DESIGN AGENCY CELEBRATES 20 YEARS OF CREATIVITY

of work we’ve produced over the last two decades, and the calibre of clients we’ve worked with.”

“A flexible and creative approach to our work has always shaped the way we do things – it’s not just a result of COVID,” says co-founder Joe Bolland, as design agency Bolland & Lowe celebrates its 20th birthday. “We’ve changed direction, we’ve diversified and embraced new ways of working – and now we’re celebrating 20 years of working with a great range of clients – not only in the city region but throughout the UK. It’s our love for the city and the amazing people and organisations that we work with that resonates with us,” adds co-founder John Lowe.

Joe and John first worked together for an agency in Liverpool, but in March 2003 decided to branch out and open their own design agency, recognising that they complimented each other’s strengths. They were early advocates of a hybrid approach to work starting the business on Wirral. A move to Liverpool’s Rope Walks where they were working with clients like Royal Albert Dock Liverpool, National Museums Liverpool, Liverpool Everyman & Playhouse & Beatles Story. A final move to the Cotton Exchange in 2018 was their last before they embraced a fully flexible mode of work.

“Our approach has always been flexible,” says Joe. “From our earliest days, we always embraced a close-knit core team and worked with other professionals to scale up when larger projects came in. That way, it meant we could always have the right person with specific skills working on each project, and it gave us the luxury of working with clients who really resonated.” “Liverpool’s such a collaborative city,” adds John: “that approach has really borne fruit in the quality

Bolland & Lowe’s approach involves a simple process of creating creative solutions to client briefs: listen, think, create and deliver. It’s something that demonstrates a “natural sense of curiosity and empathy in our work,” says John. “Our approach sees us build strong, mutually supportive, collaborative relationships. We don’t have a house style – we create a look that is bespoke, and developed for each project, which helps us work with a range of clients, from Clatterbridge Cancer Centre to the LFC Foundation; Liverpool Football Club, Bruntwood, Sir Robert McAlpine and The Knowledge Quarter, Liverpool City Region Growth Company and Morecrofts Solicitors.”

That work ranges from branding and design to motion graphics and web. People and place are central to their approach. “We’re not afraid to apply new ideas and methods to the way we work, creating original, unusual and unexpected solutions for our clients,” says Joe. It’s an approach that has seen them work across a range of sectors from health and wellbeing to arts, culture and leisure; the public sector, professional services, education, and property.

Paul Cherpeau Liverpool Chamber, CEO

“Congratulations to Bolland & Lowe for their 20 years in business. Liverpool Chamber is a huge advocate for John and his team has worked with them for the last five years on numerous projects including the redesign of our company brand, the development and maintenance of our website and the creation of exciting content across multiple channels including video. B&L has provided us with consistently great service, giving us real insight and intelligence into the creative process and delivering us great outcomes for our design briefs. Co-creation has been an integral part of the client service, which feels more like a partnership than a transaction. The results speak for themselves and it is thanks to B&L that our 173-year-old business looks and sounds fit for the 21st century. bollandlowe.co.uk