Sixth Form Common Room

We have been commissioned as interior designers and project managers for the refurbishment of a sixth form common room at a independent school in Hertfordshire. The project, to be completed ready for the start of the September term, is for the design concept and spatial planning including the lighting design, furnishing, floor covering, decoration, signage and graphics for an open plan break out area, a quite study area/IT suite and a tutorial room. We are creating a dramatically improved environment from where students can study, communicate and relax with their fellow students and the teaching staff. More news will be posted as the project develops.

Etch glass - very effective and neat

We're in the process of re-branding one of the South East region ITV Newroom studios. Part of the project includes glass applied vinyl manifestations; very smart & clean method of presenting the ITV brand throughout the site, and providing the necessary decorative detail that stops visitors & colleagues walking into clear glass!

You want a sticker, you got it!

Client wanted a simple message on a sticker for a clothing range.... 60mm permanent self adhesive seems to have done just the job, and the red with white reversed out copy sets it off a treat!

Informal work areas that work...

Wireless technology has redefined the workplace, giving people the option to work outside the more traditional desk place to a choice of locations within a building. Our working with the Orangebox range of workplace furniture helps create informal work areas where people can meet, talk, work and relax as part of a creative team culture. Collaboration has never been so effective and the use of modular workstations, soft seating and cafe style break outs allow for better networking, well being and staff satisfaction. Are you best making use of your work environment or is everyone stuck in the same old place all day long... boring it is, healthy it is not, call now on 01707 272 185 or email to invest in your colleagues and your future.

Email newsletters... it's direct marketing!

Corporates such as Amazon, John Lewis, Tesco and most other large online stores are skilled in the art of promoting themselves and their goods and services by email, however many small businesses don't bother, or even understand this communication tool, and so miss out on a powerful, effective and relatively inexpensive method of marketing themselves. If you have something to promote to a target audience then you need to stay in regular contact with them. Getting visitors to sign up to a blog feed, a newsletter, or anything else you can think of can build up an regular audience wanting to hear of your message. Keeping your audience interested is the harder part and the best email newsletters can take a great deal of time and effort to produce, but then that's marketing! Take a look at some of the best email marketing products from AWeber, Mail Chimp, Mad Mimi and Emma. Whether you plan on running a regular newsletter or a multi-part autoresponder email, treat if with the professionalism and honesty your brand deserves. Plan carefully what you send to recipients and most importantly you must play by the rules of privacy & data protection.

Seafront print for studio

Got myself a wonderful panoramic photo print of Brighton seafront at the weekend. It had been shot over a full day with a large format camera and carefully edited into one street scape. At 1500mm x 125mm the extreme letterbox crop creates a great visual running the full length of my studio workstation. Visit First Light and check out their great selection of prints/images of this cool south coast town and beyond.

Flying our flag!

"We have a great ongoing relationship with Andrew Gardiner at Gardiner Design Associates for the design, development and implementation of workplace interiors and graphics throughout our ITV Meridian region. We can rely 100% on their creative and project management team to deliver the highest standard of service, creativity and production."

- Roger Pearce - ITV Technical Director, Sport.

and more flag flying...

"In 2007, as a result of a major policy change we decided that we needed to re-brand all the operations on the Gaddesden Estate, indeed effectively we were branding ourselves for the first time. We were recommended to Andrew Gardiner of Gardiner Design Associates by Pineapple Developments Ltd, and the Gascoyne Cecil Estates and we have been delighted with the outcome. Initially Andrew and his colleague Sara produced a range of designs which would be used across all brand application; letter headings, business cards, signboards and for our website. We had several constructive meetings leading to the production of our new identity and brand guidelines for fonts, paper quality etc.

Re-designing and building our website was the next stage and took a little longer. We are delighted with the result, and have received many plaudits for it. Finally Andrew began the continuing process of designing our signage, surveying the sites, looking at sight-lines, producing alternative proofs and finally commissioning signs from the manufacturers. We then erect the signs in line with Gardiner Associates’ recommendations. Again, these have been very well received, both the roadside and internal signs.

I have no hesitation in recommending Gardiner Design Associates. They are imaginative, disciplined and produce work on time and to budget."

- Nicholas Halsey, Gaddesden Estate

New Visitor Guide for RNRS

Designed and produced a new 4pp DL Visitor Guide for the Royal National Rose Society (RNRS), ready for their open season starting in June. We're also managing the print and distribution of 45,000 copies onto a clean white uncoated art board. The guide provides useful information to any visitors planning a day out at the Gardens of the Rose, in St Albans.

Our well-designed leaflets and flyers are a great way of presenting and distributing your message and information to a wider audience. Good photography, clean copy and a fresh simple layout bring real benefits to promoting your visitor attractions, public events, product promotions or any special occasion. Email now for more information as to how we can get your events publicity on track.

Really cool Big banner...

