I contacted Blue Orchid today an organisation that provides free business advice in a one-to-one session. I've left my name and number and they said they would contact me within 3 working days to book in an appointment.
I plan to ask about any issues I have with copyright, what are the boundaries regarding legal requirements with this issue, get advice on putting together a business plan, getting loans/grants, financial rates, writing contracts, understanding contracts, how to prevent yourself from being copyrighted and preventing fraud. I will possibly receive advice and learn things that I haven't even come to question because I am new to the industry.
I will put together a PDP of how this one-to-one business appointment went as soon as I have been on it.
Tuesday, 15 March 2011
Monday, 14 March 2011
Peoples History Museum
On Tues 8th March I visited the Peoples History Museum in Spinningfields, Manchester.
I had heard about their exhibition 'Banners' which showed over 400 banners in the collection including the world's oldest trade union banners, made by the Liverpool Tinplate Workers of 1821 and exhibited the history of political posters, through the fight of election by Labour and the Conservatives.
I went to this exhibition because I'm interested in the Graphics in these posters, the colours and illustration of the posters make them iconic, as the illustrations are bold. Each poster was designed to be bold and to the point, this is why the detailing is left minimal and the colours are bold but plain.
There were also a set up that showed how a 1940s shop would of appeared back then and I found great visuals in the vintage food brands and packaging.
It was through my visit at The Peoples History Museum that I noticed their card ranges, which focus was on iconic imagery. I asked at the desk how I would go about getting my own card range in the museum as I have a range I feel it suitable for the museum and they put me in contact with Janeka, the Merchendiser for the museums store and I have booked a portfolio viewing with her for April 14th.
TWD Accountants
TWD Accountants visited us to give a presentation on their accountating firm and gave us an insight into what to expect when setting up our own business, I found it extremely useful.
Key points I learnt were:
> If you earn less than £6475 a year you fall in the 0% tax rate
> If you earn less than £37,400 a year you fall in the 20% tax rate
> Anything over £37,400 a year and you fall in the 40% tax rate.
> You are expected to register yourself as self employed with HMRC within 3 months.
You must inform the tax office.
> Any trade must be accounted for, keep all invoices and receipts.
> Any travel expenses, materials bought for business etc, will be deducted from your annual salary which will determine which tax rate bracket you fall in.
Benefits for using TWD Accountants service:
> They will work out your end of year accounts and tax return.
> You will receive a complimentary 1 year use of book keeping online. Usually £24.99.
> There is a fixed fee service of £222 inc VAT.
> Free telephone advice.
We were provided with a useful booklet with all FAQs and knowledge about accounting. The presentation cleared up any issues I have had with Tax and I understand a lot more about it.
Wednesday, 2 March 2011
Loveday Designs
Loveday have contemporary, classic, quirky, humorous card collections for every occasion. They don't work as an agency, so I wouldn't be able to submit any work to them, but I like their playful approach to their work and crude humor. It is a style I've been practicing in my own work lately and it's reassuring to see an established company working in the same way.
Lime Cards Ltd
Lime Cards Ltd act as an agency for other designers as well as designing their own range. This range designed by one of their designers stood out to me at Spring Fair 2011.They have a contact page, to submit work which they will then decide whether they are commercially viable. I will be contacting them to see if they can pass on any information regarding their licensing agreement.
Firebrand Art Ltd
Cards can be sent to them by PDF form, if they think they are commerically viable, they will contact me to sign a licensing agreement.
Any card of mine sold I am paid in royalties of 10% of the wholes
ale price and I still own the design.
I have submitted 12 of my cards and I am waiting to hear back from them.
The cards on this blog are some of the designs that caught my eye in Spring Fair 2011.
The London Studio
The London Studio has won awards for their contemporary and innovative designs. They work as an agency and sell work of other designers. Their humorous and bold card ranges caught my eye, and I particularly liked the nursery rhyme cards as nursery rhymes have fond connotationsassociated with that that are linked to peoples childhood.
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