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A sit-down with Pablo Jones-Soler: From Plymouth to pop culture
Thursday, 18 September, 2025 — Discover how award-winning director and Arts University Plymouth alumnus Pablo Jones-Soler went from Pre-Degree study in Plymouth to creating iconic music videos for Charli XCX, Harry Styles, Rosalía and more.
We caught up with award-winning director and Pre-Degree alumni Pablo Jones-Soler, one half of the internationally acclaimed directing duo Bradley & Pablo. Known for their high-concept music videos and bold visual style, their work spans global campaigns and collaborations with artists including Charli XCX, Dua Lipa, Harry Styles, Rosalía, Lil Nas X, and Frank Ocean.
<p>Pablo studied at what is now Arts University Plymouth’s Pre-Degree campus, completing a <a href="https://www.aup.ac.uk/courses/pre-degree"><strong>UAL Extended Diploma in Art & Design</strong></a> before going on to study Illustration at <strong>Camberwell College of Arts</strong>. He’s since built an extraordinary career that bridges commercial success and creative innovation and we were lucky enough to chat with him about his time in Plymouth, the journey to LA, and what advice he’d give to the next generation of artists.</p>
Lil Nas X & Nas, 'Rodeo', directed by Bradley & Pablo
<p dir="ltr">My name is Pablo. I'm one half of a directing duo which goes by the name Bradley & Pablo. We direct a lot of music videos, commercials, and some long-form stuff as well. I'm from Plymouth, and I live in LA right now.</p>
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<p dir="ltr"><em>Pablo has been based in Los Angeles for the last few years, but says there are still elements of the South West that stay with him – the proximity to the sea, the space to think, and a creative energy that shaped his earliest projects.</em><br /></p>
<p>I grew up in Plymouth and went to school at Plymouth College.But it was my friends, through music and creative scenes, that introduced me to PCAD [now Arts University Plymouth]. They were more plugged into the arts and design world, and it opened my eyes to other possibilities.</p>
<p dir="ltr">It was extremely different. It was a tricky decision, whether to stay on and do A-levels or go and do the BTEC/ Extended Diploma, but I'm really happy I did it.</p>
<p dir="ltr">Interestingly, Bradley, my directing partner, also did a BTEC, his in Norwich. So we’re both from BTEC land!</p>
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<p dir="ltr"><em>As a teenager in Plymouth, Pablo was already part of creative communities through music and local networks , and it was through these relationships that he first discovered the creative courses offered by the University.</em><br /></p>
Charli XCX, 'Vroom Vroom', directed by Bradley & Pablo
<p dir="ltr">I really enjoyed it. It was extremely valuable. I was quite focused at the time, I knew the path I wanted to take, and I felt really passionate about it.</p>
<p dir="ltr">I learned so much technical stuff. That was the biggest benefit for me. When I arrived at university, I knew how to do all these things technically, and I could just spend time developing the conceptual side of my practice and thinking about ideas.</p>
<p dir="ltr">I didn’t have to be like, “How do I Photoshop this thing?” I already knew. And I felt like a lot of my peers were just grappling with those technical basics and getting bogged down. I already had that solid base to work from.</p>
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<p dir="ltr"><em>Pablo also shares how much he valued the community and the inspiration he found through staff and peers, including fellow students and tutors who influenced his creative thinking.</em><br /></p>
<p dir="ltr">I remember (Course Leader) <a href="https://www.aup.ac.uk/people/helen-markes">Helen Markes</a>, she was a source of inspiration. I had a really good friend on the photography course as well, <a href="https://www.aup.ac.uk/people/josh-greet">Josh Greet</a>. We used to make music videos together. Finding a community of people to work with was really cool.</p>
<p dir="ltr">Also, I met my girlfriend at the time through the course. We ended up being together for ten years and moved to London together. So there were definitely influential people in my life that came out of college.</p>
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<p dir="ltr"><em>After studying in London, Pablo started making short films and fashion animations with Bradley Bell. Their creative partnership began informally, through late nights, shared ambitions, and a DIY energy that fuelled their first directing opportunities.</em><br /></p>
Still from 'Hey QT', directed by Bradley & Pablo
<p dir="ltr">We’d started working together on film stuff, making 3D animated fashion films for a brand called Illustrated People. Through that, we got connected with producer Stephen Whelan, at a company called White Lodge. He kind of mentored us. <em>Hey QT</em> was the first music video that came in. I think it was originally offered to someone else, but we pitched for it and got it.</p>
