Brian Wilson silkscreen print visual by Neville Godwin

This is the visual for the next silkscreen print I’m going to do in December-January 2012.

I like to finalise the design before making the screens simply because it means I can limit the time it takes to print, which as I have to pay for the studio time makes sense. Now that last point may seem obvious but some artists use the process of printing to form their ideas, embracing the process. They start out with only a partly form idea and use the journey to finish the project.

I want to take advantage of the print process but in a more rigid structure. I plan to print it on a handmade paper which is heavily textured. This will mean that not all the image will transfer and will hopefully add an aged feel to the print. It’s also going to bleed off the edges of the sheet. So printing this could be messy!

The imagery is a bit of a quandary as although I love religious iconography, I’m not religious. In fact I find organised religion both morally bankrupt and corrupt, plus the basis for most of the worlds conflicts. But I digress and talking about Brian Wilson is far more enjoyable…

The work is simply a statement that if I was going worship anyone or thing it would be Brian, a man who through music has created worlds and vistas that can take you to other levels of consciousness. He can even make you feel you’re in sunny California when you’re on a bus on a wet, wintery evening in Bolton!

To have written all the Beach Boys material including Pet Sounds (along with Marvin Gaye’s ‘What’s Going On” cited as either the best album ever recorded or the second best album) up to the Smile project by the age of 24 whilst being partly deaf is simply amazing!

For those who don’t know their ‘Brian”, Dumb Angel was the original name for the ‘Smile’ project and I’ve used it as a knowing pun. In an October 1966 interview, Brian Wilson quipped that the Beach Boys’ next project (Smile) was “a teenage symphony to God”. This also influenced the imagery.

Anyway there it is . I’ll post the final print in the New Year and you’ll be able to see the effect the paper has.

Let me know if you like the print or have any constructive comments? I’d welcome feedback.

The Surrey Property Network Leaflet by ngd Agency

We were hired to promote this newly formed network of businesses who offer a one-stop-shop for all your property needs.

As the members regularly meet clients and potential clients, a leaflet was the agreed method of delivery for their message.

They also wanted the option of sending the leaflet by post so it had to fit in a standard C5 or DL envelope. We chose DL as if we created a Z-fold format it would form natural sections to place the different companies in the network.

We’re all bombarded with poorly designed, badly printed DL leaflets every week. Usually by the local pizza franchises or Indian restaurants. Why do they alway use thin, cheap, shiny paper stock, making their business look cheap as a result? We obviously had to devise a format and finish that moved away from this. It’s a simple fact that even if the leaflet contained next weeks lottery numbers if it didn’t inform and invite the recipient to read further it would end up in the bin! I know as the route from my letterbox to the bin is a well worn path for such poorly resolved direct mail pieces. This is what we had to fight against!

The Surrey Property Network DL Leaflet

Please see the following images of the leaflet. The response has been really good and we look forward to producing more marketing material for them as their network expands.

If you know of any companies who want a fresh perspective on their marketing, plus find ways of making their budget go further, please get them to get in touch.

Our initial consultation is FREE so there’s nothing to loose!

The Leaflet's inside spread

The Surrey Property Network's DL Leaflet designed by ngd Agency

The Surrey Property Network can be found here

Movember 2011. Photography by Victoria B Photography: www.victoriab.co.uk

It’s Day 25 and we’re all feeling quite proud of our efforts.

A few of us who are members of BNI Elmbridge are raising money, so the wonderful photographer Vicky suggested we have some shots taken to record our sterling efforts.

It’s all to raise money to treat and research in to male cancers. So if you feel inclined to give money then please go over here where you can donate.

Vicky’s work can be seen here on her website , here on her facebook page or talk to her here on Twitter. From baby shoots to corporate headshots, Vicky will do you proud.

Thanks for your interest and pop back in a few days time for a MO update!

Movember 2011 – Day 21 – ngd agency

It’s Day 21 and the faff of shaving is getting to me!

Shaving avoiding the Mo and burns is a right faff! I don’t know why those dudes who go for the ‘Craig David’ Rn’B micro beard do it.

1, it looks crap and 2, the work you have to put in… clean shave or let it grow is by far the better option.

Anyway, a big thank you to those who’ve given especially in these tough economic times.

