The
Year in
Graphic Design VOL-12 / ISSUE-06
The 10 Most Innovative Graphic Design Companies in 2019
Editor’s Note Design:
Creating Stories, Ideas and Identities
D
esign isn’t a new term. It has been a part of the civilization since its advent. But yes, the face value of design has certainly changed. Graphic designing especially has changed drastically going forward from symbols to letters and alphabets. Or maybe backwards, considering the fact that we use more emoticons now than words. Whatever be the case, design and graphics have kept changing and re-inventing themselves to reflect the trends prevalent in their times. The earliest known form of graphic designing is cave paintings, which depicted how the primitive human of that era lived. Symbols and images drawn out of basic shapes tell the tale of how those times were. These symbols were used to represent things and essentially weren’t the proper names for the objects. The naming presentation started with symbols and manuscripts that were formed in ancient modern civilization which depicted objects and people by their name. These manuscripts formed the basis of the modern alphabetical system and words. Even though we have a rich vocabulary, images are still used to drive a message home. Images and words complement each other and are used to deliver any and every message. Print media was the first to harness these
Editor Sneha Sinha two together and now digital media has taken over it (print is yet to be replaced). The combined effect that comes up is the design. A design simply isn’t the image and the message but also includes the thought process that goes behind developing it. The way the elements are arranged, the choice of colours, the layout, even the sentiments – social and religious, are considered while developing a design. It is the job of the designing team to understand what is required and how it should be developed. They have the power to convert raw, vague ideas into designs that speak for themselves and for the idea that was behind it. This edition applauds the hard work that goes into transforming an intangible idea to a tangible design. This issue features “The 10 Most Innovative Graphic Design Companies in 2019” which have been utilizing the art and science of graphic designing to benefit the companies. The Cover Article is a ‘graphical ode’ to the year 2019 that brought new trends in designing with it.
and Films, which has earned a reputation for providing high-quality videos that can boost revenues, Return on Investment (ROI), and sales in client business; DotWeb, a growing digital media company with a strong focus on User Experience, Startup Incubation and Digital Product Development Services, Moving Pixels Private Limited, a design and production studio that offers a range of end-to-end communication solutions to its clients across various segments; and SKEPPER Creative Agency, a full-service agency that works with game-changing brands and inspired companies. The issue also features the Viewpoints of Sandeep Srivastava, a senior Branding and Advertising professional on Why Logo Design is the key to Branding? Also featuring is Inside View by Mayank Nimavat, Founder & CEO of Sarvam fx on Latest software in The Graphic Industry. We hope you enjoy reading this issue as much as we did while creating it!
The issue further features CorpTeaser Animation
Sneha Sinha Sneha Sinha
CO
22 Inside View Latest software in The Graphic Industry
CXO STANDPOINTS
08
COVER STORY
30 Viewpoint Why Logo Design is the key to Branding?
ONTENTS CorpTeaser Animation and Films Innovative and Effective Communication Solutions
18 DotWeb Delivering Impactful Creative Solutions
28 Moving Pixels Delivering Seamless Communication Solutions
34 SKEPPER Rooted in creativity, Driven by Individuality
36
Editor-in-Chief Pooja M. Bansal Managing Editor Sneha Sinha Publishing Control Team Rahul, Shruti Quality Assurance Team Abhishaj Art & Design Head
Amol Kamble
Associate Designer
Poonam Mahajan
Art & Picture Editor
Mayur Koli
Co-designer
Sapana Shinde
Business Development Manager
Megha Mishra
Business Development Lead Business Development Executive Technical Specialists Digital Marketing Manager
Ashwini Pahurkar Pravin Yalameli Amar, Pratiksha Prashant Chevale
SME-SMO Executives
Manoj Shelge
Circulation Manager
Tanaji
sales@insightssuccess.com
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E
ven before alphabets and words were created for communication, sounds and symbols were used for the same purpose. Visual learning and representation have always been emphasized as the best way to deliver a message. Designing gives a visual form to the words which creates a much stronger impact than words alone.
Graph D The term graphic design might be relatively new – coined in 1922 by William Addison Dwiggins- but its origin dates back to the cave era. All the information that human wanted to transfer and spread across was put on a stone in the form of shapes, pictures, symbols and more. The invention of papyrus, the oldest form of modern paper gave a new way to express the information. In the later era, more elaborate manuscripts were created which formed the basis of the current language system prevalent across the globe.
The invention of printing machines gave a wide reach to books and other media of spreading information like posters. This then led to the development of the advertising industry which merged graphic design and art to create visually rich and impactful print material.
Twentieth Century onwards, graphic designing evolved to become an industry in itself. It found application in not only print media but also digital. Today, Graphic designing is treated as a process of visual communication and problem-solving encompassing the usage of typography, photography, and illustration. It ďŹ nds its application in branding, corporate logo designing, designing books, magazines and papers, advertising, web design, and more. communication design, product packaging, and signage.
