07/Sep/10 —

This particular piece of news has been hard to keep under wraps as we've been itching to tell the world we've designed our first set of stamps for the Royal Mail for the last year or so, since the artwork went to print. Thankfully today we were sent the Autumn issue of Royal Mail's 'Collections' guide which features our work on the Winnie-the-Pooh stamps and associated collectibles, so it's officially common knowledge. We'll be posting the full job as a case study soon (along with a few overdue updates to our projects), but for now this is a sneak preview. And the stamp collectors amongst you can pre-order a set here.

21/Jul/10 —

Our chirpy postie delivered a surprise package today. With a postmark from the US of A, it turned out to be a Gold Award from Graphis - a genuine surprise as it's the first we've heard from them since entering the awards in darkest December. The news from across the Atlantic came courtesy of our carrot based poster for London printers, Gavin Martin Associates.

11/Jun/10 —

Today sees the launch of the BAFTA Online Review of the Year. We were thrilled to win the project in a 6 way pitch back in April and add the fantastic BAFTA to our ever-growing client list. The project takes a behind the scenes look at what makes BAFTA tick - focusing heavily on their fantastic moving image library and bank of incredible photography which we've integrated into the site.

Thanks to the BAFTA online editorial team for making it an enjoyable and smooth process.

10/Jun/10 —

Design Week asked one of our directors Ben to write a bit about what inspires him. Here's what he had to say on what gets him going...

30/Apr/10 —

We've just received file copies of a lovely screen printed poster we've designed to promote our lecture at the place it all started for us - Somerset College. It's illustrated by our old lecturer Brian Sweet and printed in Bath (we thought we'd keep it all South West) by Joshua at White Duck. We'll be hitting the 'Set next Thursday the 6th May.

28/Apr/10 —

The annual awards season has culminated with the announcement of the 2010 D&AD awards, widely regarded as the Oscars of the design industry. With over 20,000 entries from around the globe, our Christmas Stamp miniature booklet for the Royal Mail has been nominated for the scheme's elusive gong, the pencil. Needless to say, the news lit up the studio - particularly as it's one of only four nominations in the Graphic Design category, and the only British nominee.

Thanks to our friend Neil Hedger for the image opposite.

16/Apr/10 —

We've just been sent a copy of Polish baby magazine 'Ga Ga' which features our rabbit poster for Gavin Martin. It's actually a beautifully put together publication, but as our Polish isn't quite up to scratch we've got no idea what they've said about our carrot based cutie.

07/Apr/10 —

Our work for startup healthcare group Kirkwood Care was featured in todays Design Week. We've been working closely with ex-Innocent Smoothies finance guy Reece Howe for the past two months on a brand which will hopefully help Kirkwood Care stand out amongst the myriad of cliched care graphics employed by Kirkwood's competition. Design Week subscribers can see the full article here. Big thanks to Alan Levett for his work on the fantastic illustrations.

31/Mar/10 —

Today sees the launch of our press and online campaign for The Buying Solution - the independent buying consultancy of Knight Frank. The campaign uses conundrums and riddles to pose intriguing questions about property. The press ads leave the reader itching to find out the solution, driving readers to the website for the answers.

Illustrations were by our in-house pencil twiddler Ben.

26/Mar/10 —

Last night we attended the McNaughton Review 09 Awards do and walked away with a Commendation (for our book for artist Maria Amidou), a Highly Commended (for our Pinks Beauty brochure) and a category Winner and Best of Show for our Christmas Stamp Miniature Booklet for the Royal Mail. We are, of course, rather chuffed.

05/Mar/10 —

This week Jamie was asked by Design Week to contribute to their Vox Pop column. Here's what he had to say on the matter of cross collaboration with pop stars.

18/Feb/10 —

The I-dent fashion show took place this month - a collaboration between Tate Britain, University of the Arts London and the fashion, hair and make-up designers of the future. The show explored British identity and formed part of Afrodizzia, a Late at Tate event to celebrate Turner Prize 1998 winner Chris Ofili's current exhibition at Tate Britain. We were honoured to design invitations, programs and projection graphics.

06/Jan/10 —

Leading independent property consultants, Knight Frank, are set to open their doors in Ascot this month. The new lettings office will be launched with our promotional campaign, that highlights their outstanding pedigree in the property market.

We were chosen as front runners for the commission following a successful campaign for Berkhamsted.

01/Jan/10 —

Following a lengthy judging process, two of our projects have been shortlisted for the 2010 Design Week Awards. Portfolio Advice Day made the grade, along with our promotional work for printers Gavin Martin. Our thanks to both clients, who trusted us to pull the rabbit from the proverbial hat.

12/Nov/09 —

We recently completed our first pro bono project, which today featured in Design Week - you can see the article here. The ICE Coalition for the International Court for Environment are a not-for-profit collective of like minded law and NGO specialists campaigning for a truly international court which could adjudicate on disputes arising out of all UN environmental treaties. We've been working with Mesh (who have also offered their time on a pro bono basis) to provide a fully content managed website which will help attract new supporters.

09/Nov/09 —

The Neon Birdcage offers industry intelligence and insight to a loyal membership through print, podcasting, seminars, events and an all-encompassing website. The new venture sits as a central hub of consumer knowledge for an international creative network.

Our identity offers up the key to this knowledge, giving the bearer exclusive access to the insight and expertise within. The Neon Birdcage will be opening soon here.

29/Oct/09 —

A new report for the National Arts Learning Network scrutinises the admissions processes of our HE art and design institutions, exposing some shocking evidence about institutional discrimination and misrecognition. We designed 'Art for a Few' to draw attention. It's currently piling up column inches in the education and national press, and was even picked up by Design Week, as you can read here.

