Taking Care of Business - Presentation

Today we pitched our start up collective studio to the rest of the class. It went well, I was convinced we'd done a good job previous to presenting, but after comparing our results with rival groups I'm convinced we've nailed it. And the main reasoning I have behind this is that I see no reason why we couldn't go for it (hypothetically) based on the research and figures we've been dealing with. Here's our presentation:

Taking Care of Business - The Hungry Sandwich Club

Among the recent alumni from LCA BA Graphic Design, 'The Hungry Sandwich Club' are a new start up as of last summer and are doing pretty well. I got in touch with Andy, and we all met up for a drink and chat on Monday night at the Social in town. We all really enjoyed meeting with Andy and Martin, and it was extremely valuable for us to get an honest response to what it was like going it alone. As well as that we've now got a network built between us and them. I try and remind myself from time to time:

It's not what you know.

It's who you know.

Taking Care of Business - Internal Communication

Google Docs, Drive & Slides have been a real help through this group project. With the availability of a shared space where we can all work, we've managed to streamline all of our tasks and delegate accordingly. It means we've all known exactly what's been going on at all time; I'm pleased that I've been introduced to the live document editing, I'm sure it's going to improve all future collaborations.

Here's a look at everything we've presented on our shared document:

[BRACKET]

Slide Separation:

1. Beth- Introduce and explain logo
2. Beth- explain textures of gif
3. Declan-what we are
4. Declan- summary of manifesto
5. James-USP explained
6. Josiah- meet the team and gifs explained
7. Josiah- meet the team and gifs explained
8. Josiah- same as above
9. Ashley- explain role changes in each brief
10. Josiah- location of studio and perks
11. Josiah- decoration of studio Interdisciplinary and collaborative space
12. Ashley-Start up costs breakdown
13. James- Breakdown of running costs
14. ??? - Small business loan
15. James- rate best case scenario
16. James- rate breakdown worst case scenario
17. Beth- Structure of company and designated members
18. Billie- What we do as a studio
19. Josiah - Targeting - business is on our doorstep
20. Billie- Targeting and getting clients - Hungry sandwich reference
21. Billie- Terms and conditions summarised - Hungry sandwich reference with 50% up front cost
22. Ashley- Aims and aspirations
23. Declan- Open for questions
24. Beth- we were Bracket, thank you

Go team!

WEBSITE: http://bm251337.wix.com/bracketdesign
password: bracket

Email: bracketbracket@outlook.com

Password: FredBates420

Add all the questions/information/anything that you’re doing or you think we should consider...

If we have completed these, we can list the information underneath the point.

TO DO:

Contact Hungry Sandwich Club - Whole Group

Shopping List - Ashley DONE

Organise a photo shoot -  This Wednesday

Decide roles within a brief - Ashley DONE but still up for review/discussion IM

We are all designated members of the group and legally equally liable IM

Business Plan - future milestones (London office etc.)

Accounting split up for the year

Who signs the cheques - Whole Group DONE  Answer: all of us IM

Finished logo design to use on website/presentation - Dec & Josiah

Simplify manifesto - Declan DONE, (create internal manifesto)

Break down of what the client is getting - Beth Done

Client contracts - Beth IM Done

How are you going to build your business, what will you sell? what is your USP? DONE IM

Chillax, max and relax - Ashley DONE IM

Studio - Price & floorplan? - Josiah  (Look at Mother, London) Price DONE

Buy everyone pizza (“Yeeeeeah” - Dec) (“Peperoniiiii baaabyyyy” - Ghandi) - Billie IM

What market are we aiming at? small businesses and organisations? IM

Aspirations / Added Value? IM

Clients are part of the process because...

Create Facebook & other social media pages + Email - James

Collate Pinterest Inspiration (May also inform shopping list?) - Declan DONE

Complete profile questionnaire for website ←-- Where is this? (Josiah)

Design website-

FIRST DRAFT MANIFESTO

• We are not afraid to try new things to produce uniquely crafted work.

• People are the most important part of our practice, both in terms of one another in the studio and our clients. We know that working well together is what makes great work, that is why constant collaboration is our aim as a studio.

• We are always open to new challenges and are constantly seeking to increase our knowledge, experience and skills through unusual projects, so ask us anything and we will give it a go!

• Creativity can be wild and unexpected at times, so we do our best to make an organised environment in which creativity can be used to its greatest advantage.

• Here at Bracket we are not held back by trends and styles, but make each project with a strong foundation of conceptual understanding, so that your message is communicated as effectively as possible.

• We work with our clients, rather than for them, with a focus on close communication from the start, to create work that both the client and their audience love.

• We foster this relationship between ourselves and our clients through creative exercises and art therapy, so that our clients understand the work that we do and what they are getting for their money.

• We are a relatively small studio so we like to focus on a few projects at any one time, so that our ideals of quality not quantity pass through into our work.

• We sweat the details so you don't have to: we care about the small things so that the big things work.

• We consider the consequences of each of our designs and use ethical consideration to try and improve the world with our work, and not simply feed a consumer beast.

We are Bracket, and we want to support your creative venture, no matter how big or how small. We want to foster collaboration, communication and creativity. so, let's make this work.

