In 2006 we compiled & published Free?Fonts: Freeware & Shareware Font Directory as “…an introduction to the hundreds of legitimate freeware & shareware fonts available for download, showcasing many of the fonts in context whilst highlighting the importance of Designers’ rights by publishing information on individual licensing agreements alongside each font listing.”

In 2007 we compiled a second publication: 99 Silhouettes. From signage on toilet doors to Japanese shadow puppet theatre, the silhouette can boast both a wonderful and rich history - and contemporary appeal. Historically reinventing itself across cultures and genres it is an artform which has evolved throughout the ages, responding and reflecting technical capabilities and an increasingly demanding visual environment. Advances in design software have reduced the creation of silhouettes to the click of a mouse, yet the key to a strong silhouette is the same today as it always has been, lying in the resourcefulness of the artist.

Both publications are available from a selection of high street and online retailers, as well as via the publications section of our website

As a design company, early on we took the approach that we wouldn’t undertake speculative work. For whatever reason there seems to be a trend when commissioning design services, to ask companies to produce work before a contract has been agreed to. The No!Spec website highlights all the main reasons why, as creatives, we shouldn’t be undertaking speculative work, as well as detailing what we mean my speculative work.

Aside from all of the reasons highlighted on the No!Spec website, we got to thinking, ‘In what other industry does this practice of creating work, in the hope of getting paid for it, take place?’ - Do we need to start taking our car to 3 separate garages to have it repaired and then only pay the one we thought did a good job?

If you’re part of the Wolverhampton Creative Industries, you’ll no doubt be inundated with offers of support, yes, this is the place to be should you wish to paddle in any one of many funding streams.

There’s a plethora of business advice and guidance on offer, countless training opportunities, a wealth of funding (but if you’re talking about real money, most business grants come with critieria that it would take the most supple of contortionists to slot in to) and if you were to attend every training scheme and networking event that was on offer you’d have little or no time to sit down and actually be creative.

For real, practical support which comes in the form of a desk, phone, Mac/PC and a software (which goes a long way towards keeping your overheads low until you’ve found your feet) the incubator scheme at SP/ARK offers invaluable assistance for fledgling businesses. We’re right up there when it comes to singing both their praises… and the fact that we recently worked on their rebrand.

So you’re good at what you do, you’ve tapped into this funding and you’re well established, you’ve taken onboard sound advice, you’ve had your business plan picked over with critical attention, your diary reflects the perfect home/life balance, you’re motivated and know your target audience better than they know themselves. So now what? You need clients.

Wolverhampton’s creative industries scene is clearly overshadowed by those of the larger cities, and there’s an irritating knee-jerk reaction when it comes to some of the larger Wolverhampton-based corporates sourcing or outsourcing creative services. There are talented creatives, with skills and experience that equal those based in the larger cities, right here in Wolverhampton and there’s no reason to believe otherwise. But that’s the thing about a knee jerk reaction it’s unthinking. Habitual.

The irony of it all is that, not to mention any names, many of the corporates with the knee-jerk ‘big city’ bias when it comes to sourcing creative services are the very people who stream all this funding into developing the creative industries right here in Wolverhampton.

They go to great lengths to develop us, and then they take their business elsewhere.

This month we’re working with a broad selection of clients, on a wide range of projects from exhibition promotion, newsletter design, website designs and ongoing marketing.

Clients include the following:

Wolverhampton and Telford Technology Corridor: Quarterly newsletter & e-newsletter
Beacon Centre for the Blind: Quarterly newsletter
The Smile Works: Ongoing marketing, including promotional literature and welcome packs
University of Wolverhampton: Exhibition promotion and website
Language Networks 4 Excellence: Newsletter and book design
Ceildoor products: Website and promotional material design