Eighth Day create beautiful, classic design work from their seaside studio. They took the time to chat to us about how to positively impact community and environment through design, shared advice on building a high-quality folio, and how they're finding working in Brighton inspiring.
Where did you study and what were some of your first jobs?
I studied at Central St Martins. My first jobs were at Williams & Phoa and then HGV – both multi D&AD award-winning London agencies. I then moved to Madrid to work for Addison, followed by another move to Thompson Design Group in San Francisco. Exciting times! Lots of very hard work but valuable and varied experience, which gave me the confidence and know-how to go it alone, eventually setting up Eighth Day in Brighton eighteen years ago.
How did you name your practice and what does the name represent to you?
I wanted a name that represented creativity, so the idea was that seven days of the week are set in stone but on the Eighth Day you can make your own rules, be innovative and build something better and different.
How does the local culture of where you live affect your design work and getting clients?
Brighton is full of amazing creative people, and I love its openness and non-judgemental attitude. Walking to work along the seafront and then through The Lanes just as all the shops are preparing to open can be inspiring. There are always great ideas being discussed and exciting new businesses starting out, and I feel privileged to work with some of them. However, being in a place that is so full of inspiring designers and innovators creates its own challenges: there is always a lot of talented competition for new projects! But this also means we get to work in a fantastic (and often collaborative) creative hub. There’s never a dull moment.
What’s your take on internships? (Do you take interns now?)
Eighth Day offers paid internships and we strongly believe that ALL interns should be paid. Internships are an excellent way to gauge if someone fits well into the studio and at the same time they provide valuable work experience. It’s a mutually beneficial opportunity. In fact, over the years we have gone on to employ three interns as full-time designers.
We always advise our clients on the best environmental solutions to a brief.
What’s the best piece of advice you’ve ever received?
‘You are only as good as your last piece of work.’ And every project is as important as the one before. I never forget this — it has helped me build a high-quality portfolio of work and build long-term relationships with our clients. I don’t take anything for granted.
What more do you think the design community could do to give back?
A couple of things that Eighth Day do, as examples…
First, we have been giving back by donating one project a year to a chosen charity that benefits our local community. This year we did some brand development work and made a website for Same Sky, a Brighton-based arts charity. The website includes a donations area, which has helped them raise their profile and raise funds for community projects. Next year we intend to support a project about body positivity.
Second, we always advise our clients on the best environmental solutions to a brief. This includes advice on paper stocks, choosing a printer with strong environmental credentials, reducing the amount or the weight of packaging, or removing packaging altogether. This benefits everybody.
Where to find Eighth Day online.
Website: eighthday.co.uk
Instagram: @eighthdaydesign
