A 2019 wrap up

We thought it would be a nice idea to pick a few projects that have either been a little out of the ordinary or have just been memorable for us over the last 12 months. As you may expect, it's an eclectic selection, but that's what keeps our weeks, months and years from getting repetitive.
 

Enjoy the round-up and we hope you have a lovely Christmas and Happy New Year. 

Emma's three from 2019

Osborne & Osborne

Mother and daughter team Fran and Rachael Osborne approached us to help them create a logo for their collaborative studio venture which opened in Portscatho, just down the road from us, earlier this year.
Fran, a ceramicist and Rachael, a metalsmith, wanted a logo that reflected the quality, style and simplicity of their designs. The elegant typeface with its imperfect edges and gold foil treatment give the brand a luxe feel whilst the ampersand and tight leading of the text give it a reflective quality that suggests togetherness. They were delighted with the result (and so were we).

Friends of Pendower

Pendower beach is one of our absolute favourite places. Just a few miles down the road from the studio, it’s our go-to place for an early morning swim in the summer or a break from the screen and a good old stomp across the sand. If you follow us on Instagram you’ll know we photograph it a lot! It’s a special place. There have been plans to re-develop the old pink hotel on the beach for many years but so far plans have been rejected. New plans include the development of 25 houses for sale which would completely change the landscape of Pendower forever - not to mention have potentially disastrous environmental consequences. And so when local action group Friends of Pendower got in touch to ask for help to produce a leaflet and website to help raise awareness of the proposed plans and to encourage local residents and those further afield to get involved - we were, of course, delighted to be a part of it. We even made a little film for their website to show how beautiful and unspoiled it really is - those blue skies and sparkly seas are a distant memory as I write this on a wet blustery December day!

Cornico Coffee

We have worked with Cornico Coffee since we started Design Room in 2010 and they have been through quite a transformation this year alone! Their background is in traditional rich roast Italian coffee but opening their very own roastery this year near Wadebridge has enabled them to experiment with roasts and blends to develop their own signature styles. We have worked with them to refresh their brand, moving away from the strong red that is often associated with Italian brands and adopting a lovely teal blue. We have developed packaging for a whole new range of products and we will be launching their shiny new e-commerce site in the new year.

Sal's three from 2019

It's really tough picking just three, it's been such an interesting, varied year, from trips down mines to royal visits, wine shop openings and of course a few feast nights at the Hidden Hut. However, I think these three illustrate why I love the medium of photography so much and the experiences that open up because of it.

South Crofty Mine / Cornwall Trade & Investment 

South Crofty looms large over the Pool landscape, I've driven past it countless times but never did I think I'd go down it. This commission for Cornwall TI took us way underground and whilst it was somewhat challenging from a photographic point of view, it was an experience that will stay with me for a long time, from the orange mud and water underfoot, to the absolute blackness, it was a fascinating place to be.

Da Bara Bakery

I photographed the range of products for Da Bara Bakery in the car park of an industrial estate, behind a shipping container on one of the coldest mornings of last winter. The light was beautiful though which is what matters. We also designed their promotional brochure for them which was kept fairly minimal, letting the imagery speak for itself. 

The Brave & Beautiful Breast Cancer Awareness Calendar

An amazing project to be involved in, taking portraits of breast cancer survivors around Cornwall and over on the Isles of Scilly for a calendar that is raising funds for the Mermaid Centre at Treliske and other breast cancer charities in Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly. You can read more about this project on a previous blog post