The Glow Studio blog

Hero, Miguel Endara

2012-01-26T02:52:00.000-08:00

Truly breathtaking technique. The amount of patience and skill required for this is mind-boggling. The video is also shot and handled nicely so it's a winner on both fronts. Enjoy.

Hero from Miguel Endara on Vimeo.

It's a bird, it's a plane...

2012-01-03T08:11:00.000-08:00

One of our designers here at Glow was asked to paint a small mural of Superman to brighten up a bedroom belonging to a young man called Dan who is a resident at Easterbrook Farm. Based in the heart of Devon, Easterbrook Farm is a fantastic residential development offering an active learning environment for people with learning disabilities. This final picture was around 4 foot square in dimension and we think it looks great.

This is England 88

2011-12-15T04:10:00.000-08:00

Amongst the many Christmas specials now packing our TV schedules this is an absolute gem. It must be said though, this is no sugary sweet festive treat. We are dealing with some very dark subjects here.

Shane Meadows continues with his surprisingly enduring story following a group of Mods and Skinheads living in a bleak northern housing estate. Most viewers will have first met these characters in his 2006 film This Is England which was then followed by a harrowing series of hour long episodes last year.

The performances are uniformly excellent again as each character deals with their individual heartbreaks and although the pacing is slow at times I think this allows the emotion to emanate from the screen and also allows us to appreciate the sparse, bleak, beautifully framed shots of the landscape which the characters inhabit. Meadows also manages to intersperse the very emotive scenes with flashes of humour and some remarkably realistic portrayals of human interaction. It seems more awards could be on the way.

Working 9 till 5

2011-12-01T05:02:00.000-08:00

Having had a few projects with relatively quick turnarounds in the last few months, doing the odd bit of extra work after hours is something I know a little about. Here at Glow we really believe in a work/life balance though and I'm happy to say that it is rare for me to stay much longer than our normal working day. With this in mind I stumbled upon this great article by Edward Hann.

What a way to make a living

Edward Hann

Before I start, I would like to note that I love the work I do and wouldn’t want to do anything else. At times It doesn’t even feel like a job, but when I sit down to think about it, graphic design is still exactly that, a job. It involves hard work and frequent long hours. Sitting in front of a computer screen for 14 hours a day does not make for a healthy lifestyle; a creatively driven career is great but being expected to switch it on at 9pm every night of the week for the last week, less so. I have been working in design for around 5 years, give or take, and in this time have worked at a range of studios of varying sizes, each totally different from each other. My time at these studios has been exciting, challenging, incredibly rewarding although at times utterly frustrating. For the most part my career has been a positive and vibrant experience, but I have come across a worrying trend, a culture of late nights and long hours that are openly encouraged. I would even go so far to say that a macho culture has arisen, which one might expect from the finance or banking industry but not in the creative one. To me there is nothing creative or satisfying about trying to see who can stay awake the longest after a 24 hour stint. In other professions this could be considered dangerous, clear and simple, but in design culture it seems to be becoming more and more routine.....

Read the whole article here

Rory Sutherland: The wiki man

2011-11-17T08:04:00.000-08:00

The festive season is fast approaching again and I may have found an early Christmas present for myself. Rory Sutherland, vice-chairman of the Ogilvy Group UK and regular columnist for the Spectator, has a new book out. A champion of behavioural economics and a quick adopter of new technologies, Rory is a very talented man and this book Rory Sutherland: The Wiki Man should be a very interesting read. It acts as an introduction for those uninitiated with his key ideas and includes snippets from his many blogs, tweets and articles. However, if you just can't wait until Christmas why not check out some of the videos of his talks available online. Below is a hilarious insite involving Shreddies cereal.

Design and compromise

2011-11-04T02:45:00.000-07:00

Good design requires compromise. Simple. I have learnt a lot of things throughout my creative life but this is a lesson which is only just starting to sink in. Any designer working commercially will tell you about the time and budget constraints which they face on a daily basis and how this means they have to make compromises with their big, sparkling, fantastic design concepts. This can't be avoided though and therefore it seems silly to devote some time complaining about it.

The compromise I think is worthy of our time is best described by the differences between Apple and Microsoft. Apple have become elevated to some higher level in recent years due to the aesthetic appeal and fantastic usability of their products. The really interesting thing is that this great design and usability has sometimes been the result of removing features that some people consider essential. In contrast Microsoft will cram in every feature any customer could ever want, but this results in products that are complicated or suffer poor usability. In both cases , compromises are being made. It is a fine balance to create an object that is both beautiful and true to it's purpose. Apple have been closer to the mark though in my opinion. This old but still comical video proves the point pretty well.

Being a designer I want things to look their very best and a certain amount of white space is essential to this, think of me as Apple, but from a marketing point of view we naturally want to make sure the message is clear. Like with Microsoft, this often involves a good amount of extra copy, making sure each point is made well. The struggle begins. Copy vs space, design vs message it's the eternal battle that designers face and the only answer is to use that word we started with, compromise. A good designer is not stubborn, they roll with the punches and adapt. I'm not saying you shouldn't stand up for yourself if you strongly believe in your work but I am saying you should pick your battles.

Art Revealed

2011-11-03T08:44:00.000-07:00

This great series of idents to promote part of the BBC's art season was voted one of the Creative Review's best in book winners in this years photography annual. The hypnotic motion of pigment in water is truly beautiful and is a clever reference to the world of the artist. If you missed them the first time around I think this is the perfect excuse to have a look.

London Bus Tour

2011-09-16T02:36:00.000-07:00

This brilliant video seems to be doing the rounds on a few design blogs at the moment but I think it is worthwhile following the crowd with this one. Moritz manages to capture some of the beautiful idiosyncrasies of life in a whimsical but slightly melancholy fashion. Never has public transport seemed more appealing, great work!

London Bus Tour from moritz oberholzer on Vimeo.

Weekly Competition!

2011-09-12T06:42:00.000-07:00

Solve the weekly dingbat puzzle to win!

Win a special edition poster designed by the Glow team, printed on gorgeous paper to brighten your office and make you smile!

Competition closes Friday 16th September at 12.00pm

Send your answers to yesplease@theglowstudio.com and include your name and address, or follow us on Twitter and send us a direct message. A winner is drawn every Friday!

A new puzzle is uploaded to our website each week. Please send your answers with your name and address by 12pm each Friday.

Good Luck!

Include Social Media in your Marketing Strategy now!

2011-07-22T08:34:00.000-07:00

At Glow we love Social Media but appreciate the difficulty that small business have in allocating time and resources to using Social Media effectively.

Despite its kudos as an instantaneous and easy communication tool, Social Media often gets added to the end of the action list, by which time the window of opportunity has passed.

We have a solution!

Using our extensive marketing and communications know-how and our knowledge of the ever evolving world of Social Media, Glow introduces the Social Media Strategy.

Strategy sounds like a time consuming and costly word - it needn't be!

