News archive 2006
Visibility annual review and photography
December 2006
Founded 146 years ago, Visibility provides services and opportunities for people in the west of Scotland who have experienced sight loss. Visibility has a strong design ethos and high accessibility standards. Our design, photography and production team worked closely with Visibility's director and copywriter to produce this striking, upbeat annual review, and to give Visibility a library of photographs for future use.
Visibility were as pleased as punch: "We had a staff meeting this morning, and without exception everyone loved the annual review, feedback was all positive with lots of the staff saying it was the best one yet."
The photography also went down well: "I love the photographs - you have really captured the essence of what I was trying to say... All the staff think they are great and wanted you to know that they really like how you have shown our service users. A real sense of happiness and ability rather than disability comes through loud and clear."
Community Food and Health website
December 2006
After ten years as Scottish Community Diet Project, this organisation has relaunched around a brand new website with the new name of Community Food and Health (Scotland). CFH works to improve access to healthy food for everyone in Scotland, but particularly low-income communities. They do this by supporting grassroots organisations such as food co-ops, healthy-eating projects and community cafes.
Community Food and Health felt that their website could do more to improve their service. So they commissioned us to re-design the site to house their large and growing library of publications, a database of local community food projects, discussion forum and much more. The design process included usability testing. You can read more about this project in our portfolio section.
www.communityfoodandhealth.org.uk
Changeworks design development
December 2006
One of our biggest and longest-standing clients also changed their name and their branding. In June, Lothian and Edinburgh Environmental Partnership (LEEP) became Changeworks.
Although we didn't design their new logo, we've been involved in 'bedding-in' the new brand - developing templates and new formats - an area where we are very experienced. Here's a look at some of the materials, showing Changeworks' fresh image.
If your branding needs to be applied consistently but imaginatively to a variety of materials, please give us a shout. Of course, we're always happy to help you develop a whole new look for your organisation (you don't have to change your name!). Which bring us to...
Co-operative Development Scotland graphic identity
December 2006
Co-operative Development Scotland is the new agency set up to promote and support co-operative businesses in Scotland. They wanted a bold, brave identity that set them apart from other business development agencies. Co-operation is a different way of doing business, after all.
So far, this project has included a logo, stationery, brochure, presentation slides and a roll-up banner. We're also working on their website which should be launched in early 2007, look out for www.cdscotland.co.uk.
The Oscars
December 2006
Well, not quite... but we were very pleased to receive a Keep Edinburgh Clean Gold Award from the City of Edinburgh Council, for our efforts to reduce our company's environmental impact.
The awards set standards for waste-minimisation and recycling. It's an area where we've always tried our best, encouraged by clients such as Changeworks, Community Recycling Network for Scotland, and Waste Aware Edinburgh.
Annual Report season
September 2006
It's that time of year again. Most of our voluntary sector clients publish their Annual Reports in the Autumn. We've completed three so far - for Apex Scotland, Down's Syndrome Scotland and Voluntary Action Fund. Several more are in the pipeline.
Need help with yours? Annual Reports are one of our specialities - see our portfolio for some examples. And we will, of course, give you a detailed quotation for design and production.
In-house photography
September 2006
Now that we have a photographer in the co-op, we can offer an improved photography service as part of the design process. You can see some examples in our portfolio.
We still maintain good working relations with several independent photographers, so we can offer a variety of styles and approaches. If you'd like to talk to somebody about how bespoke photography can enhance your communication materials, please get in touch.
It's our birthday!
September 2006
The Graphics Company is 17 years old! We started trading in September 1989. That was the year the Berlin Wall came down and Simple Minds had their first number one single - it was also before the web was invented! Hey, hum...
The Gathering: 19-21 June
June 2006
We launched our new identity at Scotland's voluntary sector fair. We're very pleased to have been commissioned by SCVO to design the marketing materials for The Gathering for the third year running.
More on The Gathering design project >
Minding Their Own Business
June 2006
Also just off the press is an introductory guide to community enterprise for food initiatives which we designed for Scottish Community Diet Project.
More on Minding Their Own Business >
New staff: Yie and Dan
April 2006
A belated introduction to Yie Lim, who joined us in January. As well as being a brilliant designer, Yie is also an experienced photographer. This means that we now offer in-house photography to complement the services of the freelance photographers we work with.
And starting soon is the equally talented Dan Plant, who has been the graphic designer for Lothian Health's 'Healthy Respect' team, having come from Sumo Design in Newcastle.
New Neighbours: Triodos Bank
April 2006
Triodos Bank have just moved into the ground floor office in our building. Their Regional Manager for Scotland and North East England, David Cousland, is now based here, along with Marketing and Administrative Assistant, Polly Simmons.
So does having a bank as a sub-tenant fit in with our ethical and environmental policy? Well, Triodos aren't just any old bank - they only provide finance for companies, institutions and projects that add cultural value and benefit people and the environment. They also offer banking specifically for charities.
Check them out at www.triodos.co.uk
Congratulations to...
March 2006
Mitch Cosgrove, who is going solo after 16 years with the co-op! We can't thank her enough for her fantastic energy and commitment over the years. Good luck Mitch! (and if you ever want your old job back...)
Chris Growcott, our Estimator/Production Manager, who's getting married in June. Chris and his partner Siobhan usually celebrate the Summer Solstice by going to Glastonbury Festival, but this year...