Mat Voyce
Published 31st August 2021
INTRODUCTION
Mat is a proud Non-Award-Winning Graphic & Motion Designer based in the UK known for creating character filled typography and combining kinetic type with illustration for the likes of Adobe, BBC, Disney+, Facebook, GIPHY, Honda, Nike and Netflix.
Typography is one of his true loves in life and being able to bring life & character to lettering, something that is so universal feels pretty damn special. Making a word show an emotion through movement, styling and animation holds a real unique quality that he finds addictive but also something that has so much potential.
Why do you proudly wear the badge of ‘non-award winning graphic designer’?
I think because originally at uni it seemed like getting one of those damn yellow pencils or design awards was super important or would make you go further in life…when it's not the case AT ALL.
Call it being a bad loser or call it a rebellion against design awards, but I don't believe you need to be 'Award winning' to succeed or to get those all important dream clients, so I like to let people know that I have not won any awards and that I can still deliver the perfect outcome for a project or brief.
Mat Voyce x Netflix
Your work is super uplifting, full of positivity and encouragement. Why is it important to you to spread these motivational messages?
I think because at times I can be quite pessimistic, so being able to spread my internal lacking positivity through designing was just plain nice, plus this trend of creating positive based typography came from a place of negativity for me…during Lockdown Part 1 here in the UK. So being able to add something nice and uplifting to the people's feeds felt like a great use of my extra creativity.
© Mat Voyce - Inspiration is everywhere
Traveling back in time slightly…You mentioned feeling isolated at university and not really relating to the nature of the course. What advice would you give someone going through the same situation right now?
Make sure you still turn up to lessons and take advantage of the knowledge of your lecturers, even if you don't 'get it' it's important to be surrounded by other creatives, especially during that important time in your career learnings. And if things still don't click, then start making your own projects and briefs, passion projects have led to some of my biggest freelance clients, so focus on something cool you want to create and just make it, share it and show it to people!
“Passion projects have led to some of my biggest freelance clients, so focus on something cool you want to create and just make it, share it and show it to people!”
© Mat Voyce - Do it
What is your favourite mantra or quote that you live by and why does it resonate with you so much?
'Talent is the Desire to Practice' I'm not sure who said it first or the context of it's inception but I honestly believe that if you want to be truly good at something or a master of your craft then you have to practice, practice…you guessed it PRACTICE. I'm self taught when it comes to motion, so my entire career and style has come from practicing and passion projects applying said practice. I would not be creating anything like the kind of thing I do now without those countless hours of practice.
“I honestly believe that if you want to be truly good at something or a master of your craft then you have to practice, practice…you guessed it PRACTICE.”
You’re very honest about having moments of self-doubt in your work. How do you deal with those thoughts and continue to pave your own path?
Yeah, you'll find me falling into a pit of despair everytime I start a new project no matter how big or small the client is. But then I take a look back at some of my older work and try to see how far I have come and how much I have learnt. There's nothing like a hit of self motivation or even self-inspiration to boost that internal confidence. And if that doesn't work then I will get out, clear my head and detach myself from the brief or project for an hour, allowing myself to come back to it with a fresh perspective.
Mat Voyce x Euros stickers
Many creatives sharing work on social media are being copied, including yourself. From your experience, what’s the best way to go about dealing with this?
It's a difficult one this and I guess it depends how you feel about your own influence on the industry. Some people find it super uplifting to see people 'copying' or 'duplicating' their style…and with due crediting I feel like this is ok…But when creatives go out of their way and reference multiple styles or effects and begin to almost build a 'copycat' account of a designer…then it becomes an issue for me.
You as a designer are never going to progress if you just copy a single designer’s style again and again…you need to inject your own influences and styles into design pieces and find your own way. I try to be as positive as I can be, never trying to knock the confidence or progress of a new or younger designer. I always try to offer advice if needed and emphasise approaching pieces in different styles that feel more personal to that individual.
It can be hard to find the time to do your own projects, especially if you're working full-time on other stuff. Even if it's something small, I definitely think it's worth giving yourself the time to create something just for you.
“You as a designer are never going to progress if you just copy a single designer’s style again and again…”
© Mat Voyce - LOL
How have you found teaching your craft in front of a camera with the likes of Adobe and Domestika, does it come naturally to you?
Yeah it's strange because by nature I am very shy and introverted, but get me in front of a cam or get me talking about my design work and I can go all day long. I think this is a confidence that has built up over the last few years, being on so many big client calls, livestreams and interviews has helped install some hefty self confidence.
© Mat Voyce - Snooze
What’s one thing you don’t currently know how to do, but would love to learn how to in the near future?
I would love to start a little frame by frame lettering. I have seen a few examples in the past on IG from designers who work for the likes of BUCK or Giant Ant and it's always made me want to get into some real unique handcrafted lettering animations.
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