That was our week, that was #16

First things first. There’s been another birthday here at Ingenious this week, namely Louise who celebrated her big day by promptly booking the day off. No cakes, no treats, nothing. Cheers then…In fairness moving house probably had something to do with it, but even so, poor show really ;-) Still, Lou’s birthday was as good as excuse as any for a bit of design based retail therapy. Cue a nice box of pantone related items appearing…

Mugs, pads and pencils. All stuff we like...

Speaking of age, (well we kind of were) last night our glorious leader went off to Manchester Photographic to relive his youth, and listen to a talk by Kevin Cummins and Peter Hook, and see Kevin’s exhibition of Joy Division photographs. Once again, retail was involved, with a wonderful book making an appearance in the studio this morning, signed no less. He also got his “we’re not really here” signed, as of course Paul and Mr Cummins share a love of Man City.

Great band, great club, great photographer. Manchester, so much to answer for...

Back on the work front, we’ve had a few great meetings recently, all leading to new work for Ingenious. We’re going to be working on branding projects for a Community Arts organisation and also a Commercial Property developer, and also some wonderful new pieces of design, both digital and print, for Cheadle Hulme School. Since being appointed by CHS in mid 2011, we’ve spent the first six months of our relationship refining and implementing our brand refresh and rolling out some wonderful pieces of work, some of which you can see below. The focus for the next six months is to move things forward, both strategically and creatively. We’re fortunate indeed that we’ve a client that trusts us and allows us to be custodians of such a renowned brand, and it’s a challenge we continue to relish.

A selection of CHS print work

As ever, we’ve got a diverse spread of ongoing work, but two projects in particular stand out. Both museum installations, but of very different types and for clients old and new – Imperial War Museum North and Manchester Jewish Museum.

The IWM project is all about creating a brand and environment in which a specially commissioned piece of film will be displayed. The MJM piece aims to engage with children and teach them all about different items of Jewish religious clothing. As we type, the MJM install will have begun, so we’ll be able to show some shots of that next time, whereas the IWM project is in the very early stages, and will see us work on it throughout 2012 at both IWM North and IWM London. So lots to get on with!

Closer to home, but just as close to our hearts, we’ve been working hard with the good people from Macclesfield Barnaby Festival, and following a meeting last week have all but signed off on the look and feel of the 2012 event. Again, we’ll be putting visuals of this work up as soon as we’re able. The initial roll-out will be around the end of March, so you’ll be able to see a sneak preview here soon!

Posted on February 24, 2012 by Ingenious
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That was our week, that was #15

It’s been a hectic couple of weeks since our last TWOWTW, so plenty to squeeze in here. So, where to begin? Let’s start with people getting old…

The glorious leader had birthday earlier in the month, and is now teetering on the brink of middle age. It’s kind of appropriate (and funny) that his rediscovered passion for mountain biking neatly mirrors his age, as they both involve rapid descents from here on in. Well, not so rapid, in the case of the biking…all joking aside, happy birthday boss, and thanks to the rest of the Hartley’s for the MCFC inspired cakes.

The Fire Brigade advised against a candle for every year...

Moving on to more important matters, the studio has been really busy recently, working on some major publications for our two School clients (Cheadle Hulme and Manchester Business) plus a lovely brochure for the equally lovely Eclectic Hotels. A marathon signing off session last week saw those all safely off to print, so we’re looking forward to seeing them completed and delivered shortly. We’ve also made some really strong progress on our work with Macclesfield’s Barnaby Festival, working up two creative routes – one evolutionary, one more revolutionary, so it’ll be interesting to see how far we can take things. Either way, we can’t wait to get the final work out in the Town over the coming weeks. Let us know what you think!

Sneak preview 1: Eclectic Hotels brochure

Sneak preview 2: Cheadle Hulme School magazine, "Vision"

A sea of proofs. Kevin Cummins' book isn't a job, it's just lovely to look at...

We’ve just finished off (at long last – sorry Mike!) a nice little website for prestige builder and all round good bloke, Mike Fairhurst. We did Mike’s corporate identity last year, so the website was the next stage. Whilst we’re always thrilled to work on large projects for big clients, we also love creating work for smaller businesses and actually help them grow. Here’s a quick screengrab (and link) to JM Fairhurst.

