WiseNoise 01: Ewan Leckie on Island Roots, New York Streets, and Creative Grout
The first episode of WiseNoise is officially out in the world.
For those who don't know, WiseNoise is a new podcast from Wiselove Studio where I sit down with fellow creatives to talk about the real stuff, the messy bits, the lucky breaks, the 3 AM panic sessions, and the projects that remind us why we fell in love with this job in the first place.
And for episode one? I couldn't have asked for a better guest than Ewan Leckie of We Are My Creative.
Grab a cuppa. Let me tell you about this one.
From Tobermory to the World
Ewan grew up on the Isle of Mull, in the colourful wee town of Tobermory. You know the one, those famous painted houses that line the harbour. If you've ever watched Balamory, you've seen it.
But here's the thing about growing up on a small Scottish island: you learn to figure things out yourself. There's no popping to the shops for a specific tool or waiting for next-day delivery. If something breaks, you fix it. If you need something, you make it.
Ewan calls it the "DIY island spirit", and honestly, it runs through everything he does. That resourcefulness, that willingness to just have a go, it's baked into his creative DNA.
He told me about his dad's old Land Rover, how he'd watch him strip it down and rebuild it over and over. That hands-on mentality stuck. And it shows in his work today: tactile, considered, and always rooted in making something real.
The Shed Studio in Carluke
These days, Ewan works out of a shed. Well, a very nice shed. A proper studio shed in his garden in Carluke, just outside Glasgow.
It's his creative sanctuary, away from the house, away from distractions, but close enough to pop in for lunch. He described it as the perfect balance between "going to work" and having the freedom of working for yourself.
There's something about that setup that I really admire. It's not a flashy city-centre studio with exposed brick and an espresso machine worth more than my car. It's just a space that works. A place where good design gets made.
And good design definitely gets made there.
How Pinterest Led to New York
Here's a story that still blows my mind.
Ewan's work caught the attention of a client in New York City, not through a fancy agency introduction, not through a big-budget marketing campaign, but through Pinterest.
Yep. Someone scrolling through Pinterest saw his work, loved it, and reached out. The result? Branding for a restaurant in one of the most competitive cities on the planet.
It's a reminder that you never quite know where your work will land. That thing you post today, thinking "ah, this is just a wee project," could end up on a moodboard in Manhattan. Keep putting the work out there.
Three Projects That Tell the Story
During our chat, Ewan walked me through a few projects that really showcase what he's about. These aren't just "nice logos", they're stories, collaborations, and genuine creative problem-solving.
1. The Crochet Tree
This one is special.
The Crochet Tree is a mindfulness and crochet brand, and Ewan worked alongside the incredibly talented illustrator Fruzsina Fofoldi to bring it to life. The result was this beautifully gentle, almost meditative visual identity.
What struck me most was how Ewan talked about the collaboration. It wasn't about ego or creative control, it was about two people bringing their strengths together to make something neither could have made alone.
The project went on to win awards, but when Ewan talks about it, you can tell the pride comes from the process, not just the trophy.
2. Isle of Mull Soap Co
This one takes us back to the island.
Isle of Mull Soap Co needed packaging that captured the essence of Mull, not the generic "Scottish Highlands" postcard version, but the real island. The specific places. The textures. The light.
Ewan's solution? 120 custom illustrations, each one based on a real location on the island. The fisherman's pier. The famous orange tents at a local campsite. Spots that locals would recognise instantly.
It's that attention to truth that elevates the work. Anyone can slap a thistle on a label and call it "Scottish." But to capture the actual soul of a place? That takes research, care, and a genuine connection to the subject.
3. Milhóc French Whiskey
Okay, this is my favourite story from the whole episode.
Ewan was working on branding for Milhóc, a French whiskey brand. He'd been stuck, searching for that spark of inspiration that would tie everything together.
Then, one day, he was at home grouting his bathroom floor. Just kneeling there, trowel in hand, staring at the tiles.
And it hit him.
The rows of grouting reminded him of the rows of French vineyards, those perfectly lined vines stretching across the countryside. That pattern, that rhythm, became the foundation for the entire bottle design.
I love this story because it's so real. Inspiration doesn't always strike when you're sitting at your desk with a mood board and a carefully curated Spotify playlist. Sometimes it hits when you're covered in tile adhesive, thinking about literally anything else.
That's the designer brain for you.
The Bingo Wheel of Wisdom
No episode of WiseNoise is complete without a spin of the Bingo Wheel of Wisdom, our rapid-fire question round designed to catch guests off guard and get the real answers.
Ewan handled it like a pro.
The highlight? When asked the classic "Snog, Marry, Avoid" question about design software, Ewan said he'd marry Adobe Illustrator.
Fair play. It's been there through thick and thin. It's reliable. It doesn't crash too often. And let's be honest, most of us have spent more quality time with Illustrator than with actual human beings.
A solid choice.
The Real Stories Behind the Design
This is what WiseNoise is all about.
It's not about perfectly polished case studies or corporate-speak. It's about the real journeys: the island childhoods, the shed studios, the floor-grouting breakthroughs, and the happy accidents that lead to work in New York City.
Ewan's story is a reminder that there's no single path in this industry. You don't need to follow a specific route or tick certain boxes. You just need to keep making, keep learning, and keep putting yourself out there.
And maybe fix a Land Rover or two along the way.
Listen to the Full Episode
This blog post only scratches the surface. The full conversation goes much deeper: into pricing, client relationships, creative doubt, and plenty more stories I didn't have room to include here.
Listen to WiseNoise Episode 1 with Ewan Leckie wherever you get your podcasts.
And if you want to check out Ewan's work, head over to We Are My Creative.
Got thoughts on the episode? A guest you'd love to hear on WiseNoise? Drop me a line( I'd love to hear from you.)
_
File under
