The art of parenting while running a design studio: we go BTS at OGRE Studio and Seachange

Running a design studio requires a great deal of dedication, creativity, and time. But what happens when the designers at the helm are also parents? Two studio founders – Steven Walker from Newcastle-based brand and design practice OGRE Studio and Amanda Gaskin from Seachange, based in New Zealand – have a thing or two to say about juggling these two roles, and kindly recount their experiences in navigating their undoubtedly intertwined nature. The Joy of Parenthood “Becoming a parent changes absolutely everything, your entire life – whether you like it or not,” Walker tells us. “It’s magic. A blessing and a life-defining thing in itself; but also really, really hard and exhausting.” The sudden shift in priorities, from being “a burning sun at the centre of your universe” to being “an orbiting moon with a very important satellite (or several) in an unknown galaxy,” calls for a significant change in one’s lifestyle and work habits. And in the midst of these adjustments, Walker sees parenthood as part of his creative practice.