WXG 7 — Meet the Speakers: Chris Todhunter, Founder of Studio Republic
Chris is Founder and Technical Director of Studio Republic and has worked in web development for longer than he cares to admit.
His baby, Studio Republic, is well into its teens now. Like most teenagers, Studio Republic has been exploring its identity and where it fits in the world. The Studio has become focused on sustainability and social justice: making great work for the good people of the world.
A reluctant public speaker, Chris is occasionally farmed out by the Studio to give industry talks on first steps to sustainability. His raw honesty and candid approach to failure help to make sustainability a possibility.
Can you give us an overview of your talk without spoiling the surprises?
The talk is about the journey Studio Republic have been on in the last two years, repositioning the agency, becoming more sustainable and making “for good” the focus of everything we do.
What do you hope that attendees to get out of your talk?
That being more sustainable isn’t difficult and how a simple change of leadership mindset can transform a workplace into a community.
How did you find yourself in ‘agency owner’ life?
Running a business was always an aspiration, but a change in circumstances meant I was thrown in to becoming a freelance developer. The agency grew organically from the humble beginnings of coding in my kitchen.
What advice would you give to somebody new to the industry?
Get out there and talk to as many people as you can. Go to conferences and creative meet-ups. If you’re a student then get as much intern experience as you can — there’s no substitute for getting a taste of agency life. There are some hugely inspirational people in the creative industries that we can all learn a lot from and every day’s a school day.
When you’re not working, what makes you tick?
Running a business and having two kids keeps me pretty busy! My other big love is drumming. I’ve hit things since I could sit up and playing the drums is my weekly meditation — it’s a couple of hours I can switch my brain off and just be in the moment. I’d recommend drumming as meditation to anyone!
Good vs Evil: Tech you couldn’t live without? Tech you think we’d be better off without?
Like most people in our industry, I’m locked into the Apple ecosystem and I’d be lost without my MacBook and iPhone. I can’t, and wouldn’t want to avoid tech (it pays my mortgage!), but I should definitely cut down on the amount of time I’m glued to my phone.
Which historical figure would you have dinner with if you could?
As a drummer it would have to be Buddy Rich. He was a childhood inspiration and 30 years after he passed away he’s still influencing the next generation of drummers — a pretty big achievement.
Be sure to catch Chris’s talk at this years #WXG7 on 23.05.19.
Tickets available right here.
