Revolutionizing Creativity: A Journey with KnownUnknown Founders, Simon Needham & James Sommerville
William Usnik
Communications Strategist and Advisor | Former Head of Communications at British Consulate General of New York | Former Chief Communications Officer and CRO at Christie’s
Happy Friday Caring Economy Enthusiasts,
Welcome to another exciting edition of The Caring Economy Newsletter, where we bring you stories that inspire and empower. In my latest podcast episode, I had the pleasure of hosting Simon Needham Hon D Litt and James Sommerville OBE , two creative visionaries who embarked on a remarkable journey that transformed the creative industry. ????
James and Simon first crossed paths at Batley Art College when they were just 16 years old. Their shared passion for creativity and an audacious dream led them to establish their own company. With the support of a grant from the Prince's Trust, they opened Attic, starting their creative adventure in Somerville's grandmother's attic bedroom.
Driven by a relentless pursuit of innovation, they became early adopters of the first-generation Apple Macintosh, propelling their design style into new dimensions. Despite facing challenges during the economic downturn in 2001, James and Simon navigated their way back to success through strategic changes and key partnerships.
In 2007, their remarkable journey reached a pivotal moment when Attic was acquired by Dentsu Network, the world's largest advertising agency brand based in Japan. This acquisition marked a significant milestone in their careers and further reinforced their influence in the industry.
Today, James and Simon lead a global platform for creatives called KnownUnknown . This groundbreaking platform provides unknown talents from around the world with an opportunity to work on known iconic brands. The platform serves as a bridge, connecting global brands with diverse creative minds, and fostering a collaborative environment where innovation thrives.
During the podcast conversation, James, Simon delved into the results of artificial intelligence (AI) on the creative industry. They shared their perspective on how #AI can enhance creativity and emphasized the importance of recognizing it as a tool to improve their craft rather than a threat to their jobs.
In addition, we explored James's journey from Attic to his role as VP of Global Design (ATL) at Coca-Cola. We discussed the unique value that a graphic designer from Yorkshire in England can bring to a global brand like Coca-Cola, emphasizing the power of diversity and fresh perspectives.
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Throughout our conversation, they encouraged aspiring creatives to embrace creativity, take action, and learn by doing. They shared valuable insights on leveraging AI as a tool and the need to consider diverse cultural perspectives when utilizing technology.
If you're ready to unleash your creative potential, we invite you to take action! Knock on the doors of high street banks in the UK to secure a loan, explore the possibilities of AI in enhancing your creative work, and join the Known Unknown platform as a creative to connect with global brands.
As always, we're committed to fostering a caring and inclusive community. We encourage you to engage in conversations and share your thoughts on the impact of AI, the cultural sources AI draws from, and the evolving job roles in the creative industry.
Tune in to our latest podcast episode to gain valuable insights from James and Toby's journey, and discover how creativity and collaboration can shape the caring economy.
Wishing you a week filled with creativity, innovation, and meaningful connections!
Toby