OH! design
Belfast City Centre, Northern Ireland, County Antrim
Belfast City Centre, Northern Ireland, County Antrim
I'm Jon, a graphic designer based in Belfast. I specialise in all areas of graphic design, from branding and logo design to print-based and packaging design.
I love to work with passionate and innovative people and brands. I believe that working collaboratively with a company is a very important part of the branding and design process, as this gives a real insight into what makes a company different and unique.
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Describe your creative process.
I thought it would be useful to share my design process, to give you an insight of how I typically work on various branding/design projects on a day to day basis:
Step 1: The Brief
The first step for every project, is to discuss the design brief. This is to establish the objective, deliverables and budget. If you don't have one written up, don't worry, as we can have a chat and put one together.
Step 2: Research
The second stage, after we have discussed the project deliverables/brief, is the research phase. This is a very important part of the design process, as this will define the direction of the branding/design project. This generally comprises of researching into main competitors, target audience/sector and also putting together visuals and mood boards for inspiration.
Step 3: Design
Once the design direction has been established, the design concept stage can begin. This is when the fun begins, and ideas start to come to life. I normally design around three different concepts to begin with, I also include both black and white and colour variations. This sometimes helps to bring the designs to life, and gives a good idea of how the brand identity will look and feel.
Step 4: Refine
The next stage is to refine, and develop any concepts. This is also when any context/format is considered and any mockups and printed proofs will take place.
Step 5: Delivery
Once the final design has been established and signed off, the final artwork will be sent over and delivered in all formats for print and web/social.
What information do you need from a client before you can start work?
Ideally it's good to know the objective of the project and deliverables required up front, along with your budget and timeframe.
What do you love most about your job?
Obviously working for myself means you are your own boss and can make your own hours. So whether I'm feeling particularly inspired or motivated at 10pm on a Tuesday night or at 8am on a Sunday morning, I can power up my Mac, get myself a coffee and get into it. Also, there's the variety of work you don't necessarily get working elsewhere - every day is different and this really helps keep me fresh and inspired.
What inspired you to start your own business?
After years of working jobs which left me feeling uninspired and for companies which left me feeling unappreciated, I knew it was time for a change and a relocation opened up that door to allow me to scratch that creative itch I've had since finishing my design degree, but have never really had the opportunity to pursue.
Branding
No matter what kind of business you’re in, if you want to be successful, you need to build a solid brand. More than just a logo, it can encompass everything from your visual style to your tone of voice. It's what makes you unique. It’s what sets you apart from the competition and it lets your customers know who you are and what you’re about.
Design for Print
Despite living in the digital age, printed communications are still a valid and effective part of the marketing mix, leveraging a tangible item in a targeted way to reach a specific audience can provide a level of sensory engagement that is simply unachievable via digital channels. Make your brand really stand out - from business cards, letterheads and presentation folders, to flyers, posters and large format products.
Packaging Design
You could spend half your budget on ads that no one sees, but the one promotion none of your customers can avoid is your product packaging. The design you choose can subtly influence shopper behaviour, communicate value propositions for a competitive edge and raise brand awareness. In other words, don’t just stick it in a plain cardboard box.