Glow has formulated 5 questions from which our Social Media Strategy has been drawn. The Social Media Strategy sits within our overall Marketing Strategy but acts as a great stand alone guide for our designated Social Media Team to follow.

Glow's Social Media Strategy includes a Plan and an Activity Schedule. Both are formulated from our answers to 5 questions and make our Social Media Activity effective, achievable and manageable.

We HIGHLY recommend creating a Social Media Strategy for your business. A few minutes a day, week or month can add up to great engagement!

Would you like to hear more about our 5 questions or would you like Glow's help with creating a Social Media Strategy to suit your business and budget? Contact us!

01329 836390

yesplease@theglowstudio.com

www.theglowstudio.com

**Social Media is the new wave of marketing, get ahead of the game and include it in your company's Marketing Strategy now!**

New - Weekly Competition!

2011-07-22T07:17:00.000-07:00

Solve the weekly dingbat puzzle to win!

Win a special edition poster designed by the Glow team, printed on gorgeous paper to brighten your office and make you smile!

Puzzle No.4: Entry closes 12pm Friday 29th July 2011

Send your answers to yesplease@theglowstudio.com and include your name and address, or follow us on Twitter and send us a direct message. A winner is drawn every Friday!

A new puzzle is uploaded to our website each week. Please send your answers with your name and address by 12pm each Friday.

Good Luck!

The Graduates

2011-06-17T07:25:00.000-07:00

Yes thats right, it's that time of the year again. Another throng of young talented creatives are about to stumble, blurry-eyed into the real world in the hope of finding a job. Having been in the same position only two years ago, I know completely how they feel. I went back to the Winchester School of Art last night to see this years degree show and have to say the standard was very good.

With this in mind I think the Graduates 2010 Catch up feature by Its Nice That is very interesting. It's nice to see how different the situations are that these young designers have found themselves in after only a year.

Read the feature here

The Lost Collection

2011-06-08T06:10:00.000-07:00

As a daily commuter I have had my fair share of near misses when it comes to leaving things on the train. I once went to move my bike at the end of the carriage, leaving my bag on my seat. I got distracted by something in the Metro and twenty minutes went by, I had completely forgotten about my bag by now and went to step off at my station but luckily for me I was reminded at the last minute by a kind lady who had been watching.

If everyone had been as lucky as me then this new exhibition, The Lost Collection, curated by KK Outlet would never have come into existence. They have been given access to the Lost Property Office belonging to Transport for London (TFL). In amongst the sweaty jumpers, false teeth and vast amounts of old literature you would expect to get left on the tube, overground trains, buses and black cabs of London it seems there were also some artistic treasures to be found.

With anonymous work ranging from whole portfolios to single, carefully crafted sketches you could have a lot of fun imagining who the work is by, what their inspiration was and also of course if they have any talent.

The thing of most interest and probably what I love most about this idea is the fact that it is actually our daily routine and idiosyncrasies which have put this exhibition together, bringing together things that, given slightly less misfortune or slightly differing circumstances may have never ended up together at all.

All Watched Over By Machines Of Loving Grace

2011-05-24T07:26:00.000-07:00

On Monday night I managed to catch the first in this series of films by Adam Curtis, looking into the impact of computers on our society. This first episode looked at the russian philosopher Ayn Rand and how her ideology would go on to influenced the computer reliant social and economic system which economists of the 90's thought would lead to a more stable, self-regulating market creating infinite good times for all (yay!).

While deeply interesting I freely admit that the intellectual clout of the subject matter did leave me with a headache at times, pondering terms such as "logical positivism" and "planetary consciousness" but the way in which Curtis covers the subject, with dizzyingly quick cuts and clever use of music and archive footage, you never failed to engage. I also enjoyed the footage of Loren and Rachel Carpenter's Pong experiment where thousands of participants were packed into a dark barn with a giant screen showing the classic video game. Participants were also handed a paddle with a red side and a green side. Using these they had to work together with their side of the barn to control the onscreen paddle. I think the results really told us something about human nature and our ability to form a subconscious consensus .

The program is still available on iplayer at the moment so I recommend giving it a go.

View on Iplayer here

Ayn Rand

One of the Carpenter's later but very similar experiments

Social media for business: Tip One

2011-04-01T08:20:00.000-07:00

The world is going crazy for the newest wave of marketing media since web and email: Social Media.

A Tip Top Tip

Since it's introduction and the phenomenal response from personal users, platforms have evolved so much and now cater for businesses and organisations as a marketing tool. A means to communicate and engage with a huge audience (over 500,00 daily users). However it is important to stay savvy when approaching social media for business.

There are unwritten rules. For instance, the 3 top platforms: Facebook, Twitter and Linked in are successful for a reason. They are used by real people in real time and are an attractive networking tool. People meet, share, connect, advise and, most importantly, they chat.

When using social media for business keep the word 'social' in mind and remember the user's expectations. They don't expect to have marketing messages shoved in their faces 24/7 they expect to be enlightened, informed and entertained.

These simple steps will get you started on the right track:

1. Interact
2. Engage
3. Converse

Happy Chatting :-)

Should design come from disaster?

2011-03-21T02:11:00.000-07:00

The truly devastating natural disaster which decimated parts of Japan just over a week ago has lead to a heated design debate. A flood of designers have offered up designs for posters (many based around the Japanese flag) which are being auctioned to help raise money for the cause. Few people would be able to argue with this as a worthy deed. The problem is that the posters often have no further info on how to donate to the cause and in-fact feature the studios name and a link to their website. Here then, lies the problem, is it right for a designer to get any sort of free promotion from a terrible event such as this?

Definitely an interesting read, the full article can be seen here

A hard question to answer

2011-03-08T01:34:00.000-08:00

Having received the 2011 Census Questionnaire in the post yesterday I did chuckle when I got to question 17.

There must be some feasible reason for this but I like to think it's the designers way of stealing back some ever cherished white space.

The most stunning TV spot for.....yoghurt?

2011-03-08T00:58:00.000-08:00

This advert was done for FAGE a popular food brand, although not in the UK, to help them launch in the US. It's called Plain Extraordinary and is a rare mix of 3D CGI, video compositing and editing combined with a great poem.

Obviously a lot of craft went into making this spot and it is the mix of great imagery and playful use of words that really make it special. You could be forgiven for thinking it was an advert for some high end fragrance or beauty product instead of a yogurt, mind you, they look fairly tasty!.

BAFTA posters

2011-02-18T05:00:00.000-08:00

I love these great posters for 4 of the nominees for best film at the 2011 BAFTA awards. The Kings Speech went home with seven awards in the end, including this one. The posters have a great atmosphere and effortless style to them.

The Kings Speech and The Social Network

Inception and Black Swan

Average is beautiful

2011-02-11T01:22:00.000-08:00

This is a hypothesis that goes back to the work of Sir Francis Galton in the 1800's. He projected the faces of many different people on to one piece of photographic film to create an average. His idea was to produce the average face of a criminal to help with crime prevention or to depict the average face of a good soldier to improve the quality of recruits. However when he showed his colleagues the results, they all unanimously agreed that the composite image produced was far more attractive than each of the component images. This lead him to think that the key to being beautiful was to be as close to average as possible.

