Steve Lodewyke, managing director
A family friend gave me a book of Aesop's Fables when I was nine or 10. I loved the quirkiness of the stories and the simple truths behind so many of them. But the one that has stuck with me throughout my life is the fable of The Crow and the Pitcher?
A Crow, half-dead with thirst, came upon a Pitcher which had once been full of water; but when the Crow put its beak into the mouth of the Pitcher he found that only very little water was left in it, and that he could not reach far enough down to get at it. He tried, and he tried, but at last had to give up in despair. Then a thought came to him, and he took a pebble and dropped it into the Pitcher. Then he took another pebble and dropped it into the Pitcher. Then he took another pebble and dropped that into the Pitcher. Then he took another pebble and dropped that into the Pitcher. At last, at last, he saw the water mount up near him, and after casting in a few more pebbles he was able to quench his thirst and save his life.
WHY
This story inspires me and backs up my belief that necessity is the mother of invention – something I like to take into my work.
WHEN…
Being resourceful and inventive is my thing – a combination of skills I developed as a magazine editor working with limited budgets and a thirsty desire to create great magazines. I enjoy taking a brief from a client and then creating the perfect solution in the most cost-effective way.
The choice of the ingenious PlayPumps International as our chosen charity fits closely with our own business and personal ideals.
Paul Winslow, editor and copywriter
"Maybe I will never be
All the things that I want to be
But now is not the time to cry
Now's the time to find out why
I think you're the same as me
We see things they'll never see
You and I are gonna live forever
We're gonna live forever"
WHY
Because although putting in cheesy Oasis lyrics seems a bit tame here these sum up my way of looking at life and work – being the same as everyone else will never be good enough.
WHEN…
I relaunched Tottenham Hotspur's official magazine without a player in his football kit on the cover… I created the Barmy Army's new website… I wrote a feature about going on tour with Metallica.
Stephen Greene, designer
First, I am not a native to these shores. I left my Atlantic home and came to London when a friend gave me a copy of Eye magazine in 1994. The thinking demonstrated and the design on show stirred my imagination. I came over to work with the best and work in an environment that prized good work. Ever since I've tried to raise the bar, creating brands, collateral and websites that really communicate.
WHY
There is a certain, and often overlooked, value in quality.
WHEN…
Two suitcases, a laptop (a brick by today's standards) and backpack with no place to live or work. In front of me I had Euro 96, Microsoft websites and a Sony rebrand... Looking back it has been everything from Beck's to Toyota and a great deal of fun.
Trudie Avery, designer
“Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate.
Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure.
It is our light, not our darkness, that most frightens us.
We ask ourselves, who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, and fabulous?
Actually, who are you not to be?
Your playing small doesn't serve the world.
There's nothing enlightened about shrinking so
that other people won't feel insecure around you.
We are all meant to shine, as children do.
It's not just in some of us, it's in everyone.
And as we let our own light shine,
we unconsciously give other
people permission to do the same.
As we are liberated from our own fear,
our presence automatically liberates others.”
WHY
Because I believe that not even the sky is the limit. With a smile on your face and a good attitude towards life, life gives you a smile right back.
WHEN…
Always really. I’ve always followed my passions and believed in myself, and the people that I put my trust in.
Andy Hodson, designer
“We will either find a way, or make one!”
Hannibal
WHY
Determination and hard work, coupled with dreams and self-belief are the driving force behind all my achievements.
WHEN…
Since I’ve been working for myself, stretching the limits of my resourcefulness, and facing challenges head on.
Paul Price, designer
I was once asked by Computer Arts magazine to describe my work in one sentence and I came up with the following:
"Layered, textured, madness, funk, type, line action, barcode, scanned, data, depth, crazy, REPEAT".
They took my word for it, but you don’t have to. Take a look at some of my recent work.
For as long as I can remember, I have always loved art and design. From my initial commissions as a graffiti artist in Liverpool through my work with MacUser magazine and on to working with brands as diverse as Apple, BT, BP, Hewlett Packard, New Scientist and The Guardian, I have always been determined to create unique designs and illustrations, that are both compelling and attractive, while still communicating a clear message.
Jill Gaskell, marketing strategist
“Work like you don't need the money,
love like you've never been hurt,
dance like nobody's watching”
Why
Because I believe in throwing yourself heart and soul into life and work. And I think that it's worth taking a few chances - even if you sometimes end up with egg on your face. I'd rather be occasionally embarrassed at the things I've tried than perpetually disappointed for never having attempted anything different. Above all, I believe that work should be exhilarating, stimulating and fun and it should be approached with the kind of fierce passion and deep integrity that will deliver well-deserved benefits every time.
When
For twelve years I've specialised in achieving measurable results from focused b2b communications campaigns. And I've thoroughly enjoyed every client I've built a relationship with, every challenge I've wrestled and every brief I've tamed whilst delivering strategic internal and external marketing consultancy and support to nearly twenty organisations in a variety of industries. Ever since I learned to communicate I've been passionate - not to mention creative! - with words and language, and pictures. All of which means that the practical marketing skills I've developed over the years are underpinned by incredible enthusiasm, unwavering focus on results and a strong track record in delivering the positive benefits of good communication in the workplace and beyond it.
