Our Marketing and Design team is in charge of all of the beautiful graphics and marketing that you see leading up to and throughout the festival-including our gorgeous programs! They sat down and interviewed each other for this blog post.
Finn
What made you join OTR M&D team?
Well, I lead it! It’s great because it really fits me as a person: You are able to be both logistical and creative at the same time, which is both sides of my personality. I also get to meet some awesome creative people and manage them directly which I think is a really nice opportunity. You get to meet a bunch of people you never normally would.
If you could create an event for OTR what would it be?
No idea, but my favourite one from last year was Bharatanatyam. It’s like this traditional dance from the Indian regions and it was crazy cool. Also, ceilidh in the castle always goes down well.
Do you have plans for reading week?
To go see my girlfriend and relax because I’ve lost so much sleep in the past few weeks that I need to catch up.
What is your secret study spot in St Andrews?
Only one, but it changes every year. When I first joined St Andrews, I used to dislike being around people so I would go for the quietest most removed spots. I used to love the King James’ library, but everyone started to hear about it and now unless you go there at 9am you are not getting a seat for the whole day. So that sucks. Now, I love the top floor of the library because it is quiet. I am in the library at “non-busy times”, I will say, so I always get seats and it is never busy, so it is a really nice atmosphere because it is so quiet. It’s funny watching people be really scared making noise up there. If someone sneezes, they feel like they have committed a crime. If I say bless you, everyone looks at me like they are going to shoot me or something. I enjoy the little banter of the silent section.
What inspires you in St Andrews?
People, friends, community. It is the best thing ever! I see it as my home now, after four years. It is lovely. Everyone is here. This place is everything I need, although more clothes shops would be nice, there is only so much H&M we can buy! I am just outside of London, so I am used to going into the city and being anonymous. It is very different here and it used to terrify me but I love it now. I love that the staff at coffee shops know me. It used to be me hoping that no one sees me but now it is me partially not caring about what people think and also, I just laugh at everything. I find it hilarious when you see someone in Tesco’s and then you have a little conversation on the vegetable aisle and then you go and see them on the next aisle. I find that hilarious. I love the people aspect of St Andrews.
How do you express yourself creatively in your own life?
Music and video. I make R&B pop stuff.
What kind of art inspires you in your life?
Frank Ocean
What is your creative process? Do you have a favourite time of the day or environment to create in?
It is more of an emotional thing for me. If I had a really long day at work or I am really angry about something, I find that the best way to relax is to write a song or to go for a walk and listen to music. It is always an emotional thing which means it can happen at any time of the day or at any time of the night. It doesn’t really matter. That’s what I like about creative stuff, you don’t have to plan things out. It’s fun.
Current favourite thing
Out of everything? Well, one thing that I will always like is food. Cooking it, eating it, everything about it. Food brings people together and makes people happy. It’s just awesome and it doesn’t get enough credit. Another thing is sleep, that also doesn’t get enough credit. But I will go with food.
Do you have a Halloween costume yet?
I actually forgot it’s nearly Halloween. I haven’t even thought about Halloween. Now you’ve just made me even more stressed. It is nice to dress up but I always forget about it and then I have a week to come up with something so I would say it is a stressful time even though it shouldn’t be. Last year, I went as The Great Gatsby. I was wearing a tux and had to slick my hair back.
Raffaella
What made you join OTR M&D team?
Well, I thought OTR was a fun thing to be a part of because it is all run by students for the students and also for the community. I joined because I enjoy designing things and I like being creative and everyone in the committee seemed really lovely and friendly.
If you could create an event for OTR what would it be?
I don’t know. I prefer just watching them and to be behind the scenes. Something to do with music probably, like a concert.
Do you have plans for reading week?
I will be getting home; I live near Cambridge. Just seeing my family and doing some OTR merch things.
What is your secret study spot in St Andrews?
The Gateway building is really good. It’s a bit dark, sort of underground. Works with different people I guess.