Researchers have now developed some software which does a very similar thing but manages to create a much sharper image. As part of this research they have also managed to create the average face for women from 41 different countries. You can even make your own composite from images you upload. It's all very interesting so why not check it out for yourself.

http://www.faceresearch.org/demos/average

The Super Bowl ad spot

2011-02-07T02:40:00.000-08:00

It was that time of year again over on the other side of the pond but you can be sure that the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Green Bay Packers players were not the only people with nerves that were starting to fray over the weekend. With a television audience of at least 80 million people and the cost of a 30 second advert during the game rocketing to $3,000,000 the marketing executives must have been just as apprehensive.

There were a few stories on the advertising side of things in 2011 as Pepsi returned to the scene having opted out last year in order to channel more funding into digital and social media. Could this be a reflection of a wider shift back to more tradition TV advertising? There was also an appearance from Eminem in a nice Wieden and Kennedy spot for Chrysler and a couple of feel good examples from Coca Cola, the best of which had a slight Lord Of The Rings feel. There was also an offering from Motorola which can be seen below. Interestingly it had a less than subtle reference to the original Apple Macintosh advert which can also be seen below.

Marwencol: The human brain never fails to amaze

2011-01-27T02:06:00.000-08:00

11 years ago Mark Hogancamp was beaten up in a bar. His attacker's, having inflicted so much damage to his head, left him without any memory of his prior life. He is now regaining his motor skills but more importantly his sense of self by creating miniature vignettes from a fictionalised World War 2 village called Marwencol. This world is beautifully detailed and features miniature versions of Mark, his family and his friends meaning each of his photos have a startlingly emotive and authentic feel. His story has now been made into a film, the trailer for which can be seen below.

Fluid font video

2011-01-27T01:38:00.000-08:00

I love this short typographic A-Z and the way each letter morphs into the next. It would also serve well to introduce the names of some well known fonts and their individual characteristics to anyone who is less accustomed to the world of fonts.

Interesting Viral ad

2011-01-20T05:53:00.000-08:00

EA (Electronic Arts) have used a rather unconventional method to advertise an upcoming game. The 30 second TV spot uses real footage from a selection of interviews with rather conservative American mothers, all of whom have just seen the gorier parts of the game. They then run with a strap line "Your mom's going to hate it". I think this is quite an interesting angle to take as they are effectively highlighting the bad or controversial aspect of what is actually a very gory game. It obviously shows that EA know their core market well enough that they don't mind the fact they may put off less hardcore gamers. The ad has amassed almost a quarter of a million views on Youtube already ( The extended version had 491, 194 views when I checked) so it looks like a clever move.

You can view a full article about the campaign here

New Starbucks logo raises some issues

2011-01-14T01:02:00.000-08:00

The new Starbucks logo is the latest in a recent line of high profile re-brands to be received negatively by the general public. personally I quite like the simplification. It feels really fresh and the fact that it is still round and uses the same green is enough for me to link it to Starbucks. What people often don't think about is the context in which you will encounter the brand. After all Apple and Mcdonalds have managed for years without any type in their respective logos.

The issue it raises for me is how much attention we give to this negative feedback? The masses have been given I voice through social media, everybody's personal tastes and opinions can be shared with thousands of people in seconds. Now that everyone can be heard maybe we designers should keep our fingers in our ears.

I think this article covers the subject brilliantly

New years motivation

2011-01-06T03:00:00.000-08:00

Having recently added some motivational screen prints by Alison Hardcastle to the wall behind my desk, I think all of us could do with a little lift as we trudge into the studio and out of the cold January rain. This cheery print is a great example and is available in red, green or yellow from here.

Very seasonal, very beautiful

2011-01-06T02:53:00.000-08:00

Given the arctic Christmas and new year most of us have just endured I think this norwegian TV spot for VW is particularly fitting while also being great to look at. There are some lovely stills below but you can view the actual video using this link

http://www.behance.net/gallery/VW-Winter-Motion/875691

It's all getting a bit festive!

2010-12-17T06:29:00.000-08:00

I am well and truly excited for Christmas now. The shopping chaos in complete and now all that is left is to wrestle with the snow chaos on my way down to Devon. To get the rest of you into the Christmas mood why not check out the D&AD Ad-vent calendar. It showcases a different bit of work with a Christmas theme every day so you have a whole week of goodies left to see. I absolutely love the Christmas card that works both ways up and the cheeky Lynx calendar

Check it out by clicking here

Some Christmas inspiration

2010-12-10T06:34:00.000-08:00

This photoblog has managed to draw my attention to some very stylish bits and pieces all of which could grace any Christmas stocking. A nice find indeed.

Click here to check subnetwork out

Young Me Now Me

2010-11-26T01:11:00.000-08:00

Here at the Glow studio we have been keeping abreast of the phenomenon that is "zefrank", so much so that Lisa (the MD) submitted a retro (she'll love me describing it as that) photo of herself and her brother, which now takes pride of place on the Young Me Now Me "FAVOURITES" blog page. We like to treat you and this is definitely worth a read:

http://www.zefrank.com/youngmenowme/blog/

Courtesy of Creative Review

2010-11-12T08:21:00.000-08:00

Kyle Bean...

I love this designer's work and was made aware of it courtesy of Creative Review who tweeted him this arvo. Take a look at his intricate hand crafted, interactive and ever so innovative work...

http://www.kylebean.co.uk/

Love it!

Screenshot of designer's website: http://www.kylebean.co.uk

The Spectator

2010-10-28T05:39:00.000-07:00

I have seen a couple of adverts from this series while on the train and think they are great. You don't have to see the logo to know that the ad is for The Spectator. The tone of all the short statements is so right. The campaign is to promote the magazines new look. It will now feature shorter articles and more quotes from industry leaders and will also put more emphasis on its coverage of culture, arts and literature. To reflect this the statements used in the campaign all comment on these areas. The magazine's stated mission to "provoke debate through elegantly written and highly opinionated comment". i think the campaign they have created ticks all these boxes.

The Cloud Community - An Introduction

2010-10-27T08:39:00.000-07:00

Forget blue-sky thinking – Get your head in the clouds!

To a ‘civilian’, digital media sounds technical, perhaps exciting – or even boring but definitely daunting to those unfamiliar with the term. Surprisingly, the majority of us have contact with digital media on a daily basis. I’m not talking television, video or DVD - or even iPod, Wii consoles or broadband. I am talking about the intangible source of information in the clouds.

We all know the success of Facebook, Twitter and Myspace and the ability to connect with forgotten friends and share our lives on the ‘world wide web’. And some may even know of ‘cloud computing’, which allows access to files remotely from any location providing you have a computer, internet connection, a login and a password. These tools are two examples falling under the umbrella term ‘digital media’.

