This is an incredibly difficult time for so many. We care about the next generation of super creatives. We can’t imagine what it must be like now, entering the professional world of work in such a crisis. We want to help, we are “happy to help” and thus we have signed up to this fantastic new initiative.

‘Happy to Help’ has been set up by recent graduates @designby.claudia and @_maisiebenson.

Having experienced the struggles of being a student during a pandemic themselves, they set out on a quest, touring the country and gathering experienced designers to become mentors, offering support. 

Over the next few weeks and months (who knows maybe forever!) we will be providing advice, portfolio reviews and much more. We’re here for you graduates! 🏳️ Just get in touch.

Feel free to email us and arrange an informal mentoring session. The future is bright, stay positive. The industry needs you!

As a creative studio we’ve found it really encouraging how the creative community have met the challenge head-on and produced some wonderful campaign art. We’ve also witnessed the rise of the billboard and poster again. Brilliant! So many positive, hard-hitting messages out there at the mo, it is simply wonderful!

Over recent weeks we’ve also identified an increase in demand for our digital output – we assume this is to be expected and welcomed! What is exciting is that people are using this opportunity to take the plunge and perhaps try things they wouldn’t normally do. We have witnessed a rise in home broadcasting and podcasts. Over the last week we’ve designed brand idents for political and environmental debates, gardening forums, scooter radio stations, fitness groups, mother & baby groups andmusic tutorials to name a few!

We love working in this reactionary way and seeing our artwork out there in the big wide world, doing its thing, long may this sense of adventure continue. Watch this space! Keep safe.

CHOOSiE lets you browse and buy from your local shops online, turning what would have been a tiring trip into town, to a safe and eco friendly virtual shopping trip. It’s a new, ethical shopping experience, embracing the growing “localist culture.”

We had the pleasure of branding this new venture, providing a strong digital-themed colour palette and providing a personable typographic system, focussing on the independent “i”.

We’ve now handed over the brand to their very capable in-house team, supplying all graphic assets and style guidelines. We wish them well and will watch their progress with a keen eye. A great, feel-good project.

choosie.co.uk

Gloucester Cathedral is an extraordinary space. 

Many are inspired by the art and architecture of this special place and much of their community engagement programme centres on sharing arts based activities that promote wellbeing, build skills and inspire learning. 

We’ve had the pleasure of working with Gloucester Cathedral to create a branding framework, look and feel and initial workbook, along with a wider range of resources designed to provide accessible, guided, creative activities for a varied range of interests and abilities, downloaded for free, from the Cathedral’s website.

All content for this initial Guide to Drawing was created by talented Artists Adam Davis. Adam is passionate about the positive impact of art on physical and mental health and has previously collaborated with Gloucester Cathedral to curate and display Ever-Present, an exhibition of artwork by talented Gloucester based graduates, and accompanying workshops in 2019.

During 2021 we hope to develop this branding framework for further initiatives and projects. Watch this space.

#CreativeCathedral

gloucestercathedral.org.uk

So, it would appear that everyone seems to have a lockdown project at the moment and for our Creative Director, Andy Hussey, it is no different. For many months, if not years, he’s had the idea for a range of Children’s books and this winter the idea, and off the back of “One Walk Wildlife” his vision became a reality.

Due to be published in February 2021, ‘No Deer Around Here’ is a book about nature (in particular Deer) coming closer to our homes. Children engaging with nature, exploring and spotting signs. The book has kindly been endorsed by The British Deer Society with a supporting testimonial:

“At a time when we all need to appreciate nature and the outdoors more than ever,  No Deer Around Here is not only a delightful story but will inspire children everywhere to look harder at the world around them.“
Charles Smith-Jones
Technical Adviser, The British Deer Society

But the story doesn’t stop there. Andy already has another story in the making (a riverside adventure) and has been approached by various organisations for potential future books, this led to Muddy Little Boots Publishing. This will be the parent company and publishing house, founded by Andy. A beacon for this initiative and a network of organisations, authors and illustrators. The publishing house will fill a void in the market for nature exploration and inclusivity and all members of the organisation will adhere to these values.

This is so exciting and we take our hat off to Andy for making his dream a reality. Where does he find the time?? Clearly we are not working him hard enough.

Visit the Muddy Little Boots Instagram page to keep up-to-date.

We are proud to announce a recent collaboration with @lookagainphotography. Over the last two weeks we have been creating ‘Re-frame Your Now ™’ – a FREE Mindful Photography Programme.

The programme uses a combination of mindfulness, photography and nature to help you and your household stay calm and connected and get creative – at home.

Are you anxious, fearful or feeling low about the coronavirus and all the uncertainty that comes with it? Would you like to improve your mental health and build resilience at this difficult time?

This FREE resource is here to help. If you represent an organisation or business and would like to offer this to your staff or service users, please contact Ruth.⠀

To receive your free PDF of the programme visit:
https://www.look-again.org/reframeyournow
⠀
Please note:
The programme is endorsed by the University of Gloucestershire, Gloucester Cathedral, Arts and Health South West, and Create Gloucestershire, with support from the Laura Kinsella Foundation and in kind design by Lost & Found Creative.