<p dir="ltr">I already knew A.G. Cook, one of the people behind PC Music, and that led to the collaboration. The way they were thinking about pop music and artist personas really aligned with us. The whole thing was very conceptual, like branding artists as fictional characters, with rules and aesthetics.</p>
<p dir="ltr">That project led to collaborations with PC Music artists, Charli XCX, and eventually global stars. Their work became known for its layered visuals, wit and hyperreal aesthetics, as well as a unique ability to interpret identity and culture through images.<br /></p>
<p dir="ltr">Yeah, definitely. We worked with Charli XCX on <em>Vroom Vroom</em>. She saw one of our videos for Hannah Diamond and reached out. That was a big stamp of approval for us.</p>
<p dir="ltr">Once you’ve worked with a name like that, people start taking you more seriously.<br /></p>
<p dir="ltr">It was based around the 2003 New York blackout. The idea was that the electricity has gone out, and through her performance, Dua Lipa brings it back. It turns into a party. That was the concept.</p>
<p dir="ltr">It was really nice to get nominated. It feels good to have the work recognised.</p>
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<p dir="ltr"><em>Today, Bradley & Pablo are known for their intelligent, playful and visually arresting style. But they’re also evolving — working across new formats, developing longer projects, and constantly rethinking their own approach.</em><br /></p>
Silk City, Dua Lipa - 'Electricity', directed by Bradley & Pablo
<p><strong>I</strong>t’s probably changed quite a lot. At one point it was more defined by visual markers, but now it adapts more to each project. There’s still something running through it, some consistent decisions we make, but it’s harder to put into words.</p>
<p>We gravitate towards things that comment on contemporary culture, something with a bit of satire or humour. A bit of a wink, you know? That’s what we connect with.</p>
<p>It depends. Sometimes we get lots of briefs to choose from. Other times it’s us reaching out, like we did with Rosalía. We messaged her and she replied a few months later. That turned into a video. It’s a bit of everything.</p>
Rosalía, 'Aute Cuture', directed by Bradley & Pablo
<p dir="ltr">Yeah, he was the first person I met in London. Helped me carry my bags up the stairs! We lived together, became friends, then started working together. Our work ethic matched, we pushed really hard.</p>
<p dir="ltr">It’s all about communication, knowing when to push and when to step back. And making space to check in and talk, especially when things get busy.</p>
<p dir="ltr"><em>Back in LA, Pablo is currently developing longer form projects, including a new feature film. But at every stage of his journey, from Plymouth to London to Los Angeles, education has been a foundation, not just in skills, but in mindset.</em><br /></p>
<p>You definitely learn a lot on the job. But I felt pretty prepared. Pre-Degree gave me technical skills and then my degree taught me how to think, how to come up with ideas. That was so important.</p>
<p dir="ltr">I think a lot of people treat education like a customer experience, expecting it to give them everything they need to get a job. But that’s the wrong mindset.</p>
<p dir="ltr">It should be about learning how to think, finding what drives you, understanding your creative process. Once you know that, you can apply it to anything.</p>
<p dir="ltr">I never studied film. But what I learned, about making images, about ideas, has been completely transferable. Don’t obsess over learning one specific skill. Use education as a space to explore concepts. It’s one of the only times no one will give you boundaries. So don’t ask for them.<br /></p>
<p dir="ltr">Arts University Plymouth’s <strong>UAL Extended Diplomas</strong> are designed for 16–19-year-olds ready to explore their creative future. Build your portfolio, find your voice, and study in a community that puts creativity first.</p>
<p dir="ltr">Explore pathways in:</p><ul><li><p dir="ltr"><a href="https://www.aup.ac.uk/courses/pre-degree/ual-level-3-extended-diploma-in-art-design">Art & Design<br /></a></p></li><li><p dir="ltr"><a href="https://www.aup.ac.uk/courses/pre-degree/ual-level-3-extended-diploma-in-art-design-giga">Graphics, Illustration & Game Arts<br /></a></p></li><li><p dir="ltr"><a href="https://www.aup.ac.uk/courses/pre-degree/ual-level-3-extended-diploma-in-art-design-fashion-textiles">Fashion & Textiles<br /></a></p></li><li><p dir="ltr"><a href="https://www.aup.ac.uk/courses/pre-degree/ual-level-3-extended-diploma-in-art-design-famp">Film & Media Production<br /></a></p></li><li><p dir="ltr"><a href="https://www.aup.ac.uk/courses/pre-degree/ual-level-3-extended-diploma-in-art-design-photography">Photography</a></p></li></ul>
