Beyond the Pixels
— WEBSITE
Beyond The Pixels
16.05.12
Beyond the Pixels is a design studio based in Melbourne, Australia. We specialise in: branding and identity design; art direction; design for print and online communications; signage and exhibitions to bring all nature of creative projects to realisation. We also offer creative consultancy services including, social media, marketing and brand strategies to assist our clients with business development.
Since our foundation in 2006 by Australian designer Che Douglas, BTP has worked in partnership with individuals, small companies, non-profit organizations, listed and large corporate entities to deliver creative and considered branding strategies while enhancing our own design services.
Beyond the Pixels
Studio 104/20 McKillop Street
Melbourne VIC 3000
Australia
+61 3 9013 9664
http://www.btpdesign.com
Interview With Beyond The Pixels
Tell us about your business. What do you do?
Align business goals with creative strategy and design.
Work hard, play hard... oh but it’s true.
Tell us a bit about you
I’m an Adelaide hills boy. Went to school in the Barossa Valley, moved to Melbourne to study at RMIT. I am about to take my first holiday away from the business in 4 years heading 4WD up north with little if any communication with the outside world. Good luck Kareen.
How big is your team, who are they and what do they do?
At the moment we’re 3: myself, Kareen and Stina. The only hierarchy is I don’t get in trouble when I’m late. We are all designers; my role is one of running the business day-to-day, creative direction, design and project management. Kareen is a junior designer and Stina is finishing up her internship with us in the next couple of weeks. We also share our space with two other individuals Michael (Shaking Paper Web Development) and Adele (Foolscap Interior Architecture) a great mix of skill sets and a lot of collaborations.
Has the creative industry in Australia changed much since you first started?
Being a four-year-old studio it is hard to say. I know we have certainly changed a lot since first starting out. I have come to realise the number of studios I admire and respect in industry is much less than I had originally expected. Umm, that sounds bad…don’t get me wrong there are some incredible studios here in Melbourne that are producing world class work.
I am looking forward to the next few years. I believe we will see a big shift away from the traditional and digital agencies winning all the large accounts to small studios collaborating to take on the big guys. This is already starting to happen and is something that I am very excited about…we’re certainly looking forward to playing our part.
Tell us about your space.
We moved in March this year and we’re currently still putting the finishing touches on it. We have 7 desk spaces, a meeting space/studio theatre, kitchenette and four great big windows letting in plenty of natural light. The music is constant, and constantly being turned down for people taking phone calls. On that note can everyone please email us more?
I have enjoyed 5 spaces in our 4 years – I have NOT enjoyed moving 5 times. We now have what I would happily call our ‘studio home’ and we won’t be going anywhere for a few years.
What projects inspire you?
We always try and make the most out of every project, so I guess they can all be inspiring.
What were the key moments in your studio's history?
Year 1
• Moving out of home into a studio. The guys did miss coming home to a clean house though…procrastination is dangerous. Being out of home, productivity went up 100 fold.
Year 2
• Winning our first pitch mid last year.
• Fundraiser for The Black Dog Project.
• Eoin going home to Ireland… we were sad to see him leave, but happy not having minute-to-minute updates on his private life.
• Winning our second pitch: 100% success rate woop.
Year 3
• Getting a bookkeeper… Marg likes her cappuccino weak, with half a sugar (umm inside joke).
• Employing my first full-timer for two years: Marcus. He left us last year to make Aussie films
• Saying ‘NO’ to a merge with a large digital agency
Are you doing any side projects or collaborations?
Yes, two at the moment. Only one I can share The Print Directory. It is and always will be a free resource connecting Australian printers to designers, artists and creative’s. I don’t want to say much more because it is all about to change: loads and loads of exciting new features stay tuned.
What was your biggest failure?
More than once now... Take on clients that don’t value our expertise and advice – don’t pay – and don’t have moral business objectives. This is changing.
What are you most proud of?
Employing lovely people and making a studio environment that you don’t want to leave. That sounds a bit corny, but it’s true…we’re all great mates!
What is your dream project?
Probably something like The Print Directory where we give back to design community except a day would consist of 100 hours… oh and we could travel through time.
What music is playing in the studio right now?
Michael and Kareen are the spin connoisseurs. Currently ‘Animal Collective, I think I can’. That’s a lie, some other crap was playing so I asked Kareen for something good.
What was the last book you read?
Coopers Creek, Alan Moorehead
What inspires you?
Usually time off. These 3 weeks will certainly test that theory… let me get back to you.