International studio - Switzerland - Atlas Studio

International studio - Switzerland - Atlas Studio 

The first thing that got me with Atlas was there website format, it was very unique to how other sites operate but from its initial appearance looks like other creative sites that have examples of work on the main page with page links to help navigation to new pages from this starting point.

This site works differently to others though, the whole navigation of the site is contained on one page with the selection of tabs and sub tabs from the index and navigation bars that change accordingly depending on what navigation links are selected, then the images scroll through to the selected link keeping things functional, structured and smooth navigation meaning the user can quickly browse through the large portfolio of work efficiently and easily. 

The work they do sums up my main interests and focuses I want to narrow down too within my interest of multi disciplinary & conceptual branding, they cover editorial, print, web and identities covering multiple target audiences to stretch there recognition off services across a wider field that include both commercial and pro bono cultural work. 

There approach to image making and typography is quite abstract, something I often explore before simplifying down to a more refined image that resonates the intended message more clearly, but I feel theres milage in these abstract images drawing in attention through the viewers inquisitive nature. 

They dont follow typical design rules and principles in terms of layout, everything is quite deconstructed but this suits there abstract and contemporary style and provokes interaction and produces visual impact, something important when creating a memorable brand identity. 

National studio - London - Spin & Risograph press idea

National studio - London - Spin & Risograph press idea

Its clear from Spins success that to run a successful studio there needs to be more than one specialism within the design team, that been said there strongest work is the work they create for identities but I believe if I learnt from Spin and how they tie in specialisms of publication, packaging, motion graphics and websites to to strengthen the identities and work they produce.

To fully understand how to create successful identities I should explore snippets of other design disciplines as combined knowledge from these will no doubt allow me to create stronger branding outcomes with a wider range of relevant products and collateral to resonate with the intended audience. 

The solutions the studio's release are clear, precise and very contemporary and current giving there clients work that feels up to date and modern meaning the work they have produced will be more sustainable and stay current for longer. This been said its also important to consider more functional and sustainable design process's and concepts so the design outcomes will require no alterations and remain timeless within there aesthetic and the message they communicate. 

Unit Editions & Expansion on Risograph idea 

Spin and ShaughnessyWork also run there own publishing company Unit Editions, this is something similar to what I have already discussed with Neil regarding a risograph press and keeping it small scale and focus on contemporary aesthetics and specific audiences means that the audience we target is concise and narrowed down so we can distribute and promote services in considered ways relevant to these audiences. Much like how unit editions operate within there marketing models. 

Local studio - Manchester - Raw

Local studio - Manchester - Raw 

Raw is a studio that create a range of effective design outcomes that take into account a full understanding of the clients needs and the target market they want to reach before beginning the start of a design process. This is one of the most important aspects of creating a brand as the outcome needs to resonate the client and the target audience they provide for in equal amounts to create a well informed outcome.

The site takes a different format to other sites that focus on the high impact presentation of there work, this concise presentation of information and text works well with there overview on how they want to understand the problem at hand before beginning to make visual outcomes and tests.

The work they produce tackles multiple touch points of a brand identity from logo design to web presence. 

When considering digital outcomes its important to consider all possible output options ranging from smart phones, to tablets to regular and large screen outputs, this is where responsive websites like these help and is something I need to consider in my web presence plans. 

Print outcomes need to work alongside the tone of voice and concepts of a brand identity, it all needs to tie in together and color is an excellent way of doing this. 

Something I remember John talking about in a previous presentation was the inclusion of a blog to enhance the recognition of a creative agency, Raw have taken this idea of a blog and aimed it at a specific target audience creating a typographic blog that turned into a self initiated project that merged together modern and traditional through the use of glow in the dark inks and screen printing of type design on posters while using projections as an alternative method of distribution and presentation of typography to place it into a whole new context. This shows how the method and process can drastically change the tone of voice and message perceived while the overarching concept is relatively simple.  

National studio/Blog - London - People of Print & Local Leeds studio Passport

National studio/Blog - London - People of Print & Local Leeds studio Passport

Technical skills within publication design and production is an important when it comes to influencing my focus on branding, I know its quite a specific area of interest in itself but upon analysis of local studio and alumni Passport its obvious how effective editorial design can enhance a brand image in both concept and the strength of the physical and aesthetic qualities of the work to give off a more professional output which is important from up and coming studios to gain further recognition. 

