NON-FORMAT
Non-format
is a London-based design studio. They released a book, ‘Love Song’, which
presents their work. This includes album covers through to publications. I
think this is a pretty effective way of promoting your work because people can
learn from and admire the design that the studio has created. They’ve promoted
the book through a link on their website so unless you’re aware of Non-Format
it maybe something that’s difficult to find.
ACCEPT
& PROCEED
Aswell
as being on Tumblr, Accept & Proceed have created a showreel which can be
seen on their website. In terms of using media as a means of promotion I think
this works really effectively. It’s very visual and grabs the attention of
whoever’s viewing it. Again, you are only able to view it once arriving at the
website however I think it works well as you are able to effectively show off
your designing abilities as a studio.
ARTWORKLOVE
Artworklove
is a studio based in Paris with both English and French Art Directors and
Designers. The studio set up an event and sent out initiations. The prints are
striking through simplicity and represent the ‘luxury’ that they set out to
produce in their design work so in this sense I think it’s an effective idea.
The only down side would be it’s very limited as to who gets invited and so promotion-wise
it’s not that effective. However, it’s a good way of showing off your design
style.
BUILD
Like
Non-Format, Build has created a publication, printed on varied textures,
displaying some of their work. Again, I think it’s a really nice way of showing
designs from a studio as it people something to hold and look it. Build also
created a downloadable screensaver available to anyone. I think this is a nice
and simple way of promotion as it can flash up on peoples screens.
HEYDAYS
Heydays
is an Oslo-based design studio that creates visual solutions within identity,
packaging, web/interactive, print and editorial. Their personal identity range
is sophisticated and effective and some of their stationary includes business
cards, bags & USBs.
Heydays
also has a strong online presence using websites such as Twitter and Facebook
where people can ‘tweet’ about or simply ‘like’ their work. They’re also
involved with something called Pinterest, which allows you to grab an image of
your browser and add in to your board of interests. Keeping up to date with
stuff like this really helps with promotion of a business as you’re using
people as a way of promoting your work.
GENERATION PRESS
Generation press produced a book showing off their quality printing. It contains different printing techniques and finishes on different stock. As a piece of self-promotion it worked really effectively due to the fact that they're proffessional printers and so the book itself came out really proffessional and high quality. They also promote through twitter, with competitions to win posters, such as these designed by Build. Again, really effective as it spreads the word.
IT'S NICE THAT / SEPTEMBER INDUSTRY
Both It's Nice That and September Industry (and many more..!) have started using Facebook as a means of self-promotion. It terms of getting the name of your business out there Facebook is really effective. If a page is liked, all of their friends are able to view and click on the link. Their page will be updated daily with news or images about their designs and so actually social networking works really well. I personally don't know how I feel about using Facebook as a means of self-promotion due to privacy etc however it seems to work effectively for studios.
PENTAGRAM
Pentagram used Vimeo to distribute a showreel about 40 years of pentagram. It's put together really nicely and definitely engages the attentions of whoever is viewing it. Vimeo is one of those sites that are really aid your visual identity as a designer because if done well, it can be viewed and distributed by many people on the site. In my opinion motion graphics is a crucial skill to have these days in order to give you that creative edge above others.
BEHANCE
Behance is another netowkring site that allows design studios, freelance designers or even someone who just wants to upload something they've created, to distribute and present designs. Behance is also linked to twitter in order to widen their audience. I think behance is really effective because not only does it let you get your work out there but you can receive feedback on your work. This is good in the sense that it will help you learn and develop as a designer.
