b'AT WORK WITH: Gemma Bassett, Marketing Manager, SinclairsMy story with Luxpad goes like this: WhatUp next, design. This was tough! We hadweve been receiving positive feedback are we going to do with these products,such a wide variety of existing products andthrough customer meetings and social theyre starting to look tired?styles for this range. We didnt want to movemedia. Its so rewarding to see your It was November 2017 and we (thetoo far away from what our customersproducts being presented to customers, marketing team) were sitting in therecognised, but still needed the range to feelsold on retailers shelves and then snapped conference room in our product lifecyclelike a family of products. The classic Silvineon social media and shared with the world! meeting. With a table full of our existingteal pressboard notebook was what started products, each one of them with a long- the initial conversation, so it seemed fitting standing sales history, it was time for ato start with this one from an aesthetic refresh. The challenge: to develop theperspective. Using the shade of green products into something fresh for Sinclairs,from the pressboard and reading through something with a USP and yet we mustconsumer research: green is perceived as retain the integrity and quality of thesea tranquil, relaxing and somewhat soothing much-loved products. Id been in the team forcolour, perfect for any student or office four months at this point and I was ready forworker. This is where the key shade for the challenge and relished having somethingthe Luxpad range arrived from. The range to get my teeth stuck into. A huge part of mydesign finally came together and we could job is to scrutinise a product from the insidesee an exciting opportunity for Luxpad. out, making sure that its the best it can beEach product boasted superb quality and and fit for purpose. So, I started to pick eachwas targeted to its intended demographic. product apart. Whats the paper inside? HowEqually we had succeeded in refreshing the is it bound? What extra features does it have?existing lines into a fashionable retail range.I soon realised the potential of Luxpad,Now in February 2019 the range has further opportunities that would bridgelaunched in multiple channels through some other gaps we had in our existingdistributors and retailers, and Luxpad has ranges, and how we could create someseen a targeted marketing campaign across innovative new lines to excite our customers.printed, social and digital media. Luxpad And so began a month-long brand andwas my first main project at Sinclairs and product development exercise to form theIm proud to say its delivering against its products into the range we have today. key objectives for the business. Since launch AT WORK WITH: Jamie Mitchell, Co-founder and Creative Director, Ohh DeerWhat I love about my job is that its sograb a cuppa and then crack through ourfulfilment and were working on rebooting varied I never really have the opportunity emails, which Ive probably started on earlierour websites, so there are always lots to be bored. in the day. The great thing about Ohh Deerof phone calls with the relevant parties When I started work on Ohh Deerat this stage is that weve worked a lotfor that project! All in all, I enjoy what I it was with the sole intention of payingon sculpting the teams to be as robust asdo thoroughly, even though Ive probably my rent, allowing me some much wantedpossible, so Mark and I only really have tosuffered some hair loss over the years.freedom both professionally and creatively.weigh in on projects with a larger impact.In hindsight that was never going to happen.The head of the creative team will Apparently my ambition was always going tonormally want to discuss strategicJamie and lead lead me down a more extreme path! Sevendevelopments and run through the workdesigner Jade Walshyears later Ohh Deer is a team of betweenthat has been completed within each project 40 and 50 marvellous people, with myselfto get opinions. I have a great working and co-founder Mark at the helm. relationship with all involved, so my critiques I have an interest in both creative andarent difficult to give. Were working on a operational elements of the business and gethell of a lot below the surface, the largest about the same level of fulfilment from both.being a sub brand were launching called Theres nothing quite like receiving a finishedOff Centre to cater to a slightly different product, and also the implementation of aaudience from a design point of view.new set of shipping prices for the websiteAt the moment the bulk of the work to see what the impact is. I find both equallyis about sourcing the right artists for the satisfying, as sad as that may sound. ranges and collaborating with them to hit key Im not an early riser, unless theresgreeting card occasions. Weve done a lot of something I definitely have to be up for, sothe heavy lifting at this point and have around I tend to get to work between 9 and 10am.12 new card ranges to launch very soon!Mark and I will walk our two sausage dogsI often art direct photo shoots, have to (Finley and Scout) into work via the park,go into meetings about cash flow, order SPRING//SUMMER 2019 63'