OUIL502 - Studio Brief 2 - Life's a Pitch

For this session we gathered in our groups and were told we had to create a fictitious business plan for an illustration based company.

There were a lot of varied ideas, some more realistic than others.

We decided that we wanted to have a high street presence and create a shop which would sell illustrated ephemera, similar to Colours May Vary, but more inclusive of a high street shopper rather than specifically art enthusiasts.

We wanted to focus on selling things like t-shirts, posters and homeware, which is more desirable to the general public, I believe, than expensive prints. 

OUIL502 - Animation

OUIL502 - Studio Brief 1 - Anja Mulder

Anja Mulder is a photographer and illustrator based in the Netherlands. I found inspiration from her work and the way she kind of creates a product with her illustrations, they definitely have a unique look to them, and the way that she composes her work when she photographs it gives it a context. I like the mixture of pen and earth tone materials she uses, it gives the work a very hand made feel.

OUIL502 - Studio Brief 2 - Who are you? Part 1

Business activity, What do you do?

We are a retail shop which sells illustrative work and objects and also has a cafe and gallery area, with a studio space for us to use.

Mission statement, What do you aim to achieve?

We want to provide an outlet for affordable illustrative work that appeals to a wider audience than existing illustrative retail focused businesses.

What new products or services will you introduce in the following two years to help your business grow?

A cafe area where customers can purchase home made food and cakes whilst they browse in the shop.

What is your long term 5 year goal?

To establish something that attracts customers and keeps them coming back to not only purchase items from the shop but also get involved with activities we host at the shop.

Who are the people in the business?

People who are also creatives and understand illustration.

How many people are employed?

We run the business as a whole but people will be employed individually to run the cafe and gallery space

What are their individual roles?

Depending on what part of the business they oversee they will be responsible for running that area

Describe the range of goods/services you are providing.

Cafe area which we sell food, gallery space to exhibit work, shop are to sell illustrative work and a studio space above.

What percentage of turnover each will provide.

The shop and cafe will provide most of the turnover, but events that we hold within the gallery will also help to make money.

What resources will you require?

Heavily focused on screen print so we will need screen printing facilities, a large printer, photocopier and scanner, 3 Mac computers

Studio space, cafe area, shop are and gallery area

Do you need stock to start your business?

We could begin by selling our own work and also work of other local artists who would be interested in the start up of the business

How much will your sales stock cost?

We want to keep prices affordable to appeal to a certain market but also be competitive.

What evidence do you have that people will buy your product/service?

Existing art shops are already up and running and making a profit

 Is your idea completely new?

The idea itself isn't new but we have identified areas within existing businesses that need improving upon

Is there increasing demand for your product/service?

The demand will change as trends in the art world emerge and develop.

Who are your customers?

Creative people who are interesting in helping local artists and getting involved with our business. Casual shoppers who want to buy something nice looking.

Where are they? Where do they go?

We would be located directly in the city centre so they could be anyone who has specifically come to our shop or just casual shoppers who were browsing around the city.

Where do they want to go?

We want out shop to be a perfect blend of existing similar businesses to provide exactly what customers want.

Why would they buy from you rather than anyone else?

We aim to provide a wider range and style of work at more affordable prices.