T
hic Design
Then & Now The Digital Twist
The computer, with its army of software, entered the Graphic Designing industry to change it forever. Using computer-aided technology, Computer graphic designers could now manipulate and combine words, images, colours, various typography and sound to portray exactly what they want and the way they want. Modern graphic design covers all spheres of human life which are related to visual communication, starting from books and posters to sophisticated mobile applications or 3D animation. Moreover, Graphic Designing today focuses on people’s digital experiences given the fact that technology plays a major role in everyday life. From smartphones to an array of electronic that respond to voice, gesture, and other sensors, the graphic design addresses the nature and visual form of people’s interaction with digital information and devices. User experience (UX) and User Interaction (UI) form the core of how technology will be used by people effectively.
What
Makes
A Desig LINE
Great
A line might seem like a simple thing, but it deďŹ nes how the elements of a design will be presented. Lines are effectively used in connecting content, creating space between elements or providing a central focus.
COLOUR Colors represent the various moods, emotions, personalities and create different effect on those who are viewing a design.
TEXTURE
SHAPE There are three basic shape types Geometric (Circles, Squares, Triangles etc.), Natural (leaves, trees, people etc.) and abstract (icons, stylisations and graphic representations). Most of the shapes in graphic design are a resultant of how these types are mixed and matched.
gn Varied sizes are used to highlight the importance of various elements in graphic design. Sizes of elements are chosen to portray balance, proportion and contrast.
The way the elements are arranged in a design, the spaces between them deďŹ ne the complete design. It gives a ow or rhythm to the design.
VALUE
SIZE
SPACE
t
Texture adds depth to graphic design. It can be used to accentuate particular areas in a given design and give a unique visual appeal to it.
Value decides the brightness or darkness of an area in a design ranging from the darkest of blacks to the brightest of whites. Te correct usage creates depth, contrast and emphasis.
Trends Defined That
3D Typography Design
2019
With the growing demand for VR, realistic style effects are gaining popularity and 3D Typography rules the list. 3D typography adds extra depth making the design seem like they are ready to pop and one can’t help but reach out to them. These effects can be applied to a wide range of fonts and almost all available editing software. While some feel that readability can be an issue at places, but almost all agree that they still look great.
The layout technique is a tough one to master, but when done right, it creates designs that are worth the efforts. Asymmetry talks about the lack of equality between two halves of a design which can be subtly balanced to crease-out the same. These layouts are different from the rigid and predictable symmetry grid, generating curiosity among viewers who love to guess where the design ow takes them next.
Asymmetrical Layouts
Metallic Colors
Colors add life to whatever they touch. Same goes with designs too. Colours complete a design. Changing trends give rise to new colours and shades that are born out of not just an experiment, but a keen understanding of what people want. Metallic colours and effects trended this year. Gold, Silver, Copper and their various shades added a new dimension to the designs that spoke of richness and exclusiveness. These lustrous colours put up a mesmerizing show depending on the way the light falls on them.
Open Composition This trend translates freedom in true sense for designers. No boundaries, no frames, no limits. Just pure imagination. The elements in a design are loosely bound to each other giving a feeling that they might be drifting away or coming closer. The design gives a feeling of being a part of a bigger picture igniting curiosity.
Fluid Effect Soft water currents have a soothing effect and that is what uid effect brings to a design. The trend gives a lot of freedom to designers who experiment with the viscosity combined with open-composition giving each design a distinct appeal.
As we enter into a new year and a new decade, the design will continue to evolve and incite us. The trends will change again, some making a comeback and some entirely new. Whatever be the case, graphic designers will continue to transform trends into real pieces of design. On that note, here’s what our in-house designers have to say about the love of their ‘professional’ life: Graphic Designing!
“Graphic Design is Visually expressing the collective idea of a designer and the client. Nothing beats the thrill to be able to express ideas in the best way i.e. Visually” - Mayur Koli, Senior Graphic Designer
“Graphic designing for me is an art that translates thoughts into reality. Being a designer has helped me view the world from a different perspective. It has enabled me to put life into ideas through my creativity, knowledge, and innovation. The combination of colors, shapes, and tools results in the creation of a product. I ensure to continue doing the same and putting life into my canvas..” - Sapana Shinde
“Designers have the creative power to understand individual minds and create interesting conversation by shaping their crazy imagination with Design Elements.” - Amol Kamble, Manager Designing Team
“Graphic design is art, it is all about imagination that is visualization. it involves a combination of images and text used to communicate information and messages to an audience. It is a creative and systematic way to represent the things and information” - Priyanka Rajage
“A graphic designer creates visual concepts either by hand or by using computer software to communicate ideas to consumers. A graphic designer is responsible for creating the layout and production design for applications like reports, advertisements, magazines, brochures, etc.”- Asha Bange
THE MOST
GRAPHIC
DESIGN COMPANIES IN 2019
Innovative and Effective Communication Solutions
D
igital Platforms are today considered to be the best way for brands to get in touch with their current and prospective clients. Marketing mavericks suggest that high-quality videos directed towards target audience can boost revenues, Return on Investment (ROI), and sales in a business. With in-depth knowledge and wide expertise, CorpTeaser Animation and Films can provide services that can go beyond a client’s criteria as well as industry standards. The following excerpt showcases how they make it happen. Kindly brief us about your company and its initial journey.
