We’ve been in this business for a good while now and gained some very valuable experience and scars. Here’s five things we think are useful to know should you feel like working with us. Hopefully these will be useful before we really get to know each other.
- Typically like any new design business, we are asked to create designs for pitch work. We don’t like doing this. Doing speculative design and creative work is usually under-researched, done in a rush, and doesn’t give the design team a chance to nurture ideas or to question and challenge the (potential) client. It’s an unconvincing and outdated way to judge whether a design firm can produce what you’re looking for. And, we’ve rarely won a job that ended up with the original design either!
- We’re energised by clients who are passionate about what they do. Our longest-standing client, Better Regulation, have it in abundance. They energise us. It rubs off and we hopefully do the same for them. Designers are simply good looking geeks. Communicate with passion and tell a good story; we’ll match you and then some!
- Don’t expect the correct answer the first time you see something from us. Creativity and design is iterative. It’s about exploration, testing things, scrapping them or refactoring them. And don’t be afraid to challenge everything we do. The more you push, the stronger we’ll come back. We usually get to the right place as long as we…
- Trust each other. Trust us. We’re responsible adults. Just look at the photos! A great client relationship happens when we grow to trust each other. If we’re not finishing each other’s sentences within a couple of weeks or sharing each other’s drinks, then our relationship will be doomed! In all seriousness, we’re confident our ideas will work, even if at first they can seem a little scary.
‘How do you know when an idea is innovative? When it scares the hell out of everybody.’ – Marty Neumeier
- We don’t look like a traditional business. But we are serious about doing business. If our work and the points above don’t convince you then, try us out on a smaller project. See how we do. If the timing isn’t right, then add us to your list. We’ll keep in touch with each other (postcards, birthdays, funerals). But don’t be a stranger, give us a call (or drop us a tweet or email if you’re phonophobic) and we’ll have a good ol’ natter. We promise we won’t throw paint at you, just yet.