Finally it's live! www.JMFairhurst.com

Forthcoming work is equally exciting, with a number of museum and exhibition projects on the horizon for clients both old and new. As those of you who know us and our work will understand, we really enjoy working in “the built environment”, particularly when there’s an immovable deadline – usually a preview evening or press launch – that means project management is as crucial as creative execution. It’s early days for these projects so we can’t say much at the moment, but as ever, the combination of great subject matter and a good clients who understand the creative process means it’s up to us to deliver. No pressure then!

We’re also proving very popular with our suppliers at the moment – we’ve had a number of referrals from various sources, which is very welcome and gives us encouragement that we’re doing our job properly if people are prepared to recommend us. Furthermore, we’re already seeing significant growth with existing clients, so we’re thrilled with how 2012 is shaping up, but mindful that it’s only February!

A recent trip to London saw us pop into the Museum of Brands in Notting Hill. It’s a real treasure trove of memories, and what the place perhaps lacks in interactivity or a cutting edge museum ‘experience’, it makes up for in sheer depth of content. Particularly interesting (apart from the many “I remember that!” moments) were the displays that charted the evolution of a brand through the ages. Well worth a visit if you’ve an hour to kill between meetings, as we had. Paul also found time to take a photo of a Scooby Doo wrapped Porsche on the Portobello Road, but that’s probably just the mid life crisis kicking in…

Childhood memories (if you're as old as Paul...)

Johnson's Baby Powder

Fizzzzzzzzz...

Thank You Very Very Very Very Much....

"Yikes" indeed...

Posted on February 4, 2012 by Ingenious
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That was our week, that was # 14

What a busy start to 2012! It’s been pretty full on since we returned to the office, so here we are with another blog post telling you what we’ve been up to, both in and out of the studio.

Happily for all, Paul has been out more than he’s been in (!) meeting with clients old and new. By the time you read this he’ll be wandering round (sorry, working at) the Autosport Show at the NEC with our good friend James Pickford. Nice work if you can get it…

Away from fast machines, and onto slightly slower ones. Regular readers of our blog will recall certain members of the Ingenious team were planning to return to mountain biking. Well, surprisingly, this has actually happened, with the good Mr H leading the “charge”.

The Middlewood Way has been selected as a ‘training route’ and you can often find Macclesfield’s leading creative team (plus Paul) charging up and down it. Below is photographic evidence to support the claim, and furthermore we can confirm the new bike is slightly less clean now than it appears here, so it’s been used more than once. Aches and pains have been fairly minimal, so much so that a foolhardy plan to take part in a cycle ride from Manchester to Liverpool has been hatched. More news nearer the time, but if anyone wants to join in and / or sponsor the attempt (the event raises money for the NSPCC) then let us know. Click here for more info.

Shiny thing 1: The trusty steed. Rider not pictured (probably collapsed behind the camera)

Returning to our work, we’re pleased to report that our key clients are keeping us busy, and before long, we’ll be able to reveal new work for Manchester Business School, Cheadle Hulme School and Leacy Classics, to name but three. The latter involves some really nice packaging for their ‘premium’ range of classic car accessories, and follows on from the new advertising we implemented towards the end of last year.

Shiny thing 2: Currently waiting for a nice box to live in...

We’re also working on a piece of self promotion, which as you might imagine, is always a tricky brief. Plus, it’s always the first thing to get parked when we get busy! Cobbler’s shoes syndrome, apparently. Nevertheless, we’re scheduled to get it ready by the end of Feb, so if you’d like a copy (it’s a good old fashioned piece of print, this time!) just drop us a line.

Lastly for now, we’ve been working with Macclesfield’s Barnaby Festival recently, and before the end of the month we’ll be presenting our concepts for the 2012 event to them. This project has almost exclusively been handled by our very own Louise Murphy who has been a long time “Barnabist” (is that even a word?) even before her time with Ingenious. That passion and enthusiasm shows in the lovely ideas she’s come up with. We’re all looking forward to seeing what the client thinks. Well done Lou!

