Meet the Team: Anya Lawrence
A lot of the time, when you stumble onto these pages, it’s Anya’s words you’ll be reading. As one of Zetteler’s official editorial design correspondents, she’s the brains behind many of the interviews, features, and other written bits and bobs in our News & Ideas section.
Having earned her design-journo stripes at Disegno, she came to Zetteler when she went freelance in summer 2017 and, knowing a good thing when we read it, we swiftly installed her as a member of the team.
Anya now splits her time between her desk, her darkroom and the tops of large hills.
Hello Anya, what do you do at Zetteler?
I write. As a freelance writer, my role at Zetteler is pretty indulgent. I get to ask Zetteler’s many clients and collaborators lots of questions and then write all about them.
How did you end up here?
Oddly, I met Sabine at my very first job in London. I then spent three years at Disegno as its online editor so got to know the Zetteler team pretty well. Having gone freelance this summer, my ending up at Zetteler was a case of perfect timing. I’m pretty pleased about it.
What skills/interests/bits of your personality make you suited to this sort of work?
I like to ask questions. I am also not very patient when it comes pre-rehearsed explanations: I always want to find out the things that the exhibition text or the press release doesn’t tell you. I guess that makes me suited to this sort of job. Zetteler does things very differently; I can ask the questions I want to ask, so that works well for me.
What made you choose to make a career in the design industry?
I went to a school on the outskirts of a sleepy countryside town so working in the arts, let alone design, was completely unheard of. Once I realised it was ‘a thing’, the fact that it was so alien made it all the more appealing. Design appeals to me in its ability to juggle purposefulness with beauty. I can’t stand things that are made just for the sake of it but it’s also nice to live in a world surrounded by beautiful and creative things. Design tends to tick both boxes.
What do you think differentiates Zetteler from the ever-growing number of PR agencies popping up out there (if anything)?
There is nothing worse than a PR that hassles you with a project that both you and they know you’re never going to write about. Zetteler, thankfully, doesn’t do that. Instead they invest time in understanding your approach. They also genuinely care heaps about the people and studios they represent, which makes a huge difference. Zetteler also has one of the most beautiful, jungle-like, offices that I’ve set foot in. Not necessarily a difference but, for the shallow side of me, it is definitely part of the appeal.
What excites you about the design scene today?
Design is becoming increasingly accessible. In recent years there’s been a real shift away from the stuffiness traditionally associated with the industry. That’s a real joy. Design has a huge role to play in the world, and the potential to make a lasting difference to the societies we live in, so it’s important that it is as inclusive as possible.
Do you have a favourite designer/studio/brand/general creative force?
These change week on week. This week I’m into illustrators. I have loved Rose Blake and Malika Favre forever but I’ve recently discovered Peter McDonald. I should also mention Hannah Toehill, a lovely artist who works out of the Bussey Building in Peckham. I bought three of Hannah’s screenprints when I first moved to South London; her work is simple and beautiful.
What do you do in your life outside Zetteler?
Much of my time is spent writing. At the moment you’ll find most of my words on British Journal of Photography and magCulture.
In my spare time I take black-and-white photographs and then spend hours upon hours in a darkroom developing film and processing prints. I’m currently working on one or two projects so a lot of my spare time is spent researching these and attending events where I can photograph subjects. You can see what I’ve been up to on anyalawrencephoto.com.
I’m also a sucker for trekking and I try to climb small mountains whenever I can. It’s very middle-aged of me but fresh air makes me happy.
If you have one, what’s your current pet hate?
Shops that call themselves design shops but are full of plastic money boxes and inflatable garden furniture.
Best piece of advice you’ve ever been given?
Be kind. Simple but really important.
Specialist subject on Mastermind?
Song lyrics. I won’t remember your birthday but I’ve somehow memorised the lyrics to most songs from the late ’90s and ’00s. Strangely, I don’t know that I know the lyrics until the song comes on the radio and the words just seem to spill out of my mouth.
Favourite place to go in London?
Telegraph Hill is a secret oasis in South London. The hill is horrible after a day at work but so worth it once you turn around to see London’s bright lights glowing in the background. I like to think of it as a grittier Primrose Hill.
First thing you do in the morning?
Press snooze. I’m not a morning person.
Want to meet more members of the Zetteler team? Well, you can! Amy Smith is Zetteler's Marketing Assistant
8 Andrews Road
London
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