Interview with Amrit Singh (MrASingh) – WSA Alumnus
From time to time we catch up with alumni from Winchester School of Art to see what they are up to now. Recently we spoke to Amrit Singh - MrASingh - Creative Designer, Artist & Content Creator, winner of the Lord Stafford award for Entrepreneurial spirit and the West Midlands Mixed Media award in Graphic Design, and former WSA student.
When were you at WSA?
I studied a Masters degree in Communication Design and graduated in 2008.
What has happened in your career since you left?
A lot has happened since then. I worked as a graphic designer and graphic design manager for various companies and design agencies, and freelanced for a number of years for companies around the world.
Now I’m an award-winning creative designer, artist, speaker and content creator. I have over 10 years of graphic design industry experience, working with blue chip companies around the world delivering first class design, branding and social media solutions.
I’m one of the top creative broadcasters on Twitter’s live streaming platform, Periscope. My Periscope broadcasts have reached over 2.5 million viewers worldwide and I’ve been featured multiple times by Periscope, Twitter, Mashable, Huffington Post, Adweek, International Business Times and Sky News.
I also founded NowHumanity, a social initiative that uses social media to highlight humanitarian issues around the world, and in 2016 I was one of the first to live stream the European refugee crisis and broadcast unedited, first-person footage from the ground in 5 cities to over 500,000 people.
I’ve also published two books (a photography book and a colouring book) and spoken on various stages around the U.K, Europe and America.
What are you currently engaged in?
Currently, I'm a freelance creative designer, artist, speaker, live streamer and content creator.
A few months ago, I left my full time design job to go back into freelancing and work for businesses and brands, mainly focusing on print design, branding and advertising campaigns. As a speaker, I talks about my journey as a designer, as a live streaming influencer, how to use social media for social good etc. My talks are mainly aimed at small-medium businesses, PR agencies and creatives.
As a content creator, I’m working with large brands to create content using either my live streaming influence or art for social media channels. The content ranges from high quality photography using their products, creative videos to live, interactive content.
Last August I launched my art brand, InkANIMA and over the last few months, I’ve been creating intricate art and growing my brand. I’ve exhibited my artwork in San Francisco, London and twice in Birmingham. I’m also one of four international judges for Pébéo's Mixed Media Art Prize and Exhibition 2017 with Cass Art.
What do you remember from your time at WSA, and how have your studies informed your work since?
I really enjoyed my time at WSA. The environment is very good to nurture creative growth and the lecturers are knowledgeable but more importantly, work in the industry themselves. I loved the entrepreneurship module I signed up for, also the screen printing workshops. There are plenty of opportunities to continue to learn and develop skills outside of your course, which I recommend taking advantage of.
What future projects do you have lined up?
I have a few exciting speaking engagements lined up (one with Twitter UK), freelance design projects and also judging the international art competition. I’ve recently been commissioned to paint a large bear (The Big Sleuth) that will be placed in public later this year. I’m also working with the BBC on their Digital Cities project, which I’m really looking forward to! This is why I really enjoy freelancing and creating content, because every week is different.
What advice would you give to current students?
- Put into practice everything you’re currently learning, and keep pushing your boundaries. Set mock projects if you have to, but keep learning and look at new trends.
- If you haven't already, start to create or work on your own personal brand. It’s very important having a brand, and as creatives working on other brands, it’s easy to forget about your own.
- Network, network, network. Really important if you want to get out there and work on exciting projects.
- Use social media! I have sold my art worldwide just from social media. I’ve also won large design projects over design agencies purely because the CEO has seen my work on social media and loved it. Social media and live streaming is really powerful and can help you get noticed, but most importantly, it helps you grow confidence if yourself.
Thank you for your time, Amrit, and good luck with all of your projects.
You can learn more about Amrit and his works at http://mrasingh.tv and http://www.inkanima.com/. Or you can follow him on Twitter at https://twitter.com/mrasingh, or on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/mrasingh/.
If you are a former student of WSA and would like to tell us what you are up to now, please contact Calum Kerr at C.Kerr@soton.ac.uk.