The Story So Far…

Words by Greg McIndoe, the real-life person behind Headless Greg

Our story begins back in 2020. As the pandemic turned the world upside down, I graduated with a degree in illustration and one single question at the forefront of my mind: what the f*ck am I going to do now?

The answer: I was going to launch my own business, through which I would work on super fun projects and meet tons of talented creatives - but I didn’t know that then.

My freelance career got off to the best start that it could under the circumstances. I graduated without a degree show or graduation but with a First Class Degree (which arrived unceremoniously in the mail one day). I was chosen at One To Watch by both D&AD and the Association of Illustrators, won a YCN Student Award and was shortlisted for a World Illustration Award. 

Before moving to Dundee to study Illustration at Duncan of Jordanstone College of Art (one of the best decisions I ever made), I studied Graphic Design at Glasgow Clyde College. While at college, I began writing; documenting my experiences as an art student and my admiration for illustration.

This meant that, while the timing of when I finally graduated wasn’t great, my combined experience as an illustrator, designer and journalist positioned me well to launch a business which offered a broad range of creative services. Being able to craft both articles and images turned out to be quite unusual combination and allowed me to take on a broad variety of projects. My skills fed one another and my three portfolios - illustration, design and journalism - grew bigger, better and bolder.

Illustration from Wilson Strange, written and illustrated by Headless Greg

Highlights from the next few years included (but were not limited to) appearing on the Creative Boom Podcast to discuss happiness with host Katy Cowan; collaborating with Agency of None as the character designer for Dundee Design Festival; self-publishing Wilson Strange to raise money for the Scottish Association for Mental Health; and having my work recognised by the World Illustration Awards for a second time.

Alongside all of this, I joined the (small but mighty) team at Make Bank, a social project which fought creative poverty in UK schools by providing disadvantaged pupils with free art materials and resources. After three wonderful years as Editor, I said a fond farewell to Make Bank and joined the team at Agents for Change, taking on the role of Community Lead. Agents for Change is an assembly of illustration agencies working together to diversify their industry, and I am thrilled to be helping them do so.

Contributing to these social projects has been some of the most rewarding work of my career so far, and has had a profound effect on my focus as a journalist. I have connected with a community of creative changemakers who have taught me so much about championing diversity and improving accessibility, and inspired me to join their mission as they push to make our industry - and the wider world - a fairer place.

My approach as a journalist has pivoted as a result. I use my way with words to delve into how exactly the creative industries can do better, as well as more personal topics I have experience with and passion for, such as LGBTQ+ issues and mental health. As a proud queer man with an unapologetically strange brain, I am particularly interested in exploring how creativity can be used as a catalyst for positive social change.

Greg McIndoe in the Headless Greg studio with his good friends from Pickle Illustration

Somewhere along the line, when asked about what I did, I started answering: I’m a freelance illustrator, designer and journalist. Headless Greg had gone from a vague idea to a fully realised creative alter-ego; a business I am proud to have built myself with the help of some wonderful friends.

The Headless Greg brand has always been (and probably always will be) clean and colourful. Running your own business is a tricky task, however, and at times things behind the scenes have felt a little bit messy and grey. In the Summer of 2023, I decided to take a break from freelancing to shake up my life and try something new. I relocated from my beloved hometown of Glasgow to the criminally underrated city of Birmingham and spent several months working full-time as part of the creative team at a local heritage project.

At the time of writing, it’s August 2024. After a year of rest, Headless Greg is finally back and feeling better than ever. This hiatus has allowed me the space to think about why I started Headless Greg in the first place: to fill the world with as many pleasing shapes and uplifting words as I can. I’m excited to get back to doing just that.

The story so far has been full of creative adventures, thrilling twists and unforgettable characters. I can’t wait to see what the next chapter brings.