In conversation: Barnaby Barford

How has your career path changed since you graduated?

Interesting. Although I studied 3D design, when I first started, the reason I liked ceramics was because of a ‘slip casting’ project we had done in the first year of my degree. And the realisation of being able to make multiples of a piece of work, relatively easily and cheaply, was a real ‘wow’ moment for me. So I carried on doing ceramics throughout the course, and then went to the Royal College of Art, where I changed from doing design to more conceptual art. But actually, when I look back, I am still using those same techniques of mass-producing ceramics, just now in the creation of unique art. So in one way I have changed completely, and in another, I haven’t changed at all.

What has been the most difficult issue you have faced?

When you work in the creative industries, everything is difficult – there is nobody telling you how to do it. You just have to keep going and persist and do new things. You carry on and carry on and carry on, and that is the difficult thing. I am not sure students realise how difficult it is!

On the flip-side, what is the best and most interesting thing you’ve done?

The best thing about what I do is that I don’t really know what I’ll be doing! So, I started with ceramics, but since I finished at the Royal College, I’ve made a film (an animated film for Channel 4); I’ve done some massive projects such as the 'Tower of Babel'; and I’m talking to a big corporate company about doing a residency with them – and three months ago, it hadn’t even crossed my mind that that could happen. So, although it is really difficult and not particularly ‘stable’, the beauty is that you don’t know what’s around the corner and you’re always making your own opportunities. So it’s fun and exciting. Each time you finish a big project you realise that you feel most alive when you’re under the cosh!

What, if anything, do you wish you’d done differently in your career?

It’s quite a difficult question. The reason I am where I am is because of the path I’ve taken – and I’m quite happy where I am. But, I think knowing what I know now and the area in which I’m working, which is more ‘artistic’, I would have concentrated more on that in my studying period. But it’s difficult. You are always on a journey. I’m not done, I’m still pushing and still trying to do new things.

And it didn’t necessarily feel like that when I was studying, but the world has changed quite a lot. And, you’re in an institution with fine artists, designers, architects – mix with all of those people, Find out what they do. Try and work with them. Go and see what else is going on, soak in everything even if you don’t think it directly relates to you. And then when you leave, it is a matter of persistence, of sticking at it and sticking at it and sticking at it. It takes time, but the people I see who have done so have done well. Ultimately, we’re not here doing accountancy or writing essays – it’s what we love to do. So, love doing it, but do lots of it!

How did studying at Plymouth help you to develop?

I was at the University when the arts faculty was based in Exeter. It was a great place, with a real art college environment. I’m still in touch with a number of friends, many of whom have moved to London, and we’re all still close. It gave me a skillset that has been really useful. The teaching staff gave me a lot of support and I did Erasmus in my second year, and that was a huge turning point in my life. I’d recommend anyone who has the opportunity to do it should do so and really throw themselves at it. I went to study in Italy, and I met my wife there. We’ve been together 19 years, have children, and I get stuff manufactured in Italy, and our friends there have moved over and set up business here. It’s what the whole ethos of Erasmus and the European Union was all about it. So that really was a kickstarter in everything I do.