The UK has embraced cloud power on a personal level. The next logical step was to apply this format to business. In my world this all happened rather naturally. One minute I was a Graphic Designer come Marketing Assistant, the next I was appointed ‘Communications and Digital Media Manager’ – no formal training required – or not as the case may be. As I mentioned earlier, the job change came naturally but on reflection, my responsibilities at Glow had morphed over the years to accommodate new trends in communication and technology and subsequently my skills have been adapted and increased in order to use these tools effectively (a case of cloud evolution me thinks). Perhaps the change was apparent when I chose to take on a ‘Digital Print’ degree as opposed to a ‘Screen Printing’ course. Or maybe I should have noticed a shift when I taught myself to build websites on a whim “in case the need arises” which, I hasten to add it has. On the other hand maybe I shouldn’t have seen the shift – maybe I am over-analysing, after all technology makes evolution so much faster these days so maybe we just notice it more than say those living in the 1700’s.

I digress. The importance of this article is to recognize, not analyse, the presence of digital media.

I imagine digital media as a community above our heads connected with motorways, A roads, and more pleasant and relaxing country lanes. Throw in a few railway tracks and you should be able to visualize my head in the clouds. This community is the whole world and we have access to it all. A live feed of information available to everyone and powered by various digital media tools: The Cloud Community.

We can browse the web at our leisure using the country lanes, do some window shopping and stop for a chat at social media sites. Or we can conduct business, network and seal deals using the motorways, taking advantage of the live feed of information and instant communication tools.

Digital media agencies are being formed specifically to offer digital media services. These can be anything from e-marketing solutions to the integration of more technical systems. Cashing in on the services offered by digital media agencies and the like are companies such as OpenAmplify, who monitor the use and context of words in online conversations and articles:

"OpenAmplify uses multi-patented text analysis software to 'read' and understand the meaning of every word in every sentence and paragraph that it analyses across social networks and the wider web. It understands what's being discussed, how, when, where and why - making it extremely valuable for anyone seeking to monetise, analyse or create value from online content. It understands whether a topic of discussion is positive or negative, how emotionally engaged the author is in the topic, and what the author plans or intends to do about it. And it can do that automatically, hundreds of millions of times a day."

Mark Redgrave. http://www.guardian.co.uk/media/pda. 27^th October 2010

The existence of such companies already demonstrates the power of digital media and the already expanding possibilities and opportunities that are presented as a result.

In conclusion, this short article has merely been written in recognition of digital media and it’s presence in society. I hope to re-visit the topic in the near future providing examples of what and how to use digital media effectively. This article is a case in point – if you are reading it you have entered the cloud community!

Like Mom, Like Dad

2010-10-27T06:13:00.000-07:00

A follow on from 'young me now me' this link is another nostalgia fuelled web based project featuring photos of mothers, fathers, sons and daughters. This time we are treated to some anecdotes depicting similarities between the afore mentioned relatives.

Like Mom Like Dad

Thanks to Rhys McCarthy for introducing me to the delights of "zefrank", we should all take a little time out to appreciate the simplicity of these amusing yet heartfelt projects that join communities across the world wide web!

Enjoy :-)

Shall we all go home now?

2010-10-14T07:23:00.000-07:00

I found this really interesting article on the Design Assembly website. I find this site is a great resource for opinion based news stories about all aspects of the creative industry. This particular article struck a chord as I have only been working for a year having graduated in 2009 and therefore, as I suppose is natural, take a great interest in the future of an industry I spent years preparing to enter. I have spent much time worrying about it's stability and the role of the designer in years to come as clients become more design literate themselves. Following this theme I hope you find the following article of interest.

Part of the article is below but to read the whole article use this link

http://www.designassembly.org/2010/09/24/shall-we-all-go-home/

Choosing graphic design as a career choice has never been more popular; in my decade plus of studying and working in the field, it has become much easier to explain my occupation to strangers. In fact, I rarely have to explain at all, after I’ve answered the question “what do you do?”. They usually respond with “oh my sister does that” or “my nephew is starting his course in the autumn”. Part of me does yearn for those days where I had to explain the difference between architecture and graphic design to elderly relatives.

Alongside the dramatic mushrooming of the population of graphic designers over the last ten, twenty years there has been an overall increase in non-designer’s awareness of graphic design and typography. Every office computer is equipped with a hundred or more fonts and basic graphic or publishing software. Inevitably this has led to people making basic design decisions everyday; whether composing an email, pulling together a PowerPoint presentation or composing a passive-aggressive note to stop people stealing their milk. Regardless of the merit of the finished design, everyone with a computer suddenly has the tools to become a graphic designer.

A positive outcome of a more design-literate culture is good for designers, the clients may be more open to radical ideas and the communication between the two becomes easier. The downside is the client may becomes a back-seat driver, and encroaches on every decision from point size to Pantone colour.

Digital Mapping

2010-10-01T07:18:00.000-07:00

I have become obsessed with this format. I have to say I was not overly aware of it until I read the article in this months Creative Review. It involves projecting an animation onto a building or structure. The clever thing is that the animation is digitally mapped to fit to the building. The overall effect of this makes the animation feel like it is an organic part of the building and blurs the lines between virtual reality and the real world. features such as windows on the buildings can become portals to another world or panels in an elaborate pinball machine. In a way a guess this has a similar theme to my last post. It seems the future of advertising, as with the future of the web, lies in greater user interaction. check out the examples below and make up your own mind.

NuFormer - Samsung, Amsterdam, May 2010 - One take from NuFormer Projection on Vimeo.

NuFormer - Sony, Madrid, Colegio San Augustin, May 2010 - One take from NuFormer Projection on Vimeo.

The Wilderness Downtown

2010-09-17T06:16:00.000-07:00

This interactive film by Chris Milk featuring the track "We used To Wait" by Arcade Fire is a look into the future and some of the capabilities of HTML 5. By entering your address at the start of the video it becomes customised around the viewer. You also get some opportunities to interact with the content. All this adds together to create a very immersive environment.

Sure it takes a lot of processor speed and is therefore quite glitchy and the video is only able to work on certain browsers but I think this is a good example of how this format could evolve to follow the current trend of user interactivity in new technology.

http://www.thewildernessdowntown.com/

The Power of Downtime

2010-09-10T05:13:00.000-07:00

We all know that stress at work can be worsened by the constant interaction we have with smart phones once we leave the office. But did you know that our downtime periods could also be in jeopardy by our time filling habits.

What used to be a 5 minute coffee break has turned into a “Do I have time to check my bank account” or “Can I complete the next level in 5 minutes?”

“At the University of Michigan, a study found that people learned significantly better after a walk in nature than after a walk in a dense urban environment, suggesting that a barrage of information leaves people fatigued” (Matt Richtel, The New York Times, Sep 2010)

The problem is that due to advances in technology, this walk in nature now entails a text to a friend, checking the train times and sending an email whilst listening to an MP3.

