Bucketfeet

Posted: January 25th, 2012 | Author: | Filed under: Branding, Design, Social Enterprise, Society | Tags: | No Comments.

I’ve been known to do a little doddle on my shoes, even had the fabulous Brennan & Burch doodle on some old Adidas trainers for me. So when Bucketfeet caught my eye it nearly made me open up a new pack of felt tips.

Bucketfeet is a footwear company that collaborates with global artists to produce colourful graphics for basic pumps. The philosophy is that each pair of pumps are a blank canvas for a means of expression and an opportunity to contribute to the founders passions. Providing arts and sports programmes for poor children around the world, with 5% of their profits going to their charitable partners.

Love the concept. Love the product. However what I wasn’t so amoured with the ‘brand’. The fashion industry is a tough market and taste maker fashion is an even tougher gig, usually reliant on a bunch of trendies to take said style to heart and proliferate to the masses while they move on to the next thing.

For a style conscious brand with an actual conscious, it’s important to be able to compete on all levels as your competitors. That means paying attention to the total communications package. A slick website, beautiful photography and a brand proposition that screams ‘buy me’ are must haves. The good news is that this is something Bucketfeet can easily rectify in time, allowing them to access an even wider market and share more profits with their chosen causes.

Business in the Community | Responsible Business Convention 2011

Posted: March 18th, 2011 | Author: | Filed under: Design, Events, News, Social Enterprise | Tags: , , | No Comments.

Yesterday I popped down to the Responsible Business Convention at the Business Design Centre,Islington. I was there to help spread the good word about Social Enterprise to the conference’s corporate delegates.

We also designed the poster for the Business in the Community Supporting Social Enterprise stand, which promoted the idea that the three P’s – people, planet, profit – work best together.

Tinga Tinga Tales

Posted: January 20th, 2011 | Author: | Filed under: Animation, Social Enterprise | Tags: , , | No Comments.

Love this! Mummies & Daddies may know this, but Tinga Tinga Tales is a beautifully crafted children’s animation on the BBC . Created by Tiger Aspect, it actually provides a great model for Social Enterprise.

Why? Well the creative concept was based upon the real arts and crafts from Tingatinga Arts Co-operative in Tansanzia, as well as folktales from all around Africa. Rather than producing the show in the UK, Tiger Aspect set up a studio in Nairobi to train and provide employment opportunities for aspiring animators in East Africa.

The programme manages to keep the authenticity of the original artwork as well as provide job creation. They now employ 50 people.