The report was written and researched by Jackie McManus (head of widening participations at UAL) and Penny Burke (Professor of Education at Roehampton University), and can be downloaded in full here.

07/Oct/09 —

13 or our projects feature in a weighty new book on business card design, published in Tokyo by Pie Books.

There's volumes of books out there that focus on the humble business card, but we think this one ranks pretty highly. Not that we're biased of course.

Pick up your copy here

24/Sep/09 —

We moved last week and as an announcement to clients, friends and suppliers we've created this little stop frame animation. For all the fact lovers out there Aimi shot 1,777 frames in order to make it. Turn the lights down, get the (very small bag of) pop corn out and enjoy.

27/Aug/09 —

Design Week published an article on our branding work for Shift today. The back of our Aimi's head is now gracing page 4 of the industry's only weekly mag - hair modeling fame beckons.

To see the full project click here.

18/Aug/09 —

Our recent identity for the Creative Summer University seems to have done the trick as the course had record attendance this year. The summer camp acts as a mini art foundation course for kids interested in a creative pathway. It's totally free and run by University of the Arts London who aim to enroll students whose parents haven't been to university.

As part of the project we photographed students from Hackney College in order to reflect the target market. As the budget was minimal we opted to shoot in-house - it was a bit like having an episode of Grange Hill acted out in our studio but the results were great. A big thank you to Hackney College for their help and cooperation.

13/Aug/09 —

Michael Patrizi the V8 Supercar Champion is helping to launch Rollasole in Australia. Last weekend saw the driver sporting a Rollasole logo down the side of his car (don't think he adhered to the strict brand guidelines on that one) whilst competing.

Talladega Nights style endorsement adverts beckon...

10/Aug/09 —

We were recently sent this beautiful paper cut illustration by our friend Becky Sutherland. It's been painstakingly cut from an old copy of Grafik magazine and apparently utilises her daughter's old science folder and various other found objects.

It's going to take pride of place on the wall here. If you like the look of it then there's plenty more amazing work here.

30/Jul/09 —

Our rebrand of the arts charity All Change was featured in Design Week today. Their mission is to develop and promote the role of the arts in society by bringing artists and people together to develop original, high quality and innovative arts projects, which promote artistic excellence and affect positive change for individuals and communities.

14/Jul/09 —

We got a copy of the Lawrence King book 'Business cards 3: Designs On Saying Hello' in the post today. The book features our business card for the Vegetable Bar in Germany which you can see in full here. It's our first piece of work to get published which is a nice little landmark.

25/Jun/09 —

Matt at Rollasole has been getting some unprecedented coverage on his product over the last few weeks. He's been interviewed and featured on ABC and NBC New York today after getting a rave review from celebrity gossip and fashion blogger Perez Hilton. You can see a bit of the coverage here on the ABC website and here on NBC.

Not just that, he's also had recent coverage in the Guardian, Times, Heat, Now and The Evening Standard - all praising the genius of Rollasole. Check out the Rollasole site and spread the word.

08/Jun/09 —

Today sees the launch of our Art Works identity for University of the Arts London. Art Works is a new awards scheme which celebrates arts and progression - focusing specifically on the university's Widening Participation programmes. We were asked to create a name, identity and catalogue for the event which will run annually. Our solution was an AW marque which reflects the university's joined up approach to Widening Participations and work within schools.

11/May/09 —

Our first ever Magpie Studio client, Prison Radio Association have just been awarded four awards at the Sony Radio Awards (radio's equivalent to the Oscars). They went home with two golds and two bronzes, which is amazing considering they are all recorded and produced by a tiny team working with inmates within Brixton Prison. They were also awarded Best New Charity last year at the Charity Times Awards. We're very proud to be working with such a worthwhile and forward thinking charity.

29/Apr/09 —

The Magpie Studio inbox has just received it's most exciting message yet. Today we found out that we've been awarded not one but two D&AD 'In-Book' entries. Of all the awards schemes D&AD is the most prestigious, established and toughest to get into. It's also worldwide these days which means our two pieces of work were part of only 717 chosen globally from 20,000 entries. It's fair to say we're all over the moon!

14/Apr/09 —

Right now we're busy working on an exciting new identity for Red Felix - an events management company specialising in formula one and the sports industry. Set up by industry expert Ros Ryder her brief to us was to create a 'fun, dynamic and engaging brand which exudes quality'. Our solution is Felix the pig, a sporty little red swine who proves that Ros can make anything happen. We're looking forward to rolling out the identity over the coming months.

09/Mar/09 —

We've just got back from Reykjavik where this years McNaughtons Review Awards were held. Our Portfolio Advice Day guide for University of the Arts London and Tate Britain won Best Brochure. It was an amazing weekend with all expenses paid by McNaughtons and some great activities including skidooing across a glacier in -10c conditions - not your average awards do. Thanks to Jim and the team for putting on an excellent weekend.

22/Feb/09 —

The Milton Agency are a London and LA hair and makeup agency who we've recently rebranded with a five star solution. It seems they deserve all five of them too as one of their makeup artists has been nominated for an Oscar for his part in the latest Batman movie, Dark Knight. John Caglione Jr is the genius behind the new Joker makeup and is no stranger to the Oscars having won a gong in 1990 for his Dick Tracy work. Fingers crossed for the team in LA tonight.

02/Dec/08 —

This week saw us walk away with our first design award. We were commended at the Design Week Benchmarks (the best in brand communications) for our Rollasole branding. Shortlisted in the 'Sports, Leisure and Travel' category, the judges described it as 'a highly unusual entry'.

The awards are judged by industry gurus such as Wally Ollins and Geoff Halpin along with Heads of Design and Brand Managers from some of the UKs best known corporates such as Boots, HSBC, John Lewis, Nokia and Tesco. It's nice to know it's not just other designers that appreciate a bit of sound branding.