Matthew Johnston

Matthew Johnston is an Irish creative based in London. Having worked on the advertising teams at Elle Decoration and GQ, he went on to become the director of brand content, first at Wallpaper* and then Nowness. He has built award winning creative content and global commercial campaigns for luxury brands such as Burberry, BMW & Hennessy. At the start of the year he set up on his own, going freelance to leverage his commercial experience and graphic design talents to help brands grow and thrive through their creative campaigns. For Pride 2020, Matthew has created the 'Proud Face' illustration series as a way of celebrating Pride in Lockdown. The series recognises the work of some of the Queer community's sheroes/heroes/theyroes. The idea being to celebrate and educate.

What is your idea of perfect happiness?: Mountain walks.

What is your greatest extravagance?: My bathroom looks like an Aesop store.

What is your current state of mind?: Anxiously excited about a future I can't fully picture.

Which talent would you most like to have?: I wish I was in any way musical. In my head I sound like Matt Berninger (of The National) when I sing but the reality is starkly different.

Where would you most like to live?: In a cottage with a wood burning fire in the middle of a forest. Yes even after we've been in lockdown and no, I don’t know what's wrong with me.

What is your most treasured possession?: My engagement ring. My fiancé planned an amazing engagement proposal at the Treehouse Hotel in Lapland and the ring reminds me of that magical trip but also it's a constant reminder of his lovely face.

What do you most value in your friends?: Humour. If you can make me laugh out loud (I've been told I don't do this alot) then I want to be your BFF.

Who are your favorite writers?: Zadie Smith, Sally Rooney, Matthew Lopez, Mohsin Zaidi, James Baldwin and also Tina Fey and Phoebe Waller-Bridge for the laughs.

Who are your heroes in real life?: The women in my family. I've learned how to get through any challenges in life by following their very fine examples.