Commissioned by the RNRS for the design & production of a large format banner for exterior location. At 6m x 1.6m overall and printed on one side with a fresh message it will be a strong focal point for visitors arriving to this lovely public attraction. Banners and building wraps present a great opportunity for good design on a large-scale. Hoardings reach a large audience and are a most powerful tool to promote a brand and message. The exposure in a prime-location can reach thousands of people whether by foot fall or passing traffic, on a daily, weekly or monthy basis - you're getting a massive return for your investment. So, have you got a strong message that would better be applied to your building or surroundings and do you have the front to shout about it? - go on, contact us and give it your all! Email me now or call on 01707 272 185.

Better than expected!

I don't usually have much to say about Microsoft products either hardware or software, however this little MS 5000 Bluetooth mouse for a notebook or MacBook is really rather good. Bit over decorated but then it wouldn't be anything less from MS, bless them!

Brighton Arts Festival 2009

Possibly the best arts festival of any city in the UK is held annually during May in Brighton and the 2009 event is going to be so cool... with many great artists, creatives and performers showing off there skills it's well worth the visit. Check out the Brighton Festival web site and plan ahead so as not to be disappointed. Kathy Laird is again exhibiting her stylish outdoor ceramics at the famous Dragonfly House, as part of the Artists Opens Houses, a free visual arts event. This popular venue is always a great place to meet a fine group of very talented artists... Go on take a day trip to the seaside and enjoy a bit of culture!

New exterior signs

On-time delivery today to Gaddesden Estate of a new purpose designed 900 x 900mm sign panel for exterior roadside location. High-end printed from our artwork to match a RAL colour direct onto metal-faced material and with cutout vinyl lettering applied, making for easier updating if need in the future. The specification required makes for a durable, weatherproof low-maintenance sign that will survive even the toughest of environments. Do you have any exterior signage or wayfinding requirements for building or surrounds? call now on 01707 272 185 or email for an initial chat.

MacBook Pro 17-inch arrived

Just added a great new tool to my practice that will further improve integration and productivity - MacBook Pro 17-inch 2.4GHz Intel Core 2 Duo with Western Digital 320GB HD & 4GB Memory; Running Adobe Creative Suite, MS Office 2008, and now running AutoCAD 2009 on it's required Windows XP platform by using the excellent VMware Fusion2. My remote studio facility is complete and integrates fully with all apps on my current desktop iMac 24-inch 3.06GHz Intel... and so do away with the need for a separate PC notebook as a standalone, Great.

Spring clean your site, by design and structure...

We all frequently come across web sites that are still not being taken seriously by their owners and it's amazes how the medium is being so misunderstood and underused. All web site are 'live' media and best treated as such... Home pages are the shopfront, and as with all swanky retail shop windows, it is not by accident when it works. Carefully planned to welcome and introduce the structure that lies beyond, the design process is clear when used and evident when not. Take a fresh look at your site today and simply approach it as a first time visitor with little or no knowledge of your brand, products and service... ouch! Spring time brings the usual reasons to refresh your home and outlook; maybe it is time also to revisit your shop front? - if you value your investment then best you call today on 01707 272 185 or email ... surprising how a fresh pair of eyes will help things along just fine!

Picking up nicely...

A good week of new commissions for spatial planning, print and signage projects. Also the re-start of a new-build business development, which had been put back six months... healthy.

Up and running...

New studio/office move finished on time and now up and running and loving it! - Remember to check out our web site for our new postal address and make sure you update your speed dial with our new telephone number 01707 272 185. Catch up soon.

New office number...

Our new direct-dial number is 01707 272 185 - update your records now and never miss out on great design in your organisation!

Neat photos at copenhagencyclechic.com

Great New 'Budget' business card print!

From today Monday 16th March we're now offering the same great quality printed business cards but in smaller quantities - making really helpful for start-up or new/temp staff needs. Printed full colour Litho single side onto 380gsm Eco 100% recyclable and unlaminated; 125 cards now start at £28.60 delivered! - These are very competitive prices and with excellent print turnaround of 3-5 days, now seems a good time to refresh business cards on a budget! Any design and artwork is extra if not already existing. Call now on 01582 469 100 or email me.

Charles Eames - 100 quotes

Been given a copy of the beautifully designed and printed '100 Quotes by Charles Eames'. Published by the Eames Office and edited by Carla Hartman & Eames Demetrios, it is a quiet reminder of the influence he and his wife Ray had across the design world and beyond... five... "The details are not details. They make the product. It will in the end be these details that give the product a life".

Kitemark award, good work

Eastern Concrete have been awarded the BSi Kitemark for product and service excellence. Congratulations from us, and for our part we're running a targeted marketing campaign to get this great achievement out to their audience... Press Release, A6 postcards, blogger, vehicle graphics and web. Have you not got a message to get our there?

Marketing graphics at best

Successful installation today of a great range of large format graphics panels, designed and produced by GDA, that form part of a marketing campaign for a newly available office development in London.

Volkswagen UP

I like this UP, a concept city car by Volkswagen, almost as much as this tidy press launch display...

