Back to the Beginning with Sarah Irwin
For this edition of Back to the Beginning, I talked with Sarah Irwin – Squideo’s newest Video Producer! Despite being the penultimate newbie, Sarah has a lot of insights about our team. From tentacle tattoos to masterpiece artwork, read on for a deep dive behind the scenes.
I’ve been asking everyone to choose a question for my next interviewee. Callum was the last person I spoke to and he told me you’re a great artist and you love tattoos! His questions was what tattoo are you getting next – if any? And would you ever design a cool Squideo-themed tattoo (for you or anyone else on the team)?
Great question! I have just booked in to get my left arm worked on, with my right arm starting to fill up, I figured I may as well make a start!
I think a tentacle design would look pretty cool, maybe a detailed tentacle holding a play button – in our brand colours of course. Funnily enough, Ben asked me at my first Squideo meetup if I would ever get the logo tattooed…name a time and place and I’ll be there!
You studied with Callum and Hannah during college. Since you were doing Graphic Design and Illustration, you must have considered a career in the creative sector. But did you ever think the three of you would end up working together?
Not at all! Hannah and I went off to university when Callum started here. I kept in touch with Callum, and me and Hannah ended up at the same University in town. But with us all doing such different things (Hannah with game design, me with illustration and Callum doing animation) I didn’t ever think we could end up back together.
Before I joined Squideo, you were the newest member of the team. What was it like coming aboard during the pandemic?
So, I joined Squideo when everything was getting back to normal and the rules had been totally lifted for the last time. It was odd for me as I had never worked from home before, but the gang gave me some tips and the regular communication helped a lot with the transition.
Like me, you never saw the old Squideo offices. What do you like about remote working? Or do you think we’re missing out on something?
I enjoy remote working, but after hearing what everyone got up to in the old Squideo offices, it makes me wonder what it would be like for us all.
Honestly, I think the best part of remote working would have to be how it makes us all communicate more than I think we would in an office…plus always being home for deliveries is a bonus!
I learnt about Squideo’s pet fish from Ben and Callum. Do you think having an office pet would be fun if we ever stopped being remote? Or do you think we’d never get any work done (especially if Hannah brought Cody in)?
That’s a tough one! I think having a dog running around the office would be great! However, I think we would all want to move our computers to the floor so we could be as close to it as possible. If we were to have an office pet, I think I would vote for something like a lizard or a tortoise – they’re independent but there for a stroke if you’re on a break between jobs. Plus we could take it in turns looking after it over the Christmas holidays.
During your Squid Squad video, we got to see a cameo of your gaming prowess. What do you like to play and have you got any recommendations for me?
In all honesty, my boyfriend is the gamer and I’m the one who has to have it on the easiest mode possible or else I get fed up with losing [laughs]! I like short burst games at the minute, like ‘Fall Guys’ or ‘Fortnite’. Recently, we played a two-player game called ‘It Takes Two!’ and that was really fun, I highly recommend that one!
We inadvertently followed each other on Instagram [laughs]. Your artwork profile and my photography profile. I absolutely love your designs. Do you remember when you started drawing, and when did you start selling your work?
I drew a lot as a child, I was always making my own magazines with scribbles all over the pages. It wasn’t until I was in school studying Art & Design that I started fully exploring and experimenting with my artwork style.
I set up my first Etsy shop when the pandemic first hit. I was selling all sorts of crafty bits, but when I listed a product called “little pick me up cards” for £1, the shop blew up. I made something that was small and easy to make - plus it was great for people to send to each other in lockdown - just to let them know they’re thinking of them. I closed that shop when I started working here as I wanted to focus on transitioning to a full-time job and it was only originally something to keep me creative during lockdown. I’ve recently opened a new shop and I am loving it again.
Squideo produces a huge range of video styles, which means our Producers often get the opportunity to play around and experiment with new designs. Do you have a favourite project that you’ve worked on for Squideo?
Ooh, I think my favourite video, so far, would have to be the ‘Interlink 360 Discover Piper Strategy’ video. I have a small obsession for neon lights and this style looked like neon light pipes, plus it was one of my first videos learning new skills.
So far, everyone I’ve interviewed – Ben, Hannah and Callum – have jobs that get them involved in all the stages of video production. What’s it like as a Producer? I write the script, Hannah or Ben do the storyboard, and then…
…Then we take all of that and bring it to life, kind of like Frankenstein. Producing the first version of a video is probably my favourite part of any project. I don’t know about everyone else, but I always get excited when I see a storyboard for a new video and my mind goes mad with ways I can animate it.
We’ve been able to stay in touch as a team really well (despite working remotely) through regular online meetings and the occasional staff outing. Last time was a trip to the bowling alley; where do you want to go next?
I know an escape room has already been mentioned, so, I would suggest Go Ape at Dalby forest! I have been before and it is great fun ziplining through the forest. Unless you’re scared of heights – then don’t look down!
There’s been some wild ideas of an international Squideo outing. Ben wants to take the ferry to Amsterdam. Hannah would love a trip to Disney World and Callum threw Australia into the ring. If money was no issue, where would you want to go?
Definitely Iceland to see the Northern Lights!
Finally, it’s your turn to choose a question. My next profile will be for our Account Manager: Adam Shelton. Can you think of something good for me to ask?
When I first met Adam, I found out that he is the one who drives the Squideo van. So, my question to him would be - With the company rebrand, are you planning to re-wrap the van with the new colours etc and also, does the Squideo van have a name?
Check out our next post to hear from Squideo’s Account Director, Adam Shelton.
