New Signing! Tom Lane

How often do you pick up a pencil?

Pretty much every day. I’m an early riser, and I love spending a bit of quiet time in the morning drawing.

What has been your favourite project to date and why?

Can I have two? Fósforo Mezcal is probably my favourite design project. It let me flex the full skill set - brand design, custom lettering, illustration, bottle design, creative direction - the lot. I also worked with genuinely lovely people, and seeing it do so well out in the world has been really rewarding. It’s nice to feel part of a project like that.

The other one has to be the Carlsberg rebrand. It’s surreal seeing something you’ve drawn every time you walk into a pub, a supermarket, or put the football on. It also made it much easier to explain what I actually do for a living.

Tell us about your workspace

My current workspace is my favourite so far. During Covid I moved the studio back home and built a really lovely space - lots of workstations and musical instruments. It overlooks Princes Park in Liverpool, so it doesn’t really feel like I’m in a big city at all.

If I were to relocate, I’d head to the beach - probably somewhere wild in Scotland with good access to the Highlands. We’re in Liverpool for my wife’s family business, but our hearts are definitely up that way.

 

To whom do you owe your creativity? Are you from an artistic family or the odd one out?

Both my parents were chefs, so there was a creative streak in the house. My mum could write and paint a bit too. But they weren’t a particularly artistic family overall.

 

Who had an early influence on your career? Was there a teacher who recognised and pushed your potential?

There are a few people I owe a lot to. First, a mate of mine from my late teens - I was stuck in a job I didn’t like, and he was studying Graphic Design at college. He showed me his portfolio and it completely lit a fuse.

 

Then there was my secondary school teacher, Mrs Young, who wrote a letter of recommendation to Hereford Art College to help get me in. And finally, the head of Graphic Design there, who took a punt on me. Without those three, I wouldn’t be doing what I’m doing now - and I definitely wouldn’t be having this much fun.

 

What is the dream project or client you would love to work with?

A dream project would be working on a car rebrand - something iconic, long‑lasting, and rooted in real craft. Jaguar would’ve been a lovely one to get my teeth into.

 

Name another artist (visual, literary, musical, etc.) you’d love to collaborate with.

Marcus King. I love his guitar playing, his singing, and his whole kick‑ass look. I’d absolutely love to work on an album cover for him. There, I’ve said it - universe, do your thing.

 

How did you develop your signature style? How does it differ now from when you first started out?

It developed gradually over time, but I’m not sure I’d even call it a “style” - it’s more of a taste. Because I work across such a range of projects, the execution always comes from the idea, the message, and the feeling we’re trying to create, rather than forcing everything into a predetermined aesthetic. My taste leans toward elegance, beauty and a sense of timelessness, and that’s come from years of trial, error, and experience.

 

As for how it’s changed - dramatically. Early on I was experimenting and finding my feet, as we all should. Then I hit a groove with my lettering and illustration work, which opened a lot of doors, especially in the spirits world. Now I’m back in a phase of active development again, learning new things and seeing where the work wants to go. It’s exciting.

 

How has your cultural background influenced you and your work?

I grew up in a small town in the south of England - not exactly a cultural hub. Life was mostly sports, the pub, and getting into a bit of trouble outdoors. It was great, but it didn’t offer much in the way of creative influence.

 

Moving to Bristol changed everything. Being surrounded by culture, music, art, and a mix of people really opened things up for me and pushed my work forward in a big way.

 

Now I’m in Liverpool, and it’s more about family, happiness, and a sense of contentment. That shift has influenced my work too - there’s a bit more calm, a bit more clarity, and a lot more appreciation for what I get to do.

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