Darshan Sanghavi
CorpTeaser deals into Animation & Live Action Video Production, Branding, Advertising & Digital Marketing services. It’s a venture by a Veteran IT company Horus Tech Solutions Pvt Ltd. We started as an animation studio in 2014 and expended our services over the period of time. Since the start of our operations, we have been making business communication simpler and more effective. From using 2D character animation, spoke persons, whiteboard
Leena Sanghavi
animation to stock footages, we can create business explainer videos that cannot only capture attention but also tickle people’s interest. Engaging in the business world, you will be a few miles away from your competitors with our more innovative and comprehensive services. At CorpTeaser, we provide an array of services that any business can take advantage of. We have delivered services to over 1000 clients of all
Kush Kalwani
different industry segments and verticals from all across the globe. Brief us about the Founder/CEO and his/her motivation behind choosing Graphic Designing? CorpTeaser was co-founded by Darshan Sanghavi, Leena Sanghavi & Kush Kalwani with the aim to make business communication quick and effective through innovative visual ideas. The basic idea was to help
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brands better engage, educate, acquire and retain customers in today’s content marketing and digital era. Darshan is an experienced Founder with a demonstrated history of working in the marketing and advertising industry. He is skilled in Negotiation, Requirements Analysis, Software Implementation, Customer Relationship Management (CRM), and Management. What are the key points that you consider while developing the content? Our creations in15 different styles has impressed a clientele coming from more than 50 countries worldwide and spanning across all sizes from SMEs to Multinational. While creating content for a client we take care of essential points like: • Brand theme (i.e. color palate, font palate) • Target audience • Cleanliness in design • Size and design utilization for different medium such as print / web. • Uniqueness with consistency Brief us about the services that the company offers. Our Services include Branding, all type of design work (digital & print), animation, Live action videos & digital marketing. We also create: Explainer Videos in various different styles ranging from animated explainer videos to whiteboard to live action videos. Explainer type videos are one of the most engaging content over internet these days. Corporate Film making includes end to end solution. Our team of business
side combined with creative artist delivers unimaginable results with very quick turnaround time. We have all native skills and expertise of making any type of corporate films. Ad Films designed by us are concept based service for local to national TV ads, cinema ads etc. We do ads in different languages in various styles as well. What are the challenges in the Designing Sector in India? Understanding client’s brief and communication is we believe amongst the most challenging aspect. Quality check and quality control need to be taken care more seriously. Time constrain and clients awareness about the art work details is another challenging factor Please share the latest technology that the company is utilizing to offer better solutions. We manage and control all our operations through customized CRM. We also reward top performance with customized KPI tooll. Im order to deliver the best services to customers, we utilize all major online / offline designing platforms.
We reward creativity and performance on a monthly basis We learn from other people’s work in a group meeting Rather than an individual assignment and we work in team for idea multiplication What would be your advice for the budding start-ups and entrepreneurs in the industry? Develop consistent source of revenue for survival Keep on learning new techniques and skills Develop a skill to understand your clients needs well Brief us about the company’s future perspectives. CorpTeaser is going to offer one stop professional audio and visual communication services in an innovative retainership model. We work as a team to capture the most creative solution. It has been our pleasure to create a difference and we’ll continue to do so.
