Enterprise - Study Task 4

Who else is out there - how good are they?

Based on the principles that have been introduced in lecture 4 of the Enterprise module and your responses to the previous tasks, evaluate the Strengths and Weaknesses of three practitioners or design agencies as objectively as you can. What opportunities for your own practice have revealed themselves to you as a result of this analysis and evaluation? Do not use subjective language or make unfounded comments about other people’s businesses. It is essential that you make references to SWOT and evaluate its usefulness as an analysis or evaluation tool.

In responding to this task you will need to consider the following questions:

• Who am I competing against? 
• What do they offer? 
• What makes me better? 
• What makes me different?

Response:

Raw
http://www.weareraw.co.uk/

A multi-disciplinary design studio located in Greater Manchester. 'We create effective pieces of design and creative communications, with a focus on craftsmanship and collaboration.'

Strengths

- Diverse team with different specialities and strengths, perfect for a design studio working with a wide range of media - from interactive to print.
- Evident passion for design and communication / collaboration - "We create effective pieces of design and creative communications, with a focus on craftsmanship and collaboration."
- Brilliant studio in a good location - the studio aims to inspire which, from looking at the photographs, is extremely well designed. By being in Manchester, there should be many links to the industry, albeit not as much as working in London, for example (though this may be an overcrowded market)
- Winner of an entrepreneur award amongst many others.
- As they already have an extensive client list, including high profile ones, this gives other clients an incentive to work with Raw.

Weaknesses

- No specific client base  - is it too broad? They cover an extensive range of print and interactive media from branding and illustration to websites and motion graphics for a diverse client list. Customers desire a specialist in a particular market therefore this may be seen as a weakness - this in turn could possibly provide opportunities. I intend to work primarily with brand identity solutions - logo (and its application) etc for independent businesses, particularly in the culture sector.

Matthew Haysom

http://www.matthewhaysom.co.uk/

Matthew Haysom is a recently graduated graphic designer / creative thinker. now based in London. His works are relatively simple in their aesthetic but are concise in terms of communicating a message. I chose Matthew Haysom as his work is that I wish to aspire towards once I graduate

Strengths

- Conceptual work with a strong, minimal design aesthetic

- Full self-rebrand consisting of a simple letter mark and applied to various media that communicates effectively

- Effective brand identity solutions working across a range of media

Weaknesses

- Primarily self-initiated work aside from a recent update containing work created during employment. Although not necessarily a 'weakness', as such, clients may seek 'live' client-based work

Tim Boelaars

Tim Boelaars is a graphic designer working primarily with digital illustration and iconography. His unique style has been sought by a diverse range of clients from a woodworker to those specialising in skincare packaging. He is currently selling prints of his work through an online store.

Strengths

- Unique, illustrative and distinctive style that immediately stands out amongst other work
- Iconography can be used within any business, big or small, and are used as clear and simple methods of communication. I have a passion for iconography and digital illustrations among branding and identity therefore I may pursue this even moreso in future projects