Team Accord: Simon Horton, Associate Art Director
Introducing our talented Associate Art Director, Simon. Bringing a wealth of experience and artistic expertise to our agency, Simon plays a pivotal role in shaping the visual identity and messaging of our clients' brands.
What inspired you to join Accord/start a career in design?
I was inspired to start a career in design thanks to my Dad who runs a magazine publishing business. I often used to help out doing layout design for him during sixth form, so it’s probably no coincidence that my first job with Accord was designing a monthly magazine for one of our key clients, ROL.
What is your role, and what do you enjoy most about it?
My role as Associate Art Director is largely focused on elevating our creative output as a team. A relatively new role for Accord, it allows me to express my ‘creative restlessness’ (as Richard, our Creative Director, likes to call it) - driving ideas, striving for quality and encouraging the team to express themselves creatively. The part of the role I enjoy particularly is building relationships – after all, to stay on brief and create the best work possible, there needs to be a level of trust with clients and colleagues. Strong relationships are key to this.
What project are you most proud of?
The project I’m most proud of is actually one of the smallest I’ve worked on for a brand we built called Hapikåta, a tipi and events company with Nordic roots. As a small family-run business, I really felt the value in what we were creating - proof that smaller budgets don’t have to hinder creativity. From naming through to roll out, I was able to work really closely with the client to help bring their vision to life. It was a super rewarding project.
READ MORE: How we worked with Hapikåta, to develop their name, visual identity and digital presence
And what do you find the most challenging?
The thing I find most challenging about the industry, a frustration shared by many in the creative field I’m sure, is the amount of work that is left on the cutting room floor. Seeing a concept that the team has worked really hard on, and that you really believe in, not making it into production will always be challenging. Ultimately there’s a reason why it’s not right though, and it's all part of the journey to the end design solution. You soon learn to be thick-skinned!
What do you get up to in your spare time outside of work?
A hobby which I started during lockdown is drawing. Pining for a pint, I started a series called ‘I miss the pub’ where I drew some of my favourite pubs around London. I must have drawn over 100 to date and I’ve also produced a London pubs calendar for the last two years.
What advice would you give to someone starting in the industry?
My advice to anyone starting in the industry is nothing ventured, nothing gained. You never know what conversation may arise from attending that event, going to that interview or sending that email. Throw yourself into every opportunity that presents itself, big or small. Be proactive, be approachable, believe in yourself and you’ll get to where you want to be.
If you could swap your role with anyone else in the company, who would it be?
It would definitely be Sally our CEO - aim big right! Four-day weeks here we come!
If you could have any superpower, what would it be and why?
It would probably be to fly - I regularly have flying dreams, so it would be fun to put that into practice. I’d save a bunch on travel too!
What’s the most interesting book, podcast, or movie you’ve read/watched recently?
Since becoming a dad, my podcast/book consumption has somewhat dissipated – but the last book I read was Shoe Dog, which I constantly find myself referencing. Being a sports fanatic, Nike as a brand is synonymous with some of my favourite sporting memories growing up. So, it was fascinating to learn more about how the brand was conceived and then exploded into a worldwide phenomenon. I’m desperate to watch Air and see how they’ve brought the story to life on screen.
What’s something on your bucket list that you haven’t had the chance to do yet?
Something I haven’t done yet on my bucket list is to visit Burma. My grandpa was posted there in the Second World War, and he was and still is one of my biggest inspirations, so it would mean a lot to visit the country and pay homage to him.
If you have any questions, or would like to learn more about our career opportunities, please don't hesitate to reach out.
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Simon Horton
Simon brings a wealth of experience and artistic expertise to our agency. As an integral part of our creative team, Simon plays a pivotal role in shaping the visual identity and messaging of our clients' brands.
