By Corinne Smith, courtesy of Design Assembly

We are looking forward to hearing Kelly Thompson speak at Semi-Permanent this month. She was born in Rotorua and lived in Wellington for ten years before moving to Melbourne.

Kelly is known for her attention to detail and her feminine, alluring illustration, photography and art direction. In a round of quick fire questions, we get to know Kelly a little better before the main event.

If you could work anywhere in the world where you and why?

Because of the nature of my work I can basically work anywhere I like as long as there is an internet connection, and a post shop. I think there are two different extremes and I cant decide which I would prefer more—either somewhere like NY for its overload of visual information, faced pace life and the opportunity to meet so many different personalities and possible job opportunities, OR I would choose somewhere completely opposite, peaceful with beautiful scenery so I could live a stress free life. I could happily run back to Mljet in Croatia, shack up in a small beachside house, drawing with a view, followed by a daily warm water swim.

How do you approach a new project? Do prefer to look at the big picture or focus on the details first?

It really depends on the size of the job, a lot of the time my mind automatically races to the finish imagining an impressive final project which often involves a lot of things I don’t even know how to do! Damn imagination. As a rule I always look at what the final outcome needs to be, but then I step back and sort out all of the little details that are needed to get there. After working as an account manager I like to ask a lot of questions at the start and get everything on paper and mapped out before the project starts.

What drives you?

It’s hard to describe really, it’s a feeling that I’ve always had that I just have to do more. I’m not sure exactly where it came from, my parents were always very relaxed and never had me under the hammer to succeed, but I just have this thing in my gut, I need to be creating and I want to be better and do as much as I can, and as soon as I tick something off something else is waiting to be achieved. I’ll probably give myself a heart attack from lack of downtime! I’m also driven by lifestyle, and enabling myself to have financial freedom to be able to start personal projects when I want to start them, so many creative dreams are put on hold because of money.

Describe your work in three words.

Feminine, precise, delicate

What has been the highlight of your career so far?

Highlights always shift, but my current highlight is winning a pitch against 5 other International artists for a worldwide illustrated campaign that is launching in Jan 2014.

What is the biggest challenge or frustration you have faced?

Getting clients to pay on time! I can handle late nights and hard deadlines, but late payments really get me down.

What’s the best piece of advice you have received?

Find your own way, don’t try and replicate someone elses style, they will always be better because it is theirs and they will also get the credit.

Is there a one particular designer or creative you admire?

I think it is impossible to pick one! I admire many different people for all different reasons I don’t have one King Idol.

Tell us about your studio environment and how important is it to your creative process?

I work from home, but I live in a big open plan warehouse with a super high stud and lots of light, My home is one huge room + a separate bathroom and is divided with bookshelves or with furniture. My “studio” runs along one of the walls that is covered with art that I have collected and love to look at. As soon as I moved in here my brain came alive, light airy spaces breed creativity and I don’t think I could ever go back to a small space again (could become problematic if I move!). For me it is important that my space is light and comfortable, for a while I rented a studio space that was basically a glorified garage, it was cold and quite dirty and I never wanted to go there, It was a creative vortex.

What can we look forward to hearing about from you at Semi-Permanent?

This is my 4th Semi-Permanent, and one of the most exciting for me because its in my home country. I tried to get a cocktail sponsor, but alas it wasn’t to be. I think I’ve changed a lot since my last Semi-Permanent’s in 2011 and I think that instead of sharing my life story I want to share my insights into how the industry works and tell the audience all of the things I wish I had known sooner!

• Courtesy of Design Assembly / conversations on graphic design.