I contacted the Retro Games Shop in Manchester for feedback on my retro game inspired cards. They seemed pretty interested to look at them even though they weren't already selling any, and told me to email them small res files. I've decided to just email for feedback instead of selling my work because I want to complete a workshop with information on business and trading before a pursue this.
The response I got was generally positive and it has encouraged me to want to pursue contact with other subject related stores.
Carla Brown, owner said:
- Retro computer game theme cards were strong and linked the subject
- Colours worked coherently with the subject and era
- Humorous and bold
- I'd created a flowing range
- Enjoyed the visuals and creative style
- Currently not in the position to buy
It was reasurring to know from someone that is so passionate about retro products that she liked them. Positive feedback like this pushes me to aim for bigger retro stores around the country, but I will need this business workshop under my belt so I've more understanding about what it is like to be in the position of trade. I thanked Carla Brown for my feedback as it has given me confidence in my card range.
Showing posts with label Portfolio Visit. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Portfolio Visit. Show all posts
Tuesday, 17 May 2011
Wednesday, 11 May 2011
Portfolio Viewing - MADE Afflecks Palace
I visited MADE in Afflecks Palace as I'd heard it was a new boutique. Yenna sells revived vintage clothing, handmade bags, accessories, greeting cards and postcards, under the label Yenna (also her name). The shop itself markets itself into the gift industry and I thought this combined with it being newly opened was ideal for a portfolio viewing as Yenna would have a lot of interest in looking at new designers work, but the opportunity to collaborate with.
Yenna was really approachable and eager to look at my designs. She was really enthusiastic looking through the range and like previous portfolio visits commented on how they were humorous. She said the styling was eye catching because the colours are bold, which she said was a good characteristic to have because it would keep a consumers interest in the shop which I thought was an interesting theory. She liked the styling of my bird cards (above) but I'm still considering putting these cards into a different product and we discussed how they'd make cute cushions or purses without the typing "one for sorrow" etc, see above with no text. I think this would work well and would have some qualities about them which would sell better as cushions and purses are a much more personal purchase.
I didn't show my unsuccessful cards, such as the cross cards (above), as I think they pull my portfolio down and I wouldn't want to knock any confidence a retailer would have in my work, so the feedback was generally positive.
We talked about figures and costs the breakdown of these costs are: to buy 12 designs with a minimum buy of 25 cards per design totalling in 300 cards would cost her £450 if I sold them to her at £1.50 each. If she then sold them on for £2.50, she'd make a turnover profit of £750 and a net profit of £300.
I can't reduce these figures as it currently costs me too much to print them, but I'm hoping with the help from Janneke Geene, I'll be able to establish contact and a print run from a company with more reasonable print prices.
I think these figures seems a little off putting for Yenna as she told me she'd think about it, but we swapped contact details and I'll contact her again soon. At the moment making a sale isn't my mine priority as I want to attend a workshop funded by Blue Orchid to get information on how to write up a written contract, copyright issues and general business knowledge so that I don't end up in any trouble. After I've attended that I'll feel much more comfortable in making sales, in the mean time I just really appreciate any positive feedback I receive as it makes me feel as if my designs are pursuing the market they are intended for. It was a good experience as always and I've gained another contact who may be interested in collaborating or trading business.
Yenna was really approachable and eager to look at my designs. She was really enthusiastic looking through the range and like previous portfolio visits commented on how they were humorous. She said the styling was eye catching because the colours are bold, which she said was a good characteristic to have because it would keep a consumers interest in the shop which I thought was an interesting theory. She liked the styling of my bird cards (above) but I'm still considering putting these cards into a different product and we discussed how they'd make cute cushions or purses without the typing "one for sorrow" etc, see above with no text. I think this would work well and would have some qualities about them which would sell better as cushions and purses are a much more personal purchase.
I didn't show my unsuccessful cards, such as the cross cards (above), as I think they pull my portfolio down and I wouldn't want to knock any confidence a retailer would have in my work, so the feedback was generally positive.
