


welcome to the 21st year of the 21st century
welcome to the 21st year of the 21st century! 21 + 21 โ that adds up to 42, my favourite number… …the meaning of life and everything (Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy), and in I Ching the hexagram means โincreaseโ. It’s a time to expand, develop, be strong, be generous, to replenish, and use wealth and resources wisely for the greater good. If only.

Colour goes… back to the futureโฆ
Colour predictions are a big event, and Pantone is a major influencer. Fashion brands, makers and interior designers will be gearing up to be on-trend, because colour is such an important part of how we express ourselves. Colour can make us feel more comfortable, more assured, more attuned. And these two colours will be woven into our lives next year, hoping to change the mood of us all.

Go get ’em tiger!
Being in the business of branding, like most designers โ the most difficult brand to create is your own. Even though you know your own clients, and the work you like to do, itโs still difficult to be objective about yourself. When you are working for a client, you are working towards a goal, usually a deadline for a brand, re-brand, or campaign. Youโve worked out and agreed a budget, youโre part of a team. So the only way you can effectively brand for yourself, is to become your own client, or hire another designer… which does work in large agencies, but not for any self-respecting consultant designer I know. Tantamount to cheating in an exam?!

Howโs your mojo?
We have had months of mojo mangling. Our boundaries between home and work have mingled. Is your mojo all fired up and ready for the rest of the year? … probably not. Iโve worked from my home studio for a long time, here are my tips to get your mojo on track ๐