Yes we can, we can do whatever, whenever, whatever the cost - AWS

TERMS & CONDITIONS

• Any material provided by the client must be fully copyrighted and all legalities must be addressed. If this is not done all liability transfers to the client and not the studio. If a client provides materials that are copyrighted by a third party, [Bracket] are not liable for voiding copyright.
• 50% of total Bill will be payed up front at the signing of the client contract, or within three days of signing.
• Any changes after the designs are agreed will incur additional costs.
• Copyright will be released when full and final payment is received, if agreed in contract. If not, additional costs will incur.
• The client will be responsible for the timely making of decisions to allow for the progression of a project.
• Final proof reading is the responsibility of the client. Any mistakes that incur extra charges will be passed on to the client.
• [Bracket] have the right to reproduce, publish and display the work for self promotion and advertisement.
• If work produced for a client is used in any way aside from what is agreed in contract, copyright is void and we retain the rights to ownership.
• By agreeing, clients acknowledge that we are able to work with more than one at a time
• Errors, such misspelling, editorial errors are the responsibility of the client. Augment costs to fix such end, will be paid by the client.

PROPOSAL

• After presenting the proposal to the client it will be active for 30 days. If client does not engage, the proposal may be subject to change.
• Any additional costs outside and after the proposal/contract agreement will be billed to client.
• Unless specified in original signed proposal client shall pay fees for changes
• Invoices must be paid within 15 days of receipt. Some circumstances may require deposit.

CHANGES

• Project end; all deliverables are deemed complete once signed off verbally or in writing.
• If contact with the client is not heart within 30 days after project end without explanation, then the project is deemed complete and satisfactory
• No liability will be placed on [Bracket] if client loses data and/or work is damaged in transit.

TERMINATION

• Relationship may be terminated by either parties immediately.     
• (a) Client shall pay expenses up to termination point (kill fee)
• All rights and obligation stay valid upon termination

PPP CRIT NOTES

What is our design process?
How to stay updated with each-other if we did work together? (email, skype)
Rotating dedicated partnership?

Broken down invoices

Wages

Copyright & Kill fees
Focus on creating lasting clients Esp. in branding)

What can we offer as ‘added value’?

PRESENTATION

Hone in our tone of voice
Pace ourselves
Practice

SHOPPING LIST

Macs - 7194

Desks - 420

Chairs - 570

Projector - 200

Fridge - 80

Kettle - 15

Plants - 40

Clock - 10

Chalkboard - 12

Printer - 1499

Camera - 800

Tripod - 30

Lighting equipment - 67

Scanner - 179

Light Box - 50

Total - 11,166

Add anything extra if needed..

Suggestions:

Hammocks

Find the shared Pinterest page here:

https://uk.pinterest.com/DeclanBell63/studio-inspiration/

MANIFESTO SECOND/SIMPLIFIED DRAFT

• We are not afraid to try new things to produce uniquely crafted work.

• Our practice is people, we know how to work with each other and our clients. Collaborating well together constantly is what makes great work.

• We are always open to new challenges and are constantly seeking to increase our knowledge, experience and skills through tackling the unexpected.

• Here at Bracket we are not held back by trends and styles, but make each project with a strong foundation of conceptual understanding, so that your message is communicated as effectively as possible.

• We work with our clients, rather than for them. We focus on close communication from the start, to create work that both the client and their audience love.

• We foster this relationship between ourselves and our clients through creative exercises and art therapy, so that our clients understand the value of the work they’re paying for.

• We don’t like showing you the door when we’re done. We aim to set up a relationship with our client network that lasts.

• We are a relatively small studio and like to focus on a few projects at any one time, so that our ideals of quality not quantity are explicitly exercised.

• We sweat the details so you don't have to: we care about the small things so that the big things work.

• We consider the consequences of each of our designs and use ethical consideration to try and improve the world with our work, and not simply feed a consumer beast.

We are Bracket, and we want to support your creative venture, no matter how big or how small. We want to foster collaboration, communication and creativity. So, let's make this work.

ROLES WITHIN THE GROUP/FUNCTIONALITY OF THE COMPANY

Within [BRACKET] we take turns dealing with clients. If a job is more suited to one designer within [BRACKET] then they should be in contact with the client and become the project leader, making sure that everyone else within the studio is fully briefed and up to date on any new information that arises. This allows minimal confusion between client and studio as they know who they are dealing with. As many client meetings should take place within the studio to assure that everyone within the studio to assure that all designers are involved in the face to face interaction with the client.

Client Contract (Individual to each client/project)

Project Breakdown:

This section of the contract would include a summary of the deliverables and design outcomes that the client has employed us to create. This would also detail the format in which the design outcomes would be transferred into the ownership of the client. A short sentence detailing the nature of each design outcome, including the method of production and the intended final context/use. This could also include the date for the final delivery of the outcomes any pitch dates as expected.

Signing this contract means that you conform to the terms and conditions of [BRACKET]

Estimated Price:

This is an estimate only. As detailed in the terms and conditions this price may change. These changes will be fully accounted for in the invoice sent on completion of this contract.

Client:                                  Date:                                       [BRACKET] Team Member:                  

                                                                                             Date:

INTERNAL MANIFESTO & POINTS OF CONSIDERATION

• When experiencing periods where we aren’t bringing in as many clients as we’d like to, it’s important to us that we strive towards developing our own personal work, that challenges our own creative exploration.