We talked about figures and costs the breakdown of these costs are: to buy 12 designs with a minimum buy of 25 cards per design totalling in 300 cards would cost her £450 if I sold them to her at £1.50 each. If she then sold them on for £2.50, she'd make a turnover profit of £750 and a net profit of £300.
I can't reduce these figures as it currently costs me too much to print them, but I'm hoping with the help from Janneke Geene, I'll be able to establish contact and a print run from a company with more reasonable print prices.
I think these figures seems a little off putting for Yenna as she told me she'd think about it, but we swapped contact details and I'll contact her again soon. At the moment making a sale isn't my mine priority as I want to attend a workshop funded by Blue Orchid to get information on how to write up a written contract, copyright issues and general business knowledge so that I don't end up in any trouble. After I've attended that I'll feel much more comfortable in making sales, in the mean time I just really appreciate any positive feedback I receive as it makes me feel as if my designs are pursuing the market they are intended for. It was a good experience as always and I've gained another contact who may be interested in collaborating or trading business.
Wednesday, 20 April 2011
Portfolio Viewing - Peoples History Museum
I went on a portfolio viewing to the Peoples History Museum on the 19th April and met the Visual Buyer of the museums shop Janneke Geene, she's also an events organiser and fundraiser.
I showed her the card collection from the Dark Nouveau brief, as well as the 4 finalised tshirts for my FMP.
Janneke explained that all merchandise sold in the museums shop had some have some link to the exhibitions and what the museum is about. The museums exhibitions are about the history of society and generation, politics and historic events.
So at that point I knew my cards didn't have a link to the visuals already in the shop so she wouldn't buy and backed that up by saying the subject didn't link to the merchandise already in the shop but despite that she was enthusiastic about my work and complimented the creative style and thought they were clever and humorous, but because she liked the style and content of my work she asked me if I would be interested in producing a minimum of 6 cards inspired by the museum!
The cards would be blank inside and not linked to any occasion, the style would have a repetition to the style in my previous card collection, only the subject would change so that it linked to the museum. Janneke suggested I wait until after uni so I don't feel any extra pressure and said that there wasn't a deadline for the completion of the cards.
I'm definitely going to take up Jannekes offer of producing a card range for the museum as it would be great for my existing portfolio as well as promoting my business name.
All the cards would have a brief attachment at the back of the card, with my photograph, name, place of study and my website name. This is great for promotion purposes and I hope more business comes from this project.
We discussed how payment normally works, Janneke said that she normally runs by a 100% mark up, so say I sold each card to her for £1, she'd sell it in the shop for £2. I've found a greeting card printers where if I had 300 cards printed, it would work out at 23p per card. To pay for the additional cellophane and envelope for 300 cards it would work at an extra 3p per card. Giving me a profit of 74p per card. £222 for 300.
Janneke told me I could contact her via about any advice, ie. printing advice, quotes and she'd be happy to help.
She's already forwarded on an email a printing house she's using to print postcards she'd designed for the shop with a printing quote, I'll attach here at a later date and the contact details, which I've extracted from the email, which is below.
She also gave me a suggestion of contacting wildlife attractions, who will stock merchendise related to birds, which she thought of after viewing my magpie cards. I think it's a great idea and will think of other places to contact where the subject in my cards is relatable.
Overall the feedback was great and she has provided me with contacts, suggestions, advice and an amazing project opportunity which I can't wait to start when I've finished uni.
I showed her the card collection from the Dark Nouveau brief, as well as the 4 finalised tshirts for my FMP.
Janneke explained that all merchandise sold in the museums shop had some have some link to the exhibitions and what the museum is about. The museums exhibitions are about the history of society and generation, politics and historic events.
So at that point I knew my cards didn't have a link to the visuals already in the shop so she wouldn't buy and backed that up by saying the subject didn't link to the merchandise already in the shop but despite that she was enthusiastic about my work and complimented the creative style and thought they were clever and humorous, but because she liked the style and content of my work she asked me if I would be interested in producing a minimum of 6 cards inspired by the museum!
The cards would be blank inside and not linked to any occasion, the style would have a repetition to the style in my previous card collection, only the subject would change so that it linked to the museum. Janneke suggested I wait until after uni so I don't feel any extra pressure and said that there wasn't a deadline for the completion of the cards.
