Last friday, while Sue enjoyed her birthday at home, Nathan and I took a trip to our old stomping ground at BIAD for our second presentation since graduating. This time we were invited to talk to students on the professional practice module. We felt all prepared, and were actually looking forward to it, until we arrived and were told that the presentation would be made in what we think is the uni’s largest lecture theatre, as apposed to the average-sized classroom we had expected. Nonetheless, with rather sweaty palms, we went ahead with our plan and it seemed to go down well. We spoke about the hurdles that we have overcome as a company since starting, and what to expect as a newby to the industry. Nath had a course to run off to at lunch, which left me all alone for the afternoon’s question and answer session. I was handed a bunch of questions scribbled on scraps of paper, but I didn’t have nearly enough time to answer them all, so I have picked out a few of the unanswered questions bewlow: Q: SMILE, why did you start your own company straight away after leaving university? A: With the current financial climate, it was clear to us that competition for any jobs in our sector would be very high, so with nothing to loose we jumped head first into industry. We had worked together on university and commercial briefs while studying, and we knew we had a very special working relationship, so it seemed the natural progression was to continue with SMILE, and we’re glad we took that risk!! Q: Are you all workaholics? A: In a sense yes, we all love what we do, and that is the driving force behind SMILE, but at the same time we know how to have fun, and how to let our hair down. Hence the reason why we have recently acquired a studio pool table!! Q: What is your greatest weakness? A: I was dying to answer this question, but unfortunately we ran out of time. My biggest weakness, and fear is public speaking. 12 months ago I would have actively avoided any kind of public speaking, let alone presenting in front of a fairly full lecture theatre. But I am living proof that it can be done. I still get butterflies at the thought of public speaking, but with every experience it is getting better, so my advice to any students feeling the same way is have a go, you might be pleasantly surprised!!

Last friday, while Sue enjoyed her birthday at home, Nathan and I took a trip to our old stomping ground at BIAD for our second presentation since graduating. This time we were invited to talk to students on the professional practice module.

We felt all prepared, and were actually looking forward to it, until we arrived and were told that the presentation would be made in what we think is the uni’s largest lecture theatre, as apposed to the average-sized classroom we had expected.

Nonetheless, with rather sweaty palms, we went ahead with our plan and it seemed to go down well. We spoke about the hurdles that we have overcome as a company since starting, and what to expect as a newby to the industry.

Nath had a course to run off to at lunch, which left me all alone for the afternoon’s question and answer session. I was handed a bunch of questions scribbled on scraps of paper, but I didn’t have nearly enough time to answer them all, so I have picked out a few of the unanswered questions bewlow:

Q: SMILE, why did you start your own company straight away after leaving university?

A: With the current financial climate, it was clear to us that competition for any jobs in our sector would be very high, so with nothing to loose we jumped head first into industry. We had worked together on university and commercial briefs while studying, and we knew we had a very special working relationship, so it seemed the natural progression was to continue with SMILE, and we’re glad we took that risk!!

Q: Are you all workaholics?

A: In a sense yes, we all love what we do, and that is the driving force behind SMILE, but at the same time we know how to have fun, and how to let our hair down. Hence the reason why we have recently acquired a studio pool table!!

Q: What is your greatest weakness?

A: I was dying to answer this question, but unfortunately we ran out of time. My biggest weakness, and fear is public speaking. 12 months ago I would have actively avoided any kind of public speaking, let alone presenting in front of a fairly full lecture theatre. But I am living proof that it can be done. I still get butterflies at the thought of public speaking, but with every experience it is getting better, so my advice to any students feeling the same way is have a go, you might be pleasantly surprised!!

In preparation for the launch of Created in Birmingham shop next week, I have been out taking a few photos which I might get printed as small prints or post cards. While out I took some random shots of different style windows. And I liked them so much I thought I would start a little series. So for the next couple of weeks at least Thursday joiner post will be slightly different while I expand my collection. I might start some other series of other random objects while I’m at it (lamp posts, doors, house numbers etc. If you’ve got any ideas let me know!).

If you’re into this kind of stuff, and have any work of your own, especially Birmingham based, drop into the studio and we’ll see about getting some into the shop.

First of all, apologies for the technical problem with the post. I had uploaded two images of very different proportions, and Tumblr couldn’t deal with it. Also, apologies for the lack of Thursday joiner last week, I was missing in action! I took a weekend away to Edinburgh, and what a beautiful place. So I thought I would share a snippet with you. Although I have to admit photographs can’t quite do it justice. This was taken from the castle grounds, overlooking the city centre. It took quite a bit of post production to get it up to standard because of how hurriedly I took them. By the time I had finished, my hands were so cold I could barely push the shutter release! But it was worth the trip just for that view!

First of all, apologies for the technical problem with the post. I had uploaded two images of very different proportions, and Tumblr couldn’t deal with it.

Also, apologies for the lack of Thursday joiner last week, I was missing in action! I took a weekend away to Edinburgh, and what a beautiful place. So I thought I would share a snippet with you. Although I have to admit photographs can’t quite do it justice.

This was taken from the castle grounds, overlooking the city centre. It took quite a bit of post production to get it up to standard because of how hurriedly I took them. By the time I had finished, my hands were so cold I could barely push the shutter release! But it was worth the trip just for that view!

I know what you’re all thinking, when do SMILE actually do any work?! Well I can assure you that we do (you can see Sue in the background working away), but we are also firm believers that a happy work place is a productive one. So, today we collected our very own snooker table. We weren’t looking to buy one, but we were received an offer that we just simply couldn’t turn down. And we promise to only use it at lunch time and after work!! Any one for a snooker tournament at some point?? Let us know if you are and we’ll look at arranging something. But before we do, I have to warn you that Sue is rather good, and has already been practising!

I know what you’re all thinking, when do SMILE actually do any work?!

Well I can assure you that we do (you can see Sue in the background working away), but we are also firm believers that a happy work place is a productive one. So, today we collected our very own snooker table. We weren’t looking to buy one, but we were received an offer that we just simply couldn’t turn down. And we promise to only use it at lunch time and after work!!

Any one for a snooker tournament at some point?? Let us know if you are and we’ll look at arranging something. But before we do, I have to warn you that Sue is rather good, and has already been practising!

Welcome to my first entry in 2010! I hope you all had a great Christmas and enjoyed new year. My last entry in 2009 featured a snowy scene at St Paul’s Square in the jewellery quater. And the first joiner for 2010 also features a snowy scene, this time at SMILE’s home in The Bond. We returned to work on Monday this week after a very relaxing break of almost two weeks. And within an hour of arriving at work on Tuesday this was the scene. We can be very excitable here at SMILE, so the worst snow in years was met with delight. However this soon changed once we realised we would have to drive home! Despite the not-so-friendly driving conditions we still love the snow, just for how crisp and clean it makes everywhere look.

Welcome to my first entry in 2010! I hope you all had a great Christmas and enjoyed new year.

My last entry in 2009 featured a snowy scene at St Paul’s Square in the jewellery quater. And the first joiner for 2010 also features a snowy scene, this time at SMILE’s home in The Bond.

We returned to work on Monday this week after a very relaxing break of almost two weeks. And within an hour of arriving at work on Tuesday this was the scene. We can be very excitable here at SMILE, so the worst snow in years was met with delight. However this soon changed once we realised we would have to drive home!

Despite the not-so-friendly driving conditions we still love the snow, just for how crisp and clean it makes everywhere look.