 

Posted on January 14, 2012 by Ingenious
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That was our week, that was #13

This week has seen us complete most of the projects with pre-holiday deadlines, host clients, suppliers and friends at our annual party, start some studio reshuffles and plan some new year resolutions…

Oh, and it’s SNOWING in Macclesfield. Sledges at the ready!

It’d be far too straightforward if we were able to wind down well in advance of Christmas, wouldn’t it? In true Ingenious style we’re still flat out in the studio with a number of weighty projects that have early January deadlines. Great stuff to work on, so it’s no hardship really, plus of course we consider ourselves very fortunate that we’re in such a strong position in otherwise challenging times.

Go on, you know you want to...

This week we finally completed our annual Manchester Business School festive game, “Let there be light”. In just four days it’s attracted over 2,000 hits from outside the initial distribution list, so the client is very pleased with how it’s gone. Can you help Santa by harnessing the power of the magic Christmas Tree and lighting up Manchester? Well, can you??!  Why not try it and find out? Click here to play…

Wednesday saw us enjoy an evening with clients at the lovely Didsbury House Hotel, which as some of you may know, belongs to one of our clients, Eclectic Hotels. As usual, they looked after us wonderfully well, and despite some people not being able to join us, a great evening was had by all.

The Lovely Didsbury House

Hic!

The equally lovely Snow Goose Cafe

However, those who missed it have another opportunity for festive cheer on Thursday 22nd when we venture out to the equally lovely Snow Goose Café Bar in Macclesfield. Nearby? Come and say hi…

It'll look a lot tidier soon!

We’re taking the opportunity to rearrange our studio over the holidays. Oh, we know how to live…Well, a change is as good as a rest, as they say. Plus, we need to create a bit more space to allow for expansion early in the New Year. More details soon…

There’s been much talk this week about new year’s resolutions, and even more talk amongst certain people about ‘getting back in the saddle’. Literally. Grown men (who really should know better) have been getting overly excited about bikes and the riding thereof. It seems to be more of a gadget fest than anything, with hydraulic brakes, lock out forks and the like being scrutinised, so it remains to be seen if this ‘top trumps’ bike fest translates into pedalling activity. Our glorious leader has a ‘fitting’ for a bike (yes, really) next Friday, so expect to hear more about this in the New Year. Anyone wishing to donate bandages, plasters and soft cushions to help patch up and comfort our intrepid bikers, please get in touch…

The Ingenious boys in training...

Posted on December 16, 2011 by Ingenious
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That was our week, that was #12

It’s the end of another week (well, two actually seeing as we didn’t manage a blog last week) and as ever, there’s been plenty going on in the world of Ingenious Creative. Where to start? Well, how about some work then…

Astonishingly, it’s nearly Christmas and we’ve been hard at work on a number of festive projects. In a bizarre and badly conceived play on words, it’s been ‘the analogue and the digital’ rather than ‘the holly and the ivy’ here, with briefs such as the ‘traditional’ Christmas Concert programme for Cheadle Hulme School and, at the third time of asking, a festive game “Let there be light!” for Manchester Business School. You can see both below, but by next week we’ll be able to send you a link to the latter so you can play the MBS game for yourselves.

Online and offline festivities...

Stepping away from the festive season slightly, we’ve been working on some new stuff for Classic car parts business Leacy Classics. There’s a really interesting story developing with this recently relaunched business. Authenticity is key for many classic car enthusiasts, so the fact that Leacy are effectively preserving as much as they can of the British automotive industry by sourcing original tooling and pressings from the ‘old’ car manufacturers, is helping them stand apart from their competitors.

From our glorious leader’s point of view, anything to do with cars is a good thing, but even he was stumped when a box of what we shall call ‘bits’ or ‘stuff’ appeared in the office. Just how do you make a wiper motor look interesting? Well, the short answer is you can’t, but when you get a Paul Smith designed ‘Great Britain’ badge in the same box, that’s pretty cool. They’re very big in Mini circles, apparently…

Badge by Paul Smith. Spitfire door tether by, errr, Leacy Classics.

"stuff" and "bits" waiting to be photographed...

