Written by Mike Bond (1999 ISH Resident) for our newsletter in 2021
One thing struck me about ISH. People were unlike me, but they were just like me too. ISH brings together people from all corners of the globe and all backgrounds. It provided me with amazing experiences that have shaped my outlook, expanded my friend network and changed me forever. I got to know people arriving from very different places but with whom I could connect because of the things we shared. Whether they were Swedish and driven by a love for fashion, Japanese and learning to live in London without the aid of their guide dog, or Pakistani and fearlessly pursuing their desire to become a lawyer – we found joy in celebrating the same things; a sense of curiosity about the world and a passion for finding our own individual path to success.
I joined ISH back in 1999 as a design student at Saint Martins College (the one that Alexander McQueen studied at – and famously mentioned in the Pulp song ‘Common People’). I was in my final year, very excited and extremely ambitious. I also had very, very spiky hair. It was my busiest year of study, but I managed to help run (and model in) a fashion show, organise an all-night clubbing trip to Sheffield, take part in a hypnotism show, go on a residential training weekend and be the representative of an English Language school, not to mention attending concerts, dinners and charity events. Looking back, I realise just how central ISH was to helping me become the person I am now.
When I left, I moved into a flat nearby with my best friend (who I met at ISH) and I started my MA at the Royal College of Art. I also launched my own design business and started as a university lecturer. My career was – just like walking into ISH for the first time – straight in at the deep end. I was facing challenges I’d never faced before and dealing with people I’d never met before.
As my time at ISH ended, I had no idea what an invoice was or anything about tax, but I DID know how to form relationships with people, be diplomatic and unafraid to make mistakes. 20 years later, my business is still going strong, based in south London. We are one of the top design agencies in the country, employ 20 people and work with clients all over the world.
I feel proud to be where I am – especially after the business survived the pandemic – but I’m still utterly excited by the prospect of what is to come. If there is just one piece of advice I would give to ISH residents today it would be to grab every opportunity there is to connect with people here. You have no idea who will still be by your side two decades later helping you through the good times and the bad…safe in the knowledge that you got to know each other in an amazing place that helped you to become you.