What inspires you in St Andrews?
The town is really lovely. It is a really nice place and in autumn with the trees, it is super nice when they are changing colour. I don’t know if that inspires me but it is just nice to be here when it is like that.
How do you express yourself creatively in your own life?
Through music because I play the violin. I am part of the Gilbert and Sullivan society. We put on opera and I’m the system producer for that and then also I am singing in it as well. I am not that good at drawing but I do like designing things like actual logos and stuff. Just scrolling through Pinterest and looking through logos and things on there. I just like doing that.
What kind of art inspires you in your life?
I actually do art history as my degree. The course we are doing at the moment is really interesting (Nineteenth century and Victorian paintings). And the arts and crafts movement. It is all about nature and going back to traditional craft roots and handmade things. It was between 1840-1870ish. Nature creates things.
What is your creative process? Do you have a favourite time of the day or environment to create in?
Going for walks is really good. You get inspiration. I think walking around on the beach in St Andrews is really nice because you have time to think about anything and it is nice to breathe fresh air.
Current favourite thing
I don’t really have a taste in music so I always get ideas from my friends on what to listen to and I really like Sufjan Stevens. He is a singer and he does really chilled music.
Do you have a Halloween costume yet?
Well, I am thinking about going as Margot Robbie’s character in Once Upon a Time in Hollywood. Black turtleneck with the white skirt and white boots.
Sarah
What made you join OTR M&D team?
The idea of a student art festival is really cool, and I wanted to get involved in something that makes the art community stronger in St Andrews.
If you could create an event for OTR what would it be?
A cool event would be something where there would be someone who could write little poems about students or make little portraits. Kind of like caricatures or write about your vibe or aura. Students would like that.
Do you have plans for reading week?
I might be going on a breakaway hiking trip to the highlands. Fort William, I think.
What is your secret study spot in St Andrews?
I love going to the back of Costa. There are little window seats and it is cosy. It is nice back there and you get a lot of work done.
What inspires you in St Andrews?
The beautiful landscape and the architecture. I just walk down the street and, woah. And also how everyone is passionate about what they study.
How do you express yourself creatively in your own life?
I like to paint and draw a lot. I usually like painting people.
What kind of art inspires you in your life?
Art made by other students my age and artists who want to change the world as well.
What is your creative process? Do you have a favourite time of the day or environment to create in?
1 am when I have a bunch of other things to do is when I make the best art.
Current favourite thing
I am really interested in classical studies.
Do you have a Halloween costume yet?
My friends want to go as ducks. It is really weird. We will be the weird ducks at Halloween, I don’t understand it either. If not that, just bloodstains with lipstick, that is always a way out.
Holly
What made you join OTR M&D team?
I volunteered for OTR last year which gave me the opportunity to learn more about the festival. I loved how it encompasses different areas of the arts and involves so many groups both within and out with the university and this made me want to be part of the festival again this year. I’m very creative and so design work appealed to me, and after finding out that the theme for this year’s festival is sustainability, I was particularly keen to get involved!
If you could create an event for OTR what would it be?
A macrame workshop! So I could go and learn how to make some cool plant hangers.
Do you have plans for reading week?
Lots of reading and beach walks! I’m just staying in St. Andrews for the week to work and spend time with friends.
What is your secret study spot in St Andrews?
I don’t actually have one, but I’m definitely going to try to find one now!
What inspires you in St Andrews?
I was so surprised by the scale and range of the creative scene here, and I’ve found it inspiring to be living in a place where the arts are such a focus. Also the town itself is so beautiful, with the beach and old buildings, and I think this is a great inspiration for artwork.
How do you express yourself creatively in your own life?
Mostly through artwork. It’s such a great creative outlet because it’s so easy to pack a sketchbook and draw anywhere.
What kind of art inspires you in your life?
