I have been taking portraits of people on the streets for many years, and have developed a solid combination of self-confidence in approaching strangers, and a thick skin in accepting rejection.

The everyday exchange of letters became something to look forward to, instead of dreading a full inbox. We have learned that open communication and expressing your combined intentions from the outset is hugely beneficial.

Looking into the absurdity of the things considered to be Scottish I started to feel a sense of freedom from my newfound understanding, that the concept of national identity is in many cases based on fictional events and altered facts.

The quarterly magazine Real Review published by REAL Foundation, edited by Jack Self. I’m collecting all the issues, they all are brilliant, and it’s always a nice object to look forward to getting in between my hands.

When encountering an unplanned obstacle or stepping out of your comfort zone, stop to sharpen the axe, tune into your soul and look out for alternative solutions that feel fresh and true to your vision—those will be ‘the ones’.

It’s easy to get protective of your designs and want to be in control of the whole process. I am used to wood and to my father as the maker. Trusting someone new to realise design was a big challenge.

I’ve learned with each photoshoot that when you think through every possible twist or turn and prepare for when something goes awry, you can create something that is even better than what you expected.

I try to implement a more strict office structure since I believe that we get more time left for creativity with a more stringent, not a looser framework.

I don’t identify as a modernist, although I admire their intention, spirit and output.

Back in the day, The Design of Everyday Things by Don Norman. I was at that point into web and interaction design for a bit and was surprised how narrow, and surface-level some of my thinking was — this is one of the books that helped expand it a bit.

I'm feeling sluggish, hip hop is a great way to get motivated for the day ahead. I'll plug my headphones in and turn the music up loud. Current favourites: British artist Stormzy, Tribe Called Quest's latest album, and all the old hits from Mase.

Some people, when seeing me outside the ballet with my civilian clothing, don’t believe me when I say I’m a ballet dancer... I used to be annoyed by it, but now I embrace that, apparently, I don’t look like your “typical ballet dancer.”