We hope you are all safe and well, the last few months have been difficult and some of the most challenging times for business in recent history.

The difficulties we all are facing due to the Corona Virus is monumental, we are sure most of us know of / or have loved ones who are key workers and worry on a daily basis for their safety. The work they have done and are doing is amazing and they deserve all the praise they can get.

However the world needs to keep moving (safely) and businesses need to continue otherwise the economy will be in trouble.

At Forge we have monitored the situation and have decided we can run our business remotely until we deem it safe to meet people face to face. This will bring it’s own set of problems, but safety of both Forge staff and clients are of the upmost importance.

We do not believe the number of infections are low enough and we have vulnerable members of staff that we cannot chance exposure too.

Making Conversation

As always the good old fashioned telephone is one option for communication and of course email exchanges are standard.

Forge are also open to video calls, we have access to webcams and we can use platforms such as Skype, iPhone FaceTime, Zoom, WhattsApp or other software options upon request.

All we require for video calls is some forewarning so we can get everything set-up.

We are also open to conversations via social media, such as Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, and Linkedin. Simply follow us and we will follow back to allow Direct Messages.

Collaboration

We have been using collaboration software for sometime now, this allows Forge to remotely present and interact with web designs and prototypes online. This will allow us to go through proofs and ideas with you directly in real-time, making notes and amends together on the fly.

If necessary we could open this option up to some print designs.

Photography

One of our supplementary services photography is only available on a case by case basis. There would be certain criteria that would need to be met in order to allow a photographer to visit a client. If it is product photography, we will work from our homes if viable.

Going Forward

Ensuring working processes are in place will enable us to continue our services more or less as normal. We really do believe in face to face interaction, hopefully one day we will be back there, have a brew and natter away!

This virus has not been culled in the UK and many hundreds of deaths are still happening. WE WILL do our part and be available to work for you when needed in a safe way.

Lets get business up and running, but please be safe and maintain social distancing.

The Forge Team

Hopefully by now you are in lockdown and keeping safe. In these difficult times come difficult decisions, as such Forge is no different and running at a greatly reduced capacity.

Existing clients, if you have any questions or in need of urgent help please contact your account handler via the usual methods.

Free Consultation

We know as a business this IS a scary and difficult time and knowing what can be done to keep your business in peoples minds is as important as ever.

Forge are offering free help and advice for businesses in and around South Yorkshire, we are more than happy to suggest ideas, point you in the right direction whilst in isolation.

If you are new to Forge and require information please use our contact form found on our contact page, this will alert us to your message.

As we go further into isolation, we hope everyone respect’s social distancing and try to remain positive both now and with the difficult times ahead.

As our key workers around the UK are being brilliant day to day, we hope you remain safe and we will see you on the other side.

Much love from the Forge Team.

As busy design folk, we rarely have time to indulge in work outside of the day to day client projects. In the past we have considered participating in the 36 Days of Type event on Instagram (a project that invites designers, illustrators and graphic artists to express their particular interpretation of the letters and numbers of the alphabet,) it’s just we never had the time, really, never ever… but you see, spare of the moment decisions can happen, upon learning the event starts tomorrow, we caved in.

Due to work commitments we set our own mini rules, our concept was simply patterns ‘n’ shapes, and we decided to create letters within 15-30 mins max per letter. We also developed a changing incremental colour pattern for the letters and black / white for the numbers.

The end result was admittedly not perfect, but it certainly was challenging to produce something quickly and everyday, but most of all it was creative and fun!

Being spontaneous and dreaming up ideas quickly should come naturally to a designer (please do be aware far more effort goes into a client project!!!).

With more time and more pre-planning (not deciding to join in the day before!) we most certainly would of produced something different. In the end it was a fun experience and tested our speed, if we get time next year, perhaps we will go all in.

For more info on the event visit 36daysoftype.com, there are some truly amazing submissions, check it out.

For the last few months we have been developing a new retail brand Fula Flavour, a West African inspired food production company.

Fula Flavour is the creation of Hawa Talbot, originally from the Fula Tribe of Guinea in West Africa, Hawa moved to the UK bringing with her delicious recipes and new flavours.

We have spent the last few months creating a carefully crafted and vibrant brand that was inspired by Hawa’s heritage and culture, whilst maintaining a western feel.

We also produced designs for their flagship product Djembe Hot Sauce, with the label expanding on the brand but also introducing elements specific to the product. The sun on the label is in fact both a sun and a Djembe drum top.

Last weekend Djembe Hot Sauce went on sale to the public at the Sheffield Moor Market. By all accounts the weekend was a great start for the business and feedback was positive.

So far, we are very happy with how things are going, we will post updates on social media as we go along.

…and the banana dumplings were super tasty combined with Djembe Hot Sauce, you really need to try them!

 

On a side note Forge Agency are in the middle of developing a shiny new website for ourselves, which we cannot wait to get out there, watch this space.

It has been a few years since we first met Adomast, and in those intervening years we have created a brand that has gone from strength to strength.

Adomast have seen the business grow and sales increase greatly and as sign of their success they have now moved into larger premises in Barnsley.

This is a fantastic example of a client that has developed a trust in our expertise, but perhaps more importantly we have developed a close working relationship which ensures what we design works for their business and achieves great results.

Recently we have revisited their company brochure due to the ever increasing range of products Adomast manufacture. During this process we spruced up the look and feel of the brochure and organised a photoshoot to introduce a new set of photos that we feel represents the growth and changes within Adomast.

 

Firstly we would like to thank all those who have helped Forge grow over the last year, and we would also like to wish everyone a Merry Christmas and hope the New Year is a positive one for all.

Christmas Closing Dates

Forge are closed for business from the 19th of December and re-open on the 3rd of January.

For existing clients who have an urgent problem please email and we will endeavor to reply within 24hrs.