It was on the way to Leacy last week that Paul nearly met his maker. He was involved in a very close near miss on the M6, which resulted in a crash involving six cars. Paul was in the middle of it all, and believes he used his ‘other worldly car control’ and ‘huge natural talent’ to thread through the carnage and stop on the hard shoulder. We’re not convinced (if you’ve been in a car with him, you’ll know what we mean!) but needless to say we were pleased that he (and everyone else involved) was unhurt. Not least because we all went to our favourite bar, the Snow Goose, to celebrate ‘not being dead’, as he quaintly put it.

Paul, pictured relaxing in the office, yesterday...

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Back on the work front, our first few projects for the lovely Barnaby Festival have started to filter through. At this stage we’re picking up on the final elements of the 2011 festival, such as the review document pictured below, before rolling out our new 2012 work, but it’s great stuff to be involved in, and we’re thrilled to be working with such a prominent part of Macclesfield’s cultural year. It’s a great fit for us, as well as being an ideal way to help us raise our profile regionally, and so it’s a project we’re keen to put as much into as possible. Our very own Louise has taken this very much to her heart, and is doing some sterling work on it. Keep it up, Lou!!

2011 Barnaby Festival Evaluation Report

Posted on December 2, 2011 by Ingenious
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That was our week, that was #11

For the purposes of this blog (because shamefully we didn’t manage to put a blog out last week) the week began last Friday. Confused? Stick with it…

We headed off to People’s History Museum in Spinningfields, Manchester, for the opening of ‘Picturing Politics’, their latest changing exhibition. It’s the third one we’ve worked on for PHM, and follows ‘Death and the Working Class’ and ‘On the March’. Here’s the exhibition identity and also our lovely little postcards in the museum shop.

Exhibition Identity as soon on the preview evening invitation

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Get your postcards here...

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

From an advertising perspective, perhaps the most iconic piece of work on display was this Saatchi & Saatchi poster designed for the Conservative party for the 1979 general election.

Good ideas never date...

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Moving on, we’ve been busy this week on work for Manchester Business School’s Executive Education team. It’s been almost a year since we started working with ‘Exec Ed’ and we’re delighted to report that, following a successful review meeting, we’re to continue doing more of the same in 2012. Phew! Always nice to have a happy client, and we’re just as pleased with how things are going as they are. Here’s a quick shot of a double gatefold brochure we’re putting together, with more stuff in the pipeline, not least the annual Christmas interactive game, which will be coming to a screen near you soon…

 

Another client we’re really pleased with is Cheadle Hulme School. We’re very fortunate that we’ve a client that trusts us with their brand, and are happy to sit back and let us deliver the strategy that won us the pitch earlier in the year. It’s really starting to come together now, and over the next few months we’ll be rolling out some more new work that represents a significant leap forwards creatively from where they were. But we can’t show it you yet. Sorry…

The ever lovely environment that is Cheadle Hulme School

We’re also really enjoying working on the Barnaby festival brand. Regular readers of our blog will recall we were appointed a couple of weeks ago, and work has already begun! At present we’re delivering the last of the 2011 festival documents, but are also looking towards 2012 and an evolved look and feel. There are a number of potential creative directions we’re developing before presenting to the Barnaby Committee next month, so yet again, would love to show you, but can’t. Oooh, aren’t we secretive!!!?

Barnaby the Bear, not the Festival. Apologies in advance to the under 25's...

We got out and about in Macc this week, when we headed over to The Snow Goose for the second Digital Edge meeting. This is a great initiative, set up by local developer Chris Garrett, for like minded digital / design types (plus the odd photographer and account manager for balance!) to meet up for a drink and a chat. Top idea, and one we’re happy to support. Visit here for more info…

So, lots going on, but not much to show. ‘Twas ever thus! The next couple of weeks will see some fairly major pieces of work completed, so we’ll return to a more visually stimulating blog. Promise. In the meantime, we’re delighted to see Christmas officially begin in Macclesfield. We know this is true, because…

1. The tree’s gone up! (see below)
2. Costa have those red cups out again
3. We saw a busker in a Santa hat.

It's Chrrrrrrriiiiiiisssssttttttmmmmmaaaaaasssss!!!!!!! Apparently.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The weekend sees (some of) us working, so whatever you do, enjoy yours. We will!

