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Currently re-reading @jamesclearatomichabits with these (all re-reads) soon to follow.

A bit of Ryan Newman love.😊

I’ve been pretty quiet on here for a while.

Not gone. Just watching. Learning. Taking things in.
More voyeur than participant, sharing only what felt genuinely good or worth holding up.

Over the past year, I’ve been doing some thinking. About work. About direction. About what still feels meaningful, and what doesn’t.

I’ve just launched a new site that brings all of that together.
Not a portfolio. Not a studio pitch. Not a grab for attention.
More a reflection of how I think, how I work, and why I still believe creativity, when done with care, really matters.

If you’re curious, it’s here:
👉 mcfaul.studio

I’ll be showing up here a little more again too.
Quietly. Thoughtfully. On my own terms.

JM

Today on Design Education Talks, we’re joined by John McFaul , Executive Creative Director, Brand Consultant, Educator, and one of those rare, restless creatives who has never quite fitted into the neat boxes the world tries to offer. From the Wirral to New York, from art school misfit to brand visionary, John’s career is a vivid testament to curiosity, risk-taking, and cultural immersion.
He began his journey believing he was a failure for choosing Art & Design over Oxford or Cambridge , until his foundation year transformed everything. Since then, John’s path has included studying at Kingston, a brief stint at Central Saint Martins, and pioneering the early fusion of illustration, digital tools and boundary-breaking design. He co-founded Black Convoy, then launched McFaulStudio, working with clients like Nike, Levi’s, New Balance, Brand Jordan, and more , often blending art, fashion, photography, and culture into truly genre-defying work.
After closing McFaul-Day in 2024, having led a decade-long partnership with New Balance and other major lifestyle brands, John now finds himself at a turning point , what he calls the “Second Mountain.” Diagnosed with ADHD and fuelled by a desire to create work with more purpose and community impact, he is exploring new models of creative leadership and education.
In the classroom, John is known for bringing raw honesty, boundless cultural insight, and a powerful message: that creativity is messy, emotional, and deeply human. He speaks openly about failure, process, and the dangers of marketised education, and he champions a design education rooted in risk, curiosity, and authenticity.
Whether consulting global brands or inspiring the next generation, John McFaul remains a passionate advocate for creative freedom, experimentation, and meaningful cultural engagement. #linkinbio

Today on Design Education Talks, we’re joined by John McFaul , Executive Creative Director, Brand Consultant, Educator, and one of those rare, restless creatives who has never quite fitted into the neat boxes the world tries to offer. From the Wirral to New York, from art school misfit to brand visionary, John’s career is a vivid testament to curiosity, risk-taking, and cultural immersion.
He began his journey believing he was a failure for choosing Art & Design over Oxford or Cambridge , until his foundation year transformed everything. Since then, John’s path has included studying at Kingston, a brief stint at Central Saint Martins, and pioneering the early fusion of illustration, digital tools and boundary-breaking design. He co-founded Black Convoy, then launched McFaulStudio, working with clients like Nike, Levi’s, New Balance, Brand Jordan, and more , often blending art, fashion, photography, and culture into truly genre-defying work.
After closing McFaul-Day in 2024, having led a decade-long partnership with New Balance and other major lifestyle brands, John now finds himself at a turning point , what he calls the “Second Mountain.” Diagnosed with ADHD and fuelled by a desire to create work with more purpose and community impact, he is exploring new models of creative leadership and education.
In the classroom, John is known for bringing raw honesty, boundless cultural insight, and a powerful message: that creativity is messy, emotional, and deeply human. He speaks openly about failure, process, and the dangers of marketised education, and he champions a design education rooted in risk, curiosity, and authenticity.
Whether consulting global brands or inspiring the next generation, John McFaul remains a passionate advocate for creative freedom, experimentation, and meaningful cultural engagement. #linkinbio

A letter.
Handwritten.
To me.

In a world of messages, pings and instant replies,
there’s something quietly powerful
about seeing someone’s thoughts unfold in ink.

Imperfect.
Personal.
Patient.

It reminded me what real connection feels like.
The time it takes.
The intention and love behind it.
The quiet creativity in choosing words that matter.

It also reminded me that friendship
is one of the most meaningful forms of creativity.
Built on listening, care and shared curiosity.

For all our talk about brand, purpose and meaning,
it’s these small, human gestures that hold the most truth.

They remind us that creativity,
at its core,
is still about care.

35 years of innovative cycling components! 35 years of being my choice. I’m looking forward to seeing what’s next 😉 @use.components x

35 years of innovative cycling components! 35 years of being my choice. I’m looking forward to seeing what’s next 😉 @use.components x

Ready!

On Sunday 22 June 2025 (this Sunday) I’ll be riding 220 miles for Ambitious about Autism - setting out at 5am to ride along the spine of the country through the Peak District, Midlands, and the Chilterns before finishing as the sun sets in London.

If you can donate - please do!. Link in bio.

For those of us of a certain age…
#madchester #affleckspalace

I clearly remember when @rapha first came to my attention. Probably because I’d spent my life desperate for a brand to really understand me. I bought those very first garments. This was MY brand.

I was born in the early 70’s. My father had been pretty handy on a bike, first riding for The Ivy in Glasgow (incidentally on a beautiful gold bike that at some time was pinched from a shop wall whilst he was on National Service) and later for the RAF out in Hong Kong. Although we didn’t really spend much time watching The Tour on TV and the Kelloggs Tours of Britain together (he was away at sea most of his life), he sowed a seed in me about panache and suffering. He LOVED Fausto Coppi and never tired of sharing stories of his hero and Gino Bartali battling it out over the Alps or the Dolomites…all the while paddling his hands in a way representative of a smooth beautiful pedal stroke. I loved listening. It was his happy place, I think. It was intoxicating.

I am a cyclist. I still to this day come at it from those formative years. I’m a romantic. I understand it’s history. I’m actually rather encyclopaedic about it. I ride MTB, Gravel…everything. I love road riding though. I love road racing. It was the look. It was just beautiful. Historically!

The Last Mile. What a read! God, you see me @simonmottramrapha @rapha - to the point that it’s quite an emotional read. You talk my language. You lift my soul. You tickle my design tendencies. Chapeau to you for having the balls to follow that dream. Look what it’s done!

I’m still a fan. Of course I am. I can’t help being so. Cycling is who I am and perhaps even WHY I am. More than that though, @Rapha truly is a beautiful lesson in brand and community building. I’m not just paying it lip service as is often the way. No, I see you…mistakes and all. I understand. We’ve all made them. Well, those of us who stand up and be counted have; a creative fire within that sometimes cannot be tamed leading us down paths of curiosity. Sometimes off-track but always an education. I love that about a brand; a true journey for community. Real, exciting and never a dull moment.

Just…wow! It’s a great read, Simon.

Congratulations 💥