Guild of Sage & Smith

Summary.
At Guild of Sage & Smith we believe design can help to overcome any challenge; be it commercial, social or environmental.

By working collectively and uniting discovery with craftsmanship, we help astute clients to frame problems and devise solutions.

What we do.
We approach every project with an open mind, so wherever possible the end result emerges naturally from a rigorous design process.

It sounds pretty obvious, but it means we don’t label ourselves specifically as ‘graphic’ designers, or ‘web’ designers, or ‘interior’ designers… simply because different problems get solved in different ways.

Our solutions have included brands, printed material, interactive experiences, products and physical spaces for clients such as:

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Conflicts Forum
Cornwall Council
Dyson
Faber and Faber
Hidden Art Cornwall
Hoipolloi
Labour Middle East Council
Oasis College
Plymouth Hospitals NHS Trust
Royal Albert Memorial Museum
RIBA Enterprises
Theatre Royal Plymouth

Why ‘Guild of Sage & Smith’?
Perhaps the best way to explain how we work is by unpacking our name. There are three unique principles to the business:

Firstly, it comprises a flexible network of individuals who share the same enthusiasm for excellence – hence a guild of like-minded people.

Secondly, its design process is fundamentally built around design thinking; historically a sage was someone who possessed, showed or indicated profound wisdom.

The third principle is that, whatever the output of the design process, it deserves to be beautifully crafted: and smith denotes a person who is skilled in creating something with a specified material.

Guild of Sage & Smith represents all three principles working together.

Problem-framing, problem-solving.
Every project follows a similar process to make sure we not only solve a client’s problem, but fully understand it in the first place.


We balance discovery (uncovering issues and exploring new areas of knowledge by observing, liaising and facilitating) with craftsmanship (creating ‘things’ – virtual or physical), to produce both meaningful and beautiful work with people at its centre.

DISCOVERY

 

CRAFTSMANSHIP

 


01. Define
Explore and plan

  • Planning
  • User experience
  • Information architecture
  • Technology/digital strategy
  • Communications strategy
  • Design research
  • Internal/competitor audits
  • Information gathering
  • Stakeholder engagement
  • Write/re-write/test brief


02. Devise
Imagine and conceive

  • Brainstorming
  • Conceptualisation
  • Prototyping, proofing and testing
  • Content planning


03. Deliver
Create and implement

  • Content management/creation
  • Production
  • Installation/distribution
  • Launch


04. Develop
Review and adjust

  • Evaluation
  • Testing
  • Analysis
  • Qualitative investigation
  • Quantitative research
  • User experience
  • Stakeholder engagement

Our collaborative team.
Guild of Sage & Smith is built entirely around a collaborative model, working with a diverse team of like-minded, motivated and committed associates plus an outstanding network of delivery partners.

Project teams are structured so clients get to talk directly with the people involved (no ‘middlemen’ account handlers here). Clients also enjoy the reassurance of working with a single practice that takes full responsibility for delivering projects on time, and on budget.

Founder/Creative Director.
As Creative Director of Guild of Sage & Smith, Neil heads up every project and is frequently the main point of contact for our clients.

Neil is a committee member of the South West Design Forum, and was Chair of the Cornwall Design Forum between 2008 and 2010. He’s a member of D&AD, the International Society of Typographic Designers and The Typographic Circle, and a Fellow of the RSA. Neil has also taught at both the University of Gloucestershire and University College Falmouth.

Associates.
Our current roster of associates comprises:
Innovation consultancy John Boult, Product First
Advertising consultancy Jono Wardle, independent consultant
Marketing consultancy Jo Downie, We Do So
Occupational Psychology Alison Trott, independent business psychologist
Communication design Matt Lowe, Lowestudio
Peter Jordan, Foundry Hill
3D designMark Irlam, Something From Us
Interior designKathryn Tyler, Linea Studio
Architecture Nigel Stock, Kerrison Stock

Please contact us if you would like further details on any of our associates.

Fancy working with us?
We’re always looking to broaden the expertise of our associates roster. If you’re interested in working with Guild of Sage & Smith in the future, please email associates@guildofsageandsmith.co.uk with your details.