I graduated from the Edinburgh College of Art where I studied Graphic Design before attending a postgraduate enterprise course at Central Saint Martins University of the Arts in London. While there I was introduced to the editor of Jotta.com and began my writing career. Since then I’ve written for various online and printed arts magazines and have published my own book 10 for 2010 - a collection of interviews with the years’ up-and-coming creative talents.

I currently work as an InDesign Expert and Technical Author for Semcon and write regularly for Arts Thread’s blog and printed magazine.

In my spare time I manage my own blog http://oneadaydesign.blogspot.com/which promotes the work of local Hungarian artists and designers.

1. When did you arrive in Hungary and what brought you here?
I first arrived in Hungary in the summer of 2010 whilst on Holiday and fell completely in love with the city. After a few months contemplation I packed my bags and moved to Budapest.

2. Have you ever been an expatriate elsewhere?
I betrayed my Scottish heritage by living briefly in London but I don’t think that really counts, does it?

3. What surprised you most about Hungary?
How close-knit the creative community is. Everyone seems to know everyone and it’s a fantastic place to network and meet original and innovative artists and designers.

4. Friends are in Budapest for a weekend - what must they absolutely see and do?
Budapest has a rich and diverse art scene and deserves a lot more recognition so I would insist on them visiting every gallery this city has to offer – from the Ludvig and Műcsarnok to the Spiritusz and Printa studio. They should also try a cake from the Jegbufe on Ferenciek tere and walk to the Fisherman’s Bastion at sunset.

5. What is your favourite Hungarian food?
Rétes is my all time favourite. I love the pastry culture here in Hungary. Back home in Edinburgh it’s almost considered a sin to eat so many cakes but here you see a bakery on every corner.

6. What is never missing from your refrigerator?
Túró Rudi!

7. What is your favourite Hungarian word?
Köszönöm – you can never be too polite

8. What do you miss most from home?
In no particular order: Newcastle Brown Ale, fresh sea-food, friends and family, my cats and chickens and fast public transport systems!

9. What career other than yours would you love to pursue?
In my Primary School yearbook I wrote that I wanted to be either a famous rapper or an architect. But now I wouldn’t mind being a farmer actually, even though I’m rubbish with tools.

10. What's a job you would definitely never want?
I used to work in a supermarket where my main responsibility was to replenish the cheese stock. Hopefully I won’t have to return to that position again … but if anyone needs their cheeses re-arranged, I’m your man!

11. Where did you spend your last vacation?
My friend and I took the night train to Krakow in November. Apart from having to share a cabin with some less than desirable back-packers (who’s sense of hygiene was highly questionable) it was an amazing trip. What surprised me most about the residents of Krakow was their enthusiasm towards Catholicism. Never in my life have I seen people literally running to get to church and queuing outside for Sunday service. I admire that kind of commitment.

12. Where do you hope to spend your next holiday?
I would love to discover all of central and eastern Europe. There are so many other countries right on our doorstep and I hope to visit them all!

13. What was your favourite band, film, or hobby as a teen?
I went through so many different phases as a teenager that it’s hard for me to generalize but the musicians which I think defined my adolescence were Garbage, Marilyn Manson, Madonna, Fischerspooner, Shivaree and Deee-Lite.

14. What can't you resist?
The snooze button on my alarm and instant coffee.

15. Red wine or white?
I was never a wine fan until I moved to Hungary. Red wine from Eger is probably the best in the world.

16. Book or movie?
The Trick Is To Keep Breathing by Scottish writer Janice Galloway . It’s the perfect mixture of raw, first-person narrative and experimental typography.

17. Morning person or night person?
I would say neither – I’m always sleepy in the morning and even more so at night. Best thing is to catch me around mid-day, that’s when I’m at my best

18. Which social issue do you feel most strongly about?
Equality and freedom of movement. It doesn’t matter if you are male, female, black, white, Asian, mixed-race, gay, straight, transgender, Muslim, Jewish, Christian, we all have a right to live on this earth and be treated as equals. We should be free to live wherever we want and explore the world without discrimination.

19. Buda or Pest side?
Buda. I guess most people will answer based on where they live. I love it in district XII. It’s only a 10 minute walk to the Budai Var, there are lots of beautiful villas and parks nearby and the MOM is just around the corner.

20. What would you say is your personal motto?
I’m going to quote a line from the brilliant 2003 movie Party Monster: “It doesn’t matter what you look like! I mean if you have a hunchback, just throw a little glitter on it honey and go dancing!”