Wigan Expo 2011

Last Friday, the 14th October, saw the second Wigan Expo at Leigh Sports Village. A vibrant and busy local business expo it was an ideal place to check out the local business scene (and one or two of my competitors).

It has been a while since I attended anything such as this but in my experience Wigan Expo 2011 is a particularly good example of how an event like this can work. Set over two floors in the corporate area of the Sports Village the exhibitors were broken down into three distinct areas. Those displaying their wares just beyond the main entrance, a larger hall upstairs, and individual corporate boxes. Of the three areas the only criticism could be aimed at the corporate boxes. If people were stood in or around the doors it was not always inviting for guests to enter and have a look around. However, having said that, once in and discussing business with the exhibitors it is good to be away from other passing guests which may clog the aisles in the main halls.

So down to 'business', was the Expo good for Gabriel Design or Website 365? The short answer appears to be yes. Only time will tell if the business contacts made will thrive and grow, and there is no reason to suggest that they wont, but generally the feeling is positive.

I was able to introduce myself to larger, local businesses in my field and discuss with them the possibility of their 'subbing' out work to a small outfit like mine. I also spoke to a competitor regard the possibility of offering alternative services to them so that they could offer a wide range of options to their clients. As a graphic designer with long experience in preparing websites I can offer something different to others in my field and thus can be of use directly to them.

I also had a useful conversation with a local accountant, signed up for CostCo in order make use of their great savings and had a long discussion with the Greater Manchester Chamber of Commerce which I am now giving serious consideration to joining. I also had useful conversations with local photographers, printers and other companies who could make good future suppliers.

Hopefully, however, the most productive meeting of the day has already lead to an interesting follow up this week. A local and growing internet marketing business has approached me to discuss becoming a supplier of website design and other internet services to support their own efforts. I am looking forward to hopefully taking this further and building links between our two companies.

I had considered exhibiting at this years Wigan Expo and based on my experiences of Friday I shall be budgeting to exhibit at Wigan Expo 2012. Hope to see you there.

Brochure Opportunity

I have recently had an opportunity to pitch for, what would have been, an exciting new project for Gabriel Design. A UK based travel agent, specialising in holidays to Portugal and the Portuguese Islands, asked me to prepare some designs and prices as competition to their incumbent print supplier. I readily agreed as it is always nice to have a 'meaty' project to get my teeth stuck into.

The brief was to prepare a front cover design, and two internal page layouts, for the brochure. The target market of which is the over 35s looking for a relaxing holiday within Portugal and its environs. Having visited the Algarve less than a year before I was filled with inspiration.

My first concept as to make use of the bright imagery offered by the Bougainvillea which seems to frame every view in Portugal. I decided to create a simple design, reflecting in part the artisan mosaics of the region, to frame each page and draw the eye in. This image would be larger and have more impact on the front cover. Use of large images wherever possible would then entice the customer and give them a sense of the country.

Having investigated artisan crafts for my first design I was inspired to create an alternative design using the Azulejo Tiles. Again this is a common image throughout Portugal and will bring back positive memories to those who have visited. I created some designs for these eye catching blue and white tiles using the photo images I was using elsewhere in the design with the plan that should the design be accepted I would have more time to choose the most suitable images for the project. Again this motif was used throughout the design.

Unfortunately the prospective client chose to keep their print and design with the current incumbent. This was mainly to do with the fact that they are closer to the travel agency and this would cut down on traveling time throughout the project. Also, it was felt in the current economic climate that they would prefer to keep the design as per previous years rather than risk changing direction.

However I have decided to display my two design options here on my blog as I am pleased with them and I think its a shame they would not otherwise see the light of day. Out of respect to the prospective client I have pixelated out their logo in these images. I hope that they are of interest to you.