built
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How we work - Our process Design Factory tailors the approach to each new project to the client’s specific needs, enabling us to create unique design solutions specific to your requirements every time. However, the broad scope of our approach can be described in the following four stages:
1. Establishing the Design Direction
3. Design Development & Implementation
Great design is rarely the work of one person, more often it is a result of open collaboration
When starting each new project, we would
After presentation of the initial design concepts,
between the client company and the design
urge the importance of meeting with all parties
comments and suggested amendments would
team. Typically, we will be in very regular
involved to further discuss the brief. This helps
be analysed and incorporated, the chosen
contact with you and encourage communication
crystallise the principal aims and objectives of
concepts developed and the preferred options
directly between client representatives and
each project and establishes the core values
applied to the list of materials specified.
the designers actually doing the work. We feel
for the design stage going forward. A summary
this makes us unique and helps engender a
report of information gathered from this process forms the basis of the design phase.
closer working relationship as well as ensuring 4. Production/ Artwork
the specific objectives of each project are met precisely.
This stage includes preparation of final artwork, 2. Design Concepts
the supply of final proofs for approval, colour specifications, supervision of film separations
With the parameters of each project agreed, the
and cromalin proofs. Final artwork will be
initial design concepts would be produced. The
supplied on disc and in the required electronic
initial design proposals would show treatment of
file formats for Mac and PC. All print items can
typography, photography, illustration (if relevant),
be quality checked on press and our production
colour and, for printed literature, typical layout
team will liaise with printer on timelines and
design.
delivery if you require us to manage that aspect of the job.
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Our experience Design Factory has over 25 years experience in all areas of brand identity and visual communication. However, we particularly specialise in branding and communications design and in design for the built environment.
Design Factory is an award winning branding and
Design Ethos
design communications company. Established
can properly or fully address the brand needs. Likewise, a wholly logical approach without
in Dublin since 1983, we are based in custom
We believe that good design is key to the
a ‘magical’ design ending will never serve
designed studios on Capel Street. Our staff
creation and survival of any successful brand. We
to inspire in the way a well branded piece of
profile comprises 80% designers including;
live in a highly competitive sensory environment,
communications material should.
the two Directors, Conor Clarke and Stephen
with visual and verbal messages bombarding
Kavanagh, who both design every day and act
our attentions every day. Design Factory’s
as Creative Directors; a dedicated print and
unparalleled experience of working with
production manager; marketing communications
businesses from all facets of industry, combined
Our branding and communications design clients
and other administrative staff.
with our skills in effective strategic design, put
include some of the country’s best known
Clients
us in the unique position of being able to provide
organisations and state bodies including; IT Sligo,
Complementing our head office we have satellite
the full range of materials you require, allowing
Waterford Institute of Technology, The Road
offices in Belfast - headed up by Creative
you to concentrate your efforts in other areas.
Safety Authority, Mater Private Healthcare, Fresh
Director Alan Diver; New York - headed up by
- the good food market, the Royal College of
renowned brand strategist Larry McNaughton,
All our work is guided by the principal of ‘Logic
Surgeons, The National Gallery, 3V the safe way
and an associate office - Design Factory
and Magic’. Without a logical and defined base
to shop online and the Royal College of Surgeons
Copenhagen, which principally deals with
which identifies the core aims and values of the
amongst many others.
packaging design.
client company, no amount of attractive design
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Our team structure We believe that the importance of having a dedicated Project Manager who will be your principal point of contact throughout the contract is paramount.
(Creative) Director
(Creative) Director
Marketing and
Stephen Kavanagh,
Conor Clarke,
Brand Strategy
is an honours
is an honours
William Hart,
graduate of NCAD,
graduate of NCAD,
is an honours
Dublin, and a
Dublin. He worked
graduate from the
founding director of
at BRS Design
University of Kent
Design Factory. He has served as a committee
Partnership in Amsterdam before founding
(UK) where he studied Politics and International
member of the GDBA (Graphic Design Business
Design Factory in 1983 with Stephen Kavanagh.
Relations. Before joining Design Factory in 2003,
Association). In 1995 and again in 1996 Stephen
He has served as a committee member of the
he worked in a number of marketing roles, both
received the prestigious Donside Papers (UK)
SDI (Society of Designers in Ireland) and ICAD
in the UK and Ireland, planning and overseeing
Award for the Best Overall Entry from Ireland
(Institute of Creative Advertising and Design). He
the implementation of marketing strategy and
for his ESB Annual Reports. He is currently
has been a regular award winner at ICAD with
developing new business opportunities. William
an external assessor to the Dublin Institute of
his work featured in international publications
has worked on all Design Factory’s branding
Technology. His work has been published in
such as ‘Who’s Who in Graphic Design’, ‘Graphis’,
projects for the past 5 years, helping identify
respected international design journals such as
‘Novum Gebrauchsgrafik’ and the ‘New York Art
strategy and planning for the design stages.
‘Graphis’ and ‘Novum Gebrauchsgrafik’.
Directors Club Annual’. He has written a book on
These projects have included; The Road Safety
the relationship between Ireland and Holland in
Authority, Mater Private Hospital and Blackpool in
graphic design for the Dutch publisher BIS. Conor
Cork amongst others.
has been closely involved at a Creative Director level with most of the Annual Report projects we have produced over the last twenty-five years.
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Our commitment to design We believe that good design is key to the creation and survival of any successful brand. We live in a highly competitive sensory environment, with visual and verbal messages bombarding our attentions every day.
Design Factory’s unparalleled experience of
Design Factory is an award winning branding and
working with businesses from all facets of
design communications company. Established
industry, combined with our skills in effective
in Dublin since 1983, we are based in custom
strategic design, put us in the unique position of
designed studios in Dublin 1. Our staff profile
being able to provide the full range of materials
comprises 80% designers including; the two
you require, allowing you to concentrate your
Directors, Conor Clarke and Stephen Kavanagh,
efforts in other areas.
who both design every day and act as Creative Directors; a dedicated print and production
All our work is guided by the principal of ‘Logic
manager; marketing communications and other
and Magic’. Without a logical and defined base
administrative staff.
which identifies the core aims and values of the client company, no amount of attractive design can properly or fully address the brand needs. Likewise, a wholly logical approach without a ‘magical’ design ending will never serve to inspire in the way a well branded piece of communications material should.
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Various identity examples
ODonnell
Furniture Maker s
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Case Study:
Fresh /// Full Branding
Brand mark
Packaging
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In-store signage
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Case Study:
Fresh /// Full Branding
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