Approach to Contacting Professionals

Studio brief 02, Creative Presence, requires the identification of an industry practitioner or practice who will be at the centre of a creative report. 

I have identified 3 key industry professionals to contact, these being paper merchant G . F Smith, creative print & finishing experts Pressision, and suppliers of hot stamping foils and decorative films Foilco, all of who are concerned with bespoke print and finishing - these being my practice's primary interests. Although the brief asks for just one creative report to be carried out, I plan to reach out to each of the these industry professionals to gain a more comprehensive insight into each contributor to the field of print and finishing as each party provide something different to the print industry; G . F Smith provide the paper, Foilco the foils, and Pressision the creative printing and finishing itself.

Now identified, I needed to consider my approach in making initial contact. As each of my potential interviewees work in or supply to the sector of print and finishing, I believe it is only appropriate to make contact via a tangible piece of correspondence. This considered, I have decided to write hand-written letters in wax-sealed envelopes which will also include my self-branded business cards and a multi-tone foiled 'Hello' print.

The method of communication is instilled with greater personality, care and impact. Not only is written correspondence more formal, it is also more thoughtful. At times, simply sending an email can seem lazy. Additionally, industry practitioners are inundated with emails on a daily basis and therefore in order to catch their attention, other means of communication may achieve greater results. The multi-tone foiled 'hello' print and wax-sealing of the envelope provide a higher level of finishing and enhance suitability for the target of the communication as a result of relevance to practice and sector.

Envelopes are G . F Smith Sapphire Colorplan, while the hand-written messages are written on Natural Colorplan - these colours being primary features of my self branding which are also relevant to each of the potential interviewees as a result of G . F Smith's contribution to the creative sector.

Once sent I plan to wait two weeks for a response. Should I not receive a response, I will consider alternative contact.