Peppis Designworks

08/09/2023

Want to try something fiendishly difficult?

Kerning refers to the space between two letters or characters. Graphic designers adjust it on headlines to make sure that the letter spacing is consistent and the type is easily legible. Sounds easy, doesn't it? It's not! Try it: https://buff.ly/3r7QRvN

06/09/2023

My latest newsletter, with articles, recommendations and useful resources is now out: https://bit.ly/pd-news56

If you like it, subscribe and get my free logo quiz. https://lnkd.in/dJJasvt

07/06/2023

My latest newsletter, with articles, reviews and tips is now out. Don't let the gory pictures put you off!
https://bit.ly/pd-news55

If you like it, subscribe and get my free logo quiz. https://bit.ly/pd-news-subscribe

06/01/2023

In case you haven't heard ... Pantone Viva Magenta is the colour of the year for 2023. Pantone describe it as “a new animated red that revels in pure joy”. But it looks pink to me. How do you respond to it?
https://graphic-designer-richmond.co.uk/2022/12/pantone-viva-magenta-is-the-colour-of-the-year/

Pantone describe Viva Magenta as “a new animated red that revels in pure joy”. But it looks pink to me. How do you respond to it?

30/11/2022

There's nothing I like more than talking all things publishing, and this morning I combined that with meeting a new local publishing buddy, author Chris Towndrow, for coffee. I'm looking forward to reading this book.

I've worked in publishing for more years than I like to admit so have gained quite a lot of knowledge and made a few connections in my time. Let me know if I can help you.

07/10/2021

I saw this graphic installation during London Design Week at the 'Joy' exhibition at the Wellcome Institute. It's an intriguing way to display data – each colour pattern and shape means something.

Data doesn't have to be boring.

The exhibition runs until 27 February so there's still time to go. I recommend the 'Tranquility' exhibition showing there too.

25/08/2021

It's so good to be able to visit art galleries and museums again. I loved this dystopian installation at Tate Britain with its eerie sound effects, even though it was very disturbing.

20/08/2021

On this day in 2004, a man from Stoke-on-Trent named Bryan Adams as the 'other man' in his divorce papers after years spent trying to cope with his wife's obsession with the singer. Rob Tinsley said he had to live with a 6ft cut-out of Adams which stood at the foot of the bed. 🤣

19/08/2021

Today is and I have the good fortune to know many really talented ones. I'd like to pay tribute in particular to:

James Bell
https://jamesbellphotography.squarespace.com

Anthony Wood
https://www.instagram.com/coldwatermornings/

Vicki Sharp
https://www.vickisharpphotography.com

Trevor Aston
https://trevorastonphotography.co.uk

Riccardo Sai
https://www.mistersai.uk

The image of the Meridian line shown here is by James.

These photographers are local to me and work in London and the home counties. I recommend them all.

17/08/2021

If you haven’t yet rejoined The Galley Club, now’s the time to do so. Tickets for our Summer Party (for members and their guests) are on sale now for only £15 inclusive of food.

It's on the evening of 15 September at Doggetts Coat and Badge roof terrace, Blackfriars Bridge. We’ve ordered good weather.

Check your email for the link to book.

16/08/2021

If you're interested in art, design, architecture and London, start planning for which runs from 4-12 September. Be quick if you want to visit places of high security like 10 Downing Street; the ballots close on Wednesday.
https://openhouselondon.open-city.org.uk

Free access to London's best architecture and landscapes (4–12 September 2021)

31/07/2021

A lovely piece of marketing by . I saw this little posy on a bench in yesterday and took it home. The flowers on my desk definitely made Friday afternoon more bearable!

30/07/2021

28/07/2021

Get in touch for book design and all things publishing. If I can't help you, I'll know someone who can. Here's what one of my clients had to say.

27/07/2021

July is Independent Retail Month. Let's shop local and celebrate indie retailers, creating more sustainable cities, towns and communities. We have some amazing shops in like The Refill Larder, The Loft and Heirloom, to mention but a few.

