29th January 2019
Meet the team: Rupert
As many of you readers will know from first-hand experience, when you’re a young business that’s enthusiastic and good at what you do, you can swim from exciting project to exciting project without popping up for air to consider the bigger picture. You live your values but there’s a nagging suspicion that if you finessed your breathing technique or the timing of your stroke, you could go from being a very competent swimmer to an Olympic champ. Luckily for us we’ve got a new team member, Rupert Evans-Harding, coaching us from the poolside!
As head of strategy, Rupert has joined Zetteler to help both us and our clients instil long-term thinking and a reaffirmed sense of purpose in everything we do. Already he’s bringing clarity to our direction, streamlining our processes and asking the tough questions, all so we can spend more of our energy doing what we do best – delivering creative ideas for clients who care about the world their designs live in.
History of art grad Rupert joined us from Vitsœ’s communication team and we can definitely spot a natural affinity between his love for clarity and elegant functionality and the vision of its primary designer Dieter Rams. Nowadays many businesses want help to be more sustainable and responsible and Rupert says he was drawn to Zetteler because of our commitment to making a positive impact. ‘That is an exciting prospect: to improve the odds of a better world by helping more companies do good,’ he says. We couldn’t agree more.
Can you tell us a bit about the journey you’ve taken to Zetteler’s door?
A friend introduced me to Sabine at the launch of Rick Pushinsky’s Just Not Kosher recipe card project, which Zetteler introduced to the world. I met Rick years ago when he visited Vitsœ’s HQ to photograph for Inventory magazine.
A friend introduced me to Sabine at the launch of Rick Pushinsky’s Just Not Kosher recipe card project, which Zetteler introduced to the world. I met Rick years ago when he visited Vitsœ’s HQ to photograph for Inventory magazine.
Speaking to Rick that night, I discovered that another friend of mine had worked with him on the graphic design of those recipe cards. It dawned on me that Zetteler sits at a few different crossroads that I wanted to visit more often. A conversation with Sabine a year later led to me joining the team.
You studied history of art – how and why did you end up choosing the design industry for your career?
My mother was a textile designer and my father was an architect, so I can’t take any credit for it. When they argued about who owned the Braun calculator, I realised that the objects that we surround ourselves with can take on extraordinary significance.
My mother was a textile designer and my father was an architect, so I can’t take any credit for it. When they argued about who owned the Braun calculator, I realised that the objects that we surround ourselves with can take on extraordinary significance.
History of art gives you the opportunity to elaborate on the significance of objects and images. Looking at something and then writing about its influence and place in history was good training for the work I do now.
Are there any clients or projects you’re especially excited to be working on?
Many fall in to my personal preferences but others give me the opportunity to stretch myself. I am excited by both experiences.
Many fall in to my personal preferences but others give me the opportunity to stretch myself. I am excited by both experiences.
What excites you about the creative scene today?
That people are realising their influence could have a positive impact on the world. Individuals and brands should think harder about who they are and stand for it more bravely, outside of scenes, across different spaces.
That people are realising their influence could have a positive impact on the world. Individuals and brands should think harder about who they are and stand for it more bravely, outside of scenes, across different spaces.
Do you have a favourite designer or design brand?
Enzo Mari is a favourite, for his playful designs and social awareness. And Muji, for promoting modesty at the heart of its business.
Enzo Mari is a favourite, for his playful designs and social awareness. And Muji, for promoting modesty at the heart of its business.
If you could recommend one thing for Londoners to do to connect with their city, what would it be?
Ride a bike and talk to people. You’ll see more of the city on a bike and understand its true geography. London isn’t the hostile metropolis that some think it is. Take every opportunity to spark up conversation. I don’t do this often enough, but when I do it is so memorable and revealing.
Ride a bike and talk to people. You’ll see more of the city on a bike and understand its true geography. London isn’t the hostile metropolis that some think it is. Take every opportunity to spark up conversation. I don’t do this often enough, but when I do it is so memorable and revealing.
Head of Strategy is a new role for Zetteler, tell us what it entails?
I’m working with our team and our clients to instil long-term thinking and reaffirm a sense of purpose. We want to look far down the road to consider what a better world could look like. We all have a responsibility to shape that world – and ensure we get there.
I’m working with our team and our clients to instil long-term thinking and reaffirm a sense of purpose. We want to look far down the road to consider what a better world could look like. We all have a responsibility to shape that world – and ensure we get there.
What was the most important lesson you learned during your eight years at Vitsœ, personal or professional?
The value of clear communication; to respect other people’s time; that living by principles is rewarding.
The value of clear communication; to respect other people’s time; that living by principles is rewarding.
Vitsœ instilled an ethos in me that I haven’t been able to modify. Something we could all aspire to: living better with less that lasts longer.
What was it that attracted you to Zetteler?
I need a philosophical alignment with my work. My conversations with Sabine confirmed that Zetteler has a deeper purpose. We are here to make the world a little bit better.
I need a philosophical alignment with my work. My conversations with Sabine confirmed that Zetteler has a deeper purpose. We are here to make the world a little bit better.
Our clients come to us for communications services and consultation, but increasingly they want to know how they can be more responsible, too. That is an exciting prospect: to improve the odds of a better world by helping more companies do good.
Equality is a key issue to Zetteler. How do you think about it?
I’ve been reading about free will and considering how the world might be a more equal place if we explored that topic.
I’ve been reading about free will and considering how the world might be a more equal place if we explored that topic.
It’s important to recognise the fortune in your position and help the less-fortunate to benefit from it. I celebrate humility.
Has anything surprised you about Zetteler since you started?
How important pro bono work is to the team. I keep overhearing about examples of people here getting together outside of work to volunteer. I don’t know of a more altruistic work environment. It’s inspiring.
How important pro bono work is to the team. I keep overhearing about examples of people here getting together outside of work to volunteer. I don’t know of a more altruistic work environment. It’s inspiring.
Where do you live and what do you like about it?
I live in London, enjoying the global culture amid the idiosyncrasies.
I live in London, enjoying the global culture amid the idiosyncrasies.
What do you do when you’re not strategising?
Recently, Bananagrams. I was introduced to the game by two brilliant friends on holiday in Italy last summer. It’s a delight to run the tiles through your hands. They have a good weight to them. And it comes in a playful banana shaped pouch. It’s such a pleasure and it’s less combative than Scrabble, so fewer arguments ensue!
Recently, Bananagrams. I was introduced to the game by two brilliant friends on holiday in Italy last summer. It’s a delight to run the tiles through your hands. They have a good weight to them. And it comes in a playful banana shaped pouch. It’s such a pleasure and it’s less combative than Scrabble, so fewer arguments ensue!
Tell us something we’d never know about you unless we went through your bins.
I need to invest in a shredder.
I need to invest in a shredder.
Want to know more about the team behind the scenes? Meet Emma, Zetteler’s newest PR manager, here.
+44 (0)7791 568890
Unit 73B Regent Studios
8 Andrews Road
London
E8 4QN
8 Andrews Road
London
E8 4QN