Posted on November 18, 2011 by Ingenious
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That was our week, that was… #10

Well, what a week it’s been. We’ve survived halloween, been confronted with Christmas briefs (work type ones, not underwear) and had a somewhat ‘challenging’ week with a number of different projects and clients. Still, it’s all good experience. Apparently…

As you may have noticed, the week began with Halloween. Committed Daddy that he is, our glorious leader pressed his creative skills into service in a slightly different direction. Making pumpkins. The world-class results can be seen below…

Creative departure #1

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Moving on, yet another Daddy related story from Paul. We marvelled as he told of his cake icing exploits. Yup, Man City supporting, fast car loving Mancunian, turning his hand to icing a ‘Hello Kitty’ cake for his daughter’s sixth birthday. Ahhhhhh… Just goes to show, creative skills and an eye for detail really can transfer from one discipline to another.

Creative departure #2

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Away from the oven, as mentioned above we’re starting to work on a number of different festive projects, most notably for Manchester Business School. For the last two years we’ve designed and produced an interactive game, and the same will be true this year. The 2010 production – ‘carrots for questions’ – was particularly well received, so no pressure then…bah humbug!

Appropriately in a week that contained Halloween, someone had a shock this week when they went into Jordangate House’s cellar, to be confronted with a selection of body parts. No, it’s nothing to worry about, and no, the police weren’t called, as it was simply due to our new neighbour and photographer Damien storing some mannequins down there. But hey, picture the scene. Early morning, no-one else in the (apparently haunted) building, “just down to the cellar to reboot the server, aaarrrrgggghhhh!!!!” For the sake of decency, expletives have been deleted…

Body parts. Terrified person not pictured...

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

We’re in the process of creating a new mailer, which will be out before the end of the year. As part of that we had a bit of a tidy up and put some of our most recent work together to be photographed. Work such as this press advertising for classic car parts brand Leacy, which we think looks pretty effective in print.

Flagging up decent work...

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Lastly, those of you that follow us on Twitter may have seen this already, but Paul’s meeting with MBS this week took him past the old Factory Records offices on Charles Street, Manchester. Saddo (sorry, committed Manc and typography fan) that he is, he couldn’t resist taking a quick picture, and tweeting to remind everyone that the font was the same as one of the corporate fonts we use for Cheadle Hulme School. Your hash tag said it all, fella…

It's a derivative of 'Rotis' you know...

Posted on November 4, 2011 by Ingenious
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That was our week, that was… #9

This week sees the second anniversary of our relocation to Macclesfield from City Centre Manchester. It’s been a great move for us in all sorts of ways, and we’re genuinely thrilled to mark the occasion by announcing our partnership with Macclesfield’s Barnaby Festival, as we’ll be working on the promotion of the 2012 event. Why Barnaby? Well, it’s named after St. Barnabus. And why does St. Barnabus (the patron saint of Cyprus, dontchaknow) have such a prominent place in the history of a small Cheshire town? Find out here…

The 2011 Barnaby Festival

The week began with our glorious leader introducing his kids to the Blackpool experience. The poor things… Amidst the usual ‘delights’ on offer, he discovered some really nice type, executed in the style of music hall posters, applied to the floor opposite the tower. Who would have thought? Typographic excellence in amongst the hotdogs and donkeys…

Top type from the top of the Tower

 

 

 

 

 

 

Back in the studio, we’ve been working away on a number of new projects, but also taking advantage of a slightly quieter week (by our recent standards!) and helping our mate Damien Maguire move into the Jordangate House busom. Well, that’s not strictly true, he brought his own busom with him. No, honestly, he did. Perspex breasts to photograph sports bras. He reckons… ;-)

Damien's studio. Plastic cleavage not pictured...

 

 

Thursday saw the first ever Digital Edge meetup at the ever lovely Snow Goose Cafe on Sunderland Street. Louise was our disciple for the evening, and was pleased to meet up with some top people. Great to see such as vibrant creative community in Macc. Long may it continue!