I’d say music is a big inspiration for me as it’s something that can really change my mood and mindset. I almost always listen to music while doing art and working, and I also love to play guitar and sing, so music is something that has really influenced me.
What is your creative process? Do you have a favourite time of the day or environment to create in?
If I’m planning to draw or paint I will normally first look for some images for inspiration, and then do some rough sketches to test out ideas before starting on my final piece. I usually work best in the morning. I have a big desk at the window in my bedroom and it’s my favourite place to draw and paint because I have good natural light and lots of space to spread out my materials.
Current favourite thing
My favourite songs right now are:
Pool Party - Julia Jacklin
Persephone - Tamino
Adored - Laurel
My current favourite artist is Henri Rousseau, I find his paintings particularly inspirational for the botanical designs I am creating for OTR.
Do you have a Halloween costume yet?
My friends and I are planning to go as the Peaky Blinders.
Maya
What made you join OTR M&D team?
I loved going to OTR last year and just wanted to get involved! I also just needed to force myself into doing art by committing to doing something creative. Otherwise, art just gets brushed aside below uni work.
If you could create an event for OTR what would it be?
I would love an event where student artists could get together and try and sell things they have made to the public. It’s just lovely to see other people’s amazing work and I think we really need to promote art as a feasible career. What better way to promote creative careers then by allowing a space for people to have a go.
Do you have plans for reading week?
Post-reading week now! But I went home to see family and did very little reading!
What is your secret study spot in St Andrews?
Not really a secret, but I love the collaborative space in the library. It’s great to have a microwave near so I can go out and study without having to spend money.
What inspires you in St Andrews?
The sea! All of the beautiful landscapes we have on offer here.
How do you express yourself creatively in your own life?
I like to reuse random items and make them into everyday household things, as it feels exciting to find new purposes for things and think about boring things in creative ways.
What kind of art inspires you in your life?
I think just good design in functional things. Being able to spot artistic purpose behind a mundane object is very satisfying.
What is your creative process? Do you have a favourite time of the day or environment to create in?
Just sort of going for it and seeing what comes out. I’m usually happier with things that seem to create themselves, rather than having a strong idea that doesn’t come through. I probably don’t do enough planning but I think I get too excited to produce something to spare time for that.
The morning! I can’t do anything past 5pm. Sometimes I have ideas at night, but I can’t put it into practice until the next morning. I like working most in bed or in my garden.
Current favourite thing
I love Matt Maltese at the moment. His songs are both sad and witty at the same time – it’s very comforting!
Do you have a Halloween costume yet?
Nope, haven’t got around to planning anything, but I’m pondering on something anti-Boris related.
Delaney
What made you join OTR M&D team?
I love OTR and I think social media is the future of marketing and wanted to learn more about it so the position just kind of fitted!
If you could create an event for OTR what would it be?
I’m not sure what event I would create! Britton and Natalie are so creative with the events and I don’t think I could be more creative than them when it comes to creating events.
Do you have plans for reading week?
I went to Paris for reading week!
What is your secret study spot in St Andrews?
I love to study at Taste, good coffee is the key to a productive day for me.
What inspires you in St Andrews?
As cliched as it sounds, the people here inspire me because I see how hard working everyone is and how they push themselves and it makes me want to do the same.
How do you express yourself creatively in your own life?
I express myself through clothing, I often alter a lot of my clothing to fit my style more like putting patches on and sewing in different details.
What kind of art inspires you in your life?
I think music definitely inspires me the most in life or books, I love to read.
What is your creative process? Do you have a favourite time of the day or environment to create in?
I don’t really have a creative process; I try to not force anything. I am usually the most creative at the crack of dawn, I love waking up and just getting my mind started.
Current favourite thing
I’m reading the book, ‘Supper Club’ and it’s amazing, highly recommend. I am constantly listening to Fleetwood Mac or the artist Girl in Red, she’s so good.
Do you have a Halloween costume yet?
Not yet! My friends and I can’t agree on one together.