“People think they are refreshing themselves, but they are fatiguing themselves” says Marc Berman, a neuroscientist at the University of Michigan (New York Times Sep 2010)

This multitasking can be taxing for the brain. What we class as relaxation time has turned into an invasion of our much needed downtime. This overload of information prevents our brains from processing and maintaining it.

Click here to read the full article

This fab image was taken by http://www.urban75.org/blog/tag/brockwell-park/

Young Me Now Me

2010-09-01T04:25:00.000-07:00

Such a great way to bring people together again - this is a fab link for its simple nostalgic value, you may have to skip quickly through the try hards but there are some gems amongst the hundreds that have taken part!

http://www.zefrank.com/youngmenowme/

SMART goals

2010-09-01T03:36:00.000-07:00

Setting goals acts as a great self-motivator, whether professionally or personally. We all run the risk of getting stuck in the same mundane rut but with a little help from the SMART guide to setting goals you’ll be ready to achieve as much or as little as your heart desires.

If you regularly set yourself goals, write lists or lose post-its, and never seem to move forward it may be time to adapt your goals to fit around your natural work/life pattern using the SMART approach. Working with your personality and acknowledging your natural approach to life will help you achieve more.

“Are you happy to leap into the unknown and brave what may come? If not, take small steps beyond your comfort zone. Leap too far and a failure may knock your confidence too much to try again. Plan too much and you may avoid taking any steps at all” www.careers-creative-living.co.uk

Taking a SMART approach ensures your goals are tailored to your personality and work patterns making the tasks less daunting and more realistic.

Your original goal may be “to find a job”. Using the SMART guide, this large and daunting task can be divided into smaller, more manageable steps and achieved more successfully. Using the SMART guide helps turn a daunting task into a more manageable and enjoyable process that leads to professional or personal satisfaction.

To read the full article including the SMART guide click here.

Out of Africa

2010-08-18T03:21:00.000-07:00

Patrick Mavros is a self-taught sculptor and silversmith. Although harrowing, his story is beautifully simplistic; born and raised in what was then Rhodesia, now Zimbabwe, Mavros fought in the Rhodesian army. Injured and out of action Mavros found himself carving earrings for his wife Catja from Ivory. So popular was the gift that he began taking orders and so the story goes and a business was born.

Adopting for a more sustainable material- silver, and more pragmatic methods of production such as lost-wax casting, Mavros' signature designs are captured in magnificent sculptures inducing the beauty of his beloved african surroundings.

Patrick looks like any other middle aged man. His appearance is not suggestive of wealth nor hard times. To meet this man would be awe inspiring I'm sure. the family home doubles up as a wildlife sanctuary, a gallery and a workshop where the community gathers and locals can be trained and employed.

what differentiates Mavros' work in a land full of creativity and life is perhaps the brains behind it. Africa in renowned for it's colourful eclectic mix of prints and pottery but these intricate, exquisitely carved pieces offer a contemporary alternative and Patrick Mavros is all too aware of the commercial possibilities.

Prints Please!

2010-08-11T03:40:00.000-07:00

Our purses aren’t flush at the moment but does this mean our wardrobes should look just as drab? The origins of this post may be fashion inspired but the concept could be applied to many aspects of our lives....

Going back to basics where our clothes are concerned must act as some form of psychological solution to the guilt we feel when purchasing the non-essentials! Why should basic be boring? Of course a collection’s commercial viability is paramount and it makes good business sense to produce something that’s safe and saleable in the current economic climate, but in my opinion the companies opting for the 'safe' should re-visit their client base and ask themselves if 'basic' is what their customer's

I say we should be encouraging people to look on the bright side of life by introducing colour and print to their lives! Mind you, I’m not entirely sure people need encouraging, do we really

In a bid to support my passion for print I spent my pocket money on some printed hareem trousers from Topshop this week. These trousers are possibly the best I’ve bought in years. Forget the style and the fit, the print makes these trousers an effortlessly stylish addition to my wardrobe and makes me feel like I've injected a little high fashion into my life on a budget!

Very uplifting

2010-08-04T08:14:00.000-07:00

Are you in need of some midweek inspiration? I stumbled upon this great quote from Daniel Burnham an American architect born in the 19th century which might just do the trick.

World of LEGO

2010-07-28T07:27:00.000-07:00

I was a massive LEGO fan when I was a kid so I think I have definitely identified my next must-have piece of equipment for the glow office. May slow down productivity a bit though.....

Pixar- Day & Night

2010-07-28T05:21:00.000-07:00

I recently went to watch Toy Story 3 (which is a great film by the way) but I was struck by the beauty of the short film which preceded it. Pixar are well known for their short films which sometimes sit alongside their major features but this one is by far the best I've seen. Day & Night features two 2D characters (one called Day, the other Night, as the title suggests) who's feelings are played out by 3D scenes within them. It's really hard to describe but carries a great message about not being prejudice and how we are all the same even if we look different. It is also just brilliant to look at. Here is a making of video which gives you a sneak peek but I really would advise you to go to the cinema and see Toy Story 3 even if you leave after this short film, your money will have been well spent.

there is also a small description of the film on Pixar's website which you can view here

http://www.pixar.com/shorts/d&n/2.html

Brand New Experience

2010-07-18T10:32:00.000-07:00

A brand is much more than a logo, it communicates on a wider level.

Of course a logo is vital to the making of a brand and serves its purpose as a symbolic, identifying tool, but your brand is your strongest asset. It is the personality of your company, the culture and the ethos. A brand is the essence of what your company can offer and deliver. It should reflect the experience your client can expect if they choose your company. Whether you wish to increase sales, reach a wider audience, enter new markets or find new partners, correct branding will create the right impression.

A successful brand is easily ‘read’ through a carefully crafted set of perceptions and images that represent a company, product or service. Take Coca-Cola, an iconic brand, which to the consumer eye has not changed a great deal over the years. However even the big players need to reinforce their branding strategy regularly to stay at the top of their game:

The Coca-Cola brand is taken for granted, after all it hasn’t changed for decades has it? In fact the Coca-Cola brand underwent 18 months of design scrutiny (largely due to the size of the organisation) resulting in seemingly effortless changes to the iconic brand in 2009 which, according to some, may seem like nothing more than an easy tidying up exercise but which in fact was a huge project, taken on by Pio Schunker and a team of independent design consultancies, with an aim to reinforce the brand.

Click here to read this article in full.

Images: D&AD website

X-rayted! sorry, that's a terrible pun.

2010-07-15T02:59:00.000-07:00

These images are from a brilliant calendar to promote EIZO, a Japanese medical display monitor company. Amazingly these lads-mag type poses were created from individually spliced x-rays of separate body parts taking a total of 3 months to complete. The designers have done a really great job of creating some extra interest out of what could have potentially been a very dry brief. I really want a copy.

Great thinking!

2010-07-13T05:49:00.000-07:00

This campaign is quite old now but as it was run in Lebanon many of you may not have got to see it, which would be a shame. The hair has been die-cut out of the billboard so that it changes colour throughout the day. This is a fantastically creative way to illustrate that the hair dye range is made from natural ingredients. Enjoy.

