This month’s "Meet the Member" features James Hobson the owner and director of Moor-Art Gallery, an online store focused on pop culture artworks from movies and video games.
Tell us a little about yourself and why you come to Unicorn Studios?
Hi, I’m James and I’ve been working in the creative industries since graduating from the University of Brighton in 2007!
I’m currently the owner and director of Moor-Art Gallery. An online gallery focussed on pop culture artworks across movies and video games. Being an owner of a company is all consuming and so coworking helps to add a little separation between work and ‘normal’ life.
Having days in an office setting helps with a routine rather than late starts and late evenings. Although it currently just means early starts and late evenings!
What was your first job?
Working the checkouts at my local Somerfield supermarket aged 16. It was with a great group of people at a similar age all saving for Uni with time and a half in Sundays. £6.45 p/hr and I’ve probably never had a more fun job because of the people I worked with.
What work accomplishment are you most proud of?
That’s a tough one. Mostly because my memory is so bad! Therefore I’ll go for the most recent and that would be creating the Ipswich Town FC v Newcastle poster art.
I’d never have imagined being featured in the matchday programme having been a town fan since a little lad. To see the posters around town has been great, especially with them brightening up empty units.
Are you an early bird or a night owl?
Night Owl. 100%. I can’t remember ever being fully awake during mornings, let alone productive. Working at Unicorn is helping with this, but I still don’t think I’ve rocked up before 10.30 yet. Having a schedule where I finish by 6 is more healthy but I’ve done some of my best work late at night.
What’s one of your favourite memories this year?
I didn’t get enough time off last year, if any. I run all parts of my business but I forced myself to shut everything down over Christmas. So Christmas with family and then a second Christmas Day with my partner was very special.
What’s something you’re planning on doing in the next year that you’ve never done before?
Taking more breaks and travelling to new places. Edinburgh has been on my list for years so I’ll tick that off.
When working what is your guilty pleasure?
Taking a break to watch TV, before going down YouTube rabbit holes… which then turn into naps.
If you could snap your fingers and become an expert in something, what would it be?
To become instantly grounded and financially sound for life? But that’s slightly boring. I’m a drummer but I’d love to be able to learn piano and/or guitar. Something melodic.
What is your hidden talent?
I used to be able to make the Queen smile on a five pound note. I haven’t tried it with our King yet though.
What three people would be your fantasy coworkers at Unicorn studios? And why?
Possibly three people who are in my ears a lot when working already. Podcasts are a life saver when working from home. I’d love to work with Adam Buxton, Louis Theroux (whom I’ve met and is every bit as nice as you would hope) and James Acaster (from the Off Menu podcast).
All comedians though, so I’m not sure I’d get much work done. But excellent comic relief from the grind and probably great fun away from Unicorn when we’re packing the prints too.
Would you rather be a tiny unicorn or a giant hamster?
A giant hamster? For a hamster, that’s probably just going to be dog-sized, no? I see no advantages there. No competition. It’s Tiny Unicorn. Magical abilities and the bonus of hiding/navigating places undercover.
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