I'm definitely going to take up Jannekes offer of producing a card range for the museum as it would be great for my existing portfolio as well as promoting my business name.
All the cards would have a brief attachment at the back of the card, with my photograph, name, place of study and my website name. This is great for promotion purposes and I hope more business comes from this project.
We discussed how payment normally works, Janneke said that she normally runs by a 100% mark up, so say I sold each card to her for £1, she'd sell it in the shop for £2. I've found a greeting card printers where if I had 300 cards printed, it would work out at 23p per card. To pay for the additional cellophane and envelope for 300 cards it would work at an extra 3p per card. Giving me a profit of 74p per card. £222 for 300.
Janneke told me I could contact her via about any advice, ie. printing advice, quotes and she'd be happy to help.
She's already forwarded on an email a printing house she's using to print postcards she'd designed for the shop with a printing quote, I'll attach here at a later date and the contact details, which I've extracted from the email, which is below.
New Leaf Press (Salford):
My contact there is Billy Lucas – he’s lovely.
Explain I suggested you contact him.
0161 205 0405
Mandy Bowden’s dad runs a printing plant and the details are as follows:
You’ve have to explain you got the contact from me and that I suggested to check with them...
They’re very nice.
It's great to have Janneke has a contact as she seems really helpful and has given me a great oppotunity to produce work for the shop, I'm really excited as to where else this may lead.She also gave me a suggestion of contacting wildlife attractions, who will stock merchendise related to birds, which she thought of after viewing my magpie cards. I think it's a great idea and will think of other places to contact where the subject in my cards is relatable.
Overall the feedback was great and she has provided me with contacts, suggestions, advice and an amazing project opportunity which I can't wait to start when I've finished uni.
Monday, 10 January 2011
Portfolio Visit with Thunder Egg
I first booked a portfolio Visit weeks ago, I'd gone in to try catch the owner after ringing the outlet but being unable to get through and luckily she was there. I explained who I was and if she was available for a portfolio visit within the next few weeks. She said it was a really business month as it was the run up to Christmas but booked me in for 11am Dec 10th. We swapped contact details, but she later emailed me a few days later to say she couldn't do the Portfolio Visit because it was her sons nativity play and would we like to re-schedule, so I emailed her back and said I was available up until the 21st Dec but she never replied!
Really disappointed I missed the opportunity to have a Portfolio Visit with Thunder Egg, but I'll try again at a later date.
Really disappointed I missed the opportunity to have a Portfolio Visit with Thunder Egg, but I'll try again at a later date.
Portfolio Visit with Junk
Junk was the first drop in Portfolio Visit I went on on Friday and they were really positive. The owner wasn't in but I showed the sales assistant Alisha, who was really impressed with the designs and said they were the types of designs they sell in Junk. She called up the manager who was also enthusiastic about the designs and they both agreed to book me in for a formal Portfolio Visit with the owner Charlotte.
It was written in the diary for a Portfolio Visit to be booked before the 10th Jan, but this hasn't happened. I'm a bit disappointed, but the oppotunity to sell was only really an added bonus and it was the feedback which was the most important thing.
Both Alisha and the management went through my portfolio and they had some interesting opinions. They said they could visualise the Winged Creature cards as wall art or printed on t-shirts or jumpers. They found the majority of the Victorian Era cards humorous, particularly the Disney cards, and said the Symbolic Cards were cool and modern.
I had added a few other bits of work, from previous projects which they said would make good notebooks and magnets which is something to consider.
Overall they said they were cool cards and thought they would sell well in the area.
It was written in the diary for a Portfolio Visit to be booked before the 10th Jan, but this hasn't happened. I'm a bit disappointed, but the oppotunity to sell was only really an added bonus and it was the feedback which was the most important thing.
Both Alisha and the management went through my portfolio and they had some interesting opinions. They said they could visualise the Winged Creature cards as wall art or printed on t-shirts or jumpers. They found the majority of the Victorian Era cards humorous, particularly the Disney cards, and said the Symbolic Cards were cool and modern.