A big shout out to Mary Bennett and Christina Haindl of The Word Sanctum for tirelessly championing our local heroes on their Instagram account.

https://www.instagram.com/thewordsanctum/

24/07/2021

23/07/2021

Got an hour to spare? Write your marketing plan. Simply answer the questions in this very short video by Christine Southern at Marketing Accomplish. There are links to some of Christine's excellent resources in the article too.
https://graphic-designer-richmond.co.uk/2021/06/how-to-write-your-marketing-plan-in-under-60-minutes/

06/07/2021

My latest newsletter, with articles, a quiz, recommendations and a guest blog from marketing expert Christine Southern is now out: https://bit.ly/pd-news45
If you like it, subscribe and get my free logo quiz. http://bit.ly/pdw-subscribe

14/06/2021

June is . Something that appeals to me that I haven't yet tried is open water swimming. Photographer Anthony Wood documents this beautifully in his Instagram account, a personal photography project about the Serpentine Swimming Club.

Anthony is also a very talented ex-BBC videographer. Check him out.

https://buff.ly/3cni2rS

10/06/2021

Like most creatives, I'm rubbish at sales.

When this book was suggested for my business book club, I was keen to read it and pick up some tips. I only managed two chapters.

I felt very uncomfortable. Techniques that should have been persuasive came across as sordid. I also recognised how aware I was of these and how I put my guard up when approached in the wrong way.

Sales people, have you read this book, and do you have any views on it?

08/06/2021

Today is . This article on the website tells us what we can all do right now to help our oceans and what the future may hold for them.
https://www.bsac.com/news-and-blog/celebrating-world-oceans-day-2021/?_ccCt=zTk8LnhfUs1NiRhTGiyugJq0kDMDZhS7aDEnKac8JLcnkS7G5Ki8SB3Qx36tQNWB

Annually on 8 June, the world comes together to celebrate the oceans of the world. This year's theme is Life and Livelihoods, a theme relevant today as we look at the effects of climate change, ocean acidification and the spread of microplastics into what seems like every sphere of life.

03/06/2021

Yesterday's on was hebdomadal https://www.dictionary.com/e/word-of-the-day/hebdomadal-2021-06-02/
Does anyone in know this word? I would have thought I'd have heard it at least once in my long career!

Hebdomadal, “occurring or published every seven days; a weekly publication,” comes via the Late Latin adjective hebdomadālis “weekly,” from Greek hebdomás (inflectional stem hebdomád-) “a group of seven, a seven-day cycle, a week, a fever recurring every seven days.” Hebdomás is a de...

28/05/2021

Is print dead? Not at all. It can be a great weapon in your marketing arsenal in addition to your digital assets, especially if your customers are of a certain age.

This case-study shows how a new brochure resulted in more business for stairlift company AST Services.

https://graphic-designer-richmond.co.uk/services/brochures/case-study-andrew/

26/05/2021

If you want our museums to survive and thrive, please visit them and/or make a donation; there are some real gems out there. On Saturday I visited the William Morris Gallery in Walthamstow, housed in the rather grand home that WM grew up in.

If, like me, you're a fan, you'll love the furniture, books, textiles and printing blocks on display, and there's no way you'll be able to leave without making a purchase from the lovely shop.

If you're not a fan, try God's Own Junkyard neon museum, also in Walthamstow (a stone's throw from a microbrewery).

https://www.wmgallery.org.uk/home

25/05/2021

Carol Kemp will be talking about her work as a freelance lettering artist, calligrapher and type designer at the next Galley Club online meeting on 1 June. Find out more and get tickets here:
https://buff.ly/3hOzut9

24/05/2021

Surbiton-based publishing professional Suzanne Arnold explains, in this guest blog, the difference between copy-editing and proofreading.
https://buff.ly/2RUbqtP

23/05/2021

I love Caroline's paintings. If you're going to be near Bridport in the next two weeks, contact Caroline for an appointment.

21/05/2021

Carol Kemp talks about her work as a freelance lettering artist, calligrapher and type designer at the next Galley Club online meeting on 1 June. Find out more and get tickets here:
https://buff.ly/3flgJL2

Carol Kemp talks about her work as a freelance lettering artist, calligrapher and type designer.

