Meet our new talent Arun Golia
One of the things that impressed us the most about Arun was his ability to balance creativity and practicality. He has a keen eye for detail, which allows him to create designs that are not only visually appealing but also functional and insightful.
We’re thrilled to have Arun on board and look forward to seeing the amazing work he will do as part of our growing design team!
At Columns, we are always excited to welcome new team members, as they bring fresh perspectives and innovative ideas. This time, we had the pleasure of interviewing our new Strategic Designer, Arun Golia.
Welcome to Columns! Tell us about your experience.
I have previously worked with a range of agencies, each with its own unique point of view and approach. Some have prioritised design whilst others leaned towards advertising. Consequently, the processes and ways of approaching communication challenges vary. I have taken on a wide array of projects across branding, campaigns, and digital design.
More recently my curiosity led me to learn and practice a wider range of design disciplines. I've dabbled in service design, got into the nitty gritty of strategy, and to gain a broader perspective on business challenges and society, I pursued an MA in Social Entrepreneurship.
I strongly believe that as a designer working with a range of communication challenges, we need to look outside of our immediate discipline to build an understanding of the issues businesses and society face.
What attracted you to your role at Columns? Any highlights so far?
Potential. As a smaller agency, I think there is the opportunity to have a part to play in affecting its direction, the way we work as a team and its culture. You can suggest a change or try something new and see the effect of that change quickly. The highlight for me so far is the people. Meeting a new team and understanding how they think, and work is a chance to understand your habits and ways of doing things and help others develop.
Which 5 creatives would make your Columns fantasy team? Why?
Barack Obama – there's no better speaker!
Virgil Abloh – design, music, fashion – He was able to turn his creativity into anything.
Cheryl Heller – an expert in social design and innovation.
Hamdi Ulukaya – a leader who puts his employees and society first.
Jan Van Toorn – a Dutch graphic designer with a different point of view.
Aside from your current Columns briefs, what would be your dream project?
I'd like to work on a project that has a real impact on people living in a specific city. For instance, a revolutionary transport scheme. Asking the question – How would it embed itself into a city? How would residents use and interface with it? How do you make it entertaining for people? How does it support everyone?
What superpower do you contribute to the team?
I'd like to think my open mind! I pride myself on it. Always willing to listen, always willing to change – a strong opinion lightly held.
Where in London do you go to get inspired?
The places I least expect across London, and LA. I love going for a walk or jumping on a bike and seeing where the city takes me. I might bump into a friend or discover a new building. The element of surprise is refreshing.