Herman Miller... stylish furniture on time

This morning saw another successful delivery and installation of Herman Miller workplace furniture to one of our corporate clients. The new furniture brings added flexibility to our clients open plan offices and matches the range of workplace furniture we had originally commissioned for our client.

Get blogged!

Again I have been asked to help a colleague to setup and design the master layout for a blog. Tanya Bradbury is a highly talented aromatherapist & aesthetician, and the major benefits her blog will bring to getting her message out to both existing client and new is already noticable. She is able to share & update information about her Priya Spa clinic quickly and efficiently. Any errors are easily made right and uploading new posts, photographs or graphics are also a simple click away. I'm able to do a simple layout normally in a few hours, so the outlay to get you up and running with a very professional and effective blog is also easy at this time. Email me now or call 07785 790 312 and tell me how we can get you started!

Glass manifestations

As designers we specify clear toughened glass for internal partitions and curtain walling as the best way of providing natural daylight to workplaces and interiors. We also specify and use our graphics contractors to apply vinyl manifestations to the glass to prevent people unknowingly walking into the glass! - We're currently installing 50 linear metres of vinyl in 'etch-glass' effect to the exterior glass walling of a new building which forms part of a youth activity centre in Hertfordshire. Let us know if this is something we can help you with... as part of the Building Regs requirement it's really very effective and way better than a bump on the head!

New upgrade business card stock

As from week commencing 2nd February 2009 our printer will be transferring to a new thicker stock on all our printed business cards, postcards and presentation folders. 

After discussions with us designers and end users it became evident that the business cards we offer would greatly benefit from a heavier weight stock. So from the beginning of February all card items will automatically be printed on a very similar stock to the existing board whilst increasing the weight from a 350GSM to a 380GSM. The new stock is again fully FSC approved, and the thicker feeling is a noticeable difference while the price has stayed the same offering great quality with the same great value. Call now on 01582 469 100 or email if you are running low on cards or in need of new for your work colleagues.

The Mirra chair, good choice!

We're supplying more Herman Miller Mirra chairs for one of our corporate clients expanding team. Good choice - and widely recognised as the best all-round workplace operator chair available - we've successfully specified this great chair for use at corporate offices, tv studios, medical centres and home office use, and it's so good I sit on one every day! Interested? - email or call now on 01582 469 100 to discuss possible specifications, trial-a-chair and even get some very competitive costs, now that'll be a clever choice!

CV's - your marketing tool!

I've been approached recently by a number of colleagues asking that I run an eye over their CV's - I take their MS Word document and if need simply spend a bit of time tidying up the layout, sharpening the content and clarifying their message. Simple changes made all the more important in these times where getting your profile further up the pecking order is well worth the effort. If you find yourself in need of another viewpoint just drop me a line. Always more than willing to help.

Design Council - design yourself out of recession!

"Did you know that more than half of UK businesses are looking to design their way out of the downturn? Our latest research shows that British businesses - regardless of size - that embrace design can survive recession and grow, despite economic doom and gloom" - Design Council statement January 2009.

Facing the challenges ahead by facing up to the challenges ahead!!

Christmas is behind us and the world is apparently in meltdown, nice!... So what better time to start planning your business activities to face the challenges of the year ahead!

Whether it be Above-the-line, Below-the-line or Viral marketing, chances are that your business will be far better placed to face this tough climate with a well planned strategic campaign - design, advertising, marketing, exhibitions, web sites, direct mail, brand development, printed & digital matter, all are part of the marketing mix and should not be left to chance if you want to succeed.

Market leaders are well versed in how best to communicate and chances are your main competitors are already on the case. So why not book a date in your diary with us or call now on 01582 469 100 - we can discuss the position of your actual and perceived message and make sure it's on track. We're here to support you in any way we can during the year ahead, so that's one less challenge to worry about!

CAD drawings... neat and accurate!

Another project nearing completion is the production of CAD drawings for our client Pineapple Developments. We took the original digital drawings, and using the latest version of AutoCAD, produced a set of highly accurate 'as built' drawings for our client - to complete the project we'll supply sets of B&W A1 size plots and all the .dwg and pdf files on disc. Our architectural drawings are used by developers, architects and end users and we often get asked to clean up drawings that have been produced by others!

Tickets that swing!

Just delivered from the printers in China, the swanky new Swing Tickets for the Kristin range of knitwear. Designed to carry information of Nexio®, the new high twist yarn that is exclusive to our client. The ticket's elegant modern design compliments this stylish range of corporate clothing - design, production and delivery in just 2 weeks, brilliant!

BIG prints - full impact!

We've just finished the design & production of large format colour prints for our clients stand at the 2009 Hospitality Show and Workwear Show exhibitions Both events are being staged at the NEC. At 1800mm x 945mm the graphics have been designed to provide the best full impact backdrop to shell scheme systems - they carry the brand and marketing message effectively. Turned around in under a week from initial design to finished prints they are a great budget lead approach to display graphics.