Email Draft - Studio NARI

 (This email is for Creative Director & Founder Caterina Bianchini) 

Hi Caterina! 

I'm a design student at Leeds Arts University and I'm writing a creative report for one of my second year modules. 

I chose to write my report on you and Studio NARI, as my biggest aim is to one day start my own studio. I really admire both your visual work and how you have made a name for yourself. I also hope to work within the music industry creating posters and covers, and I find your work for Axe on Wax and Sub Club really inspiring. 

I was hoping that you could answer some questions as it would really help with my report. I've included them in my email, but it's completely up to you how you respond to them if you have the time. An email response would be great but if you would rather answer them by phone or Zoom call that's also fine. 

1. Your studio is based in London, what's the design culture like within the city? Do you think being in a big city is a vital element for success in the creative industry? 

2. As a female designer, I personally feel like I'm always being told that it will be harder for me to get a high status position in the design industry. What have your experiences been like, and do you think that you haven't been taken as seriously as a male designer? 

3. In a podcast interview with Amelia Leuzzi and Dervla O'Shea, you described your studio as 'the wildcard' for clients, how did you establish this, was it a conscious decision? And do you ever feel pressure to conform to more traditional design?

4. Your book See You at the Dance impressively showcases 324 pages of work made over just one year. How do you keep that momentum up? Also, how do you create a unique look for every poster that you make?

5. I understand that COVID has probably effected your physical way of working, but how has it effected you creatively? Have you struggled working from home, and do you have any tips on how to stay motivated? 

6. You've described Studio NARI as "established to bridge the gap between design and art" and discussed how inspired you are by the art world. I'm also a lot more influenced by art than I am design, can you give an example of something in the art world that has inspired your practice recently? 

7. Your work with typography is so expressive and creative. I know that you work physically with type a lot but how did you get confident in doing so? What's your go to thought process when working with type?

8.  Studio NARI has worked with some very impressive clients, how did you grow your business to be so big? Whether it be through social media or word of mouth, which do you think is more important to focus on? 

9. You also said in Amelia Leuzzi and Dervla O'Shea's podcast that you're still learning about running your own business everyday. My aim as a designer is to run my own studio, do you have any tips or important things that you've learnt that you wish you knew when you started? 

10. Do you have a general structure that you follow when embarking on a project? If so, is it the same for every project or does it differ? 

11. Lastly, my favourite things about your work are your use of colour and typography. What's your favourite colour combination, and favourite typeface (it can be one of your own!)?

Thank you for taking the time to read and I hope to hear back from you!

Emma Bell