Manchester Work

I already know it is unlikely that I would be able to move away, so commuting seems to be the best option, therefore a sizeable amount of the profiles on this file will be commuter feasible from Wrexham.

Manchester appears to be the "second best" place in the UK for design and digital media. I am yet to learn whether this was always the case, or whether it's "on the up". I have researched and found links to around 55 companies, ranging from graphic design, advertising, branding, web, motion graphics, and tv. The bulk of the companies are mostly graphic design and advertising and / or web companies.

I will be doing full reports on most of these companies as soon as I get time, however I have spent several hours scanning through the websites to get a feel for what's out there. I have discovered the following:

There are a lot of uninspiring web companies working out of Manchester, There are also a fair few rather dull looking brand / graphic design companies too, although there are plenty of them which I think means at least there is work to be had.

There are also some very good looking places, at least 5 companies are inspiring. These companies do appear to be the print side of things, which I have been not too keen on in the past. I am now starting to realise that the web has the potential to be really boring-but-functional. It can be entirely characterless, whereas some of the design and advertising firms are doing some very nice work in print.

I have recently read through the web-sites of: BJL ,Unit Communications ,Funnel Creative ,Love Creative , Fanatic ,BDH/TBWA ,Studio North , The Chase, Cicero , Delineo , Illustrated History , Kr8iv , The Like , and these (sorry, but I have already read though all the websites, and most of them aren't really inspiring me at all): http://www.justforlaffs.co.uk/
http://www.likeariver.co.uk
http://www.magneticn.co.uk/
http://www.moonfish.com/
http://www.90degrees.com/
http://www.purplepenguins.co.uk/
http://www.bubblemedia.co.uk/
http://www.chamele.com/
http://www.fireandskill.co.uk/
http://www.ideasfoundry.com/
http://www.influencedesign.com/
http://www.lemoncherry.co.uk/
http://www.luxson.co.uk/website/
http://www.neasdencontrolcentre.com/
http://www.pandoragraphics.co.uk/
http://www.race-international.com/
http://www.reflexdesign.co.uk/
http://www.reformcreative.co.uk/
http://www.sputnikinternet.com/
http://www.faithcreative.co.uk/
http://www.3gdesignstudio.co.uk
http://www.creativelynx.co.uk/
http://www.dawsondesign.com/
http://www.definitivelabs.com/
http://www.fifthlevel.co.uk/
http://www.focalpop.co.uk/
http://www.finite.co.uk/
http://www.four23.net/
http://www.nypocreative.co.uk/
http://www.touchpointuk.com/
http://www.wests-web.com/flash.html
http://www.day-light.co.uk/
http://www.eg-g.com/

I am as yet to draw full conclusions from this research, but it has made me consider a more general design approach. My gut instinct still tells me the whole motion graphics thing is really going to explode by the time I finish my BA in 2009, but I now know this ought to be based on good graphic design and image making skills and a sound footing in 2d design and stills (i.e. paper).