20/05/2021

My latest newsletter, with articles, a quiz, recommendations and a guest blog from Suzanne Arnold is now out: https://bit.ly/pd-news44
If you like it, subscribe and get my free logo quiz.http://bit.ly/pdw-subscribe
-writing

05/05/2021

If you are an art lover and are going to be in Dorset from 22 May to 6 June, my friend, artist Caroline Liddington is exhibiting at Dorset Art Week. By appointment only (details on her website. Mistake in printing meant she was not added to the pull-out guide). Caroline lives in a small village very near Bridport, (next to a pub!) so you can kill two birds with one stone.
https://www.carolineliddingtonart.com

carolineliddingtonart

31/03/2021

This yellow cover is getting 3-4 times as many views as the other four planners in my social media planner series. I wonder if it's to do with the fact that a shade of yellow is Pantone's colour of the year? I discuss this in one of my blogposts:
https://graphic-designer-richmond.co.uk/2021/01/colour-trends-pantone-shutterstock-2021/

Pantone have announced their Colour of the Year for 2021. What are the colour trends for 2021, and how can we best use them?

30/03/2021

Today is National Pencil Day. Did you know that most designers start a project by sketching?

28/03/2021

Get your dose of escapism with Armchair Traveller on Monday evening. Elena from will be talking about Patagonia and the Welsh connection while Julia from will give us a guide to the Northern Lights in Iceland. You can register here (it's free):
https://buff.ly/3vXwQpt

26/03/2021

Today is , the annual day set aside to raise awareness of epilepsy world-wide. It will be very easy for me to wear purple today – if you opened my wardrobe door you'd know why.

If you are interested in colour psychology, colour expert Joanna Steel will be giving a talk about this at the Galley Club on 6 April.

Find out more here: https://buff.ly/3w0Wf1k

This evening, Joanna Steel is going to explore our colour awareness.

25/03/2021

I'm happy to give advice, and I offer new connections a free 20-minute discovery call. But what if you'd like to hire me but would like to 'dip your toe in the water' first?

Try my Creative Clinic.

Book up to 90 minutes with me to review or discuss your branding, website, marketing materials and publishing projects via Zoom. Consultation fee: £60 + VAT.

If you are interested, please do get in touch.

24/03/2021

There’s been a lot of discussion on LinkedIn recently about strategies to make yourself take a lunch break.

I thought workaholism was out of favour? Apparently not. If you find this very difficult to identify with, take a look at my light-hearted work-life balance tips. You’ll never be rich but you’ll certainly be happy and healthy.

Warning: these tips may work for you if you are freelance or a business owner but might get you the sack if you are employed!



https://graphic-designer-richmond.co.uk/2021/02/how-to-improve-your-work-life-balance/

22/03/2021

How much does packaging affect your buying choices? I makes a hell of a difference to me.

I love receiving Whittard goods: the box is light but strong, the interior is of good quality showing the company logo on the lid and lovely line drawings on the inside, there is no unnecessary plastic filler and the coffee is in beautiful well-designed boxes.

It's almost as good as opening your Apple Store purchases when you get home – they are masters of packaging.

How well do you package your own products or services? You might have the perfect offering but if it's not packaged enticingly (a clear and easily navigable website for example) no-one will be tempted to buy.

A graphic designer can help you with your packaging, i.e. the image you present to the world to encourage people to find out more and ultimately make a purchase.

If you'd like to discuss this, do get in touch.

18/03/2021

Whilst having a clearout recently, I came across this picture of me, aged 23 or so, taken at Guyatt Jenkins, the design agency I worked for in South Kensington. We had our own in-house photographer, Jon Harris, whose studio was in the basement. Goodness knows what I was doing with a vintage Brownie! Those of you who remember the WHSmith Cube logo, which GJ designed, might enjoy this article.
https://blog.whsmith.co.uk/a-step-back-in-time-the-whsmith-cube-logo-225/

08/03/2021

To honour International Women's Day, and in keeping with The Create Fund’s mission to empower working artists, Shutterstock is launching its latest grant: Through Their Eyes. This grant is focused on shining a light on—and gain exposure for—female and non-binary photographers. They will be awarding $10,000 to 3 winners.

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSflvq__1ytWlRCe4SifwA-OG_9GZdm9N6IsdoFC21RVLdWS0w/viewform?customer_ID=101542465&campaign_ID=shutters.25786985&launch_ID=43741225&pl=emailcore-shutters.25786985&c3ch=Email&c3nid=MC-3327_Create_Fund_IWD_Ecom_1_2021-03-08&cr=null

01/03/2021

Confused about photo formats and sizes? You’re not alone. This is probably the subject I get most questions about. Get answers and tips in my article.

https://buff.ly/37sSozw