The story begins with two young boys growing up in rural South Derbyshire. The first graphic design seeds were sown when they entered the Etwall well dressing art competition. Alex took first prize for his fabulous rendition of a beefeater in full royal regalia (it was 1977), while Ivan took second for his osprey in flight.
The years rolled by with both boys shining in art lessons at school. Mr Winspear (Head of Art at Hatton Secondary School) recalls: “Alex’s magnificent water colour of a pair of blue Pods (shoes) resting against a Savoy cabbage - was one of the year’s highlights.”
Ivan at John Port School in Etwall excelled in the hand made crafts, making timeless pieces of classical sculpture. His wooden crocodile made from a variety of species of rare wood still turns heads in the boys’ parents’ conservatory.
As the salad years continued, the boys honed their skills at Green Lane Art College, where the pool table facilities and in-house cinema were second to none. Ivan left with a distinction in print and design and quickly found employment in Burton before being employed at Derby’s leading advertising agency McConnells. As time went by, he felt a calling to expand his mind and experiences, so he packed his Golf CL 1.1 and headed for Swindon.
Alex, on the other hand, progressed through college leaving with a very creditable Pass, he entered the jobs market toting his newly bought portfolio case after a few interviews and a nod to the creative director at McConnells from Ivan he was offered a position in the creative department (in the middle between the clouds of cigarette and pipe smoke).
The years passed: Alex rose through the ranks there and eventually became creative director. Ivan had also worked through the ranks at the top packaging agency IWB design before becoming a managing partner at Artejano Design, also in Wiltshire. The boys had done well but a new challenge was about to be born.
Over a few pints of Pedigree in the King’s Head pub in Hilton an idea was formed - could they set up their own design agency? Lots of questions were asked - could two brothers work together? Who would make lunch? Could they afford a junior to make the tea? By June 2003, all these issues had been ironed out and a new design company was born: ‘Design Wall Limited’. Since then, the boys have gone from strength to strength, and have just moved into their new Derbyshire office in Sudbury, next to the world famous Hall.
They work for such prestigious clients as Nationwide Building Society, National Forest Company, Norwich & Peterborough Building Society (not every company they work for starts with an N, so don’t worry), Vodafone, and also start-up and medium-sized businesses.
They offer creative solutions for interiors (from call centres to one-off displays) annual reports, all kinds of environmentally-produced literature and visitor guides, funky mailers, corporate identities for start ups, and web design solutions.
Their mission is simple: ‘you & us = )’. They are results driven and like to have some fun. So go on, give Alex or Ivan a call on 01283 585695 > info@designwall.co.uk