How do you maintain the creativity running in employees. Mention perks, special events etc. Our team comprises of talented and skillful professionals who have become a part of our culture, where they are given not just challenges but also opportunities to create great content. The best designers, the engineers, the artists, as well as startup staffs know how to get the job done on their own and know how to work together. In order to maintain the creative atmosphere at work:
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Inside View
Latest
SOFTWA
GRAPH
INDUST T
o give life to ideas, the Graphic Industry relies on technology which helps them give a real-life feel. Some of the most used software that are a rage in the industry are:
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ARE
IN THE
HIC
TRY Mayank Nimavat Founder & CEO
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PHOTOSHOP Photoshop was created in 1988 by Thomas and John Knoll but in present, it is handled by Adobe & it's available for windows & IOS. Photoshop is used by the visual effects industry, 3D animation industry, graphic designing industry, professional photographers, video game artists, advertising & marketing industry. Photoshop has been the industry-standard image editing, designing, photo editing, editing of marriage or other events photographs, Hugh photograph printing software for so long that its name has become a verb: It is common parlance to say that an image has been "photo-shopped" or edited. It makes use of layering & masking to allow for depth and flexible editing on your photo or designing part, as well as provide powerful editing tools, that when combined, are capable of just about anything. Photoshop is specifically designed to allow users to create and edit raster images in multiple overlays or layers with transparency and can also act as masking or filters. Photoshop is so easy that anyone can edit their photos in just 10 to 15 minutes like a professional editor and right now we have many you-tube channels to learn from.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR Mayank Nimavat is the Founder & CEO of Sarvam fx., Gujarat’s First Visual Effects & Animation Studio. He is a master in animation works and visual effects, and his talent in 3D architecture and Graphics Designing is unparalleled. To meet perfection, he takes 100% efforts to know what the clients want to be done. 24 / INSIGHTS SUCCESS / VOLUME - 12 / ISSUE - 06 / 2019
ILLUSTRATOR Adobe Illustrator is a software for creating designing, illustrations, 2D games, printing media, web designers, visual artists, vector drawings and much more. It can be used in Windows or Mac OS computer. Illustrator was initially released in 1987 and is now included as part of the Adobe Creative Cloud. It's different from Photoshop because illustrator works on vector-based designing while Photoshop works on raster-based designing. So for photograph base editing is merely used Photoshop software and designing and printing industry are mostly using illustrator software so both are very different from each other so we can't compare each other. This can be used to re-colour, re-design or creating visitingcards, posters, logo, brochure and other visual designs which use text, images & design together. Illustrator also makes it possible to manipulate text, design & photographs in many ways, making Illustrator a useful tool for many companies and freelancer who are working on digital media designing, games & branding industry.
CORELDRAW CorelDraw is a vector graphics editor developed by Corel Corporation. It is also the name of the Corel graphics suite. In 1987, Corel engineers Arseng Antonio and Vicky De Guzman undertook to develop a vector-based illustration program to bundle with their desktop publishing systems. That program, CorelDraw, was initially released in 1989. CorelDraw is similar to Adobe Illustrator for creating designing, vector graphics, branding, illustrations, 2D games, print media, web designers, visual artists, vector drawings and much more. CorelDraw was originally developed for Microsoft Windows 3 and currently runs on Windows. CorelDraw is majorly used for box designing, social media images, graphics packages, exes, brochures, invitation cards and consist of objects and can be edited separately, meaning that the shape, colour, size and position can be changed. One of the handy features of the software is that it can also work with multiple layers and multiple pages. These three are majorly used in the graphics industry. We have many more other software and plugins also.
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THE MOST
GRAPHIC
DESIGN COMPANIES IN 2019
Delivering Impactful Creative Solutions
A
digital product’s success is directly related to how well the consumers identify, connect and use it. So even before a development is launched, it’s user experience and user interface (UX/UI) design stage is the one that the companies must spend their time. A great user experience is what the consumers wants and the companies are eager to deliver. Assisting them in this task is DotWeb, a growing digital media company with strong focus on User Experience, Startup Incubation & Digital Product Development Services. The following excerpt showcases how they make it happen. Vikram Kumar Chindam, Founder
Kindly brief us about your company and its initial journey. Started as creative services company in the year 2006, DotWeb has done some outstanding work in the User Experience and product development space. We have been one of the leading web design, Book Cover design, Graphic design service provider in Hyderabad. Brief us about the Founder/CEO and his/her motivation behind choosing Graphic Designing? Founded by Vikram Kumar
Chindam and Saurav Gupta, DotWeb always aspired to be the premium design services company. They both believe that Graphic design plays an important role in this digital world. Any idea or concept can be effectively communicated through a well designed creative work. Vikram has over 14 years of experience in technology planning, business strategy and team building. He consulted several technology companies and served in multiple roles, from building teams to
envisioning and executing business strategy. What are the key points that you consider while developing the content? ‘Content is king’ our in-house copy writers come up with impactful copy, this forms the input for the graphic designer to come up with an impressive creative. As an experience driven company, Dotweb understands the value and need of UX of a product, across multiple touchpoints and at all
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stages of its lifecycle. It is extremely important that the user/customer gets the most delightful experience interacting with the brand at every stage. Whether it’s about a new product or an already existing one, Dotweb makes sure that from ideation to its implementation, user centered design process is followed to deliver a simplified, usable and efficient product that solves user’s problems, help them achieve their goal and also makes them feel delightful doing so; while aligning it with the goals of the business. Not only from a product development standpoint, we extend our experience consulting services to all the aspects of a brand’s ecosystem starting from the awareness stage to advocacy stage of a product which includes customer experience (CX) based marketing &
‘‘
We help product owners reap rich rewards by improving the experience of the user with the brand
engagement strategies, persuasion & behavior modeling and sales funneling.
