How would you describe what you do?
I wish I had a simple answer! What I do varies all the time because I have three jobs and I freelance on the side. It keeps me on my toes and I thrive off the variety but my answer tends to be a bit of a mouthful.

I educate a lot so let’s start with that. I teach at Central Saint Martins and at the Creative Computing Institute (CCI), both of which are part of the University of the Arts London (UAL). I teach creative computing, design, and creative practice development through interactive workshops and lectures that I deliver to students (mostly online now due to the pandemic).

I teach anything from basic web design to virtual reality development. I also run a young peoples’ after school club called ‘Tech Yard’ for the CCI. I work on this one day a week, organising cohorts of exciting introductory technology sessions for people aged 11-14 living in south London.

Finally, I freelance (I pull the time from thin air, but it somehow works). That includes guest lecturing at universities, or working with artists on creative projects (usually technology or gaming-based). I also run workshops for creative organisations, and work on my personal practice and research.

If you could sum up your job in an meme what would it be and why?
This exact meme! (Above) It’s hilarious! On a serious note, though, this meme really speaks to my imposter syndrome. Also, because I’m fairly young, I do genuinely find myself in situations like this.

What’s the weirdest thing on your desk right now?
The weirdest thing on my desk is me by far!

Do you have a recent project that you are most proud of, and why?
Absolutely! Whenever I get time to cosplay (wearing costumes and fashion accessories to represent a specific character.) I love the results. I recently cosplayed Sonic the Hedgehog – it was great fun. I've been writing poetry, too. I think I enjoy creative activities such as this because they allow me to express myself. I have a lot to say and show the world! I also made a Twine game recently called 50 Shades of Brown.

What kind of skills are needed to do your role?
The main skills that I exercise daily are communication, organisation, and empathy. Of course, I have to know a lot about technology, but for me, technical knowledge comes second to strong soft skills. My main approach is to know a little bit about a lot; rather than focusing on one niche, I actively take a broad interest in general creative computing so that I can cover anything from game design to machine learning.

I haven’t done any specific training (yet) but I did a lot of freelance ‘teaching’ before I got my formal roles in education. I am a self-taught technologist which is why I am passionate about open-source tools and community-focused education.

What was your journey like when you were first starting out?
I found my feet quickly. I came to London to be creative, and although it had its issues, UAL was the perfect place for me. I was teaching at university level during the second year of my BA, and then opportunities snowballed for me! I put myself out there and networked a lot.

Speaking at one place got me a workshop opportunity in another and so on. Although I am proud of my success, I don’t feel like I had a choice. Coming to London was make-or-break for me, and I think that drove me to grab all of the opportunities. I also don’t want to enforce the narrative of ‘hard work pays off’ – being kind to yourself and taking breaks is important too! Also, due to institutionalised racism and patriarchy, unfortunately, not all ‘hard work’ is received the same.

How important would you say social media and self-promotion are to your work? Do you have any advice or learnings to share?
It’s not as important as it is for other creatives. I only have an Instagram account, but it is a well-kept profile, and I have certainly gained some opportunities through the account.

I’m not a big fan of social media, so I feel conflicted about it. My best advice is to keep personal and business separate. However, allow for just enough of your unique personality to show on your business account to separate you from the crowd. You wouldn’t necessarily think it but my Instagram is a business account, and I don’t post anything personal on there.

If you could pick three things that you’ve found useful or inspiring to your work or career, what would they be and why?
Firstly, a book entitled The State of Play: Creators and Critics on Video Game Culture and a manifesto called The 3D Additivist Cookbook by Morehshin Allahyari and EbonixSims’ stream on Twitch!

What would you say has been your biggest challenge along the way?
Maintaining a healthy work-life balance, and to be honest, I’m not quite sure I have overcome it yet. I find it difficult to find the balance between being sensible and taking work seriously, and letting go and having fun.

What have been your greatest learnings with making money and supporting yourself as a creative?
Being humble and taking an L (loss) sometimes when it comes to part-time work. I worked a part-time job in sales for years before I was able to fully sustain myself from my creativity, and I am not ashamed to say that. I would also say: be mindful of your skills and how you can monetise them. I never thought that I would get paid for speaking but I do.

What’s the best career-related advice you’ve ever received?
When I was first starting, I surrounded myself with people that believed in me. This helped to validate what I was doing and gave me the reassurance I needed when things got challenging. Sometimes, we just need to be told that we are amazing and know that others believe in us!

What advice would you give someone looking to get into a similar role?
Start running workshops situated around your creative skills or practice. Leading workshops turned into a successful career in academia for me, and it gave my practice depth and exposure. Workshops are a great way to receive income and there is always a gallery, university, or brand looking for an upcoming creative to run one.

Tech-wise, don’t be intimidated, and remember that nobody knows what they’re doing. There are so many different skills in creative technology that you can learn! Focus on your interests and you won’t fail.