Dream Teams: Phoebe Gribble and Olive Jones-Evans on Being Confident Creatives Living in the Moment

Phoebe Gribble and Olive Jones-Evans describe their meeting as kind of being like a blind date.

“Our tutors put us in a group chat together,” explains Phoebe.

“And then left the chat,” finishes Olive.

When I ask if the connection was instant or if it needed to build over time, the pair hesitate, pause, and then offer a resounding “both".

“We’re still figuring out our process in some ways,” says Phoebe. “We met for a coffee, started spending more time together, and slowly started realising ‘oh yeah, I really like this person.’”

“But it was also kind of immediate,” offers Olive. Phoebe agrees “You don’t want to come on too strong, but, honestly, you can tell.”

Phoebe and Olive’s partnership began as their time in AWARD school was ending. They bonded over their shared love of Howatson+Company, where they’ve now been working for a brief but exhilarating seven weeks.

“We just knew right away that we loved this agency,” says Phoebe.

The pair share a love of md 00s art styles and quirks (as well as a pet Tamagotchi at the office), but I suspect what really bonds them is a shared but distinct set of creative backgrounds.

Phoebe trained in drama.

“I've always been a right side of the brain person. From a young age I was doing drama as an extracurricular activity and in school - I did art as well, but I wasn't any good at fine arts. I always loved the ideas side of things.”

Phoebe studied drama at a tertiary level, which she recalls as an invigorating but demanding time. 

“I did a few courses at NIDA (Australia’s leading acting school), and I loved it, but to make it in that world you have to want it. Really want it. It’s an incredibly hard place to try to work in. And, ultimately, I didn’t want it as much as I enjoyed it. I ended up working in TV production, hoping that some of my love of storytelling would be found there - but it wasn’t for me.

After an uncle suggested Phoebe look into copywriting, she made her way to AWARD school, which became, in her words, “the highlight of my week”.

“The human insight and the storytelling aspect is really strong in both drama and advertising. I loved it.”

Olive also comes from a world of creativity - but for her, it’s both her studies, as well as  than her family.

“I grew up on film sets,” she explains. “My mum is a costume designer and my dad is a production designer… I don't really think creativity wasn't something that I came to, as much as it was something that I was born into, and didn't know any other way. It was only in the later years of primary school that I realised my upbringing was a little bit different… there was never an emphasis on having to do well in areas where it didn’t feel right. I was no good at maths, but that didn’t matter, because I could draw.”

When I asked Olive how she then realised what she wanted to do, her answer reflected her creative upbringing.

“I don’t know if there is one thing I want to do. What I do know is this feels right - I feel surrounded by creative minds and good people, and feel so fortunate to be here.”

This same attitude extends to her visions for the future.

I don't really focus on goals as a clearly marked thing that I can see in my mind. It's much more a feeling that I want to try and achieve within myself; to see if I'm proud of the work, and if I think the work that I'm doing is meaningful. Ultimately, that’s what matters most. I don’t think people should be creating work for the sake of work. It should be there for a reason, and as cliche as it sounds, it should help people. That's what I want to do.”

Phoebe agrees.

“I’ve never been very good at the whole ‘where do you see yourself in five years’, but what I do know is that there is a moment. There’s a moment where you see a campaign, and it resonates in a certain way. Maybe it helps people, maybe it’s just really cool aesthetically, but that moment where knowing you've created something that you can be truly proud of, that’s why I’m here.”

Phoebe and Olive’s website reflects that personal touch. They’re young creatives, bursting with potential and excitement, but with a delicate, homespun style. Perhaps that’s because of their passionate and genuine approach in life. Perhaps it’s just because they’re a great and original team.

Whatever the reason, we can’t wait to see where they (and their Tamagotchi) go next.