#CMEdi People: Col McElwaine

At our March 2018 event we got to share with you our brand new #CMEdiCups, designed by the legendary Col McElwaine!As well as being a talented designer and illustrator, Col is a long-time member of the CreativeMornings/EDI community - making the launch of our new cups just that extra bit special 💙

After the event, we took the opportunity to interview the legend himself, getting to know little bit more about his creative inspirations, processes, and more. 

Photography by our very own Ellie Morag 📸 

Can you tell us a little bit about yourself?

I am an Australian designer and illustrator who only recently made the move over to the UK. I have been living and working in Edinburgh for last few months getting to know the city and some of the legends that live here.

How did you first find out about CreativeMornings? And, which chapter was it that you first went along to?

I think I heard about Creative Mornings just though word of mouth, and went along to my first Creative Mornings event in Brisbane back in Australia.
What made you decide to first come along to CreativeMornings Edinburgh? 

We had just arrived in Edinburgh a few weeks earlier and I was really keen to check it out and find out more about the creative community in Scotland.

  What attracted you to get involved in collaborating with the chapter on cup designs? 

I try to get along to as many events that I can, but obviously some months can get pretty hectic so I cant always make it. I think it is important to support community run events like this and to contribute where you can. So I let Alex know that I was keen to do some work together.

What was your inspiration? 

 One of my favorite things about travelling is coming across all the different regional slang. Scotland might be the best place in the world for it. When I first saw the “You look braw today” on the last cups I loved it. It is such a good bit of slang I had to letter it. 

What’s your usual morning routine?

I try to wake up pretty early, have a coffee, read the news, cruise down to the canals have another coffee and map my day out and then I will usually be ready to start work.

What did you like best about our the last CreativeMornings Edinburgh event you took part in?

It was the first CM night event I have been to, there was a really different set of speakers which made it an interesting event. 

Photography by our very own Ellie Morag 📸

What is your creative calling?

I guess I like to make things that make everything else just a little bit easier. Whether it’s design or illustration the goal is to effectively make someones day better, whether that means making something better than before or just a little more fun to do.

What or who inspires you?

This is kind of cheesy but at the moment I am kind of obsessed with creative couples. My partner is a film maker and we have done a few projects together but I have it in my head that we are going to be Charles and Ray Eames some day or Jay and Bey or whatever. So her and that.

If you could give one piece of advice for nurturing creativity, what would it be?

I kind of think creativity fills a gap that you leave space for. Allow yourself to be bored sometimes as well as actively dedicating some time to make new stuff. 

Can you list a few of your favourite creative resources?

There is way too many to name but I burn through a ton of time on itsnicethat.com and eyeondesign.aiga.org I feel like they have been my consistent stayers.
What do you do to take care of your creative soul?

I don’t know if I do? I have a pretty bad habit of trying to cram as much that is possible into any given day, which I don’t think is really good for my creative soul, or maybe it is?  

Thank you so much Col for sharing insights into your creative life! If you spot Col at our next event, be sure to say hello - and don’t forget to check out his #Braw creations!