164. The Spark: Kenny Gravillis on Creative Rules, '80s Movies and Fruit Pastilles
In this bonus episode, The Spark, our founding editor Katy Cowan reunites with Kenny Gravillis for a more playful, off-the-cuff chat that lifts the lid on the personality behind the creative powerhouse. With the serious stuff out of the way, it's time to talk rules, rituals and ridiculous snacks.
Kenny shares the one design rule he tries not to break (but sometimes does) and how his relationship with creativity has evolved from being a perfectionist to embracing a more open, collaborative approach with his team.
There's also a loving tribute to St. Lucia, where he escapes to reset and recharge; a flashback to his pool hustling days in the Bronx; and an unexpected comfort found in a dog named Hero, who really needs to stop biting people's feet.
We also hear about his favourite funeral song, the word he never wants to hear again (bandwidth), and the oversized bag of Fruit Pastilles that didn't survive the first half of Mission Impossible. And yes, there's a Tom Cruise story... because, of course, there is.
This season is proudly sponsored by the School of Communication Arts.
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163. The Human Touch: Kenny Gravillis on Biggie, the Oscars & Outsmarting AI
He branded the Oscars. Designed the iconic Ready to Die album cover. Created film campaigns for Inglourious Basterds, West Side Story, Dune and more. In this episode, our founding editor Katy Cowan chats with creative director Kenny Gravillis, the East London-born designer who's helped shape the visual language of contemporary film.
The founder of Gravillis Inc., Kenny shares how he went from designing panty shield ads to working at Def Jam by age 21, and later building a studio in LA that now works with the biggest names in Hollywood. He reflects on meeting Spielberg, working with Spike Lee, and why staying humble (and kind) has been his secret weapon.
They also talk about the challenges of breaking into a closed industry, navigating the shift from music to film, and why AI won’t replace the nuance of human-made art anytime soon.
Oh, and the time Christoph Waltz thought he'd been cut from Inglourious Basterds because Kenny didn't give him a poster.
This season is proudly sponsored by the School of Communication Arts.
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162. The Spark: Emily Jeffrey-Barrett on Creative Graft, Imposter Syndrome & Wyoming Dreams
In this joyful, laugh-out-loud episode of The Spark, our founding editor Katy Cowan sits down (again!) with the brilliant Emily Jeffrey-Barrett, founder of creative agency Among Equals, to continue where they left off—with less business chat and more banter.
Expect everything from shameful Brownie troop confessions and controversial creative opinions (spoiler: she doesn't think we're artists), to what it's like flying business class for the first time and being traumatised by cyclists in London.
Along the way, Emily shares the two pieces of advice that have helped her survive as a creative leader, reveals the one word that gives her the heebie-jeebies, and admits her irrational comfort phrase, courtesy of her Yorkshire grandparents: "Hope it works out for you".
There's even talk of Wyoming ranches, Branston Pickle nostalgia, and a shared hatred of faffing. Honestly, it's a miracle anything got done.
This one's for the high-achievers, the people-pleasers, and anyone who's ever been told to "just relax".
This season is proudly sponsored by the School of Communication Arts.
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161. No Shame, Big Goals: Scaling & Selling a Creative Agency with Emily Jeffrey-Barrett
In this candid and energising conversation, our host, Katy Cowan, sits down with Emily Jeffrey-Barrett, founder of creative agency Among Equals, to mark its fifth anniversary. From launching in lockdown with nothing but patio furniture and ambition to opening a second office in Dubai, Emily shares the real story of building an agency entirely on her own terms.
They talk openly about what it means to take up space as a woman in business: being talked over, underestimated, and navigating the exhausting tightrope between being "too much" and "not enough". In fact, they had to record the episode twice after having too much fun the first time around — which sparked a deeper conversation about likability, being taken seriously, and the narrow boxes women are still expected to fit into.
We also hear about Among Equals' unique philosophy, its bold plans for the future (including an eventual sale), and what real disruption might actually look like in the creative industry.
Funny, honest, and packed with insight — this is one to bookmark if you're dreaming of building something of your own.
This season is proudly sponsored by the School of Communication Arts.
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160. The Spark: Adrian Carroll on Making the Logo Bigger, Noseybonk Nightmares, and Tokyo Dreams
Welcome back to The Spark, your extra dose of insight and fun from this week's guest. Today, Adrian Carroll of D8 returns to answer a few quick-fire questions—and as you'd expect from someone with decades of experience, his answers are full of wisdom and wit.
Adrian shares his most controversial creative opinion (and it's a good one), the best advice he's ever received, and the one ordinary day he'd relive if he could. He also reveals the word that gets on his nerves the most, his favourite place in the world, and a random dream that's stuck with him. And yes, we discover his party trick.
It's the perfect way to wrap up the week, with a few laughs, a few surprises, and even more insight into the creative mind behind D8.
This season is proudly sponsored by the School of Communication Arts.
Join host Katy Cowan on The Creative Boom Podcast, where candid conversations with fellow creatives explore the real stories behind our careers—the highs, the lows, and everything in between. Whether you're a graphic designer, illustrator, animator, marketer or creative entrepreneur, this show brings warmth, humour, and insight into the challenges and triumphs of the creative journey.
We tackle everything from confidence to burnout, offering advice and inspiration for building a fulfilling, sustainable career while not shying away from the tougher topics. Expect fun, honesty, and plenty of takeaways to help you thrive both personally and professionally.
The Creative Boom Podcast is part of Creative Boom, a magazine that has been a leading platform for the creative community since 2009. Discover more at www.creativeboom.com.
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