Boxhead*
weareboxhead.com
Boxhead* is a Leeds based graphic design studio that has around four to five creatives working together. Being a small studio allows them to keep their costs low, they're currently based in an office space in a new development called 'The Greenhouse'. A good location as they're near to some other creative businesses. Being based just outside the city centre means that they're still accessible but probably paying less for rent.
The studio works in a diverse range of projects allowing them to work with a range of clients focusing on projects that are both print and web based. Being a small studio allows them to be able to collaborate and work with other freelance designers on a regular basis. Leeds is quite a large city and has a a number of well established design studios who run successful businesses already so standing out from the crowd is always going to be a struggle for smaller businesses.
Strengths
- Small studio in a creative development - no more than 5 designers - low overheads
- Based just outside the city centre - cheaper but still accessible
- Focus on both print and web
- Diverse range of clients
Weaknesses
- n/a
- Collaborating with other designers/freelancers
Threats
- Leeds is quite a competitive city with a diverse range of successful design studios already quite well established
Grid Creative
gridcreative.co.uk
Grid Creative is a successful design studio that has offices in both Manchester and London, they are mainly concept driven and work towards producing high end print projects. Being based in both London and Manchester allows them to have a broader client base.
Being in London is always an expensive option and having two offices will inevitably add to their overheads. At the moment they have quite a select client base and option to expand could be to cater for a wider client base. Although they focus mainly on print based projects it could be an option to look at working on more web based projects making them a more versatile design practice.
Manchester and London are both large cities with a high number of design studios so again standing out from the crowd is an essential part of the business, having an effective marketing plan is a essential part of ensuring the studio is run effectively.
Strengths
- Based in both Manchester and London
- Concept driven
- High end design
- Focus on print design
Weaknesses
- Cost of being based in London
- Mainly print based - could look more into web based design
Opportunities
- Expand client range
Threats
- Manchester and London are both places with a lot of design studios
Face.
Face is a creative studio ran by two successful creatives based in Harrogate. They cater for a diverse range of clients and focus on bespoke high end print projects. Not being based in a larger city means they aren't having to cope with as many overheads but at the same time being based in Harrogate means they are still easily accessible.
Although they specialise in print this could be seen as a weakness - an option to expand could be to take on more web based projects. Being a smaller studio allows them to collaborate with other freelance designers and other studios.
Not being based in a larger city could be a problem in the sense that they would probably need to focus on marketing themselves to a broader range of client in different locations.
Strengths
- Small studio - 2 designers?
- Print based - high end
- Diverse range of clients
- Harrogate - good location - not in a crowded city - but still close to larger cities
Weaknesses
- Mainly print based - could focus more on web possibly
- Collaborate with other studios
Threats
- Cost of marketing?
Design Project
Design Project is a successful studio based in the centre of Leeds. They work for a number of high profile clients, and their work spans a broad area of design. Being based in the city centre, close to major transport routes makes them easily accessible to clients but also means their monthly overheads will be higher, due to increased rent rates in the high demand area.
They work in all areas of design, across screen and print which gives them an advantage over their competitors that only have one specialism.
Strengths:
- Diverse design skills set
- All skills required are in house
- Good location
- Diverse + established client base
- Located near numerous high quality printers
Weaknesses:
- City centre location expensive
Opportunities:
- Based in a creative city so opportunity for collaboration
- The abundance of other creatives within Leeds means there is a lot of competition for work.
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