Week 2: Select & Survey

How did we get here?

Lecture

This weeks lecture featured Suzanne Edwards and her guest, Maziar Raein who gave us some insight into how graphic design has changed historically, and where we are going in the future.

Maziar Raein talked about how the attitude towards graphic design had drastically changed throughout the 80's- how the majority of designers in the early part of the 1980's was dedicated to the practices and productions that were prominent in the 60's, and then how the later part of the 80's was the time where people started to look into newer ideas, practices and ways/means of production.

At this time, the definition of what graphic design was/ what it included/ how it was practiced started changing and merging with other areas- such as fine art, film, philosophy and IT (to name a few) and over time, it became less and less traditional and more innovative.

The idea of more 'independent' practice also started coming more into fruition- especially as our access and abilities with technology had evolved and developed over time. And especially with the evolution of new technology, it seems like the more physical and generally historical 'craft' behind graphic design has started to diminish even more.

Workshop Challenge

Design Practice

Our task for this weeks workshop challenge was to find three businesses and three production studios that we felt summarised our city in terms of design practice.

I was born in Cheltenham, and fortunately enough I went to university in Cheltenham as well, and so I know fairly well just how creative this small city can be; from the numerous art galleries and museums, to the annual art and design festivals, to the myriad of design practices, businesses and studios.

I wanted to find businesses that I believe summarised this city, or in my mind, have contributed to its visual identity. By that, I mean I wanted to find businesses that I believe have utilised their design practice to change or shape the cities environment/ visual identity- whether that be by aiding the council, doing community projects, or by working predominately with the city’s local businesses and residents.

Overall, I also want to see what these places have in common with each other and then further reflect on how their practices and designs have shaped Cheltenham into what we see today.

ASHA & Co

Where: Formal House, 60 St George's Pl, Cheltenham GL50 3PN

Website: https://ashaandco.uk

This award-winning creative design agency/ consultancy has around 18 employees and works with a wide arrange of clients. At first glance, this company has worked with a lot of global brands, but upon closer inspection it is evident that they are also well known for helping a big part of Cheltenham’s community.

Fig. 1- Asha & Co Logo. https://ashaandco.uk

Fig. 2- Asha & Co Sign. https://ashaandco.uk

Fig. 3- Asha & Co Building https://ashaandco.uk

This agency resides near one of Cheltenham’s most well-known landmarks, The Wilson Art Gallery and Museum which was established back in 1899 and has since been one of the key local attractions of Cheltenham.

In 2013, the gallery and museum had opened a new and more modern build which then called for a complete re-brand to match its more contemporary style. As a result, the Wilson Art Gallery had approached ASHA & Co to help modernise their brand as part of its £6 million redevelopment plan.

Fig. 4- The Wilson Branding Project Tote Bag. https://ashaandco.uk/work/the-wilson

Fig. 5- The Wilson Branding Project Poster. https://ashaandco.uk/work/the-wilson

Fig. 6- The Wilson Branding Project Poster. https://ashaandco.uk/work/the-wilson

Fig. 7- The Wilson Branding Project Sign. https://ashaandco.uk/work/the-wilson

Fig. 8- The Wilson Branding Project Cubes. https://ashaandco.uk/work/the-wilson

The Wilson has since become an iconic and contemporary local attraction for both visitors and artists alike, and has also become a vital component of Cheltenham’s community as the venue continues to hosts an array of workshops, exhibitions and talks from professional artists and designers.

Although the Wilson continues to embrace and celebrate its long history, ASHA & Co has helped the gallery to attract a wider range of demographics with its contemporary, stylish and up-to-date brand design.

The cube design that they had come up with was actually inspired by the blocky and contemporary design of the new building- and in some of the brand designs, ASHA & Co utilises stylistic images of the art pieces that the gallery exhibits in order to create a visual representation of the old and the new coming together as one.

Bitter Lemon Creative

Where: Studio 1.17, Festival House, Cheltenham GL50 3SH

Website: https://www.bitterlemoncreative.co.uk/about

Bitter Lemon Creative is an award-winning creative agency that specialises in brand design and content marketing for retail and hospitality businesses, though they predominately work with clients that reside in and around Cheltenham and Gloucester.

Fig. 9- Bitter Lemon Creative Logo. https://www.bitterlemoncreative.co.uk/about

Fig. 10- Bitter Lemon Creative BTS. https://www.bitterlemoncreative.co.uk/about

Fig. 11- Bitter Lemon Creative Building. https://www.bitterlemoncreative.co.uk/about

In the beginning, Bitter Lemon Creative was initially a collection of freelance talent that would come together with and every project. Post-pandemic however, they then decided to hire 4 permanent members of staff and open a studio which resides close to the city centre.

I have seen a lot of their design work spread over Cheltenham, but my favourite work that they've done has to be the brand design for No.131 The Promenade- a high-end hotel and restaurant that is known for its elegance, its Georgian architecture and its invigorating

contemporary style.

