Hi there,
Hooray. In this newsletter, we are all about celebrating new milestones! We are celebrating the end of the financial year, Matthew Lee Sawyer's fantastic book 'Make it in America', the members of the Creative Directory and finally our new members and assistants. We also honour our brilliant testimonials and our Minute with a Member. Enjoy your read and let's celebrate together! Sally and Charlotte
In Conversation with
Matthew Lee Sawyer
Matthew Lee Sawyer is an American business and marketing strategist, consultant, and author. He is currently the managing director of the strategist consulting firm Rocket Market Development.
"Make It In America provides valuable explanations, insights, and useful tools to develop one’s playbook for success. There is information on how to establish a U.S. business entity, how to finance U.S. expansions, how to navigate the legal and immigration systems, and how to establish a market presence. There also several checklists for preparing companies and startups’ Go-to-U.S. Market strategies and plans." Credit: photographer ©Peter Serling
Recent work from our Creatives
'Breathing space' is a book about Tasmanians' changing relationship with nature, commissioned to mark the Tasmanian Land Conservatory’s 20th birthday. The book features a gorgeous design by Nadine Kessler, and the cover was awarded a winner in this year's AIGA 50 Books | 50 Covers competition. The book is filled with essays, poems, and stories that were contributed by some of Tasmania's leading writers (as well as a handful from the mainland) including Erin Hortole, Zowie Douglas Kinghorn, Robbie Arnott, Kaya Ortiz, Miriam McGarry, Jock Serong, Peter Grant, Melissa Manning, Keely Jobe. These writings are intersected with stunning photography by Andy
Townsend, Hillary Younger, Matthew Newton & Matt Palmer
The book was printed on environmentally friendly paper stocks, with the addition of special Colorplan paper sections printed with white ink and endpapers featuring Richard Wastell’s artwork. Case bound in our bindery with brown linen, and a silver foil stamp.
TWELVE CREATIVE | DESIGN AND COMMUNICATIONS AGENCY
Twelve Creative shares with us the Annual Report they designed for AusNet. Twelve Creative are investor communications specialists and can help you relate to your stakeholders. With the Annual Report season fast approaching, now is the time to plan your next report with confidence. Contact hello@twelvecreative.com.au to discuss how they can help you get started.
BROOKE MILES | PHOTOGRAPHER
Above and Below Gallery Rebrand
"The sun is shining here, and our wonderful Whitsunday winter weather has finally arrived...so we are definitely smiling! We're also pretty stoked because today we can officially launch and announce the gallery's rebrand, to Above and Below Gallery. It's a new logo, but it's also a switch from Above and Below Photography, to Above and Below Gallery. It's been a work in progress for a wee while now, letting it sit and coming back to it (you can't rush these things!) We've kept the colors from the existing logo, and I couldn't let go of the gorgeous turtle and hill inlet graphics.
Did you know these graphics are pulled from two of my photographs? A good friend of mine from Perth (insert plug for Mel Taplin at Mistel Designs) created the original logo for me in 2017 when I first opened the gallery. But all good things need to grow, and so the gallery needed a new look. Shout out now to the wonderful Katy Woolatt who has created this new logo and delivered it right on brief. "
DAVID GORMAN | VIDEO PRODUCER
Alexander Knox and the Hickory Group
South Melbourne
"Alexander Knox is a Melbourne-based artist renowned for his large-scale sculptures, soundscapes, and kinetic light installations. He was recently commissioned by the Hickory Group to create a sculpture to adorn the atrium of their new head office in South Melbourne. Knox describes the work - "Joy to mortals imagines this mythic cataclysm as a series of suspended optical sculptures, exquisite floating debris… an abstract rendering of the deconstructed sun chariot. These optical fragments capture and make visible the sun's light and its many changing effects."
Our brief was to capture part of the manufacturing process, installation, and final display. Art consultant Sarah Ritson supplied the installation footage."
COOKE CREATIVE | CREATIVE DIRECTOR
The Western Chances 2021 Annual Report
The Western Chances 2021 Annual Report.
Western Chances is a not-for-profit organisation based in the West of Melbourne. We have produced their annual report for the last 8 years with the 2021 issue being completed solely in a digital format. The report is used to promote the N.F.P. beyond their financial figures and is received via email by current and potential sponsors and supporters.
Design and Development
The corporate typeface and colour palette are used throughout the report to reinforce the Western Chances branding. The front cover uses an image of the iconic Westgate bridge, with the blue night sky contrasting against the bright orange logo. The scholarship recipients’ photographs and stories are prominently featured, whilst duotone images of western suburbs’ landmarks break up the content and provide an ease of navigation throughout the report. Corporate colours were chosen for the financials to emphasise the impact Western Chances has within the community.
