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PERSON FOCUS: STEVE BEST
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Steve Best is a director of Quench Design in Birmingham where his broadcast design skills are utilised across a wide range of projects. His skills were developed at Central Television where he was a graphic designer for 10 years. During this time he directed the award-winning CITV Nestle Milkybar sponsorship credits and designed numerous title sequences across a range of programmes. Steve has broad experience of directing live action, 3D, conventional and stop-frame animation, as well as Flame and audio post.
How did you get into your line of business?
I studied graphic design at Wolverhampton Polytechnic. After that I mainly worked as a print designer at various design and advertising agencies. It was back in 1995 that I saw an ad for a graphic designer at Central TV in Birmingham. The job was advertised as a designer working on football programmes. Although it was only initially a six-month contract, the idea of combining football with graphics was a no-brainer, and it turned out that I stayed for ten years.
How long have you been working in this role?
Quench Design has been running for two years now and was born out of the restructuring of ITV at the time. Pete Smith (ex Controller of Design at Carlton) and I decided to set up a company that delivered broadcast quality-design in Birmingham. We focus mainly on screen-based design, from title sequences for broadcast through to corporate projects for events. We’re developing a really exciting group of clients who we enjoy working with - and the future looks great.
What was your first broadcast/film industry related job/commission?
I can’t really remember my first project but one that springs to mind is producing ITV Regional idents a few years ago. It involved travelling around the country in a van with a crew and an assortment of blue and yellow mdf boxes. We had to place them in various environments, such as beaches and town centres, and film them. The hardest part was surviving the nights in loads of dodgy hotels!
What made you choose this particular path?
Due to the restructuring at ITV I had to consider all the options that were available to me. Rather than go freelance or move to London or Manchester I liked the idea of setting up a broadcast design company in Birmingham and so far it’s been great. We get a good variety of creative projects and work with some great people too.
What career-defining moments have you had?
Seeing that ad for a designer at Central TV because it gave me the opportunity to move from print into broadcast design. It has also led to some exciting projects over the years, from designing and producing station idents through to title and sponsorship sequences.
What has been your proudest moment to date?
I wouldn’t say I have one proudest moment. However I do feel really proud on the occasions when a client is happy with the work I’ve done for them. When someone is genuinely knocked out by a project it’s almost as good a feeling as getting paid.
What is the most important lesson you’ve learned in your working life?
Since setting up Quench I’ve realised it’s important to take the highs and lows in your stride. Getting a client to really think through their brief is also vital to a creative team because otherwise the project can quickly develop into a nightmare. But I think the most important thing for me is to enjoy what I do. It can be a lot of fun designing titles, idents etc and it’s great seeing them broadcast on the television.
What would you most like to achieve in your career?
Obviously a successful business and all that it brings, but also to persuade production companies that life does exist outside of London. I want to continue to attract a variety of creatively stimulating projects to Quench and work with creative people who care about what they’re trying to achieve.
In your line of work, what is the most important personality trait to have, and how do you go about getting it?
Being able to get on with people is crucial. It’s important to not be afraid to speak your mind and I think, or at least I hope, that people respect that. I don’t believe that it’s healthy to tell people what they want to hear just because it’ll keep them happy. Enthusiasm is also vital as I think it shows in your work if you’re lacking interest.
Where will you have your lunch today?
I’ve just had it at my desk. It was a really tasty homemade beef sandwich with mayonnaise and a bag of crisps. I always plan to walk into town to stretch my legs but I tend to get engrossed in the internet and my e-mails.
How do you occupy your time when you’re not working?
I try to spend as much time as possible with my wife who also runs her own design business, and we try not to talk ‘shop’ too often.
I’m a season ticket holder at Walsall FC so I spend every other Saturday having a good rant at a fat bloke blowing a whistle. It’s a great way to de-stress and forget about work.
I also enjoy playing badminton and listening to Bruce Springsteen albums, honest.
Who do you consider to be the most inspirational figure in your life?
Mr. Standard Life. He inspires me to get up every morning and go to work to pay the mortgage.
Complete this sentence: “The best things in life are …”
Saturday mornings.
www.quenchdesign.co.uk
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