fox

Corporate branding

admin — Thu, 19 Jan 2012 13:57:35 +0000

It’s the start of the year and we are in reflective mood. Here are just some examples of logos we have produced for clients since we started.

FIRMITAS – Meena Modi

admin — Wed, 11 Jan 2012 15:39:23 +0000

Firmitas Business provides a ‘hands on’ resource to manage specific projects,
e.g marketing campaigns; recruitment; office moves and refurbishments; sourcing supplies and resources. Additionally, Firmitas helps with strategic business planning and implementation of those plans.

Remember 

"Whenever you see a successful business, someone once made a courageous decision"

Peter Drucker (business guru)

Please contact Meena Modi on
m: 07740 861 732
t: 0161 440 8476
or visit Meena Modi’s LinkedIn page here

The benefit of saving regularly

admin — Wed, 04 Jan 2012 17:07:49 +0000

For those who can afford to, it isn’t easy deciding on where to invest for the best.

Indeed, what with turmoil in the Global markets and record low interest rates from the Banks, it may seem easier to just avoid the subject altogether!

That would be a shame however, as potentially rewarding opportunities can be missed if delayed.

One idea to consider is the potential benefit of commencing a regular savings strategy. If you have a lump sum which you do not wish to commit to investing all at once or have a monthly amount you are able to save for the medium to long term, then regular savings into funds covering a wide class of assets can be advantageous.

This is because the volatility in the price of the shares in these funds can work to your advantage. As prices fall, more shares are purchased with each contribution. When prices recover, the positive performance of having accumulated more shares in this way is reflected in the value of the portfolio. Using the services of an Independent Financial Adviser (IFA) can assist in selecting the appropriate portfolio and also with decisions over when to consolidate gains or alter exposure to certain sectors.

Such a strategy offers a satisfactory alternative to those with capital to invest but a fear of mis-timing their investment.

The principles outlined above can be
used for ISA & non ISA savings as
well as pension contributions!

Before taking any action, a meeting or discussion with a suitable IFA is recommended to make sure it suits your circumstances.

David Eddleston is the Financial Planning Manager with Chartered Accountants Booth Ainsworth LLP and can offer this kind of advice to people interested in savings and retirement options.

Supporting KidsCan on our business cards

admin — Sun, 06 Nov 2011 17:44:10 +0000

Dedicating space on your business card for anything but your own business may sound absurd. Yet when Fox Graphics decided to endorse local charity KidsCan on the back of their business cards, it had positive consequences for all involved.

After attending a networking event about the way in which businesses can help charities, Kate Fox from Fox Graphics began to contemplate the role her business could play in supporting a charity. At the time, she was redesigning her business cards and rather than opting for testimonials from her clients or more information about her business on the back of her cards, Kate decided to donate that space to KidsCan, a charity dedicated to curing children with cancer.

‘It’s not an advert – it’s a dedicated space,’ Kate explains. ‘We wanted it to have the right message, which isn’t about us being great, it’s about raising the profile of this charity.’

The actions of Fox Graphics demonstrate the way in which any business can help a charity, regardless of money, if they choose to think in a very open-minded way.

The exposure that Fox Graphics generated for KidsCan enabled people to see not only the good that KidsCan was doing, but also the good that Fox Graphics was doing.

‘It was a pebble in the pond and the ripples were unbelievable,’ Kate explains. ‘I did it to help them, not thinking it would help me!’

At networking events it became the perfect icebreaker, stimulating conversation as people wanted to find out more about the charity and the reasoning behind Kate’s decision to help them. Kate believes that her business was highly regarded for the values it showed through its connection with a charity. Fox Graphics was shown to be run by decent people, people that others wanted to do business with.

By supporting KidsCan on its business cards, Fox Graphics has motivated other people to think about what their businesses can do to help a charity. Two clients of Fox Graphics saw what Kate had done and now too dedicate a space on their business cards to a charity. Whilst this may be a small minority, it demonstrates the impact that can occur when people chose to act in a positive way – will you do the same?

Davina Harrison
BA (hons) English – 3rd year – Leeds University

Please click here to go to the KidsCan website

One month at Fox Graphics

admin — Sat, 05 Nov 2011 20:17:42 +0000

	An insight into the workings of a design company English student and design company are not two things you would often put together. However, when Kate Fox of Fox Graphics kindly invited me to do work experience with her, I could not refuse. Whilst harbouring none of the skills of a graphic designer, Kate allowed me to be creative in my own way. Websites, newsletters and invitations all require beautiful design but they also require text – and that is where my forte lies. Yet whilst testing my writing capabilities, the time I spent with Fox Graphics also gave me an insight into all aspects of a design company. A lot was packed into one month, but I think it most interesting to talk about those things I wasn't expecting to do during my time there…

	Slater Harrison is one of Fox Graphics oldest clients and they have worked with them on many projects, most notably their Colourmount brand. As part of their Educraft brand, Slater Harrison wanted to create a new look for their products to be used in catalogues. Part of this involved a day working with two young designers who created paper sculptures using the materials that schools could purchase. My creative skills were mainly put into practice through tidying up, but it was really interesting to see these sculptures develop and then watch them carefully photographed, moving them an inch this way or that to ensure the perfect composition was formed. The attention to detail from Kate and the photographer ensured these beautiful pictures were created.

