In this week’s Spotlight, we speak to Emma Taylor, UI designer for The Sun, on ‘the knowing’, being back in the office, and her podcast The Happy Place.

We all know breakfast is the most important meal of the working day: so what was on the menu this morning?
I normally skip breakfast but today I’m back in the office for the first time, so I popped up to the canteen for a granola berry pot. Highly recommend it.

Sum up what you do at News UK in the shortest sentence possible.
Sun UX&D

Lay a bit of context on that?
I work as a UI Designer for The Sun team focusing on app, web and anything user interface.

What attracted you to the role in the first place?
I’ve contracted at News UK on and off for over a decade and the thing I love the most about this company are the people. They’re great and it always makes me want to come back.

What’s the most interesting/challenging part of your job?
Translating what the need is and finding the most straightforward way to execute it without scaring off our audience.

What are the three most important things on your working agenda today?
1. Seeing people
2. Seeing people
3. Seeing people
It’s my first day back in the office after 4 months of working from home. It’s been a while and it’s so nice to meet my team in real life!

Last book, film, binge watch and sounds you consumed?
Book: I’ve just finished ‘Manifest’ by Roxi Narfousi and I can’t recommend it enough. I know people think it’s a bit Woo Woo but if you take anything away from it, it’s a positive mindset (which I think we can all agree has been impossible to conjure up recently).

Film: Late to party but I’ve only just watched ‘The Gentleman’ – Sorry, but Hugh Grant as a geezer is everything and more.

Binge watched: Don’t Laugh but I’ve just finished ‘Downton Abbey’ – Bloody obsessed to be honest. The whole ‘Bates’ post prison storyline. Gripped Lol.

Sounds: Happy Hour the Podcast – More on this later

Who is your role model? And why?
I know I’m supposed to say a designer but I’m not going to….It’s Jennifer Aniston. I don’t need to explain why. NEXT!

What is your most treasured possession?
My flat! I’ve had numerous house shares over the years and in May 2020 I stepped into my very own flat in Fulham Riverside and I felt like a grown up for the first time in my life. Like I own my own TV and everything! Full adulting in motion.

Who would play you in the film of your life?
I’d like to say ‘Jennifer Aniston’ LOL – but I think everyone else would say ‘Barbara Windsor’ if she was still with us.

Last holiday destination? And why?
Marbella in Spain. Sangria, Sun, Sea and it’s 2 hours away. Winner!

You’ve won ten million on the Lottery – what do you do?
I’m in a hot country and I’m poolside with a cocktail. I’m in a fancy beach club….I own it. I run this town now LOL! Boats, Property and a lovely life. What’s not to love?

What’s the best piece of advice you’ve ever been given?
Oprah told me (Through her podcast lol) that we all have something called ‘The knowing’ – It’s all about your internal voice. It starts as whispers but as you get older it gets louder – It’s your gut instinct and it’s 10 steps ahead of you at all times. Learn to hear it and trust it as best as you can.

What one bit of advice would you give someone wanting to do your job?
Get as much experience in different businesses as you can – knowing how they operate is half the battle. Also drink wine sometimes…it helps.

Tell us something not many people know about you…?
I have my own podcast called ‘Happy Hour’ – I have a Happy Hour with a different person every week. We make cocktails and share stories. The reason I mentioned it above is I have to listen to it quite a lot to edit it down to under 40 minutes. There’s always a few bottles of champagne involved whilst recording so as you can imagine, myself and my guests tend to go on a bit. In fact the episode with Ollie Locke was originally 1 hour and 39 minutes! We lived together for 4 years and we’ve clearly NOT run out of things to say. The show was just featured in Fabulous Mag so a big thank you to the Fabulous team for that 
It’s here if you want to have a listen.

Who would be your three Fantasy Dinner Party guests? And why?
Jennifer Aniston (Obvs)
Jennifer Lawrence (Legend)
Bradley Cooper (Delicious)