Designers’ identities

At Design Week we don’t often get the opportunity to showcase the identities that consultancies give themselves as it strays a little too far into self-promotion, no matter how nice the work.

So it’s pleasing to see that the work consultancies design or commission for themselves is getting some attention, in a new book Designers’ Identities by Liz Farrelly.

Form, Flat 33, NB Studio, Airside, Magpie Studio and Studio 8 Design all have work included in the book, which covers what different consultancies offer with regard to name, logo, business cards, packaging and online presence. Here’s some examples from the book. Here’s some of the work included in the book.

Airside’s contrasting disk labels and envelopes carry on the consultancy’s motif once the disk is slotted inside.

Form’s green and grey hole punch-style branding goes all the way through their identity from stationery to office furniture. Form’s business card is made from etched and die-stamped stainless steel. ‘Because people pay little attention to business cards these days, we wanted to make a lasting impression,’ says the consultancy.

Illustration and information designer Peter Grundy created a bright concertina booklet for his consultancy Grundini. This mini-portfolio functions as both a business card and a mailer.

Harriman Steel created this poster, as part of a series, which explores different methods and types of communication. A number of the posters are in the permanent collection of the Victoria & Albert Museum.

NB Studio worked with illustrators James Joyce, Anthony Burrill, Billie Jean and Paul Bower to create images for the consultancy’s New Year mailer. The 2009 version refers to the collapse of the global economy, showing a single dollar bill.

Studio 8 Design created a brochure using short runs of 50 copies and litho paper to retain the tactile and high-quality feel.

Designers’ Identities by Liz Farrelly is available from Laurence King, priced at £24.95.