The process of working in communication design is often about change. A brief is cast, one design outcome is developed to supersede another outcome.

When designers create work for people/ clients, one is simply making a personal expression — contributing experiences, ideas, vision to ultimately making something. There are many pieces on this site that investigate the process of clients changing the communications mix to meet changing marketing needs. These written pieces often tip upon how the incumbent designer feels about the changes a client makes with their graphic communication with the new designer — it can lead to a colourful read.

In such cases the new designer often works with the client to adapt the existing work, evolve the work or introduce a new work. The incumbent designer either expresses annoyance, disappointment, jealousy, or admiration for the new work that takes place. In an environment where a sound critical process isn’t in place — this is where the sparks fly — opinions fly, rumours are formed, few learnings are drawn upon, few processes are given the opportunity to evolve and improve…

In this case, as the incumbent designers of Chamber Music Australia since 1999, we would like to flag the new look for Chamber Music Australia designed (depicted above on the right) by Derek Samuel Design.

We dedicate this post to the mixed feelings that the incumbent feels about seeing their efforts change direction, and the joy that new designers feel about their new output. May a critical forum come to our profession soon.