Maraid Design works closely with arts and heritage organisations to help them build websites that are fully accessible while at the same time being really pretty. We also worked together on Glasgow Print Fair, so obviously we think they’re pretty ace. This week we’re speaking with Jane all about how to manage side projects alongside your every day business.
Tell us about yourself and Maraid Design?
Maraid Design is a web design studio run by myself and Richard Claxton, we are based in Glasgow and Leeds. We both come from a background of National Museum web teams before working together at Maraid. We like to work with like-minded organisations whose activities have a positive impact on society. We’re passionate about science, education, visual arts, not-for-profit, heritage and culture.
What’s the one thing you wish you knew in your first year?
Looking back I think innocence is bliss. If I’d realised how many skills it takes to run your own business I might not have done it. In reality, there is no rush and I’ve enjoyed slowly building my business and gaining those skills over the years. I’m still learning.
Alongside producing interesting work in your day job, you also work on brilliant side projects, how do you balance that?
In 2018 Neal Whittington (of Present & Correct fame) and I self-published our book Matchbloc. The book features Eastern Bloc matchbox labels from the 1950s to early 1980s, from Czechoslovakia, Poland, Russia and beyond. It features over 400 labels covering animals, food, war, sport, industry, architecture, the arts, outdoors, transport, children, household and space. It took two years to put together. A year on and I’m pleased to say the first run of a 1000 copies have sold out.
In 2019 and still quite new to Glasgow I was looking for a local side project. Kaye and I hosted the first Glasgow Print Fair. It was brilliant to see a bunch of printmakers that we love all in the same room. We’re starting to plan 2020 - corona permitting.
I don’t think it’s a coincidence that my side projects are involved with illustration and print. They complement our work and give me a break from digital life. It’s nice to work with other people too. They do take time but are fun as long as they are not year-round or have a completion date.
We do have one ongoing longterm project - although it doesn’t take much time from us! Over the past 5 years, we have been commissioning Maraid portraits. The illustrations started because we wanted to make our website about page more interesting, we also get to support and work with all the talented people we admire. Artists and illustrations include Drew Millward, Kristyna Baczynsk, Hannah Warren, Adam Higton, Luke Drozd and Ben Javens.
What is the best bit of advice you have been given and who gave it to you?
I can’t remember where I heard it - but we use this on every project. When someone gets in touch with work we weigh up three things; the niceness of the client, the budget and the brief. If two out of three work we are happy. If it’s one out of three then walk away. If it’s a three out of three then it’s a dream job!
We’d love to know what song motivates you while you’re working and why?
I love to listen to podcasts when I design and music when I code. One song!? For motivation, let’s go with sExpress although I might have a little dance first.