilge tanks on a cross channel ferry in dry dock in Southampton. After university I worked at the Body Shop, first in the stock room of the Oxford Circus branch, then at one of their offices and, after that, I worked for the University of Westminster in their corporate communications department while writing stuff for free magazines on the side. People can get discouraged when they don’t land their dream job soon after graduating but it took me six years to get into the industry I wanted to be in. You can get there in the end.

7. Do you work within a team? If so, how many people do you work with?
We have three writers who work across the magazine and web– Eliza, Mark (deputy editor) and Gavin – our art director, Paul, and Emma looks after social media and soon the iPad app. We also currently have Laura on placement. Then we have sales, marketing, circulation and events teams who we share with other titles at our publisher, Centaur.

8. Do you listen to music whilst working? If so, what do you listen to?
Unfortunately not – open plan office shared with lots of others.

9. Who inspires you to do what you’re doing?
I guess the main inspiration comes from all the interesting people I get to meet – that’s the best part of this job really.

10. Which advice has helped you the most?
At school I had a maths teacher who advised me to concentrate on his subject and leave the writing for my ‘spare time’ as, that way, I would get a better job. My mum told me to ignore him and concentrate on what I enjoyed. Thanks mum.

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And there you have it! I’m pretty sure Patrick is the first Editor we’ve featured on Ten Questions and we’re delighted to have him involved. You can see the rest of the series here.

Huge thanks to Mr. Burgoyne for his involvement and we urge you to check out the brilliant Creative Review website and blog, subscribe to the magazine (print is NOT dead) and, of course, delve into their brand spanking new iPad app –you can get your free sample here.

Thanks for reading,

Phil & Tom