How do you maintain the creativity running in employees.
Brief us about the services that the company offers.
Our employees are encouraged to attend technology workshop to stay adept of the new innovations in digital domain. Employees are encouraged to give lectures at local colleges, educating the youth about the emerging opportunities in the design sector
User Experience based digital product development, Web Design, Marketing Collaterals design, Book Cover & Print Designs, User Interface design, Dashboard design and development for web and mobile applications. We also developed some very good inhouse products in the healthcare and consumer internet domain. What is the CEO/Founder’s contribution towards the upliftment of the company? Vikram plays a pivotal role in business development and product development. At DotWeb, he oversees strategy and technology aspects of business. He works closely with clients to translate their business goals into actionable technologies. He also assists clients on business development and go-tomarket initiatives. What are the challenges in the Designing Sector in India?
What would be your advice for the budding start-ups and entrepreneurs in the industry? Youngsters who have entrepreneurial mindset should start working in that direction rather than ending up doing some mundane work at some organization. “It’s better to be the head of a chicken than the tail of a bull.” Brief us about the company’s future perspectives. Our focus is to become leading player in User Experienced based product development space. Provide Creative services for the IT / Non IT segment for their product / service promotions. To know more about DotWeb’s services, click here.
Majority of the people in Indian Industry are design challenged, they don’t know the importance of ‘Design Thinking’ in any product development. But things are changing for good in the last few years, the new age Indian is now aware of the impact of an impactful digital creative. Please share the latest technology that the company is utilizing to offer better solutions. We use contemporary Design and IT Technologies to offer complete turnkey digital solutions to our clients
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‘‘
Viewpoint
WHY
LOGO is the key to
Branding? T
he topic in the discussion can even get a novice talking with astuteness. There is no denying the fact that the logo is critical to branding. Yet how often have I heard my clients say “Show me some logo options tomorrow” or “It’s only a logo, why should it cost so much?” Volumes have been published on the topic and hence I shall refrain from stating the obvious besides merely mentioning the fact that the logo is the first visual point of recognition for the brand and the organization. Moreover, it encapsulates all that you have to offer, promise and stand for. Hence it is one of the most important business investments in the gamut of the branding exercise. Whilst the execution of the logo design is a work of art, the entire process is a strategic business process. With brands creating a clutter due to the over
competitive business environment and highly fragmented media landscape, the one true differentiator is the logo. It is the well-designed logos that enable consumers to establish instant brand recognition. The earliest impact a logo had on me was in the summer of 1984. I spent my eight standard summer vacations working for a promotions agency (yes they paid me in cash for obvious reasons). I was just thirteen but driven by the desire to own a pair of shoes with the swoosh on it. The other well-established German sports brands did not capture my imagination the way Nike did. Even then, the Nike logo was more than just a symbol to me. It is not just the swoosh, colors, fonts or the subsequently well-crafted baseline of “Just do it”. Like most teenagers who loved sports, Nike epitomized
everything I worshipped in those days and continue to do so. It celebrated sports and sportsmen & sportswomen across the globe. The brand struck an immediate chord of relevance with me then and nothing has changed to date. The logo encapsulates and represents all that Nike as a brand stands for. Many years later thanks to my interest in branding and the explosion of the internet, did I read up on that logo. A lot has been written about the Greek goddess, her wing and speed. For me, it will always be a symbol of eternal and continuous movement. In the recent past, a lot has been written about the Amazon logo and how one can find almost anything from A to Z. It has successfully aided the company’s transformation from a vertical portal selling books to a horizontal portal with the largest product width. Whilst locally it is locked in a fierce battle with Flipkart
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ABOUT THE AUTHOR Sandeep Srivastava is a senior Branding and Advertising professional who heads the Mumbai Operations of Evolution Strategy Advisors LLP, a boutique consultancy group. He has twentyfive years of experience in sales and marketing communications. He has an in-depth understanding of brands across a wide spectrum in the B2C and B2B space. He also pursues his passion to teach and is a visiting faculty at NMIMS, a leading Business school in Mumbai.
for e-commerce supremacy in India, there is no denying that Amazon’s proposition has helped it take giant strides in just six years. And their logo has played a key role. Down to the lowest common denominator, everyone gets it. “Wahan sab kuch milta hain”. Every brand has its own DNA, proposition, purpose, and values. It is a good logo design that encompasses all the brand elements into a narrative that is simple for all to understand, unique to stand apart in a clutter, memorable to be recalled even after a glance and timeless to always be contemporary and relevant. Most successful businesses are brands with great logo designs. The world’s top ten most valuable brands in 2019 (Source: Forbes) are Apple, Google, Microsoft, Amazon, Facebook, Coca-Cola, Samsung, Walt Disney, Toyota and McDonald’s. Little wonder then, all of these brands have iconic logos.
