CONTACTS- GP DESIGN

Grafikprint is a small graphic design company I heard about from a friend. I thought it would be useful talking to someone there and finding out what it is like working for a small company such as this as it is very possibly the way I would start out myself once I graduate. I recently contacted Grafikprint asking a few questions about their work and here are the e-mails I received:

Me>Hey,

My names James and I am in my second year of an illustration degree at Stockport College. I was just wondering, if you have a spare 5 minutes, if I could ask you a few questions about your company and the work you do. I know you are probably very busy but any help would be appreciated.

Thanks

James Richardson

Reply>(sam19189@msn.com)<

Hi James,

Yeh thats fine id love to help, just reply with whatever questions you have and il do my best to help you.

Thanks

Sam Hobson

After e-mailing a questionnaire I received this response:

Reply>(sam19189@msn.com)<

Here you go James,

The work you do, do you find it hard working to deadlines, like does having to rush something effect how good the design is?

Our main area of work is signwriting, mainly vehicle wraps and motorcycle graphics, although we do also supply banners and signs and any graphic design people require.

Keeping to deadlines can be hard because the people who want the products generally don't understand the whole process of designing something, being in a rush definitely does effect how good the design is, although sometimes i find that if i have too long to spend on a design i can never decide on a final design! but thats just me!

How do you promote your company and how hard is it finding work?

We promote with all sorts of advertising. We take flyers and stickers to most large motocross and motorcycle events and also have stands at most trade shows with giveaways ect.

Also the internet and websites are vital for out business. Working with some large companies gives our company a high profile and we try to include our logo and contact number on any work we complete. At the moment even with the current financial state we have a large amount of work and are not finding it difficult to get work, this may be because instead of buying new vehicles, people are trying to make the best out of what they have, wanting new designs and fresh looking graphics.

Where do you get your inspiration from for your designs? Are there any artists/ designers that you often look at?

We try to take inspiration from all areas of art and design. As the field we work in typically has never been cutting edge as far as design is concerned, we try to stand out from the crowd as a young and different company offering the the same quality service. Some companies we use for inspiration are One Industries, who are the leading producer of motocross graphics, 123 Klan and other design companies. Its important to visit the races as you see everything thats going on with the bikes and its also vital to network with all the customers to hear what they want from us. As for the vehicle wrapping side of things we look at all sorts of design magazines and websites and are always looking for new ideas.

Do you work in a team on projects or does everybody work individually?

We do both, for small routine jobs we tend to work individually just to get the job done and out of the door. As for large projects and vehicle wraps we tend to all work together and bring as many ideas to the table as possible and hopefully produce a stunning product.

What do you feel are your strengths/ weaknesses?

I think our strengths are the new ideas and young attitude we bring to a market typically ruled by older people with the same old designs. Our weaknesses can be finding it hard to keep to deadlines and sometimes our organization of late as we have had such a large volume of work.

Do you find it hard to come up with original designs? And is there anything you do to help you when you are stuck?

Sometimes it is really difficult to come up with a new idea or design as you probably find yourself, usually i find browsing some websites or magazines and having a break to just do something else like hoover up! although some days i find i cant think of anything i like and i think that everyone must have days like this!

When you are given a brief, do they let you design whatever you want or do you have to follow guidelines? And do you feel you work better when you are left to design whatever you want or when you are told what to do?

Our briefs tend to be very different, some people can be really exacting in what they want giving us exact pantone references to colours and some people also draw out or design what they want and pretty much ask us to copy what they have done. Whereas others for just give us for example a van or motorbike as a blank canvas and the name and logo of their company and let us go crazy with what we want. Most people give us a few ideas as to what they want and colours etc but then leave most of the design up to us. One problem with this can be people wanting lots of changes made after we show them the first design, and they don't want to pay for the time it takes to do additional design.

Hope thats helped, any more questions just drop me an email and il try and help!

Thanks

Sam