	During my first week, I went to the South Manchester Business Network with Kate. Entering the networking environment was not an entirely new concept to me but it made me no less daunted. For people of my age group, networking for business is not something you would immediately think to be something you are expected to do as part of your job. However, being exposed to the importance of creating connections with people you can help, and who can help you, is probably the most important thing I learnt during my work experience.

	Via is a new company currently in the process of launching a new accounting software program. Fox Graphics have been working closely with them to help them through this process and create the design for their product. My second day at Fox Graphics took us to MM Packaging in order for us to select the packaging most suitable for the new software. Seeing the technical processes used to create the design for the packaging and then the machines that cut the template was something I had never expected to see. It just demonstrates the huge variety of work that design can manifest itself in and the range of work that Fox Graphics undertakes.

The time I spent at Fox Graphics has been invaluable to me. I have been given the opportunity to write text for websites and blog entries, press releases and invitations, as well as proof read for different publications – all things that Fox Graphics have designed for their clients. Their creativity has enabled me to develop mine and encourage me to work as hard as they do!

Davina Harrison BA (hons) English – 3rd year – Leeds University

EDUcraft Art Directed Product Photoshoot

admin — Mon, 26 Sep 2011 14:54:41 +0000

Fox Graphics has successfully Art Directed new photography for Slater Harrison’s EDUcraft paper and card products reaching out to Schools and creatives.

EDUcraft is Slater Harrison’s brand for a comprehensive range of educational products.

Servicing Pre-school nurseries through to Colleges of Further Education & Universities. Products are primarily paper & board related but do include a variety of other products such as self adhesive

book covering film, foil lined paper & card and 2 sided tape.

EDUCraft products are supplied through educational wholesalers, and local authority central stores.

The EDUcraft brand consists of:

Branding wins business at Topspeed Couriers

admin — Mon, 19 Sep 2011 17:06:07 +0000

From small beginnings in Cheshire in 1985, Topspeed Couriers has become a significant player in specialist transportation now running a large fleet of vehicles based throughout the UK, and operating services for organisations in the food chain and environmental sector, nuclear industry and criminal justice system.
Topspeed Courier’s relationship with Fox Graphics started from small beginnings too. In 2008, the company needed a version of its logo to use on software and an updated brochure, but neither company could have predicted the scale of the actual design work that followed.
Fox Graphics pointed out that the full stops in the company’s existing logo contradicted its core function, and MD Stephen Clegg decided that Topspeed Courier’s whole brand needed to be overhauled. Creating a new logo and brand to convey forward movement, Fox Graphics has worked closely alongside Topspeed Couriers for the last three years, methodically introducing the new design into every facet of the business.

High worth

“Our new branding has brought new presence and confidence to the business,” explains Stephen. “For us to make a substantial investment like this when trading conditions are tough, speaks volumes about us as a company. We look like a high worth enterprise – and we are.”
From stationery, uniforms and exhibition stands to presentation materials, ID cards and fleet livery – including Topspeed’s Formula 3 race car – Fox Graphics has brought the new branding to life in diverse formats.
One particularly challenging item was the company’s Driver’s Manual, its ‘business bible’ created and added to over a seven year period by the whole management team. Residing in an MS Word document, its 30 pages of content had become cumbersome and difficult to manage, but it contained vital operational information and the business’ whole philosophy.

Stephen routinely presented the Driver’s Manual as part of Topspeed Courier’s tender responses; customers regularly said it was a significant factor in their decision to work with Topspeed; every vehicle contained a copy; and every driver knew the Manual off by heart.

A challenge and a privilege

“It was both a challenge and a privilege to be entrusted with Topspeed’s Driver’s Manual,” explains Kate Fox, Creative Director at Fox Graphics. “My previous training career skills came to the fore. I was able to restructure the content, eliminate any repetition, and design a format that was much easier to read, learn and reference. We also introduced cartoons to highlight important content and lighten the overall tone of the document.”

Topspeed was delighted with the result

“When you ask Kate to do a job, it gets done,” Stephen explains. “I let Kate know what the problem is – it gets picked up, considered, acted on, printed and delivered to our doorstep – and it’s right every time.
“Recently we customised our company brochure and used it as the bid material for a major specialist transportation contract,” continues Stephen. “This was Kate’s suggestion, and I know that this forethought and the new Drivers’ Manual won us the business. We get a lot more from Fox Graphics than just design; we get knowledge, added value and tangible business input.”