If you feel so inclined to give money to treat male cancers then please go over here where you can donate.

Thanks for your interest and pop back in a few days time for a MO update!

The full glory of the MO is beginning to shine!

It’s Day 18 and the full glory of the MO is shining through!

So far I’ve raised £260.00 of the treatment and prevention of male cancers.

A big thank you to those who’ve given especially in these tough economic times.

If you feel so inclined to give money to treat male cancers then please go over here where you can donate.

Thanks for your interest and pop back in a few days time for a MO update!

Bellcom Car Livery - A Cost Efficient Design to Maximise Standout

Vehicle livery is probably most cost-effective way to advertise your business 24hrs a day 365 days a year.

You may argue for Social Media but that requires constant monitoring and time to update and comment. With vehicle livery, once it’s done it’s working for you every second it’s on the road.

What a brilliantly simple way to get your name and products in people’s minds. It’ll advertise your business as you drive to work, to your customers and even at the garage as you fill up! Done well it will let your customers know quickly what you do and how to contact you. Remember often you’ll be moving so the important information must be viewable at 30mph! Secondary supporting information can be smaller but less is more.

The images in this post are from a recent project for Bellcom which included logo design, stationery design and car livery.

Bellcom Livery by ngd Agency

If your budget allows you can have your vehicle ‘wrapped’ which will allow you to use every millimeter of the car’s surface for branding purposes. In this instance we had a limited budget and so vinyls were used apart from the vertical strut where we had a vignette to echo the logo’s ellipse.

Some clients know what they want, some have no idea, we cater for both and all in between.

So whatever your needs, be it a new logo, shopfront or livery design we can offer our expertise and advice to give you a solution to make you stand out. Contact us an we’ll meet for a chat!

Bellcom Livery by ngd Agency

Movember 2011 _ Day 12

It’s Day 12 and things are taking shape.

From now on, it’s density and volume we’re going for. A bit like those dodgy shampoo adverts featuring Penelope Cruz or some other actress who doesn’t believe the adverts claims but completely believes the amount of zeros on the cheque!

The sideburn extensions to the jaw line have also come on, adding to the ensemble and completing the “look”!

If you feel so inclined to give money to treat male cancers then please go over here where you can donate.

Thanks for your interest and pop back in a few days time for a MO update!

Movember Update Day 9

It’s Day 9 and it’s getting itchy! The afterthought of the neck extensions still needs to catch up a bit but it’s all on course to be a decent Mo!

If you feel so inclined to give money to treat male cancers then please go over here where you can donate.

Thanks for your interest and pop back in a few days time for a MO update!

Movember 2011 - 1st image - setting the foundations

Also if any of you out there are growing a ‘MO’ this month get in touch and let me know how you’re getting on…

Andrew Plumb – Elite Ski and Fitness. Business cards designed by ngd Agency

At ngd Agency we work with the whole range of companies, from multinationals to sole trader start-ups. A few months ago we were approached by Andrew who was starting his business and asked us to help form his vision.

Over a period of weeks we developed and refined the logo from 6 routes down to one. The final version was discussed in this earlier post because of it’s use of negative space.

After that we have produced his stationery and hope to produce further marketing material as his business expands.

A few weeks after he started using his business cards we received this lovely testimonial:

“The finished product has far exceeded my expectations. You took on board my brief and have created products that enhance my business image.

When people look at my new logo, they tend to start a conversation. The business cards are a show stopper! Even among a roomful of ‘professional networkers’ who see many new cards each week, my cards attract attention more than any other card in the room.

I cannot thank you enough.”

No, Thank you Andrew. In these busy times clients rarely put pen to paper to say thank you and so it means a lot when they do.

As designers we thrive on feedback, positive or negative. From such feedback we can push our clients forward maintaining their brand awareness etc.

So his testimonial pretty much describes what we do for businesses ‘we make them stand out from the crowd’. He’s picked up several new clients already and knows he has the quality of marketing material to match the quality of his service.

So do you know of any businesses that need a new image?

Please put then in touch with us and we’ll make them more money through intelligent design and marketing communication.

On another note, if you want to get fit for this winters skiing or  fit for a special occasion such as a wedding, you should contact Andrew on: 07939 972 365