The new Flake advert

2010-07-09T07:30:00.000-07:00

The new Flake advert has been causing much debate, which in terms of marketing must be a good thing. Personally I quite like it. The imagery is stunning and the music (Unfold-by Warren Ellis) is equally beautiful.

A lot of the issues people have with it do ring true though. The first time I saw it a thought it must be for a fragrance, only in the world of fragrance ads can the content bear seemingly no relation to the product until the final shot. The yellow dress with the purple ink is to subtle a link to the packaging colours for most. The imagery does also make me think of jelly fish and sea creatures (although many have compared the dress to floating tripe) at first which is not overly appetising.

There have also been comparisons to a hologram of Kate Moss at a Alexander Mcqueen show which may suggest the idea is not as original as many had thought. The video is below so you can make your own judgment.

Viewing marketing as a luxury is so yesterday!

2010-07-02T03:16:00.000-07:00

History tells us why marketing is a must for growth...

Despite a slightly more positive feel, businesses are still struggling to stay afloat in the UK’s challenging economy. If only these businesses knew that their chances of recovery and stability could be increased by a focus on marketing as opposed to cut backs.

Strategies for growth have been set aside by many of the big players past and present, in favour of survival strategies that employ the more obvious cut backs such as heavy discounts and reduced over-heads. Although to employ a strategic marketing plan for growth seems hard to justify in today’s economic environment, committing to a marketing plan and a ‘real’ budget can work wonders for your business and your brand’s longevity.

The depression of the thirties offered opportunities beyond survival and for Kellogg’s, whose profits increased by almost 30% through an increased advertising budget and the launch of a new product – Rice Krispies! Kellogg’s competitor, Post, joint market leaders at the time, employed the cut back strategy and as a result never regained and faded away.

“The Chartered Institute of Marketing (CIM) claims companies are increasingly realising it is the creative marketer, ripe with innovation, imagination and the right budget, who grasps the downturn as an opportunity”

Kate Hilpern, The Independent, 24.06.10

In her article in The Independent, Kate Hilpern discusses why the CIM claim that committing to a marketing plan pays off in a downturn. According to the CIM, there are 6 key reasons.

Click here to read about these reasons in detail and view the full article.

Social Media

2010-06-23T04:08:00.000-07:00

A short post to let everyone know that Glow is now 'as one' with Facebook, Linkedin and Twitter. We hope to keep you in the Glow loop through regular updates, including upcoming events, topical issues and interesting bits and bobs from the glow team, enjoy...

Visit our website for all the links

Very nice stop motion

2010-06-23T02:35:00.000-07:00

This Is Where We Live from 4th Estate on Vimeo.

I found this great stop motion animation which was created for the 25th anniversary of 4th Estate. now called 5th Estate, this is a place where writers can go to post opinion and debate, try out new material, and where readers can fight back on all the issues that interest them.

The animation really gets you in a literary state of mind and you have to appreciate the craftsmanship in the book-based landscapes and also in the lighting and post-production.

Do I remember the moment I fell in love with print?

2010-06-16T03:02:00.001-07:00

I have always found flicking through the pages of magazines, catalogues, brochures and books more satisfying than surfing the web. This could be put down to my background in the arts and the extensive scrapbooking, sketchbooking and collecting of paper based data that this involves. Or it could simply be that print offers fantastic tangible qualities that the internet can't such as the smell of paper, the feel of stock, and the sound of pages turning.

In short, no, I don't remember the precise moment I fell in love with print, however I certainly fell in love all over again when passed a copy of 'What's Next' magazine created by Sappi and agency, John Brown.

It is rare to find a journal that differentiates itself quite as much as this one - I was hooked before I'd seen any content and it wasn't the cover's imagery that lured me, it was the stock: Magno Satin 300gsm. Printed on 5 examples of Sappi's finest papers, the magazine is designed to discuss and explore the issues facing and shaping the print industry.

The qualities of the cover stock (which drew me in) are difficult to articulate, Sappi describes its' touch as "suave beyond conventional satin finishes" and it is hard to find an alternative description. Imagine a smooth silky surface paired with a velvety richness to the touch. The sumptous, almost rubbery satin finish invites print lovers to wonder at the exquisite reproduction of colour and detail.

After much appreciation of the tangible nature of the cover stock the journal itself does not disappoint. Sappi and John Brown obviously have a firm grasp of what works for the genre. Its opening feature 'On Paper' asks 8 global creatives "do you remember the first time you fell in love with print?" and proves an interesting read.

Fab imagery, layout and type; great articles and exquisite use of stock throughout. I can't wait for the next issue.

Zoe (Graphic Designer)

Mega to Mediocre

2010-06-11T04:22:00.000-07:00

Being a not-so-massive footy fan I am unqualified to comment on the technical aspect of the upcoming matches. However I would like to comment, very briefly, on the design hype surrounding the FIFA Worldcup 2010.

From Mega-Cool to Mediocre it's the passion that counts and the creators of these delights have passion a plenty.

Zoe

Print vs Pixels

2010-04-16T07:30:00.000-07:00

I found this really nice quote summing up the feelings of most designers on this subject from the Japanese designer Kenya Hara. This humble quote beautifully describes the tactile quality that web based design can never compare to.

‘Thanks to the rise of electronic media, paper can finally behave as it can and should; as an intrinsically charming material. If electronic media is reckoned a practical tool for information conveyance, books are information sculpture. From now on books will probably be judged according to how well they awaken this materiality, because the decision to create a book at all will be based on a definite choice of paper as the medium.’”

A great article on the struggle between print and the web and how this has started to effect designers can be read by clicking here. I hope you find it interesting

Harmony

2010-04-16T05:54:00.000-07:00

For all you frustrated creative types and potential artists out there I have found this great bit of online fun. Harmony is an addictive online drawing tool offering a few different brush styles. I particularly like the fur option. Go to Harmony to have a go yourself. You can even save your little works of art and impress your friends later.

Reality Football

2010-04-08T04:50:00.000-07:00

Being a massive football fan I love this simple collection of football portraits by Alan Powdrill for a project he has called Reality Football. Pictures were taken of Sunday League teams, Pub teams and in local parks across the country during 3 seasons with the aim of showing the real, grass roots side of the beautiful game.

The all-encompassing nature of the sport becomes very apparent as you flick through these pictures. What a varied bunch us footballers are!

To have a proper look visit http://www.realityfootball.org/

OK Go keep things creative

2010-04-08T03:50:00.000-07:00

OK Go are building something of a reputation for going the extra mile with their music videos. Who could forget their extremely creative and originally choreographed treadmill dance routine for the song Here it goes again which has been copied and referenced many times including a recent obvious parody by Berocca to advertise their vitamin supplement. Yet somehow they have managed to surpass themselves. This is a very recent video of theirs for This too shall pass which obviously took a lot of time to get right. It is taken as one long, panning shot and is a lot of fun. It also brings to mind the classic Honda advert The Cog in which various parts of the car all interact in a long chain reaction.

