Catalogue

As working in a small studio is one of the areas that I am interested in knowing more about, I have been researching local studios who reflect my interests in design. The Leeds based design studio, Catalogue are a creative practices that specialise in graphic design, web design/development, art direction, visual identity systems, books and magazines. Having such a varied area of work is something that is appealing to me as a designer as I do not like to be limited to one area of design. This is enables a designer to bring in the various styles that they may have and to experiment with how they can work together under one outcome. 

I first came across the studio through their visual identity and creative direction projects through Instagram which appeared through the 'based on your likes' page. Through researching the studio I related to their experimentation of photography and illustration in their design as well as the production of editorials for clients.

 From having an interest in their work and being drawn to the various sectors of design that Tom and Oliver work in, I then went on to research the individuals further. This is when I came across the Alumni Profile on the Leeds College of Art Website, where I learnt that they are two alumni students from LCA. This page provides an interview with Catalogue which has provided a more indepth understanding of their work and how the studio came about. From reading this interview it has intrigued me more into the way that they work with clients and as a pair. 

In the interview they are asked when they set up Catalogue. In the response, Tom goes into detail about how receiving the change to produce to prospectus for LCA was the start for them starting their own studio. To expand on this, it would be interesting to know the process they went through to organise their own business and the space that they work in. Through the interview I have already learnt that they completed an Enterprise and Innovation course that helped with starting the business however finding out more about this would benefit my exploration of directions after graduating.