The Studio Tecnica story starts way back when I landed a summer job working as a junior in a well known creative consultants in Glasgow. Returning to school after the holidays coincided with the arrival of a letter inviting me for an interview for a full time job. It was a short interview. They only had one question - ‘Do you want a job?’ ‘Yes please’ I replied before considering how I was going to get my parents to write a letter to the school to tell them I was leaving mid term.
The next few years I learnt as I worked, taught by a ‘larger than life’ group of highly talented designers, artworkers, sign writers and illustrators. They were tough and at the time I got really frustrated and annoyed at being sent back to my desk to 'try again' but looking back now it was the best training I could have ever received as the skills I learnt in the formative years still apply today. Those guys were good.
Eventually I had mastered some of the skills and a new junior was employed and my move up the career ladder had started. A few years working on design and artwork included winning the Publicity Club of Glasgow’s Young Designer of the Year Award and then a move to the newly formed exhibition division within the company and a slightly different direction. As well as stand design and artwork I also started to work on the project management of stand construction which meant many hours travelling up and down the country in vans and lorries and long, long days in draughty exhibition halls. Believe me, they only switch the heating on when the paying customers or delegates are arriving!
When the exhibition business was hit by a dip in work due to the recession I returned to the studio to join the team of Mac designers and artworkers and further my education, digitally this time.
As an aside during this time I had a chance meeting with an old school friend of my brother who came to give me a valuation on the flat I was trying to sell at that time. Turned out he was the drummer in a 10 piece soul band called Big Vern ‘n’ the Shootahs which also included a couple of other friends from way back. Little did I know that the chat would in time result in me becoming their Manager and then over the next few years perform with The Original Blues Brothers Band (from the movie!), Sam Moore, tour with The Commitments, perform on Patrick Kielty's live BBC One show, the Champions League final, play to 15,000 at Glasgow’s Hogmanay Party and record two live albums to name just a few of our achievements.
Although I still help out at any opportunity, sadly I do it from a distance now as I took the decision to further my design career and move down South to take up the role of Senior Artworker at Out of the Blue, the award winning design studio for Grosvenor of London. This interview was much tougher. Two questions. 'How many colours on this box?' and 'What would you do if Photoshop continues to crash?' Fortunately I got both right so for the past 20+ years I’ve been involved in the exciting world of licensed products, everything from shower gel to light-up talking toothbrushes. The company has changed hands several times over the years, with one change finding me promoted to the Art Director role, leading a team of talented designers creating some wonderful products for the likes of Star Wars, Hello Kitty, SpongeBob and The Avengers.
I’ve been fortunate to collaborate with many of the leading licensors over the years including Disney, Warner Bros, MGA, Hasbro, Mattel, BBC, Viacom and Sanrio. Strong relationships have been built whilst developing products from initial concept approval to delivery of final production samples.
I’ve been fortunate to collaborate with many of the leading licensors over the years including Disney, Warner Bros, MGA, Hasbro, Mattel, BBC, Viacom and Sanrio. Strong relationships have been built whilst developing products from initial concept approval to delivery of final production samples.
In 2020 the company was sold again and with a staff restructuring it gave me the opportunity to form Studio Tecnica Ltd in the Cotswolds offering design and artwork services to all. The skills, experience and relationships I’ve learnt or made over the years can now be put to use to help you with your project.
Please get in touch to see how we can work together to keep this story going!