Someone

Simon Manchipp – SomeOne

DESCRIBE THE IDEAL CANDIDATE IN THREE WORDS

TALENTED
TALENTED
TALENTED

WHAT’S THE MOST COMMON MISTAKE PEOPLE MAKE WHEN THEY APPLY FOR JOBS?

They don't make it personal, professional or powerful.

HOW IMPORTANT IS IT FOR YOU TO SEE COMMERCIAL WORK?

It's important to prove that you can apply lateral thinking to literally anything. There's no point in showing a black and white logo on a white page—branding is all about context, so give it a context. But a beautifully considered project about mapping the streets of BoraBora would impress as much as a kick-ass approach to rebranding Greggs the Baker.

DOES IT MATTER WHAT YOU WEAR TO AN INTERVIEW IF YOUR PORTFOLIO IS STUNNING?

Not really. But it helps if you look presentable. We don't have a uniform, but we are tribal and like people who fit into our gang. A suit is a no-no—but it wouldn't put us off (we've had it before and just told them, you're hired, so relax!). But looking like a bag of chips is never going to aid and abet your quest. Be yourself. Unless yourself is a hardcore techno-goth, then tone it down... know your audience!

Steve Jobs tells the story (in his biography) of how he turned up at Atari fresh from a recent pilgrimage to India, dressed in full Indian garb with bare feet and unwashed and said, "Hi, I'm Steve, I'm not leaving 'till you give me a job". He had the extremely unusual raw talent to pull it off, even though he smelled so bad they made him work the nightshift. This immense talent is very rare and this approach would repel most employers—so don't think you can do this. If you do think you can do this, you should probably be starting your own company—not trying to join one.

WHAT’S WORSE — OVER OR UNDERSELLING YOURSELF?

Both bad—but no one likes a cock-sure 21 year old (just look at the Apprentice for wise-cracking swagger-merchants). Better to be modest and let the work sing—a good creative director will see the work and praise. 'Gently persistent' is probably the best way to approach things. Be like water, everywhere and persistently eroding barriers.

WHAT’S THE ONE THING A POTENTIAL EMPLOYEE CAN DO THAT WILL IMPRESS YOU?

Be an instant asset, not a cost—by this I mean come in with a 'can-do' entrepreneurial attitude where you know what you are good at, demonstrate it elegantly and swiftly and make your offer seductive enough to be hard to ignore. Employers want someone who can make stuff significantly better, without incurring significant costs—from day one. Be that person, and you will soon become invaluable and climb the ladder rapidly.

ABOUT SOMEONE

We are 30 people in a room.

Started, run and owned by three creative directors.

SomeOne is a London design practice that launches, relaunches & protects brands.

Unlike large, traditional groups, working with SomeOne means clients meet and work with the designers. After all, that’s why we get hired. To design.

Direct contact with SomeOne’s creative minds means ideas flow more freely, which is important as great brands need great opinions.

Ideas excite us, they shape the future, add value & signal change.

That’s why we concentrate on big ideas first, then go about making them beautifully.

www.someoneinlondon.com