The Melbourne Design Market is an idea developed by the studio in 2005, which was brought to life by the crew at the National Design Centre. The studio has had a stall at the market for several years and it is an invaluable chance to meet the people that ultimately use our work. It is also a chance for us to see what people are responding too — how they relate to the images we make, do they appreciate the messages woven into the objects. Do people willingly buy the materials on offer, or is there a period of contemplation before purchase.

It is a wonder standing on the other side of the counter. Visitors like interacting with our work and it is curious watching people investigate the pieces, make the decision to find their money, or put it back and walk away. No amount of highly considered design thinking will help the merchandise‘s appeal, and no amount of convincing will make a transaction happen. The success of the designed objects is measured by one simple reality — what is left at pack up time at 5pm and what isn‘t. This insight is invaluable, as it is overwhelming comparing what you think people would like and what they actually buy — often we guess right as often as we guess wrong.

Many designs we prepare for our cards, badges and publications follow a broad criteria — people respond common visual clichés — like pets, symbols and familiar situations or objects; people respond to colour and contrast; people respond to familiar gags or issues; and people respond to useful information or ideas. Then we develop work that simply looks what we think is appealing.

We highly recommend that every graphic designer develop a product, or two, and then take it to market. It is sobering to see where one‘s vision for design converges with the design‘s ability to capture a following or an audience.

Thanks to the crew at Studio Round who were such great company over the day, and the many people who came to visit our stall and interacted with our work. See you next time.

Last October (2007) the studio concluded it‘s work with Robert Horne UK, to assist with launching the Stephen paper range in the UK. Several pieces were produced, including this exploration piece that drawed on contributions from Paul Davis, Sara Fanelli, Jeff Fisher, Anthony Geernaert, Shara Henderson, Paul Sahre, Karl Schwerdtfeger and Jen Tyers along with writing, imaging making and design by the Studio. Each image maker selected a topic that told the story of Stephen, then let their approach to image do the talking. Thanks again all our collaborators.

The studio has been working on new promotional material for a paper called Stephen. The grade has enjoyed some recent changes including — FSC Certification, recycled content upping from 25 to 50%, a new cover weight 330gsm across the range and sexy suite of new white shades — Spicy, Scrambled and Chilled.

So we are madly making images, writing, collaborating and inventing content, like Derek Myna here. Derek, along with other imaginary concoctions, will soon be singing a happy song of the new and always improving ways of Stephen. The new stock is ready to specify now, and promotion materials will be swooping on your studio soon.

Read all about Stephen here

The studio has designed this event identity for the Victorian Department of Sustainability and Environment and the Victorian Department of Premier and Cabinet. The scheme was developed with a range of stakeholders and under the constrains of a tight timeline. The approved identity was then distributed to various parties facilitating the event‘s signing, print, advertising and digital components. The tick is an abstract of the climate change issue being one overarching problem, that requires numerous and diverse solutions — which is what this summit is facililating. Thanks to the DSE and DPAC for for fostering a smooth and productive process.

Visit the Victorian Climate Change Summit here

Spicer Paper commissioned the studio to continue the Saxton paper conversation with fine paper specifiers. A comprehensive campaign has been put together speaking of Saxton‘s exclusive distribution through Spicers Paper, the addition of several new paper weights, and FSC endorsement.

To avoid developing a typical environmental campaign we develop a concept around the notion of — getting back to the good life. The good life can be many things. It can be about — thinking in broader terms of the consequences of ones actions; the making of quality ideas; and developing durable choices over disposable choices. This notion invites many interpretations and in the spirit of the abundance of outcomes we invited a range Brooklyn based illustrator Edwina White, designers Tin & Ed, photographer Earl Carter and London based photographer Shara Henderson to develop their idea of what the good life might be.

Several outcomes will be hitting the market including these Saxton note books with poster wraps (4 kinds), a range of postcards (6 kinds) and print advertising. Thanks to our collaborators — Earl, Shara, Tin, Ed, Edwina, Gunn & Taylor Printers and Spicers Paper for another enjoyable process.

Visit Spicers Paper, Earl Carter, Shara Henderson, Tin and Ed, and Edwina White here.