Fig. 12- No.131 Branding Project. https://www.bitterlemoncreative.co.uk/work/no131-the-promenade

Fig. 13- No.131 Branding Project. https://www.bitterlemoncreative.co.uk/work/no131-the-promenade

Fig. 14- No.131 Branding Project. https://www.bitterlemoncreative.co.uk/work/no131-the-promenade

Fig. 15- No.131 Branding Project. https://www.bitterlemoncreative.co.uk/work/no131-the-promenade

Fig. 16- No.131 Branding Project. https://www.bitterlemoncreative.co.uk/work/no131-the-promenade

The reason why I like these designs the most, is because BLC have incorporated hand-drawn elements and high quality images with particular typography that manages to mesh the history of the building with the chicness of the business into one.

Not only is the design stylish and aesthetically pleasing, it would definitely say that it has become familiar to many of the Cheltenham residents, which can also be said for many of their other designs.

Maple Rock Design

Where: 3rd floor, Regent House, 65 Rodney Rd, Cheltenham GL50 1HX

Website: https://maplerockdesign.co.uk

For approximately 20 years, Maple Rock Design has been providing the local businesses of Cheltenham with affordable and high-quality graphic design and website development services- their aim has been to help resident businesses expand their brand, develop their audience, and increase customer engagement.

Fig. 17- Maple Rock Building. https://maplerockdesign.co.uk

Fig. 18- Maple Rock Logo. https://maplerockdesign.co.uk

However, they have also often worked with the Cheltenham council, often taking on projects from Marketing Cheltenham (a Destination Management Organisation that is part of Cheltenham Borough Council), where their aim has been to help promote and market Cheltenham as a place to live, work, visit, meet and invest.

Fig. 19- Cheltenham Trust Tourist Information Magazine. https://maplerockdesign.co.uk/portfolio/graphic-design/tourism-guide-design

Fig. 20- Marketing Cheltenham. https://maplerockdesign.co.uk/portfolio/graphic-design/charity-donation-box-design

Fig. 21- Visit Cheltenham Poster. https://maplerockdesign.co.uk/portfolio/graphic-design/cheltenham-poster-design

Fig. 22- Cheltenham Trust Donation Box. https://maplerockdesign.co.uk/portfolio/graphic-design/charity-donation-box-design

Whenever there has been an event or a festival happening in Cheltenham (which is quite often) there is a big chance that you will see Maple Rock's Designs in some way or another- whether that be posters, campaign designs, or informative magazines. Their designs are often simple, contemporary, informative and incredibly well-structured as a way to ensure that it easily understood and that it caters to all the different demographics of Cheltenham.

High-quality photographs of the residents, alongside a bold array of colours, are used to represent the diversity of the Cheltenham community.

Design Production

In Cheltenham, there is a very wide range of different production companies- ranging from video production, to web development, to photography studios and much much more.

Although it was a major challenge to only pick three, I ended up picking the three that I knew of the most.

Betsy Benn

Where: Unit 6, Manchester Park, GL51, Cheltenham GL51 9EJ

Website: https://betsybenn.com

Established back in 2010, Betsy Benn is a female-led, independent design studio that specialises in the production of personalised presents, gifts, prints, home decor and more- all made with the intention of celebrating different events and moments in our lives.

Fig. 23- Betsy Benn Logo. https://betsybenn.com

Fig. 24- Betsy Benn Team. https://betsybenn.com/pages/about-us

I have come to know this company because I had done work experience with them during my second year of university- not working as a graphic designer, but as a filmmaker. My team and I had created an advertisement video for this company to not only show off the products that they create, but to highlight the sentimental element behind the brand and the items they sell.

Fig. 25- Velvet Personalised Map Cushion. https://betsybenn.com/collections/personalised-homeware-gifts/products/velvet-personalised-map-cushion

Fig. 26- Personalised Nice Stamp Destination Print. https://betsybenn.com/collections/art-1/products/personalised-nine-stamp-destination-print

Fig. 27- Personalised Playlist Cassette Print. https://betsybenn.com/collections/art-1/products/personalised-play-list-cassette-print

Fig. 28- Travel Memories And Favourite Places Personalised Print. https://betsybenn.com/collections/art-1/products/travel-memories-and-favourite-places-personalised-print

Fig. 29- Personalised Velvet Cushion. https://betsybenn.com/collections/personalised-homeware-gifts/products/personalised-40th-birthday-velvet-cushion

Ever since, I have had a soft spot for Betsy Benn for a few reasons; for one, they had allowed me the chance to gain experience and insight into how to visually promote a brand and their products, but it's also because I generally love what they do and the products they make.

The designs are unique, bold and stylish, though they always tend to try different and innovative styles- from fun and retro to sleek and modern.

Overall, I have come to understand that the company creates each and every piece with a lot of care and understanding of their customers wants and desires.

Squashed Robot Films

Where: Chapel House, 296 High St, Cheltenham GL50 3HQ

Website: https://squashedrobot.co.uk

Squashed Robot Films is another production company that I have come to know through work experience. A few years ago, I had the pleasure of working with them on a livestream charity event- a few of my course mates and I got to man the cameras and microphones and all in all it was a really fun and insightful experience.

Fig. 30- Squashed Robot Logo. https://squashedrobot.co.uk

Fig. 31- Squashed Robot Map. https://squashedrobot.co.uk

I would describe Squashed Robot Films as multimedia multitool- they create a wide range of high quality content, from videos, documentaries and advertisements to professional photographs, designs and social campaigns. Nothing is off the tables for them and they're always willing to try new things which is something I have always admired.

Although they have worked with a good few global brands, they have also done a lot to help promote Cheltenham and its community. Overall, The content they produce always remains high-quality and professional but they sometimes add a more personal, playful and fun touch which creates an element of relatability and youthfulness that I find endearing.

Cheltenham Signage

Where: 41 Amber Rd, Bishops Cleeve, Cheltenham GL52 7ZG

Website: https://www.cheltenhamsignage.com

Cheltenham Signage has worked for a broad range of different businesses across Cheltenham-chances are that whenever you come across a street sign, road sign, an engraved plaque, a banner or a billboard within Cheltenham or Gloucester, that it was done by this company.

Fig. 32- Cheltenham Signage Logo. https://www.cheltenhamsignage.com

A sign is typically the first thing you see before you enter the premises of a business- and it should, in my mind, always give you a general idea of what the business does, as well as match the overall brand and style of the company itself.

When you utilise the right fonts and icons, as well as consider the actual structure and composition of the sign, it can really do wonders to make you stand out and attract your targeted audiences.

Fig. 33- Lash by Design Sign. https://www.cheltenhamsignage.com/building-signs-and-company-signs

Fig. 34- That Flower Shop Sign. https://www.cheltenhamsignage.com/building-signs-and-company-signs

Fig. 35- Antique Sign. https://www.cheltenhamsignage.com/building-signs-and-company-signs

Fig. 36- My Pastalicious Sign. https://www.cheltenhamsignage.com/building-signs-and-company-signs

Fig. 37- Cheltenham College Sign. https://www.cheltenhamsignage.com/large-signs

The 'My Pastalicious' sign has to be my favourite because not only do I love the typography, but I have a big soft spot for the hand-drawn/illustrative style. However, upon further research into My Pastalicious, I had discovered that is a family run Italian deli and that everything they make is homemade. Knowing this little bit of context behind the business has added more depth to the hand-written/hand-drawn style of the sign.

Reflection

Location

Overall, the main thing I noticed about the location of these businesses and studios was that the majority of them were unsurprisingly located not too far from the main high street of Cheltenham (though some were a little further away than others and were located in business parks).

Another thing to mention, is that a big part of The University of Gloucestershire is located in and around Cheltenham. This is beneficial for many reasons as it allows these design companies access to new and fresh talent, and it allows many design students the opportunity to gain valuable work experience.

What did surprise me was the amount of businesses that utilised studios and offices compared to those who resided within their own homes. Especially post-pandemic when a lot of companies had pushed for their employees to continue to work from home.

I can understand a need for a studio or office space as not only do I believe it makes it easier to differentiate your work life from your home life, it allows you the chance to be surrounded by a team of like-minded individuals with whom you can bounce creative ideas off of.

Designers for the people

A really important aspect to consider when starting or running a design studio/ business- is knowing and understanding the state of your city's economy.

Cheltenham not only has lot of new businesses being established, but there are tons of already-existing businesses that are determined to keep their brands relevant, contemporary and attractive to the broad range of demographics that live here.

Local businesses (both old and new) predominately try and locate local design companies/ studios for a few reasons (could be because of price or practicality or that it is simply what comes up first on your google search), but I believe that one of the key reasons is also down to the design companies knowledge and understanding of the current climate that they live in.

Something Old & Something New

I believe that Cheltenham's current visual identity can be very particular-which can be seen in a lot of the different design work that I have noted down in this blog entry.

Like most city's, Cheltenham takes a lot of pride in its history and traditions- just walking through Montpellier, you will see countless buildings that have maintained their original architectural structures and designs and a lot of businesses often keep aspects of their original designs as a way to celebrate their roots and generate feelings of nostalgia.

Yet, you can also tell that Cheltenham has consistently made an effort to also embrace a more contemporary style and aesthetic- which is probably due to the fact that a big portion of this city's population consists of university students.

This has led to what many of us see today, the meshing and intermixing of traditional and historical styles with contemporary designs and methods, in which I believe summarises the current city of Cheltenham to a T.