AR is the future

2010-03-22T08:17:00.000-07:00

The term Augmented Reality has been hovering just outside of my

consciousness for a few months now but it's reputation among the

online community is growing. No doubt it is a term some of you

will have heard of however if you haven't, Augmented reality

involves using a barcode style symbol alongside your web-cam or

iPhone to create media that interacts with the world around you.

As with most technological advances the practical uses were not

apparent at first, most early applications were aimed at the

entertainment market in the form of hardcore gamers however

some companies like Benetton (to create viral promo videos) and

especially IKEA (see the my.IKEA video below) are begining to use

AR to good effect. From the look of these two videos the future is

going to be really cool!

Beautiful object from GF Smith

2010-03-03T04:08:00.000-08:00

We recently received this great piece of print from GF Smith to

show off their Colourplan range which glow currently use for

some of our stationery. Stunning in its simplicity and finish,

we have come to expect nothing less from the paper merchants

as they have worked with many design agencies on their

promotional material over the years.

If you like what you see there is a exhibition celebrating 111

years of Graphic Design from GF Smith currently touring Art

schools around the country. The exhibition features

Promotional work from the 60's up to the present day and

features work by Saul Bass, Milton Glaser, Paul Rand, Bill

McKay and SEA Design.

recent logo trends

2010-02-22T06:21:00.000-08:00

There seems to be a growing trend for logo design which

implements varied textures and gradients creating a deeper

richer logotype. This almost breaks into a realm of CGI with the

current SKY logo looking as though it is made of glass reflecting

and changing colour at will. Whether things continue to move in

this direction or revert to more minimalist tendencies you simply

have to admire the craftsmanship involved.

Uefa EURO 2012 Branding

2010-02-11T04:44:00.000-08:00

I have to say I am quite perplexed by the new branding for the EURO 2012

tournament in Poland and Ukraine. Brandia Central have created a colourful

and fun brand inspired by 19th century wycinanki, an art of paper cutting

popular in both Poland and Ukraine. Areas of this work really well, I love

the stadiums illustrated as flowers as an idea. The only question I will raise

is, beautiful and bright as the brand is, does it suit the world of football?

The end of a great realtionship

2010-02-03T04:35:00.000-08:00

On hearing that Fallon have lost the Sony account I thought we

should take some time to appreciate those iconic adverts they

made for the BRAVIA range of televisions. This was "balls" the

first from the series as I'm sure most of you will remember.

What a beautiful use of colour. Enjoy.

Bonus mailer pictures

2010-01-29T04:36:00.000-08:00

This post has been long overdue. I had an overflow of nice

imagery taken for a recent Glow mailer and thought it would be a

shame for them to go unseen. The mailer was to encourage

businesses to communicate and I was thinking about how I could

have some fun visually and ended up getting creative with my

scalpel and some card. Take a look and see what you think.

Blog is back up and running

2010-01-27T15:50:00.000-08:00

Hurrah, the glow blog is now back up on it's feet!

Virgin still red hot for me

2009-01-15T12:19:00.000-08:00

Have you seen the new Virgin Atlantic advert? It is full of everything I have come to expect from Virgin, one of my ‘I love’ brands for many years. The advert, a £6m campaign celebrating Virgin’s 25th anniversary, takes us back to the company’s inaugural flight to New York in 1984, a time of yuppies, the Rubik’s Cube, brick-sized mobile phones and the miners’ strike. A sexy Virgin cabin crew enter to the sound of the Frankie Goes to Hollywood classic ‘Relax’ with the message ‘still red hot’. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XZghtOR-Drc

Richard Branson describes the Virgin brand as one of the premier ‘way of life’ brands in the world. He says: “Whether you’re in the United States, Australia and New Zealand, Japan, South Africa, India, Europe, Russia, South America or China, the Virgin brand means something. The Virgin brand is about enjoying life to the full. By offering customers excellent value for money in so many areas of their lives, we aim to make them happier.” http://entrepreneur.virgin.com/

It’s an ethos we share at glow.

Lisa Lavis, Managing Director, glow

glow designers feature in Computer Arts magazine

2008-10-05T11:21:00.000-07:00

If you read specialist design magazine, Computer Arts, as avidly as we do here at glow, then you will know that two of our design team were featured in issue 154.

glow’s graphic designer, Pete Davies (lynx) and recently graduated textile designer, Zoe Barker (snow leopard), were approached by Nick Spence of Computer Arts Magazine to contribute to an article about pattern design using designs from Zoe’s newly launched textile business, www.boetique.co.uk .

Zoe and Pete said, “We were more than happy to give some insight into pattern design when approached by feature writer Nick Spence.Textile Design articles are few and far between, however, Computer Arts has always been a firm favourite with us. We hope that our input in this article will help raise the profile of textile design and print.”

Computer Arts is a firm favourite with glow too and we look forward to seeing ‘Boetique’ develop and thrive.

We would love to find out how much people do know about digital textile design and print and welcome your comments and questions here.

You are what you write.

2008-08-20T07:08:00.000-07:00

Writing can say a lot about who you are as an individual or indeed as a business. The choice of words you use, the amount you say and the tone you say it in all contribute to the image you portray.

What are you talking about?

With speech, you have a number of paralinguistic features at your disposal to help convey your message, like intonation, stress and body language. However, when it comes to writing, how you represent your personality differs immensely,

You are no longer face-to-face with your listener and the dimensions of your expressive self have been reduced to a flat screen or paper. But that doesn’t mean the personal or professional touch has to be lost.

Say it write

Touch is not just physical and so words can make the (metaphorical) contact required to build successful relationships. Words can introduce, remind, promote, excite, inspire and still have more to give. With the careful selection and presentation of language, writing can be as effective at transmitting key facts as a news bulletin and as emotive as a novel, simultaneously. The permanence of the written word also means that the message being conveyed can be reviewed infinitely- the significance of which cannot be underestimated. If you want to say something, say it right.

Becky Allen - cheetah!

A greener approach to marketing

2008-08-06T05:48:00.000-07:00

As the development of green initiatives gathers momentum, businesses can easily fall prey to ‘green washing’. Marketing faces a particular challenge to ensure that claims of sustainability and recycling do not mislead and that all claims made are legitimate.

A recent report published by the Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) entitled, ‘Environmental Claims in Advertising: Is Green a Grey Area?’* recognises the importance of avoiding ‘greenwash’ and the use of truthful green marketing messages to maintain consumer trust.

glow is keen to reduce its own carbon footprint by adopting a realistic and effective approach to green marketing. In our view, green need not be a grey area. We realise that, as a company, we cannot go totally green overnight but we do believe, by taking small steps now, we will make a real long term difference.

One of our first steps to becoming a greener company has been to introduce a new division called “The Green Corner”. www.inthegreencorner.com championed by Debbie Barker, Creative Director.

