Jane Bartos

What made you join Shape?

The standard of work is obviously amazing, but it was the vibe and atmosphere that made me really want to work here and really sold it to me. Everyone's here to make amazing work, but also to have fun and not take themselves too seriously, which is right up my street. The environment is very relaxed, but standards are high so I feel like it makes me want to be the best version of myself, personally as well as professionally.

Where do you get inspiration from?

Usually scrolling on Instagram; I know social media has a bad rep, but honestly, if you use it right and follow accounts that inspire you and make you feel good, it can be amazing. For web, sites like siteinspire and awwwards are great, and there are those old-fashioned things called books...

I've heard you're getting a pomeranian...?

Oh god, yeah, I've not been able to stop banging on about it because I've wanted a pom forever, and it's FINALLY happening. He's already got an Instagram account, you should definitely follow him for daily cuteness overload...

Have you always wanted to be a designer?

I grew up wanting to be a fashion photographer which then developed into wanting to be an Art Director at Vogue. I went to a fashion school in London, realised I absolutely hated it, so I packed my bags and went back home to re-evaluate my life. Then I had a lightbulb moment, realised it wasn't the image itself I was bothered about, but rather what I do with the image, and hey ho, I applied to do graphic design at MSoA. The rest is history!

What do you do in your spare time?

I try to run a mile every day, it's just a good way of getting fresh air, movement, daylight... Basically, it gets me up from my desk and wakes me up! I also watch a few fashion/beauty-related YouTubers, go out to a rave once in a while, and during lockdown, I got back into reading and yoga.