Around two decades ago, the legendary C.K. Prahalad and Stuart L. Hart had mooted a path-breaking concept. It was all about the vast opportunities that could be tapped at the bottom of the pyramid. This has contributed immensely to India’s growth story. When it comes to economic growth, it is all about consumption and demand. Consumption contributes to more than 60% of our GDP. With saturation in high- and mid-income levels, consumption demand had to be generated at the lower strata for the economy to grow.
displayed in village shops. The smaller villages have battered roads or very inconsistent power, but that has not deterred their inhabitants from consuming branded goods albeit in smaller SKUs. For all brands, this has been an avenue ranging from survival to growth. The competition is fierce in this segment too and besides distribution, branding is the major ingredient for success. Where literacy levels are low and imagery is based on the visual appeal, it is the logo that plays a key role in making the consumer pick one brand over another.
Today we see it all around us, be it urban or rural India. The unskilled workforce has smartphones, shop from e-commerce sites, eat branded biscuits and savories for snacks and overall, have shifted their consumption from commodities to branded products. Drive through rural India and one cannot help but notice how brands are
Whilst most marketers would agree that the logo design is essential to branding, my recommendation is to treat it as a business investment. For I know of a thirteen-year-old boy who sacrificed his summer vacations. All because of a logo.
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THE MOST
GRAPHIC
DESIGN COMPANIES IN 2019
Delivering Seamless Communication Solutions
U
tilizing media to reach out to the audience is the new routine. Media Production houses develop creatives that are impactful, engaging and stay in public memory for long. Creating such an effective media product requires people who are expert at what they do. It takes a team of Designers, Directors, Copywriters, Content and Research Experts, Cameramen, Motion Graphics Experts, 2D/3D Animators, Video Editors, Production managers, Support Staff and Digital Media Experts. With over 70 such professionals who work together as a team Moving Pixels Private Limited has been delivering seamless media solutions since 1993. Very few production houses can boast of such an experienced in-house team. This helps Moving Pixel to develop media solutions without delay that comes due to dependency on external factors. It also lends more flexibility in project execution Finding Niche In 1993, Manish Bardia Founded Moving Pixels armed with a degree in fine arts from a reputed University in Gujarat and dreams to make it big in the industry. Manish started the operations from a small workshop in Ahmedabad. In its foundation years,
Manish Bardia, Founder & CMD the company found its footing as an animation service provider to various leading advertising agencies and National organizations like ISRO. Working mainly in the government sector initially had its own set of challenges. Longer lead times, steep deadlines and very sketchy brief were some of them. Delivering creative products in such circumstances was akin to a nightmare. However, the speed, agility and precision with which Moving Pixels was able to deliver content for various
top-level government organizations soon became unparalleled in the industry. It is precisely this unique strength that Manish has imbibed in the organization over its 25 years journey and the very strength that sets the company apart from other organization in the fields. Capitalizing on Strength Understanding the target audience and deriving the right communication is at the heart of any content development. Moving Pixels today attained a very
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unique position in the industry owing to Manish’s vision. Today Moving Pixels can boast of a client list that spans right from State government to Central Ministries to the Prime Minister’s office. The company is proud to have been a part of the communication and branding campaign of one of the most respected personalities in the world today, Shri Narendra Modi. The association started right from the first month in the office as Chief Minister of Gujarat and continues to the present day as the Prime Minister of the world’s largest democracy, India. Over its 25 years journey, Moving Pixels has gradually diversified from being just an animation provider to 360-degree creative communication
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Having a complete in-house team allows us to deliver seamless solutions without delay
provider. Today, it provides Audiovisuals production services, Interactive technologies, Event Management and Exhibitions designs and designing and producing Broadway shows. One of the key pillars to Moving Pixels success is its huge back-end infrastructure. The company has continuously invested in infrastructure and today boasts one of the biggest infrastructures in the segment that it operates. Its video library spanning various sectors of government runs into thousands of hours and the storage capacity is almost a Petabyte. Moving Pixel has a fully equipped production facility with 24 hours of operational readiness. It has 5 Editing Studios (Broadcast Quality), Video servers with Fibre-channel Connectivity, Back-up servers with LTO Tape Library. Its equipment includes Multi-format HD/ 4K / Hi-Speed Cameras with Lenses, Lights, Sliders, trolley, accessories and more. These equipment enhance the company’s ability to execute multiple projects at any given point of time. It lets it meet the most stringent deadlines and a dedicated data backup ensures that it never puts the clients’ business on tenterhooks. Employees – The Core Moving Pixels always believed that people are the core of any organization and built an organization that boasts of a complete line of talent in-house. Having an end-to-end in-house team and infrastructure allows the company to operate on a 24/7 basis and respond to client requirements in the least possible turnaround time. Moving Pixels strives to provide its employees with an environment where they can experiment beyond their defined roles. It has a non-linear
hierarchy that allows employees with the talent to rise through the ranks and pursue their goals. One more unique aspect of the organization is experimenting with employees by entrusting them with responsibilities which allows them to gain experience and learn their way up the career ladder. Moving Pixels can proudly say that many of its employees are today very successful entrepreneurs. More to Offer The advent of technology and the internet have opened up the flood gates for the creative communications provider but at the same time increased competition. For startups and entrepreneurs, Manish advises, “The one thing they must not lose focus on is delivering value and innovation to the client. The second important point would be to nurture talent and create win-win partnerships.” Moving forward the company aims at developing its own IP and expanding its foot-prints outside of India in a big way. It has already done a few international events and digital multimedia content for a few International clients. Moving Pixels has now started experimenting with its own version of Broadway shows in partnership with other stakeholders from the field.
