It’s a learning curve….
Business is not easy and there is a steep learning curve with all aspects of it. What we have found recently is that this is a responsibility that has to be undertaken by yourself and no one else.
We have over the past few months had some really challenging projects, demands can be un realistic but it is important to explain when a demand is that. everyone has timeframes but you can’t accommodate their poor time management at the expense of your schedule.
We have fell for that mistake a few times now and basically it has not worked out well. It is usually a situation where we do the work as a “favour” but end up getting criticised for the work we done. Over all the one time favour at our expense has turned “sour”.
The moral of the story is protect yourself in business, the learning curve is high and this has to be accounted for.
Updates
We continue to operate as normal.
What we have learnt:
some services are more profitable than others
our design work continues to impress
we have been hit very hard by BREXIT
material costs have rose by 30%. - 60%
timeframes are need to be explained to clients
we have to turn down work to continue to stay at our high standards
we don’t need as big of premises
Niall returns to medicine in September
learning curves are high but we continue to try to impress
Homeware….
It' has been a period of time since we have been able to say that we have our cushions coming back into stock. Having these back is key for our push into homeware sector. We want to be able to provide a high quality product which meet the demands of the modern customer.
These products are hand made an exclusive to us. Each one is made to order and that shows in the quality and presentation. Another service we can offer is custom cushions i.e. we can make cushion to suit your designs or needs therefore a printed cushion of your own.
Therefore look out for our new shop section coming to the website very soon.
The move continues…..
Well, what can we say but the move continues. COVID has impacted us all and we are no different. we have found that our business has become more difficult and with the looming of a no deal BREXIT in the future, there is going to be challenges. Having said that we are very positive about our future and the project we are trying to create, basically being more than that cookie-cutter print business we see on every corner run by the person with no design flair.
Currently, Niall is back with the company having decided to take a year out from medicine. He is planning to re-release a clothing brand in 2021 and will drive the business consulting end of the business forward. We have seen an increase in people starting new businesses so the hope is to provide a supportive service for them. Branding remains a big part of starting a business and one that make or break it in the early days. we have found this with some of the projects we have worked with that they have reported increase footfall and business simply with a new logo and updated signage.
Niall’s experience and educational background provide a good grounding for this aspect of our business.
We have moved into new premises although still not fully open to the public and working on an appointment only system currently. Projects and business continue to hire us and we see a large increase in existing businesses looking to upgrade their signage. Popular products have been the lighted signage, although a more expensive option the sign stands out and proven to increase customer footfall.
Expansion for ourselves will continue with the acquirement of new production machinery. This will see us move into embroidery more and the production of garments. This is a massive market for us to access and the hope to export much more in the future. Our website will also offer video appointments soon, these will be priced at £35 per hour session and paid at the time of booking. This allows us to access the larger public and gives a safe meeting platform for the meeting.
I cannot end a 2020 post without talking about BREXIT. To date, we have been told about price increases in supplies ranging from 6% to 20%. Unfortunlently this cost increase will affect our prices also, we have been able to keep our prices low since BREXIT was first mentioned but we can not absorb these increases anymore. Deliveries have been affected and until we are given further advice we are very much so in the dark.
At this time I would like to thank you all for the support this year. Our business has continued to grow and we may be looking for members to join our team very soon.
Wishing everyone a good holiday time and productive new year.
Wallpaper and patterns…
Design is the key driving force for us and we have always had a passion for patterns and wallpapers. Wallpaper is a great medium because you don’t need too much to make that impact statement. Feature walls in restaurants, homes, offices etc make a basic room memorable.
Simon has a range of papers he designed and the are real stand out statements. They have even been included in The World of Interiors magazine.
This was an incredible achievement and one we believe makes us unique in our approach to offering quality products and design. It also allows us to make products that we believe are interesting and let’s us imagine designs that could add to your projects.
With designing our own paper the colours and designs are nearly endless. A popular approach is the addition of logos into the design for offices, business and pubs/restaurants.
Texture paper is also popular with traditional paste and vinyl options available. Contact us for more information.
Gym Range…..
supporting local gyms and personal trainers is important during these times. We at SJD has produced many logos for gyms and personal trainers through the years and we will continue to do so. We believe in supporting the project from concept to final business. We do not only help with the design of the branding but also the install of the gym and the clothing range which can add that extra touch. Personalised products help with advertising and promoting brand loyalty. check out our clothing range to see if we can support your current business or contact us if you have that idea that just needs that little bit of support.
Our move begins…..
We are moving! Yes it’s time to increase the size of the business. Our units will have office space and areas for production. Physically we have outgrown our current base and decided to take the next steps.
what does it mean, well in the future a better service for all. More products and services, but most importantly a area to meet and greet. So follow our blog as we share our adventures and maybe meet some new people along the way…..
so contact us for any enquires
Another van
Just thought I would share a new project. This is one we completed from the start with a logo design, business stationery, ncr invoice books and finally van decals. It’s good to see how our logos translate to vehicles. Once again we used our Roland printers to complete the job
Hydro leak ltd
Van graphics and logo design completed by SimonJohnDesigns.com
The First Step..
Writing this knowing that we have to expand. The digital printing world is growing and we have to go as well.
found a decent unite which will enable more space and allow us to offer more products. Rent is an overhead but it’s time to go home or go bust.
Custom work….
When presented with a problem it easy to give up. Haven’t we all been there. With Covid being the norm stand units have become a wanted item but they usually are expensive or not suitable. What we did was custom make stands to suit our customer. Just thinking it out is key to the problem. But we completed them with a hands free sanitiser and decal to suit.
Sunday, no rest
So it’s Sunday as I write this. Guess what no rest, had a van graphic install to complete. Not overly complicated but you have to remember to keep design classy. I see people go overboard and although at times I love adding flair I need to be told at times to keep it simple. Short update today but check out the install below
Trying new techniques
Trying out new advertising and techniques. Using photoshop to blend logos and background is an interesting way to add flair. I can see this transferring well to poster print and social media branding for companies. It also looks very cool to be honest.
Videos are interesting, iMovie is a useful tool and using the adobe suite it makes simple and impactful videos possible. It’s funny when you have a brother who has a law background he keeps me grounded in terms of adding music. I know all about copyright law regarding design (a blog I will do in more detail later as I have an issue with so called “logo designers”). Oh yeah check out the SimonJohnDesigns YouTube I will add behind the scenes videos to this to keep you all involved.
The website
Yeah it’s time a new website. Think it was needed as the old one although well created no longer suited its purpose. It’s a shame as we tried to create a product which would sell on its own but you live and learn. Having said that we did install a wall art today.
Back on track, the website is launching, more stream line and better focused to printing and design. We are adding a online appointment system also although it won’t be live to start with.
Another aspect which has been added is a portfolio section. It shows of our logo designs and some of the project we are working on.
New Start………
Ok so a new start to SJD. It has been a while in the making and the transition from interior design to business focused products has been challenging.
why the change, simply it was business decision. We loved producing wallpapers and it will remain part of our business only separated to Simons own name. Wallpaper patterns were a niche product and the uptake was in lower quantities than we hoped. Supplier let us down with the production of supporting products such as cushions and funding was lacking for further expansion with the correct printers.
We always worked with business and our logo designs have been very popular along with all supporting products.
This is the new website launch will be key to our future, along with the addition of an appointment system which will be released soon.
As we go forward we will showcase work and businesses we help so keep tuned.
Signing out
Niall