Women of WoT
LOTTIE WALSH
TURNING POINT
‘I love exploring how the various characters and stories from my different illustrations tie in and interact with each other in the strange Turning Point space-time continuum.’
Can you tell me a little about yourself and your role in the beer world?
I live in York with my soon-to-be husband Ben and our lil dog Cooper. We’re all beer fans! I’ve been doing illustrations for Turning Point Brew Co for the past 4 years, since we popped an armadillo on the face of Vision Quest in 2018. I have a full-time career in tech as a Digital Manager at a non-profit – a job which I love, and so I balance my illustrations for Turning Point alongside that!
When it comes to designing the can is the name or the style more influential?
It completely depends! Usually the names come after the design - based on what random concoction of characters and planets we’ve come up with. I’ll normally have a style of beer to work with and go from there. Often I’ll work any core ingredients or flavours into the theme of the design, but sometimes I’ll just go with the vibe I’m feeling and what scenario comes to mind. I loved illustrating the billionaire space race last year – putting Richard Branson hair on a hop was pretty enjoyable.
What’s it like collaborating with a brewery? Do they come to you with a concept, do you bring your designs to them or is it more collaborative?
Again, it totally varies! Most of the time I’ll come up with the concept and full design, but Cameron (co-founder of Turning Point) is known to conjure up the occasional wacky and completely out-there concept in his head which I’ll draw up and bring to life, adding my own details along the way. Working with Turning Point is awesome – they’ve always been onboard with my random doodles and ideas, and I’ve always loved having the freedom to be creative. Their ever-changing and experimental recipes bring a lot of fun to the table too, they’re generally just a really great bunch to collaborate with.
Can design is being viewed more and more as an art form with many now being collectible, how does that make you feel?
I think the direction the industry has taken to feature so much incredible design and artwork adds a huge amount of value to the appeal and passion behind craft beer, alongside also giving up and coming designers and artists a platform. I was honoured to recently have been included in Pete Brown’s book Beer by Design alongside so many talented designers from all over the world. I often hear people describing the awe of walking into a local craft beer shop and spending ages admiring all the can designs, and it’s an amazing feeling to be part of that.
‘Working with Turning Point is awesome – they’ve always been onboard with my random doodles and ideas and I’ve always loved having the freedom to be creative.’
What was your background before Turning Point and is there anything exciting you’re working on right now?
After finishing my Fine Arts degree, I was working in a craft beer bar in York when I started getting into illustration and over the next couple of years ended up providing work for a few clients and organisations. I’d spent my degree years making films and installations, and without a studio space I found myself channelling my thoughts through pen and paper (and then very quickly transitioning to an iPad!). Through my bar job I met Cameron, who shortly after founded Turning Point and asked if I’d be interested putting my lil’ armadillo on some beer cans.
Right now I’m working on some cool seating plans and menus for my wedding in a few weeks’ time! After that I’ll be revisiting my hop characters to see what adventure is lined up for them next.
Tell us about someone in the industry that inspires you, or just deserves a shout out?
I have always adored Nanna Guldbaek’s designs for Lervig, and recently Wild Card brewery. She liked one of my illustration posts on Instagram once and I fangirled for days! Outside of the beer industry, I bloody love David Hockney.
What is your favourite design you’ve made so far and what's your favourite beer to drink right now?
I think my favourite illustration was for the Cosmic Flux rebrew in 2020. I love nothing more than exploring themes of parallel worlds and so it was super fun to explore the original design from a new perspective. I love exploring how the various characters and stories from my different illustrations tie in and interact with each other in the strange Turning Point space-time continuum.
As for my favourite beer I’ve had recently, it has to be Overtone’s PBJ – a peanut butter & jelly sour.
Check out more of Lottie’s work over on her Instagram:
