Design Musings

This is the logo that we created for media company Time and Tide. The client was looking for a simple mark that would be as striking as a small label on a piece of equipment along with holding its own on film credits. Time and Tide wanted the mark to work in simple black and whites and have an element of tongue in cheek. We discussed many different and disparate directions: sailors tattoos and other nautical themes, coats of arms, and the work Keith Haring and Stussy. We kept the line thick and bold, as if it had been drawn by a marker pen, ensuring it was not over worked, and this gave us a finished result that works well black on white, or reversed.

We have designed a business card for actress Nella Marin, pictured here. It has been a very considered project with us, Nella and her friend (and also our client) artist John O'Carroll, who created the swirl artwork and a 'NM' as Nella's initials. Nella didn't want a standard business card and approached us to design her something that fit her personality and profession. She wanted it to take the viewer on a journey, and make sure they really have to work to find her details! She hasn't included her profession, so in someways this business card asks more questions then it answers. This air of mystery was exactly what she wanted. We worked with high quality local printers and used GS Smith paper which has a lovely cloth like texture in 'Pristine White', allowing the uncoated paper to contrast with the aubergine ink. The card has a fold giving interactivity and her contact details are presented in the arc of John's swoosh. The letters are organic...

We have recently finished a website for our clients Absolute Joinery. Absolute Joinery are a South West based joinery company producing beautiful bespoke joinery, ranging from one-off pieces such as staircases and furniture, to antique replica windows and cutting-edge glass extensions. We had a colour palette the client was happy with so went about creating the site. The website combines elements from both Marie and my designs, and incorporates a bespoke gallery. We used lots of photographs throughout the website to show the very extensive range of joinery the company produce, and let those images show the quality of work. The Projects page is what we refer to as a gallery and in this instance has been organised into albums of categories, such as doors or windows. This was Marie's design and I think creates an elegant platform from which the user can view the work. It was important to the client that the variety of their work could be displayed. When an album is selected a la...