Derek Boateng

My name is Derek Boateng a London based freelance designer and art director with 10 years experience. I have passion for creating beautiful, intuitive, and highly crafted solutions combining a considered approach with emerging technologies. I have wide ranging experience in design from web and mobile design through to large scale interactive installations. I’ve designed for the like of Burberry, Google, Xbox, Samsung, Yota and the V&A museum in London.

10 questions for Derek Boateng:

• What did you do before becoming a designer?

  I studied design and technology at university, and after obtaining my degree I went straight into the design industry, my design career started with me working as an intern. I then went on to work in as a designer for 8 years in design agencies. I now earn my living as a freelance art director and designer.

• Where do you turn for inspiration?

  I find inspiration all around me, blogs, outdoor, photography and video games.

• Which are your favorite studios, designers or agencies?

  Olly Moss, Six, Darren Firth, Jack Hughes, Watson Design Group, Manifiesto Futura.

• Is your city a good place for designers?

  London is one of the best place in the world for designers, there is so much talent here.

• Which technologies are you excited about in 2015?

  Hoverboards. Oh, and I'm intrigued by Magic Leap.

• Do you listen to music while you work? Describe your playlist.

  Soul and hiphop; I let the music find me. Film podcasts are a favourite too.

• What are you cultural influences? (Music, books, films, ideologies, etc.)

  I’m influenced heavily by minimalist design especially in visual art and I’m also a follower of Japanese minimalist architecture.

• Have you got an academic background or are you self taught?

  Half and half, although I studied design and the theory behind what makes good design, after my degree I self taught myself many of the design programs I use today.

• What do you do in your free time?

  Lots of side projects and I’m trying to get into more photography.

• Where do you see the industry in 5 years?

  More independent products released taking on the might of the established industries from banking to design. In 5 years I feel there will be a whole new raft of household names that we haven’t even heard of yet, the influence of design will grow and grow.

• Are you working on any personal projects?

  I’m currently working on Tabalerts. A simple free app way to help people manage multiple medications.

• If you could give one piece of advice to newbie designers, what would it be?

  Listen more than you talk. You don’t know it all yet. You’ll never stop learning.