Celebrate Cheshire @ Chester Racecourse

admin — Mon, 19 Sep 2011 17:04:29 +0000

Twenty members pulled together and used various skills, talents and services to present the most professional stand in the show, ending the first day with an invitation to networking whilst sampling wines and canapés, which created an energetic and productive end to a successful day.

‘I think we can safely say we were best in show – the stand was buzzing and the drinks reception was a sight to behold!’

‘Amazing what can be done with the right attitude, passion, commitment and generosity of spirit.’

Tracy Griffiths – ‘The Business Network Chester’

Black Iris Exhibitions

admin — Wed, 03 Aug 2011 14:12:10 +0000

Just a short story to end the week with.

Back in November last year Black Iris was contacted by Helen at Nucletron asking for some help with all of the events she had to handle for 2011. Among others she had three major exhibitions planned and wanted to come up with a stand design that will run through the three shows and carry the same look and feel. Black Iris' job was made slightly trickier by the fact that the spaces have already been booked and they were not the same. Not the same floor size and not of the same configuration. One space was an island, which meant that all four sides were open; one space had one wall at the back of it and one space had two walls enclosing it. They dug into their creative head space, drank lots of coffee and then came up with a design that she was happy with and it achieved what the brief specified. The stand provided the backdrop for their equipment that they were showcasing at the exhibitions, the walls doubled up as a storage area and we built in the screens rather than have them just stuck on the face of the wall.

The three exhibitions all went smoothly and this is the testimonial that our clients posted on LinkedIn.

“Maja and her team at Black Iris Exhibitions are one of the most reliable and effective suppliers I have had the good fortune of hiring as a supplier. Maja was recommended to me in the first instance and I would have no hesitation in recommending her and Black Iris Exhibitions to any company, no matter how big or small, to competently handle their events requirements. The only thing is, I wouldn't want her to be too busy to look after me, that's how good she is!” And on this note I shall wish you all a fabulous weekend and I look forward to discussing your next exhibition project.

Please download Black Iris' Portfolio by clicking on the image below.

Elegant design for Slater Harrison

admin — Wed, 15 Jun 2011 08:59:10 +0000

Established in 1929, Slater Harrison’s papers, boards and coatings are global brands sold in 80 countries worldwide. The laminated board, Colourmount, has been the picture framing industry’s favourite presentation material since its introduction in 1981 – but in the world of interior design, colours are constantly moving in and out of fashion. In 2011, preparing for the introduction of three new colour variations from the existing Colourmount range, Slater Harrison called in Fox Graphics for expert advice. The two companies began working together in 2009 and have forged a strategic partnership spanning International rebranding, photography, product brochures, advertising campaigns, exhibition launches, product disks and promotional merchandise.

A fresh look at colour Working together in a series of brainstorming sessions, Slater Harrison and Fox Graphics created the concept of “taking a fresh look at colour” to launch the new Colourmount variations. The strapline featured as the promotional theme, accompanied by powerful branding and imagery for the three colour choices. Fox Graphics researched the concept, and art directed a studio photo shoot using a diverse collection of materials from cushions and perfume bottles to handbags, curtains, tassels and fennials. The importance of a successful launch for the new ranges was not lost on Creative Director at Fox Graphics, Kate Fox. “Colourmount is a vibrant brand with a highly successful 30 year track record,” Kate explains. “It was crucial to present the ranges in a professional way that would excite Slater Harrison’s distributors, and keep the brand fresh and current in the 21st century/current climate.”

Stunning in every medium Throughout the creative process, Kate was acutely aware of the many ways the designs would be used. “Marketing the new ranges internationally has involved exhibition boards and stands, advertising, PR, branding packs for distributors and sales literature. The new ranges had to look stunning in every medium.” According to Director at Slater Harrison, Brian Bogie, they do just that and more. “Fox Graphics presents our products, our way. These commissions are impactful, modern and really have the ‘wow factor.’ Brian continues, “Involving Kate in this launch from initial concept creation has been hugely valuable. We achieved an elegant design solution totally beyond anything we have tried to do before. Kate’s hands-on project management has really smoothed this year’s Colourmount launch at the Frame Art Show in Milan.” Feedback from Slater’s Harrison’s distributors, international exhibitions, trade exhibitions and conferences, and the industry trade press has been highly complimentary. Advertising and editorials have already featured in ‘Art Business Today’ and in the German publication of ‘Der Kunsthandel’ magazine. “The 2011 Colourmount campaign has continued to reinforce and increase the visual presence and awareness of the product, and its position in the marketplace as a design-led product, and constantly refreshing brand,” Brian concludes.