Robin Son’s Stories, Lessons & Insights

We’re looking forward to introducing you to Robin Son. Check out our conversation below.

Robin, really appreciate you sharing your stories and insights with us. The world would have so much more understanding and empathy if we all were a bit more open about our stories and how they have helped shaped our journey and worldview. Let’s jump in with a fun one: What do the first 90 minutes of your day look like?
I don’t have a strict routine like the ones you see on social media. I’m not really a frequent gym goer or a wake-up-at-5am kind of person. I have a son, so my day usually starts with family time; breakfast, playing games and going on a walk. One thing I am consistent with is doing something creative with my hands in that first 90 minutes of my day before I sit at my computer to work.

Recently I put together some sticker packs (https://www.instagram.com/p/DRw4E4xDRl-/) to hand out at a creative event, so for a few days I was working on those in the morning. I’m currently working on another project where I need to make envelopes, so that’s occupying my mornings right now. If I don’t have any off-screen work tasks that day, I like to journal or doodle instead. I feel like doing something creative with your hands (even if it’s as small as a quick doodle or arranging your fruit in your yogurt bowl into a cute pattern), it gives me that accomplished feeling we get when we do something creative. That feeling gets the motivation going for me.

Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
Of course! I’m Robin, a brand and graphic designer from the UK. Since starting my business a few years ago I’ve said every brand has a brain; its own personality, unique strengths and edge. My whole approach is based on making accessible designs that reflect the brand’s personality.

I also have a podcast called Brand Your Brain where I collect and share anonymous confessions from creatives to normalise the messy, real side of freelancing as a creative. I started with basically no experience and just kind of figured it out as I went; I think it’s important that more designers and creatives embrace the ups and downs and use those lessons to grow their brand.

Everything I do is about championing creatives and supporting cool people who create things. I want creatives to feel seen and understood but most importantly, encouraged to trust their own voice. If my work and podcast can help a creative feel braver, clearer or at home in their creativity then I’m doing exactly what I’m supposed to be.

Thanks for sharing that. Would love to go back in time and hear about how your past might have impacted who you are today. Who taught you the most about work?
My parents for sure. I was really lucky growing up to have parents who supported me as a creative person. They bought me my first crayons, my first paint set, my first camera and they always encouraged my creativity. I was never discouraged when I told them I’d be taking a creative course in college, and they set good examples for working hard in their jobs.

My dad worked in the corporate world, my mum in the hospitality world and they both worked together with the home life. My dad was always encouraging and my mum was always sewing or making earrings or doing other crafty bits. I think having all of this modelled for me along with the creative encouragement let me know that I was safe to choose my own path, as long as I was happy and earning enough to be comfortable.

Whenever I accomplish something, get a big unexpected opportunity, win an award or even just complete a small project, my parents are the first to know and always have the loudest cheers in the room.

If you could say one kind thing to your younger self, what would it be?
Not everyone is going to get it and that is okay. Even though I had supportive parents when it came to pursuing a creative career, that doesn’t mean I escaped judgement from people outside of my family. I had friends, ex-partners, college teachers etc… all tell me that creative jobs are not a sustainable route, and having fun with your creativity and trying new things makes you indecisive.

Finding new ways to explore your creativity, finding new problems to solve and even pivoting when what you’re currently doing isn’t doing it for you anymore is not indecisiveness. It’s the one thing that’s going to keep you on your toes, ready to adapt and unlock greater creative problem solving skills. Being multi-passionate is not a bad trait.

So a lot of these questions go deep, but if you are open to it, we’ve got a few more questions that we’d love to get your take on. Is the public version of you the real you?
The public version of me is the real me but not the whole me. To me, brands are like humans but humans aren’t brands; they’re too complex.

For example, parenting is obviously a huge part of my day to day life. I may talk about it if it’s relevant, like in this interview for example, but I don’t share content with my child in it & I don’t talk about my child’s life because my child’s privacy matters and it’s not relevant to what I’m building.

But that doesn’t make the public version of me less real, I’d never lie if someone asked me, but it just means there are boundaries. I think we can exist as more than one thing at a time while choosing to share only one. You can be a creative while also showing up for the other big parts of your life like a full time job, being a student or being a parent.

Thank you so much for all of your openness so far. Maybe we can close with a future oriented question. Are you doing what you were born to do—or what you were told to do?
I’m doing what I was born to do 100%. But with that being said, I don’t believe I was born to be a graphic designer. I wasn’t someone who that knew what they wanted to be from an early age. For me when I say I’m ‘doing what I’m born to do’ it means I’m pursuing a creative career and enjoying my job every day. I’m balancing work life and home life well. I’m earning while doing something fun and creative. I get to be creative for a living and I think that’s what I was born to do.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.brandsbyrobin.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/brandsbyrobin/
• Other: Podcast – https://www.brandsbyrobin.com/podcast

Image Credits
Whitney Nicole Photography