And continuing the town and community feeling, this weekend sees another Treacle Market, where the cobbles of the historic old market place and Chestergate in the town centre hosts a quality Arts, Antiques and Crafts, and Food and Drink market. Why treacle? Another history lesson…Macclesfield is sometimes known as Treacle Town, because many many years ago a horse drawn wagon overturned, spilling its cargo of Treacle onto the cobbles. The Treacle Market is a chance to find gorgeous things on Macclesfield’s streets once again. Just less sticky…

Sweeeeeeet!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

And finally, we’d just like to give a little shout out to a very funny spoof motoring / motor racing website, that’s been a favorite of ‘our leader’ for some years now. Lots of ‘re-imagined’ ads and so on, plus some very funny stories (even if you don’t like cars)

Give www.sniffpetrol.com a go…

One of the 'worksafe' examples...

 

Posted on October 28, 2011 by Ingenious
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That was our week, that was… #8

And what a week it was. Client visits, new projects, the arrival of a new neighbour, the departure of a hamster and a trigger happy designer. Where do we start???

Tinkerbell Hartley. The scamp...

Monday…
The week began with a missing hamster in the Hartley household. Tinkerbell, (apparently it’s not Paul’s hamster, but we have our doubts…) was last seen in her pink, duplex hamster home on Sunday evening, but was conspicuous by her absence on Monday morning. Cue much panic, pandemonium and exchanges of views immediately before the school run! However, the story has a happy ending. The intrepid Mr Hartley hurled himself into the fray and conducted an exhaustive search of the lounge, eventually tracking the errant beast down hiding in a home cinema speaker. ‘Tinks’ was returned to her rightful accommodation and has remained there ever since. Phew! So it’s not just clients that keep our glorious leader on his toes…

Tuesday
A routine visit to Cheadle Hulme School to discuss implementing new signage across the site turned into an ‘early bath’ for Paul, when monsoon weather conditions promptly arrived, drenching our glorious leader. Oh, how we laughed. Not his week, was it?
Precipitation issues aside, we made progress on our latest project for People’s History Museum, plus a couple of other projects that you’ll be able to read about here in a couple of weeks. Hopefully…

Yeah. Err, No... Err, yeah, I think so. Errr, oh NO!!!!!!

Wednesday
Not a great start to the day. A designer who shall remain nameless was a bit keen / clumsy / downright daft (delete as applicable) and managed to delete some work off our server. D’oh! Just goes to show, all the processes in the world, and it still happens. Anyway, a nervous call to ‘the glorious leader’ ensued, who was remarkably relaxed and philosophical about the entire episode. It says here…

The day got better, however, and also saw our good mate and photographer Damien Maguire move some of his stuff into a spare office. He’s a busy boy at the moment, and we’re happy to be able to offer him some space as he sorts the Cheshire division of his empire out. Remember us when you’re famous, eh mate?!

Thursday
A relatively quiet and simple day at Jordangate House. Projects ticking along nicely, plus we’re always happy to see clients and friends pay us a visit, like our celebrity builder (well, he builds things for celebrities – it’s almost the same) Mike Fairhurst, plus the ever present @JamesPickford1, who has regular ‘can you just…’ type meetings with us. 2012 is looking positive for James, and as ever we’re pleased to be able to help.

Friday
And on the fifth day, it was pretty quiet. Just in time for weekend. Hope you enjoy yours!

 

Posted on October 20, 2011 by Ingenious
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Account Manager wanted!

We’re looking for an Account Manager to join the team. Ideally you’ll have three-four years experience of agency life, will be organised, proactive and have the ability to develop strong and enduring client relationships. If you’ve got some experience or knowledge of the education sector that’d be an advantage, but not crucial.

You'd be working here...

In return you’ll be joining a small yet perfectly formed design-led agency with a varied and interesting client base. You’ll get involved in a broad range of clients and projects, working alongside our Director, and in the fullness of time you will be encouraged to take ownership of these clients as the business develops further.

Interested? Know someone that might be? Get in touch either via the website or Twitter and we’ll take things from there…

Posted on October 17, 2011 by Ingenious
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