I had added a few other bits of work, from previous projects which they said would make good notebooks and magnets which is something to consider.
Overall they said they were cool cards and thought they would sell well in the area.
Saturday, 8 January 2011
Portfolio Visit with Rockers
I don't regard this as a successful Portfolio Visit but I went to Rockers situated on Oldham Street on the off chance I might catch the owner (which I did) for some feedback.
Rockers is an outlet who's market is aimed at Rockabillys, Metalheads and Rockers so I already had an incline not all my cards were going to be appealing.
Cath the owner said that she thought the cards were cool but weren't for her market. I asked what it was about them that seperated themselves from their market and she said it was because they were too bold and bright and too anime. She also like Dodo suggested Thunder Egg.
This portfolio visit helped in a way that it made me see that there was a clear cut for where my cards are aimed at.
Rockers is an outlet who's market is aimed at Rockabillys, Metalheads and Rockers so I already had an incline not all my cards were going to be appealing.
Cath the owner said that she thought the cards were cool but weren't for her market. I asked what it was about them that seperated themselves from their market and she said it was because they were too bold and bright and too anime. She also like Dodo suggested Thunder Egg.
This portfolio visit helped in a way that it made me see that there was a clear cut for where my cards are aimed at.
Portfolio Visit with Dodo (Affleck Palace)
I had a portfolio visit with Lynn owner of Dodo in Affleck Palace. She has been selling Japanese anime inspired gifts and trinkets on the top floor of Afflecks for 6 months and she had some interesting and helpful advice.
She gave feedback on my portfolio saying it definitely had a place in the market and suggested I take my cards to Thunder Egg who predominately sell cards. I found it interesting she would mention them as they have been one of my focuses but I was unable to re-book a portfolio visit with them due to December being a busy month for them. She found them humorous and liked the Disney cards and Playing Card cards the most saying they were the strongest designs.
Lynn told me she only sells her own work in her shop but the space is small already and work of other designers takes up space and she doesn't make a bigger profit return than if she were to sell her own work, which made sense. She said although she thought buying in Afflecks Palace would be ideal for what she sells, she said she has been struggling to make money as the top floor is very quiet due to a recent refurbishment but that the middle floor of Afflecks always sells well as stores like Thunder Egg and Cafe Pop which also have outlets on Oldham Road are situated there and have had a long established network.
She added though that most stores in Afflecks would work commission based around January as it is a quiet month.
I found Lynns feedback really helpful on a more marketable side and helped me to piece together thoughts for future marketing strategies. I find it really interesting to hear the shops around establish outlets such as Thunder Egg and Cafe Pop do well, and it is something to consider for promotion purposes.
She gave feedback on my portfolio saying it definitely had a place in the market and suggested I take my cards to Thunder Egg who predominately sell cards. I found it interesting she would mention them as they have been one of my focuses but I was unable to re-book a portfolio visit with them due to December being a busy month for them. She found them humorous and liked the Disney cards and Playing Card cards the most saying they were the strongest designs.
Lynn told me she only sells her own work in her shop but the space is small already and work of other designers takes up space and she doesn't make a bigger profit return than if she were to sell her own work, which made sense. She said although she thought buying in Afflecks Palace would be ideal for what she sells, she said she has been struggling to make money as the top floor is very quiet due to a recent refurbishment but that the middle floor of Afflecks always sells well as stores like Thunder Egg and Cafe Pop which also have outlets on Oldham Road are situated there and have had a long established network.
She added though that most stores in Afflecks would work commission based around January as it is a quiet month.
I found Lynns feedback really helpful on a more marketable side and helped me to piece together thoughts for future marketing strategies. I find it really interesting to hear the shops around establish outlets such as Thunder Egg and Cafe Pop do well, and it is something to consider for promotion purposes.
Portfolio Visit with Abacus (Afflecks Palace)
Abacus is predominately a jewellers located in Afflecks and I wasn't going to stop to show my portfolio to them at first until I saw a small selection of cards, roughly about 6, from the same designer. I asked Daniel the co-owner if they were interested in viewing my portfolio as I had a selection of cards aimed at the Affleck Palace market and he booked me in for a portfolio viewing for half an hour later.
