I prefer their early stuff #1

As we will soon be taking down our current site and replacing it with something new, we thought this blog would be a good way to show you some our old favourites – the projects that in some way illustrate our approach.

This project was for a lovely client of ours, Hapsco, who are an interior designers/property developers. They wanted us to promote them whilst they undertook a residential renovation project near Cambridge station.  Rather than getting the typical high gloss large format printing done with some images of a couple smiling and enjoying a latte with the possible addition of a blonde haired toddler or a labrador, we simply got the spray cans out.  We created a stencil of a chandelier and ran them along the wall life size.  It looked great and did much more to articulate how Hapsco do things.

More to follow.

Close but no cigar #1

We love this business, really we do, but sometimes it is frustrating, sometimes you have an idea that you think just works, sometimes your best work never quite sees the light of day, sometimes you just wonder why? As a part of this blog we are going to show some of these nearly but not quites – projects we love but for whatever reason they never quite go the distance. The first idea is one for Arts and Business East, where we were asked to develop a visual identity for their annual award show.  Using the idea of a flowering plant, nodding at the Arts and Crafts movement we developed a style which was distinctive, engaging and used the Arts and Business ampersand in a witty way. We just loved (love) it.

But hey, we just need to find a another client who uses an ampersand as a central part of their identity and are something to do with the Arts.  Should be easy enough.

And then there were five.

It is amazing really, but there is still nothing like getting a nice piece of work back from print. Receiving Oliver and George’s business cards last week was no exception.  I suppose it is what they symbolise too – a growing team that can get their hands on more creative projects, nah, let’s be honest it is the fact they are beautifully foil blocked on a 1200gsm GF Smith board.

Lovely.

The District on-board for The Junction’s new website

 

 

Following a three way pitch recently, we at The District have secured a lovely little project to get our teeth into in the shape of a shiny new website for The Junction. We are very excited about the potential of this project as it is a real opportunity to engage with all the diversity that exists within The Junction brand.

We have been working with The Junction for a number of years now and have developed a strong and successful (award winning!) suite of printed materials. In the background to this has always been the website which we have all collectively known to have short-comings but until now not had the opportunity to develop it appropriately.

Now the opportunity exists we are taking what we have learnt from the development and success of the printed materials on-line. At its centre will be a very simple and intuitve diary of events, which after initial discussions with key members of Junction staff is the key objective. Very excited to be involved. Above is a photograph illustrating a diverse family of theatre, club and music venue go-ers enjoying the new website.

Smiles all round at the Good Ship District!

Creativity is everywhere…

We all love a good bacon sandwich (unless of course you are a vegetarian, or you just don’t like them). This morning Alun’s came with a free gift – a lovely, happy, smiley face.  It is things like this that make Monday mornings that bit more bearable. Thanks to the Tudor Rose on Mill Road in Cambridge!

Return of the Coleman

This week sees the return of Laura (Hurrah!) She has been away growing her family, which saw the arrival of the lovely ‘Amelie’ (7lb 1oz). Quite a team on board now. Good to have her back.

Watch this space for details of Thomas and Nick, who will be joining the fray over the Summer.

Seeing Spots

‘Phew’ If there has ever been a brow swiping moment, it is today. For the past 6 months we’ve been working with the lovely people of ‘Pure Resourcing Solutions’ on rebranding them. It’s been quite a complex process taking all aspects of their business on board and producing a brand that is ‘useable’ but at the same time ‘goes a bit further’ in what it’s saying and doing. It was a joy to behold when the printers van entered our carpark – full to bursting with ‘Pure’ print.

Ahaa! It’s George

A great addition to The District has arrived in the name of George Bradshaw. His skills include design, photography, illustration and making cheap IKEA furniture. Welcome aboard the ‘good ship District’ – Hope you’ve taken your Sea-legs!

The winning work —

Oh and here is the winning work….featuring Alun’s hand and Laura’s knee.

Hope you like.

Cheers

And the winner is…..The District..

Some industry recognition is always nice and last week we had some in the form of an award for ‘Best Graphic Design’ at the Creative East awards. Before we had arrived everyone agreed that it was great to be a finalist and that we weren’t here to win, etc, etc…

During those few moments (and it was only a few as we were second award to be announced) we starting thinking that it may actually be quite nice to win it, in fact, yes we wanted that award and what is more we deserved it…

That said we were still taken a back when Clive Anderson announced ….in the category ‘Best Graphic Design’ the award goes to ‘The District’…or something like that, it was all a bit of a blur to be honest..

It was a great evening of black tie, coronation chicken, gin and tonics and slurred celebrations. We met some nice people from the creative world (well East Anglia) and generally let off steam following a particularly busy period. Without wanting to get too sentimental it was great to have our hard work and passion in some way credited and we would like to thank our clients for giving us the creative freedom to keep doing what we love doing……

Pretty keen to get one of those yellow pencil thingeys now.

Cheers

The District