We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Matthew Wilson a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Matthew, so excited to have you with us today. So much we can chat about, but one of the questions we are most interested in is how you have managed to keep your creativity alive.
I’m a big believer that your job shouldn’t ever be your only creative outlet, otherwise there’s a high risk of burnout. I like to have one or two side projects woven into my life, practices that are a stark departure from the everyday. For example, I’ve been designing interactive spatial experiences for 10 years now and while that’s EXACTLY what I want to do, I’ve maintained a regular practice of film photography, brand design, and motion graphics for even longer. I learned this in college. The sculpture program that I was in required almost twice as many electives in other departments because, as they put it.. “being well versed in other mediums will only make your sculptural work better.” Things you wouldn’t ever imagine can inform and shape your work. So, how do I keep my creativity alive? Do drastically different things often, expose yourself to new experiences. I keep a running list of speculative projects to explore anytime I’m feeling uninspired. Learning how to make neons was on that list for years until I needed a break from the norm; it’s not a “to-do” list it’s a backlog for you to tap into when you really need a change of pace.
Let’s take a small detour – maybe you can share a bit about yourself before we dive back into some of the other questions we had for you?
I worked in restaurants for years before getting into the design world. I call this out because I learned more about the human condition in those difficult, sweaty jobs, face-to-face with hungry people than anything I’ve done since. It taught me how to interface with strangers, how to stay organized and focused through chaos, and how to care for an interconnected team just trying to get through service. It’s easy to forget (and necessary) to drop these “less applicable” jobs from a resume as your career evolves but every experience informs the next and hopefully you learned a thing or two.
When I moved to San Francisco, a whole world previously closed off to me opened up. I started freelancing doing any odd job that could lead to a career in design; that was my goal. I wound up doing motion graphics and documentary video editing for a team at Capital One. When they needed help with branding a new product, I jumped in to lead workshops and deliver brand guidelines. After that, we built a pop up research experience. It went over so well, I went full-time and we started a Physical Experience Design team dedicated to crafting spatial experiences and marketing activations. Being in SF and getting a foot in the door at companies allowed me to see needs and turn them into opportunities. It was a mix of “right time right place” and continually proving that I could make shit happen.
I met my current business partner on that team. About a year ago, we started Immersive Material Office; a spatial design studio activating brands and products through interactive spaces, timely content, and sensory experiences. We provide design services where the physical and digital worlds come together to create bespoke in-person experiences. Building a small business has, as one might assume, been both challenging and extremely rewarding. If anyone wants to be apart of our journey as clients or collaborators, don’t hesitate to reach out. We’re only as strong as our network.
As I mentioned before, it’s important to work in different spaces to keep creativity alive. I’m also working on a pet astrology app with two friends; moonpaws launches later this year!
There is so much advice out there about all the different skills and qualities folks need to develop in order to succeed in today’s highly competitive environment and often it can feel overwhelming. So, if we had to break it down to just the three that matter most, which three skills or qualities would you focus on?
Catalog precedents: Having a massive backlog of references and ideas means you can pivot and adapt at a moments notice. Go to the movies, taste a variety of foods, sit in nature… take note of the things that resonate, it will all inform your work.
Practice stealth leadership: One of my core principles is gentle leadership; and you don’t have to be in an authoritative position to practice this. Help guide teammates (managers, peers, and direct reports) in the right direction, but let them figure out how to get there. If your team wins, you win. Empower others and foster collaboration.
Be a little delusional: A touch of delusion allows you to free yourself of limits and reach beyond expectations. The odds are frequently stacked against you so it’s helpful to deny that reality so your dream survives.
How can folks who want to work with you connect?
As a new business we’re currently building up a pipeline of work, prioritizing clients who could evolve into long term partners.
For project inquiries/meet & greets, shoot an email to hello@immersivematerialoffice.com
Additionally, we’re always looking for creatives to collaborate with… creative technologists, game developers, DEI consultants, service designers, small business owners (even in disparate fields) the list is endless! We started IMO to do great work with a network of fun, caring, & talented people who also believe in designing purposeful experiences. That requires a myriad of skills and perspectives. We gain so much just from talking with folks (even more from creating together) please reach out on our website immersivematerialoffice.com
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.immersivematerialoffice.com/
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/immersivematerial/
so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.
