River Studios

Branding, Print design

River Studios’ Managing Director, Gareth Henderson, approached us with the grand idea of creating the biggest and best recording studios outside London including rehearsal space for bands, a dance studio and a teaching facility. No mean feat! His dream came to life and so he wanted us to design an identity that would match his vision.

The new identity had to appeal to a broad audience ranging from experienced, professional musicians to young aspiring dancers. It had to be bold, strong and adaptable and also reflect the personality of the business.

We designed a River Studios brand marque, colour palette and typographic style that could be flexible and distinctive enough to be used across a broad range of printed materials as well as online communications and also the studio interiors. Inspired by the flow and curves of the geographic location of the new studio, close to the River Test, it encapsulated a sense of movement, vibrancy, balance and harmony.

"There are a number of key abilities that I need in a graphic designer. The most obvious ones are a great eye for what looks good and a creative vision, but to be truly useful to a business, there are more. An ability to understand not just the brief but the desires and thought processes behind the brief so that the designs not only meet expectations but exceed them. But for me the most important is approachability. I’m picky about the details and sometime that means I need some things changing multiple times in a number of ways until I can be sure it’s really right. Many people can make you feel like this is an inconvenience but Marc’s endless enthusiasm and passion to get to the result I need, mean that I never feel worried about asking for changes. Not that he needs to make many! I just know that we will end up with exactly what we want or Marc won’t be happy either!"

Gareth Henderson, Managing Director