NB Studio was started on 1 March 1997 by Alan, Ben and myself. It was borne out of a desire to run our own projects, work with our own clients and move on from Pentagram, where we worked as designers. Sometimes I have to pinch myself to check that we’re still here after all these years.
When you set out, did you have a mission statement or an idea of what you wanted to do, and if so does it still apply?
We had no lofty ideals, we wanted to be creative for clients in order to earn a living, while enjoying ourselves and not hurting anyone. This still stands.
Some design studios tend to have a ‘house style’, a ‘look’ that is evident in all their work; does NB: Studio have this?
No, we don’t have a house style. We do have an approach. When it all comes together nicely the results speak for themselves. When it doesn’t come together - we don’t show people the results.
What is something you consider absolutely essential to your work (from paper and pencils to gazing out of the bus window in the search for ideas)?
Communication. Collaboration. And coffee.
Who or what has had a lasting influence on your creative development?
Everyone who has ever worked at NB: Studio. Our friends, our peers and our clients. Michael Wolff. Apple. Monmouth Coffee Beans.
Why and how did you end up doing what you’re doing?
I thought about this the other day. There are lots of things. Parents, tutors and friends, all of whom had an encouraging word or two. Comics. Books. Record sleeves (remember those?) And the Puffin Book Club - beautiful ephemera which I loved receiving through the post as a child in the Seventies.
What inspired you as a young creative student and what inspires you now that you’re older?
I was a magpie (not literally), collecting anything I thought was cool, coveting the things that I couldn’t get hold of. Mostly printed matter, a certain magazine, a cool set of posters by X, a lovely brochure by Y. It was forming my taste. Then I’d have a clear-out and start again, refining my taste as I got older. I still get excited by great work – I’m currently coveting Braun alarm clocks and Bibliotheque Dieter Rams posters. The people I work with also play an important role!
You work on a number of projects, termed ‘Also…’ projects on your website (link), that are not client commissioned. What do these projects give you that client work doesn’t?
It’s our self-initiated work and possibly the good causes we get invited to contribute to. ‘Also...’ projects are generally unpaid, the brief is looser and there’s less at stake if we screw up. We are usually more relaxed and the result is often easier to come by.
www.nbstudio.co.uk
CONSTELLATION SNOW
C. SOHO INDIGO SPECIALI FSC