Centre • Bath
Meet the Members: Gareth Rutter
Introducing Gather Round member Gareth Rutter, founder and Creative Director of Bellow Studio, a creative agency based in Bristol. A collective of thinkers, makers and dreamers – they help brands to be heard above the hubbub.
Gareth joined us just before lockdown, not ideal timing for someone who had just made the move to a new city. However since we reopened the space back in June, Gareth has most definitely embraced the community with open arms – he brings energy, passion and charisma in abundance. The name Bellow is very much a reflection of it’s founder – I’m sure Gareth wouldn’t mind us saying that! And we wouldn’t have it any other way.
This week we chat Michel Gondry, food heaven and the positives of running your own agency.
Can you tell us what you do and what an average work day looks like?
I run my own creative agency Bellow – I’m the founder and creative director. We create specialist teams of experts to solve clients problems, be they strategic, brand or experience. This means that I run a LOT of collaborative projects and one of the exciting things about Gather Round was having a community of brilliant freelancers to potentially work with.
An average day – not sure there is such a thing ? I do design as a career for exactly this reason, to be excited, challenged and enthused everyday (well almost).
I like to get started early, my brain always works better in the morning. A walk or a cycle into Gather Round from St Werburghs allows me to see the city and get my brain working. As I run the business from a creative and financial standpoint a typical day includes checking in on project teams, new business development and financial planning. I’m a wearer of many hats most days.
Anything you’re working on at the moment that’s exciting you?
We’re working with a few interesting startups here in Bristol and beyond, but currently my most exciting job is working with a Canadian fashion brand, Numi on a complete rebrand, strategic approach and art directing their new campaign. It’s exciting working with a women-owned and led business who are so passionate about their product. Also Toronto is a nice city to visit!
What do you enjoy most about running your own agency?
The ability to say no, to choose clients who align with our values and are looking to add something positive to the world. And being able to set out an agency how I think it should be run – after 17 years working for other people it feels great to be able to do this.
What kit/tools can you not live without?
Headphones. Coffee. WIFI.
What are you watching/listening to at the moment?
I just finished the absolute mind melt that was Dark on Netflix – a fantastically rewarding and engrossing series.
Rhythm Section has an amazing Spotify playlist which is one of my favourite things to get on my headphones while I work. I’m also revisiting a lot of 90’s American indie bands of late.
What excites you most about the creative process?
Collaboration. I set up Bellow to create custom teams of experts to solve clients problems. Working together with exciting and interesting individuals is what gets me out of bed in the morning. I think that the intersection between disciplines and ways of thinking is where great creativity springs from.
When you’re not working how do you like to spend your down time?
Cooking is a massive passion of mine. It’s my favourite mindfulness activity to slow my brain down after a long day of meetings and designing. I love to experiment and recently received a sous-vide machine for my 40th, so I’m really excited to get creative with that. Learning to cook was a big part of growing up and I find food, like music is very strongly attached to memory. I’ve spent my life perfecting a lasagne which my dad taught me, hopefully I’ll bring that into GR one day for a group taste test.
I also like to cycle and experience art of any kind.
And the all important question; where is your favourite place to eat in Bristol?
Well…I only arrived in Bristol three weeks before the lockdown so I’ve been held back a bit from fulfilling my Bristol food dreams so far but I have a very, very long list of places to check out!
Best meal to date was Little French, which was FANTASTIC. A few others from the list are Bulrush, Tsukemono, Box-E and Wilsons.
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Thanks for taking the time out to get involved in our Meet the Members Q&A Gareth! If you’re keen to find out more about Bellow and services Gareth and the team have to offer, get in touch directly via email gareth@bellow.studio.