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THE
Rooted in creativity, GRAPHIC DESIGN Driven by Individuality SKEPPER MOST
COMPANIES IN 2019
YASSER ARAFATH KM
RANJITH R
Director of Animation & VFX
Director of Digital Solutions
ANOOP CA
Director of Design
BINOY S PARAKAT
Principal and Founder
I
“
f you think good design is expensive, you should look at the cost of a bad design.” - Sir Ralf Speth, Automotive Executive, CEO, Jaguar If this statement doesn’t convince you on the essentiality of good design, just look around. Will the flowers be as attractive as they are, minus their symmetry and color? Will the mountains be as enigmatic as they are without those rough yet perfect curves and edges? Will the things and brands you admire be as attractive as they are minus their shape, size, logo, color etc? To keep it simple, design matters, whether it be a natural product or a man-made one.
To make a perfect product is one part of the battle that a company fights, to make a perfectly designed product is another crucial part that influences the consumer’s preferences. Many products win consumer preference not just because they are made right, but also designed right. And this designing part needs people who are skilled in combining business with creativity, intelligence with what’s relevant, and a bigpicture thinking with detailed execution. The Living proof to this is SKEPPER, an ‘agency’ that is different, looks different and most importantly works differently from the status quo.
Be Different to Bring a Difference SKEPPER is a full-service agency that works with game-changing brands and inspired companies. Its core strategic engagements are designed to deliver results, from branding that breathes life into a company’s story, to platform design that fosters engagement and campaigns that drive consumer action. Whether you’re just starting or evolving your brand, SKEPPER will help you grow. With specialties in campaign conception, high-level Visual Design, Impressive Video Making and flawless Web & App Development
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capabilities, it always delivers top-notch work for its clients with strong attention to details and creative execution. SKEPPER was established with the belief that it will always honor its commitment to the clients, the partners, its knowledge and creativity by inspiring with its work. The framework of its business and fabric of its culture are rooted in this belief; this is what enables it to continuously go One Step Further.
When Creative Minds Come Together Binoy S Parakat is Principal and founder of SKEPPER Creative Agency. The company’s Co-Founders include, Anoop CA, the Director of Design, Yasser Arafath KM, the Director of Digital Solutions, and Ranjith R, the Director of Animation & VFX. A branding expert with 20 years of dedication to the craft of creative problem solving, Binoy is currently leading SKEPPER as Chief Creative Officer. Back in the early 90’s Binoy used to visit his Uncle’s design studio where he was using
Services offered by SKEPPER
Brand Positioning
Logo, Tagline; Style Guide; Communications Plan
conventional spray painting and typesetting process to design. He got fascinated with his work and decided to pursue a career in graphic design. His uncle Mr Rajagopal mentored him in the graphic design business and he was part of his company for around 12 years before starting SKEPPER in 2013 Binoy’s approach towards brand development is very straightforward, ‘immerse yourself in the client’s business and industry, then deliver a strategic brand creative that produces meaningful results.’ His ongoing success in the field of creative development has produced award-winning materials for many brand-driven clients including Novo Nordisk, Mylan, AstraZeneca, Zydus, Abbott, Rittal, Muscle & Music, Vacxigen. In addition to the details of the design world, Binoy also holds love and a strong grasp of brand storytelling through visual identity and video production. When not focused on client work, Binoy continues to experiment with several other hats including that of a photographer, a cyclist, a trainer and an organic farmer.
Points to Ponder The key to a great receipe lies in its ingredients. At SKEPPER, to develop great content, the team focuses on the following points: DISCOVER: Getting the right answers begins with asking the right questions. While there is no predetermined process for creativity, excellent work is born from a true understanding of where you are, where you’ve been and where you’re going. SKEPPER’s in-depth discovery process means no stone is unturned and every opportunity is explored. OUTLINE: The data assembled should be synchronized to an undeniable strategy. As an outline, it characterizes points, parameters and the work calendar to accomplish the same within a period. CREATE: Great work doesn’t just ‘happen,’ it’s born out of inspiration, trust and collaboration. The company is renowned for its readiness to explore; to break; to experiment and then put it all back together. Doing this sets the bar for a direction that is blindingly crystal clear and most importantly, applicable to you.
