National studios - London and Brighton - We are Build, NB Studio, Delivered by Post, North and Studio Makgill
Build
Build started out in 2001 they focus mainly on identity design for clients that appreciate conceptual and creative resolutions rather than clients that want work done that follows the commercial crowd. Its important to stand by a set of guidelines to what type of work you want to do and Build stand by this strictly.
They focus on expressing the clients personality through the work they produce, this focus on one particular aspect within an identity means that many sub areas can be explored to really focus down on one specific informed outcome rather than trying to tackle a number of variables.
While only a small detail but an important one when it comes to consistency and presentation of work is the background color and the way photos of work have been taken, this works with how the website is structured and presented through its stripped back and structured layout and monochrome scheme while also carrying through the synonymous simplicity and concise aesthetics the studio present. A methodology I try to work towards so learning from Build within there website, presentation of work and concepts and delivery in final resolutions will help me with my branding.
There aesthetics are very stripped back, focusing on simple imagery, type and shapes with interaction of colour to express a message in quite a bold aesthetic but manages not to be too garish and in your face, theres quite a nice balance between tones, shapes and layout within all there work.
They work equally well with type only work with there consistent focus on color, I really feel there choice of either type, image, or type & image based design is strongly informed by the services o the business. Generation press (below) are a printers so denoting there services through typography seemed relevant.
NB Studio
To contrast on builds more contemporary approach I though it relevant to analyze a studio that takes a more commercial response to there work, while the work they produce works I believe the reason they have such big clients like Channel 4, John Lewis, Boots and Mothercare is due to there safe and obvious approach to design thinking. The work they produce doesn't really break boundaries like Build. The work they produce doesn't really stand out from the next identity another studio creates for a similar client. It all seems a little corporate and cheap within its aesthetics, but the ideas they communicate are well presented they could just be a little more creative when it comes too it.
Delivered by Post
Touching on name choice again I love this studios direction they have taken within there name, it suggests a very personal approach to there connection with the client when it comes to creating work for them. Within this digital age of email and message services like skype the link between the customer and the studio is often watered down, by considering the delivery method of Post it suggests that more personal considered approach to delivering work, giving off an idea that they take a more hands on approach to there design process.
Like most studios now they specialize in most creative areas (print, digital & publication) to expand there potential client base and prove they can produce an outcome that covers all areas so there clients can really reach out to there audiences and send a message out in informed and diverse ways.
They explore multiple process's and concepts within there resolutions and have a certain element of communication and tactility within there outcomes to resonate with there name and the manifesto they work from, this consideration of traditional and modern process's shows a sustainable approach to design giving there clients piece of mind the identity and collateral will resonate and communicate with there audience for a long time.
Combination of print (traditional) with digitally created images and printed on modern materials, I try to incorporate traditional and modern aspects in my work like Delivered by Post to create sustainable outcomes.
Tactile approach injects the studios personal tone of voice into all the work they produce, this could be seen as there "house style".
Contrast of physical and digital showing the appropriate application of materials and medias to express an idea of built to last by using modern digital design and traditional craft. Very clever concept delivery.
Honesty and passion is expressed with simple use of image and iconography, simplicity, structure and minimal aesthetics and color expresses the idea of honesty, passion is expressed through the iconography and colors that communicates rave cultures and DIY sound systems. Learning from how the simple use of iconography, color and type in very minimal ways will help me express the concepts and ideas within my brand identity as I often take this approach to design.
North
Dont understand the website here but have stumbled across work by North on a few blogs before so I feel this promotion through social media is what results in the studio receiving so much work and the very simple web page provides a potential client with basic contact details to allow them to investigate more. This expands on Delivered by Posts consideration to communication with the end user.
A though I have from this is to concentrate on my Behance Portfolio at this point providing a connection to a website with basic contact details and examples of my strongest work to achieve initial recognition wich can then be expanded on at a later date with a more developed website.
Studio Makgill
Studio Makgill expand on this point I have made about a potential bare bones 1 page website with examples of work that scroll through an interactive timeline, contact details and basic information on the studio and the work they have done. The images do the talking and the huge clients they have worked for do even more. There focus is on creating beautiful simple work, this resonates perfect with there website and has made me understand my website needs to communicate and work alongside the work its promoting to potential clients.
Contact details always visible through the navigation of work and basic explanatory points of the studios methodology and information on work and there practice.