There success and recognition on Behance has given me drive to develop a well presented Behance portfolio to gain some online presence. The presentation of there work really enhances the clean and concise aesthetic they go with to emulate there functionality within the work, learning how to properly photograph and present my work on Behance will no doubt enhance the original work no end and strengthen the concepts and ideas behind the work and its intended message. 

The props used within some of there work adds context and shows how there consideration to presentation really enhances the brand identity and the type of business the collateral and design work is focusing on. Tools of the trade here add context to the furniture design business this brochure is made for. 

People of Print cant really be placed in the "studio" category as they don't actually sell there design services to clients but the merging of an online blog to focus on the sustainability of print process's in the creative industry. The blog is interesting combination of digital and traditional elements and the use of digital media as a way of inspiring, educating and persuading creatives to consider print process's within there work. I have a particular interest in the recognition of print process's and believe they can enhance concepts for brand identity when used with relevant focus. 

The blog acts as daily inspiration (online/digital age) and a method of distributing magazines, prints and books that focus on the creative process of printing.

Local studio - Leeds - Catalogue & Potential personal projects & Business opportunities

Local studio - Leeds - Catalogue & Potential personal projects & Business opportunities 

Keeping focus on the multi disciplinary studios to influence my multi disciplinary direction within my focus on branding I took a look at Catalogue who now have offices in Leeds and London an impressive achievement to say they only started out in 2011. Tom Pratt and Oliver Shaw produce a range of work both commissioned and self initiated projects ranging from web design, to identity to publishing. 

They have quite a contemporary aesthetic, its important to keep up to date with design trends as a lot of clients rely on having a brand image that is current, so combine this with a unique aesthetic and tone of voice that resonates with the clients organization and its obvious why Catalogue have done work for such big clients like Pepsi and Urban Outifitters. Organizations that rely on up to date and contemporary concepts and aesthetics to remain focused on there specific target markets. 

There website is also laid out effectively and is easy to navigate, the min focus is the work within a simple and structured grid system something I need to consider in my web presence, functionality of the site and clarity and impact on the work I have to offer. 

Business & Personal projects

Its nice to see busy studios like this undertaking personal projects and is something me and Neill have spoke about for a while, at current we have discussed the potential of a cross nation risograph press running on a small scale from Leeds & Scotland to target a wider range of potential customers. 

Since the first year we have also been discussing an exhibition, current thoughts on this are an exhibition with a rustic aesthetic, shipping containers, pallets, breeze block bases, gritty screen-printed cardboard and corrugated steel and a theme on what makes you happy have been discussed at the moment, both the discussion on the risograph press and exhibition have lots of mileage and potential to go forward with and will be expanded on throughout the year. 

PPP Update

PPP Update 

Begin researching studios that interest me, consider how I could go around contacting them with a main aim at getting a response. Email isn't very personal, create a more personal contact method that communicates you or is more eye catching and grabs the end users attention. (Print media, compliment them, big EGO's up, work towards visits for potential recognition for placements in future)

What do I want to change in the way I work this year?

Make myself noticed, try get external recognition through competition briefs, live briefs, freelance work, placement opportunities. 

Whats influenced me over the summer, whats influencing me at current (exhibitions, designers & artists past/present, real life influences)

Plan for this year:

Seeing and recording

Time planning and management

You a brand?

A creative CV, hat is it?

Contacting professionals and networking.

Doing freelance, do you wrk for free?

What is a professional anyway?

Ongoing taks on PPP blog

1. Reflecting on this past year, what was the most influencing event I experienced? 
2. Have I made any contacts that I feel will be of any help this year?
3. How did I meet, contact or experience these?
4. If I made no contacts at all why? work, illness or commitments etc?
5. If I were to make new contacts how would I do it and what would I say?
6. Contact studios & designers!

International studio - Munich - Moby Digg

International studio - Munich - Moby Digg

Munich based studio make use of varied materials, process's and techniques within there work that produce an aesthetic that merges together traditional and contemporary aesthetics with a fun and playful tone of voice proving that brand identity's don't have to follow blatant corporate styles which I feel is the common perception for branding to date. 

The website has a certain interactivity within it between the website navigation and the content, I like how ever the user choses to interact with the navigation all the work is still the main focus on the continuous scroll page, at this stage of my creative practice I feel the main focus within my web presence should be high impact images of my work to provide a snapshot and overview of what I have to offer to provoke investigation.

The brand identity for M&P management services shows how an injection of colour, texture and technical innovation can emulate a contemporary professional aesthetic suited to the target audience area the client aims at but still maintain a playful fun tone of voice to make a "management services" company stand out from the rest of its corporate, bland aesthetic rivals.