Another successful brand development scheme as part of a new business start up. Although we seem to have been designing and managing new brand identities forever, it's amazing how the fundamental principles just don't change. Everything else has altered dramatically (and the ground continues to shift under our feet, almost on a weekly basis) but getting it right at this point is still as crucial as it's ever been.

We were asked to come up with a completely new concept for this client, starting with the name and ending up with a finished housestyle capable of meeting the company's ambitions for the foreseeable future.

It's long been known in the industry as the 'jam tomorrow' speech. There can't be many designers around who haven't heard it at some time and wondered why clients like this don't bother to try it on with anyone else. I guess that says a lot about designers and how gullible they are! This is one of the funniest variants I've seen in a while. Jam tomorrow

Looking back over the last year, BEDA seems to have been busier than ever, despite the recession, but it has to be said that clients are looking for more value and after sales service than is usual, even for this industry. Understandable really, when you consider the pressure everyone is under these days. The emphasis is still moving inexorably from print to web, with briefs becoming more ambitious by the day. Our recent Chartfords project is a prime example

The state visit of Her Excellency the President of India to the UK was celebrated last night with a banquet at the Guildhall, London. BEDA designed the literature for the occasion.

It was sad to hear of Jack's death, especially as we've been so involved with his work over the last few years via www.jackcardiff.co.uk. Few of us can remember his early stuff like the African Queen, but most of us have seen some of his later movies like Rambo First Blood Part ll, Dogs of War and Conan the Destroyer (admit it!).