He seemed keen on the cards and gave an overview saying they were cool, that he was interested in buying and that they were suitable for their market but would need to speak to his co-owner. We swapped contacts and he said he would contact me after speaking to his co-owner, but I think I might chase it up and email him the costs etc.
I feel that as they don't prodominately sell cards they will probably be sold by commission which is risky or I would have extras printed for outlets that would only want to buy a small selection as this will lower production fees and the added bonus of having my cards in as many outlets big or small is good for promotion purposes.
This portfolio visit was helpful in that I got feedback from someone who is selling in my market and that they were interested, it gave me another contact and also experience in showcasing my designs and initiating sales.
He seemed keen on the cards and gave an overview saying they were cool, that he was interested in buying and that they were suitable for their market but would need to speak to his co-owner. We swapped contacts and he said he would contact me after speaking to his co-owner, but I think I might chase it up and email him the costs etc.
I feel that as they don't prodominately sell cards they will probably be sold by commission which is risky or I would have extras printed for outlets that would only want to buy a small selection as this will lower production fees and the added bonus of having my cards in as many outlets big or small is good for promotion purposes.
This portfolio visit was helpful in that I got feedback from someone who is selling in my market and that they were interested, it gave me another contact and also experience in showcasing my designs and initiating sales.
Portfolio Visit with Jensen Chadwick (American Graffiti)
I took my portfolio into American Graffiti in Affleck Palace and the off chance they might be interested in looking, and boy was Jensen!
She's setting up a shop in 2 weeks, after being a sales assistant for American Graffiti for 6 months and was looking for some stock.
I showed her my cards and she was really enthusiastic about all of them and was eager to exchange contacts.
She asked my how the rates would work and I told her I would sell the cards at £1.50 each with a minimum buy of 25 cards per design which would total in at £37.50, she said that she would take every card if it was commissioned based meaning I would only make a profit if a card sold. Commission rates of around 70%-30%. I told her I wouldn't possibly be able to take the risk of producing every single card based on commission, so I hope to sell about 12 designs to her at a fixed sell price of £450. (300 cards x £1.50) = (12 designs x 25 card). If she sold each card at £2.50 she would make a turnover of £750, totalling in £300 in profit.
She wasn't able to negotiate a price there and then because her business partner wasn't available, but she was eager to swap contact details so I will be contacting her Monday morning so discuss our options.
Overall it was a great portfolio visit and even if nothing materialises from it it's given me experience selling my work and given me an extra contact.
She's setting up a shop in 2 weeks, after being a sales assistant for American Graffiti for 6 months and was looking for some stock.
I showed her my cards and she was really enthusiastic about all of them and was eager to exchange contacts.
She asked my how the rates would work and I told her I would sell the cards at £1.50 each with a minimum buy of 25 cards per design which would total in at £37.50, she said that she would take every card if it was commissioned based meaning I would only make a profit if a card sold. Commission rates of around 70%-30%. I told her I wouldn't possibly be able to take the risk of producing every single card based on commission, so I hope to sell about 12 designs to her at a fixed sell price of £450. (300 cards x £1.50) = (12 designs x 25 card). If she sold each card at £2.50 she would make a turnover of £750, totalling in £300 in profit.
She wasn't able to negotiate a price there and then because her business partner wasn't available, but she was eager to swap contact details so I will be contacting her Monday morning so discuss our options.
Overall it was a great portfolio visit and even if nothing materialises from it it's given me experience selling my work and given me an extra contact.
Portfolio Visit with Paper Salad
I visited Paper Salad for a Portfolio Visit as they are in a similar industry to me and have also studied at Stockport College so we have similar backgrounds. I presented my Negotiated Project to them via Powerpoint and my Portfolio separate with card mock ups made to show the size and colour. There studio space was interesting to visit, they are based in Romily, Stockport in an industional estate set up with small buildings for businesses. Their building had lots of character located in a picturesque part of Romily, which I thought would be ideal for my own studio space as it had nice surroundings. At the front of their studio they had set up a shop, displaying all their products, while in the back they had 4 computers and a huge shelf ordering their many card designs.