With a projected launch date of September 08, The Green Corner will provide a cornerstone of tangible products and services that adhere to green principles and values. Our clients will have access to The Green Corner and will be free to opt for any or all of its wares. These will range from waterless printing techniques, using vegetable based inks and recycled papers, through
e alerts and e newsletters to paperless billing and online sales.

Part of our own green initiative is to provide freedom of choice. We will be offering green solutions where we think they will be best suited but the client will always have the right to choose.

The Green Corner’s aim is to become a preferred supplier to companies who already share a green vision and values and to exceed their expectations wherever it can.

Footnote: Here at glow we are steadily implementing greener ways of working from switching off light bulbs (energy saving ones of course) and recycling our waste paper to sourcing environmentally friendly products and materials for ourselves and our clients.

* http://www.asa.org.uk/asa/news/news/2008/ASA+Environment+Seminar+Report.htm

On the prowl.......for Work Experience

2008-08-06T05:41:00.000-07:00

For graduates-to-be, it can be a hard life obtaining experience in the domain of either your degree or your desired employment area. However, it’s all about perseverance, as I found out when I landed a part-time office role at glow…

First target: Know your appetite and your skills.
I knew I wanted experience in marketing and I knew the most suitable experience I had stemmed from my two years at university studying English Language and Linguistics.

Second target: Locate your prey.
Like a traditional boy scout, I knew I had to be prepared. Armed with a local phone directory, Google as my homepage, and my Blue Peter-esque pen and paper, I was ready for some research. Here’s what I did earlier: scanned through media, advertising and marketing agencies in the local area, checked out their websites and made a note of their contact details. I needed to know who companies were and what they did- I soon realized which companies it was worth contacting.

Third Target: Approach with caution and pounce at the right time.
I found it an advantage composing personal covering letters to accompany what I hoped was my fail-safe CV to each agency, after finding out to whose attention they should be sent. All I could do now was wait. And wait. And wait. At this point, I realized that agencies may or may not get back to people seeking work experience. If they didn’t call me, I called them and my tenacious approach was noticed.

Good things come to those who wait

Although my first attempts at securing work in a marketing agency didn’t pay off, my further attempts did. After meeting with Golden Cat and Lioness at glow marketing, I obtained a part-time office role for the rest of the summer.

My First Week at glow

Although I was fully geared up for being the tea girl, I soon realized that the glow office is all about being part of a team in which directors, part-timers and work experiencers make the drinks as much as the next person. I was also assured when it became apparent that I was wanted in the office for what I could contribute with my own experience, knowledge and abilities. I have therefore had the opportunities to research; compose initial emails for a project and write blogs- valuable practices for someone without previous experience, who is enjoying the process of actively observing the running of a successful marketing agency.

Becky Allen – Cheetah!

glow cars

2008-08-04T07:49:00.000-07:00

Have you spotted one of the glow cars out and about?

The marketing toolbox

2008-08-04T07:45:00.000-07:00

marketing%20tool%20box.pdf

We use this visual as a guide to where various marketing activities relate to a marketing strategy/plan. We know our clients find it a useful aid, we hope you do also.

Live and breathe your brand

2008-06-12T04:24:00.000-07:00

Brand values
The most successful brands have all embraced the fact that a brand is more than just a logo and a colour palette. A brand should be at the heart of a business, the true ethos of the company; to reach optimum brand strength (to be number one within your sector) this must be understood, communicated and displayed by all, directors and team alike.

Branding in any business is vital to a slick and cost effective sales and marketing process, and as corporate as this may seem, all team members must regard sales as a process from which they are employed and paid.

By understanding where you as a company sit in relation to brand awareness we can prepare the best possible plan of action to ensure you achieve and exceed you targets. I have listed the basics of branding below, it would be beneficial, in fact I would go so far as to say a necessity, to cascade this information to all staff, to motivate them to understand and share the vision of directors, thus becoming part of the sales process

Branding and corporate Identity.

Actual identity
This is the reality of where your company currently is, it includes the current service offering, the values and behaviour of staff and the overall performance of you as an organisation. Actual id can be influenced by management, structure and policies. By defining an accurate actual identity you provide an honest and strong foundation from which to build.

Communicated identity
This is the identity you as an organisation reveal through controllable communications and marketing activities. Typically, marketing tools such as advertising, pr, logo’s, letterheads, use of colour and design are used to present an image. In addition to controllable communications, a communicated id can also be derived from non controllable communications such as word of mouth. All communications such as brochures, media presentations, fact sheets etc. conform to a standard (corporate guidelines).

Conceived identity
This refers to the perceptions of your organisation by relevant stakeholders such as prospective clients, clients themselves, employees and the local community. Conceived identity should reflect the corporate image and reputation of your company, we recommend a sustained approach to continually improve the image of a company via strong pr, community links and the building of key relationships in particular.

Ideal Identity
Ideal identity is the optimum (best) positioning that you could achieve within your market sector.

Desired identity
This lives in the hearts and minds of directors. It is their vision for the development of the organisation. Vision should be based on analysis and research to ensure it is achievable and a goal as opposed to a dream. The vision of directors needs to be communicated at all levels, and all staff must be able to relate the vision to their role within your organisation personally. The old adage “You are only as strong as your weakest link” reinforces this practice. If all team members understand the vision of directors, they share the vision and know they are able and vital to the success of that vision.

False Economy

2008-05-21T08:12:00.000-07:00

A huge game of Chinese Whispers is gaining momentum in the UK. Businesses are talking themselves into recession and it's stifling their growth.

At a time when we should all be concentrating on what we do well and letting our prospects and clients know about it, many are cutting budgets and staff and in doing so are cutting their chances of business growth!

Slash and burn
Managing directors may be thinking of slashing marketing budgets. This will ensure that their competitors obtain the lion's share of the market. We recommend being more savvy with your spend. Carry out greater customer analysis, competitor research. Ensure you campaigns are well planned, targeted and focused. All these actions will ensure a greater return on your investment. Don't just throw pebbles in the pond.

Question your business
Look at your prospect to customer conversion rates, why don't more prospects convert? What can you do to encourage greater conversion? Question your business, your service and your marketing. Don't just stop doing what you do. We all know that during these times of recession, or in games of Chinese Whispers, it's survival of the fittest. By looking at how you spend your money, where you spend your money and who you spend your money with, you will ensure that your company is the one enjoying the lion's share!

Play up Pompey!

2008-05-21T08:02:00.000-07:00

The glow team would like to congratulate Portsmouth Football Club on bringing the FA Cup back to Portsmouth for the first time in 69 years! The atmosphere in the city over the weekend was fantastic with everyone being polite and friendly to strangers. Let's hope the win really lifts the city and encourages a positive supporting attitude in everything.

From cleaners to WAGs
We would like to congratulate not only the players but the team behind the scenes from the cleaners to the WAGs! We recognise the importance of a strong, supportive team across the board.

To be successful in sport you must have dedication, passion and a genuine love of what you do. The same applies to business. At glow, we genuinely look forward to work in the mornings. We have a happy, close-knit team and this transfers to our clients.