Welcome to our ‘A Day in the Life’ blog series, where we’ll be interviewing members of the LBF team, industry professionals, and special guests attending our next LBF event.
Our latest interview is with Sam Warburton, Freelance Illustrator and Content Creator at Ad Esse Consulting. As well as working with LBF as a sketch note artist, Sam has created sketch notes for a range of business book authors, business owners, and charities. Sam is passionate about helping others develop as creatives, and shares a newsletter called The Creative Tea Break. She also speaks publicly at universities and events.
We spoke to Sam about what she enjoys most about her job, lunchtime runs with her dog, and what she’s looking forward to the most at LBF24…
What’s the first thing you do after your alarm has gone off in the morning?
Turn it off and wait for the next two alarms, and avoid looking at the millions of notifications that pop up on my phone overnight. I try to keep my early mornings relaxed and work-free.
Tea or coffee?
Tea! Anything herbal, but chamomile is my go-to drink.
What does a typical day look like for you?
For me, a typical day is a morning call at Ad Esse, then working on my priorities for the day. For example, creating a social media post, working on an email campaign, or illustrating client materials.
I would go crazy without a lunchtime run with my dog, and a second walk at 5pm to break up the day. In the evening, I work on my freelance business which could involve a sketch note/ illustration commission or making improvements to my processes. I wind down and force myself to stop working at least half an hour before bed, usually by reading a fiction book.
What do you enjoy most about your job?
There are so many things I enjoy about my job, but the constant opportunity to be creative is the most important part for me. I love drawing, thinking of new ideas, and the creative process (which includes drinking tea and channelling my inner Beatrix Potter).
If you weren’t working as a Creative, what would be your alternative career?
If I wasn’t an illustrator/content creator, I would probably open and run a library café, with dogs welcome.
What is one piece of advice you would give to someone wanting to begin a career in your industry?
To anyone who is looking to begin a career as an illustrator or in the Creative Industries, my one piece of advice would be to show your work early and often. If you show your work often, you have more opportunities of being seen and commissioned, and it naturally spurs you on to continue pursuing your career path and keep improving as a Creative.
If you could only recommend one book, film, and TV show to someone, what would it be?
Book – Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone (to start with).
Film – Joy, with Jennifer Lawrence. It’s a biographical film of Joy Mangano’s journey as a self-made millionaire. I love her perseverance and admire how she built her business from scratch, and cares about the products she creates.
TV show – Gilmore Girls. I’ve lost count how many times I’ve rewatched this.
What are you looking forward to the most at LBF24?
There is so much to choose from! For me, it’s the Authors of the Day and Illustrator of the Fair. I loved these conversations on the Main Stage last year and left feeling inspired.