Social Media Marketing Management
Advertising
Integrated Ad Campaign; Collateral Design + Production; Events Support;
Website/Mobile Development
Information Architecture; Design; Development; Maintenance; Landing Page + Microsite Creation; Tracking + Reporting Analytics
Oversee Social Platforms; Audience Growth; Advertisement Production + Implementation; Tracking + Reporting Analytics; Content Calendar Creation
Content Development
Copywriting; Photography; Video Production; Social Media Content; Infographic Design; Illustration
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DELIVER: The creative must be finetuned, repeatedly in the minute element before the final execution, to deliver a quality output excellently presentable.
Overcoming Adversities There’s barely a journey that goes without a few glitches. The designing industry, albeit a growing one, has its fair share of challenges in the following form: Huge manpower requirement: The Indian graphic and communication design industry is on the rise. There is an increasing need for graphic communication in modern-day commercial activities. With growth expected in this field, there is also a huge quality manpower requirement. Too much competition: One of the biggest challenges faced by graphic designers is the toughness of competition. There is a plethora of graphic designers and every year the crop is increasing humongusly. Many of them start their enterprises adding
to the competition turning graphic designing into a low paying job. Though opportunities are many, the oversaturation in this field is deterring the quality of these opportunities. Presence of low-cost freelancers: Companies have got multiple choices in the form of freelancers from all across the globe through different platforms. The freelancers and beginners here bid for the projects at very low prices, making it difficult for the full-time graphic design companies to secure in-house jobs.
The Secret Weapon – Technology and People SKEPPER uses technology to design solutions, create and publish content for print and the Web faster, more easily and more affordable than ever. It helps the company to: • Work productively • Simplify the workflow • Enjoy unprecedented value
Values that Drive Creativity • Adventure - It keeps us courageous, open to all possibilities, and ready to improvise and adapt. • Collaboration - Our most creative concepts surface when we’re brainstorming internally as a group, and our clients bring some pretty good ideas to the table, too. • Compassion - We care about the process, the relationship, and the humans behind the work. • Genuineness - There’s nothing cooler than just being yourself. • Social Justice - We envision the world as having a more equal distribution of power, and we believe that access to good storytelling and communication is a powerful and necessary tool to achieve this.
The company believes that liking what you do and who you do it with makes the work a lot better, not to mention more fun. One of the founding ideas at SKEPPER was to prioritize building a team and client base of people on mutual respect, as well as the ability to have fun together, even when the work is difficult. “Our values define a lot of the other aspects of our culture at SKEPPER, as we are consciously building community and purpose through our work,” adds Binoy.
Words of Wisdom They say where there is a will there is a way. Any startup is a result of this proverb. In this growing economy, startups play a vital role in the development of a country. Every day there are few to many startups budding up, envisioned by entrepreneurs. A lot of support is provided by the Government for an individual or a team to commence their startup. Binoy says, “All you need is a dream, belief on your dream that you are
going to change something in people’s life and a little finance which may be selffinance or from an outside investor. With this, you are the kick starter for your startup but to transform as an entrepreneur it takes a lot of worthful effort. Dream, Take risk, Be with the team, keep investing your success…Be an Entrepreneur.” He further explains, “Starting up a new venture in Graphic Design will be challenging and at the same time rewarding.It’s a challenge to be creative every day, but a really rewarding and satisfying one.My advice to people who are thinking of starting up a design firm is to observe as much as possible. Don’t think that technology is the answer to all of your problems. It’s a tool, but it needs a creative brain to utilise it, otherwise, it’s useless.”
Looking Forward Team SKEPPER believes in the proverb, ‘You only reap what you sow’. It believes that an agency must find clients who believe in creativity and understands its importance and power to solve their business problems. Without such clients a creatively led agency might not survive. The purpose of this selectiveness is not to simply make the partnership between client and agency easier, but rather it plays a key role in the constantly changing and growing identity of SKEPPER. When the client understands the importance of creativity, the end product further illuminates the agency’s future. Binoy explains, “People outside of the organization look at our work and say ‘I want to be a part of that.’ You'll keep the quality and the calibre of your creativity within your creation high.” The team also believes that constant learning, inquisitiveness, an insatiable curiosity and life experience are far more important than textbook advertising knowledge. This is what it fouces on when it comes to growing as an organization in the future. Binoy concludes, “At SKEPPER we focus on true willingness of the future to be more adaptive and reflective of client’s needs.Our culture is entirely about limitless possibilities and a relentless belief in a future that is bigger than the past. It’s how we started our company. It’s how we built it. It’s how we continue to evolve and innovate.”
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