of metal, wood, ceramic and plastic. They’re often gifts - I was
once given a metal numeral from a policeman’s helmet. I also
collect hand-written Victorian letters and printed ephemera
which often inspire my work. u SB Do you keep a scrapbook?
Ruth: My studio is my scrapbook. u SB Tell us about a favourite
project. Ruth: I was asked by Lowe NY to work on the lettering
for a series of poster campaigns for the beautiful island of Aruba.
It was an exciting job as the creative director wanted the copy
on each ad to really express the personality of the subject. The
challenge was to ‘get inside their heads’ so that each style was
different and said something unique about the individual. u SB
If you could visit anywhere in the world, where would you go?
Ruth: Japan. I have had an interest in the country since working
on the novel title, ‘Memoirs of a Geisha’ for Random House’s
Vintage East. It was a best seller and I’ve since worked on a lot
of oriental titles. u SB How do you picture the afterlife? Ruth: A
world class library with an impressive typography section and a
well stocked tea room attached.
Ruth Rowland’s Favourites
Library The British Library - fascinating exhibitions
Café Waterstones Piccadilly: books + tea + cake = heaven
Gallery The Estorick Collection - Italian Futurist gems
Art Equipment Dip ink pens and oriental brushes
Shop The Japan Centre, Regent St - if you share my obsession
Magazine Letter Arts Review - never fails to impress
www.illustrationweb.com/ruthrowland
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