Typography
DIN is the typeface used throughout all Western Chances collateral. It’s a modern and highly legible font with many weights that can create interest in all digital and print media. We used a medium weight, with an outline for headings to create a point of difference. As DIN is slightly condensed, the font works well for body copy and financials, where line length is most important. Photography
Art directed by Cooke Creative and photographed by Igor Sapina, the photography puts the purpose of the organisation at the forefront; showcasing the scholarship recipients as well as their experiences and achievements with the support of Western Chances.
LIAM BOGGUST | 3D ANIMATOR AND VFX STUDENT AT COLLARTS
"Sally’s book is more than a practical guide to launching your career as a photographer, I’m not a photographer and found her book to be an honest and true tested approach to creating networks that support you, folios that bring confidence, and life lessons that any creative can find useful.”
LIAM SHILTON | GRAPHIC DESIGNER
"When I first got in touch with Sally I was struggling to get back into the world of design after a six month hiatus, working with Sally I was able to build my confidence again and reignite my passion for design challenges. Sally helped place me in a long-term freelance role with UNICEF Australia, the experience working with Sally to prepare myself for the role and the ongoing support and communication throughout made the process so positive and enjoyable. After one contract extension and six months of freelance work with UNICEF Australia I have transitioned into a permanent position and I couldn’t be happier. The knowledge of the design industry and the feedback and support Sally has given me has been so valuable to my growth as a designer and a professional, I feel
more confident in my work and my abilities now, and I look forward to continue working with Sally as a freelancer. "
"Ben Liew is an established photographer based in Adelaide South Australia where his photography has seen him win an impressive array of distinguished awards over the past 15 years. Ben is one of those rare photographers able to shoot a variety of work from exquisite portraiture and equally compelling interiors and architecture and with a strong knowledge of studio lighting Ben shoots superb product photography in the studio too.
Not just accomplished at commercial photography, Ben has a talented eye for the beautiful and the extraordinary and can capture that in an image. He holds a
reputation for high-quality photographs that are distinct, creative, and breathtaking."
PHILIP TAFFS | CREATIVE DIRECTOR
"Philip Taffs loves to write. And often, it seems to love him back. From international award-winning TV, radio, and press ads to a critically acclaimed novel published by Quercus, London (publishers of The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo series), Philip’s work has earned kudos as well as ker-chings! He has worked as a Creative Director in both Manhattan and Melbourne. Philip also loves strategy. In fact, he lectures on it at universities. He has helped win big Telstra, Nike and Honda pitches. But loves small space as much as the large arena. Whether you need a big hitter or a
consummate craftsman, Philip can help improve your project’s chance of success.
So try Philip. You may just love him."
JAMIE ALEXANDER | PHOTOGRAPHY ASSISTANT
"Jamie’s approach to food photography is driven by a love of the industry and an extensive history within a food and beverage environment, having worked as a fine-dining chef for 14 years. His passion is evident in his imagery, where he is able to set the scene of a venue and tell a story through emotive visuals. However, his talents are not only limited to hospitality, with his ability to apply creativity to lifestyle, fashion, and commercial photoshoots.
Having refined his technical skills, Jamie works alongside clients to bring their projects to life through creative direction and
conceptualisation to produce a truly original outcome. Based locally here in Melbourne, Jamie continues to expand his experience within venues of all sizes across Melbourne and to wider Victoria."
SALLY DRAPER | PHOTOGRAPHY ASSISTANT
"Hi, I’m Sally. I have always had a keen eye for photography, taking my camera to various places and events from a young age. I spent time studying Interior Design before spending the last 10 years as a Visual Merchandiser for some pretty fun brands. I have been taking on jobs over the last 2 years, especially in the wellness space. In my spare time, I’m a yoga enthusiast and have built up an incredible, supportive community and have been lucky enough to photograph many yogis, studio spaces, and many small wellness events. Because of my background, I have developed a keen interest in still life,
interiors, and personal branding but I’m also a keen traveler so if there’s any opportunity to travel, I’m in! I am eager to learn and gain on-the-job experience, I love to work hard and have a good laugh while getting the job done.
I am also keen to develop my skills in videography as this area interests me with its wide range of applications. I’m really looking forward to assisting in any way I can."
WHAT BRINGS OUT THE BEST IN YOU?
"I thrive off positive and driven individuals. It is for this reason I build my business by ensuring the people I bring on board are equally driven, self-motivated, and supportive. Ensuring that I surround myself with individuals who will push me to be the best version of myself is what brings out the best in me."
- Daniel Calleja | Visual Production Agency
Book a consultation with Sally
How will the one you want, also want you?
No, you haven’t wandered onto a dating site but to be honest, when it comes to hiring people in 2022, we can learn something from the matchmakers. Especially the importance of boosting your positives and presenting your business as a desirable place to work. Let there be no doubt this is an employee’s market – an abundance of job opportunities has delivered them the time and space to pick and choose. The employer can’t help being consumed with finding the right person for the job. However, in this employment market, you must also concentrate on being the right workplace for any prospective employee. So, what should an interview cover so the person you choose also chooses you? Here are six major workplace
attributes people are looking for.
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