I showed my Winged Creatures collection first via Powerpoint and they seemed a bit disappointed by them, they said that birds don't sell well in the card industry particularly Magpies as they are scary and if they were to send them to their agent they would have to do something completely different. I understand now after further backup of this opinion (from Karen Little) that Magpies don't sell well, but I don't agree that birds don't sell well in cards, I just think they shouldn't be the main focal point in the card and should be perhaps be smaller and part of a more detailed design.
Contray to this though they said that the birds that didn't look like Magpies were more appealing and looked friendlier and they liked the quirky slogans that were written on them, they also added that in terms of a uni project they were good designs with a good concept 'one sorrow, etc' and that uni is the only time you get to doing something really elaborate and out there as in a marketable industry, elaborate designs don't get commissioned.
After I showed my Victorian Era cards and they were much more appreciated, they could identify a market with them and found them quirky, humorous and ready to sell, particularly the Disney cards and told me to produce more cards in that style as they are popular at the moment.
They also liked the Symbollic Structure cards adding that the 'Black cards' are a popular design as well and reminded them of the 'I love NY' design and that the 'Playing card cards' were clever and hadn't been seen before.
They summerised with although good and that the colour and concept is niche I should think about my imagery more, as birds are popular in the card industry, that it should be niche but still commercial and that the alternative market might seem niche but is very commercial, which I hadn't thought of like that.
They added that if I wanted to be more commercial I should focus on colour such as pink and blue which are signifiers for genders.
They also said that the colours looked better on screen than the printed out mock ups, which can be rectified by calibrating.
Overall I think Paper Salad had some very helpful points, it was interesting to hear their opinion about the 'Winged Creatures' cards, as this is something I am going to bare in mind for further card designs, although I do think the design would sell on another products. I was happy to hear their feedback about the 'Victorian Era' cards and the 'Symbolic Structure' cards as it was a relief to hear I'd got some direction towards my market right. They also likened my work to the work of Alice Palace and Polite Cards, which is something to bare in mind when thinking about marketing.
I showed my Winged Creatures collection first via Powerpoint and they seemed a bit disappointed by them, they said that birds don't sell well in the card industry particularly Magpies as they are scary and if they were to send them to their agent they would have to do something completely different. I understand now after further backup of this opinion (from Karen Little) that Magpies don't sell well, but I don't agree that birds don't sell well in cards, I just think they shouldn't be the main focal point in the card and should be perhaps be smaller and part of a more detailed design.
Contray to this though they said that the birds that didn't look like Magpies were more appealing and looked friendlier and they liked the quirky slogans that were written on them, they also added that in terms of a uni project they were good designs with a good concept 'one sorrow, etc' and that uni is the only time you get to doing something really elaborate and out there as in a marketable industry, elaborate designs don't get commissioned.
After I showed my Victorian Era cards and they were much more appreciated, they could identify a market with them and found them quirky, humorous and ready to sell, particularly the Disney cards and told me to produce more cards in that style as they are popular at the moment.
They also liked the Symbollic Structure cards adding that the 'Black cards' are a popular design as well and reminded them of the 'I love NY' design and that the 'Playing card cards' were clever and hadn't been seen before.
They summerised with although good and that the colour and concept is niche I should think about my imagery more, as birds are popular in the card industry, that it should be niche but still commercial and that the alternative market might seem niche but is very commercial, which I hadn't thought of like that.
They added that if I wanted to be more commercial I should focus on colour such as pink and blue which are signifiers for genders.
They also said that the colours looked better on screen than the printed out mock ups, which can be rectified by calibrating.
Overall I think Paper Salad had some very helpful points, it was interesting to hear their opinion about the 'Winged Creatures' cards, as this is something I am going to bare in mind for further card designs, although I do think the design would sell on another products. I was happy to hear their feedback about the 'Victorian Era' cards and the 'Symbolic Structure' cards as it was a relief to hear I'd got some direction towards my market right. They also likened my work to the work of Alice Palace and Polite Cards, which is something to bare in mind when thinking about marketing.
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