Archive for the ‘Misc’ Category

July-9-2007
Filed Under (Misc) by Jase

Humble beginnings, our first team/studio photograph. With just enough space to take on our first full-time employee, Dan Clemo, carrying Jack’s new baby girl Harriet. We spent our first formative year in that tiny room, planning how we were going to be a great creative agency.

Sell, sell, sell!



July-9-2007
Filed Under (Misc) by Jase

Taken about 11 years ago when we worked at Techniquest, in Cardiff Bay. It seemed like every week there’d be a minister coming through the studio on a photo opportunity. However, we didn’t know it was going to be the, then PM, John Major.

All hush hush, the building was under lock-down conditions with special branch officers packing some serious hardware underneath their jackets. Great experience to see the machine running that close. I was just a lowly grunt back then, with my back to the PM (although he was looking at my work), check out the very young JB (above, front-right).


Neil, Jack, & Ceinwen, the, then: Techniquest design team.



July-2-2007
Filed Under (Latest News, Misc) by Jase

Our client, Barratt, recently dropped us a line to let us know that they not only achieved, but exceeded their year end budget for 2006-7.
They wrote not just to tell us, but more to the point, to thank us for all our efforts in helping them achieve this result. How fantastically refreshing to have a client who appreciates the benefits of working as a close and trusting team!

Let’s hope the feeling spreads – when and where it’s appropriate!

Thanks Barratt, from everyone at Black Sheep.’



June-28-2007
Filed Under (Latest News, Misc) by Jase

Featured in an article in today’s Western Mail, in response to the story that ex-Prime Minister Tony Blair wore the same lucky shoes to every Prime Minister’s Question Time, our Managing Director Rob Cozens revealed:

“If things were only that easy as to say ‘I have got a big pitch so I’ll put on my lucky pants’. I’m not aware of anyone who has a lucky charm. They probably wouldn’t say if they had a rabbit’s foot in their pocket  or have to get out the right side of the bed - businessmen like to be portrayed as relying more on sound thinking than talismans”

Together with Rob, the Western Mail also asked former rugby international Gareth Edwards, Tory MP David Davies and singer/performer Max Boyce. Rob is in good company!

Come on Rob, don’t hide them, show us your lucky pants!



June-27-2007
Filed Under (Typography, Misc) by Jase


A few months ago, FontShop released the critically-acclaimed Relato Serif, from Emtype. Now it has a companion. Relato Sans is more austere than its Serif brother, but shares his proportions and versatile usability. The two work beautifully together, adding another family to the short list of sans/serif pairs we can highly recommend. If that’s not enough to convince you to try this family on your next project, take it from the esteemed judges of the Type Directors Club who awarded Relato Sans in last year’s TDC2 competition.



June-26-2007
Filed Under (Misc) by Jase

Check out Mika’s ‘Lollipop’ tune here that’s become our Friday afternoon song.
Tip: for best results, play the CD version really loud just before leaving at 5.27pm on a Friday afternoon, there’s no better way to start the weekend.



June-26-2007
Filed Under (Misc) by Jase


June-26-2007
Filed Under (Misc) by Jase

Tunes playing on the iPod today



June-26-2007
Filed Under (Misc) by Jase

I saw this and had to buy it for Jack, who has taken to bouncing around the office like a man possessed.



June-25-2007
Filed Under (Inspirational, Misc) by Jase

Its one year on and Jack reflects on an amazing personal journey. Accompanied the British Army for part of their ascent of Mount Everest. He was there with one our clients, whose multimats were used by the army for the expedition.


Read the rest of this entry »



June-25-2007
Filed Under (Great Ads, Inspirational, Misc) by Jase


June-20-2007
Filed Under (Misc) by Jase

A great opportunity was missed last Monday, at Cardiff Design Festival 07s ‘Graduate Portfolio Clinic’.
They didn’t turn up! Well not enough of them anyway.

Held at Cardiff Audi, the clinic offered this years design graduates from local universities (Swansea, Glamorgan, Cardiff & Newport) the opportunity to meet with local industry bigwigs and get valuable feedback and advice about their CVs, folios and what agencies look for in new recruits.

A shame really, as the event was well attended by the usual suspects including ourselves and some new faces.

I wonder whether the colleges are supporting the festival?
And whether the students were informed about the event?

Lucky for some though, as two of those I interviewed are coming in for work placements.

On a completely separate note, check out the R8, a steal at £98k.
This time next year Rodney…..



June-15-2007
Filed Under (Misc) by Jase


June-15-2007
Filed Under (Misc) by Jase

On my way to work one winter morning, I noticed this little gem. In brand value terms it proves that a disaster can happen if you don’t keep your house in order.




June-14-2007
Filed Under (Misc) by Jase

In the spirit of Magic Marker supremo Dick Powell of legendary product design company SeymourPowell, http://www.seymourpowell.co.uk
New kid in the pen (Catrin) shows us its not all about the Mac. I think we should all get back to paper based scamps, concepts are too finished these days. Watch out for more experimentation from the newest member of the flock.