focusinterview.
with Linda Bryant from Photography by Linda
Business ’m thrilled ed to be interviewing a new busi business iness ines esss in in tthe he he his month. hi h I have h worked k d with i h Aaron A C Cune neo o Valley this Cuneo before, and now he has teamed up with Chris rom and Tim Clift to create ‘Well Creative’ in Fagerstrom am Wingham. OK guys: tell us a bit about yourselves ... where are you from and what roles do you each play in Well Creative? Well Creative is made up of Chris Fagerstrom, Tim Clift and Aaron Cuneo. We are all designers and partners in the business. How we came together is a fateful story of random events ... Nine months after graduating from Design College and over 200 job applications later, Aaron's prospects of breaking into the industry looked bleak. A random conversation between Aaron's flatmate and a gym acquaintance unearthed an opportunity to work with Tim, who was running his own studio in Surry Hills. He was flat out on a large advertising campaign for Nikon. With portfolio in hand, Aaron met Tim and we are still not sure whether his work was amazing or Tim was just really desperate, but after a lengthy late afternoon interview of about 3 minutes, Tim said, "Can you start right now?' Aaron, who was probably as desperate, was taken aback. "Well, I'm kind of in interview mode at the moment, but I can start tomorrow at 9?" So began a good working relationship and a good friendship. Many years later, Aaron decided to spread his wings and worked as a freelance designer, and Tim moved on to an opportunity to work for international design agency 'Corlette'… but fate was not done with Aaron and Tim. On his third placement with a freelance agency, Aaron was randomly placed at 'Corlette' with Tim. The full-time job offer followed, and Aaron and Tim were working together again. "It's like we have our own centre of gravity." Aaron eventually left Corlette and worked at various other design and advertising agencies in Sydney, before making the move to Hannam Vale. "I had no idea that I would be able to keep doing what I loved but I really wanted to leave Sydney and live on the coast, so decided to roll the dice." It was not an easy move. There was some work from home which eventually dried up, and many months of unemployment followed. Once again in the doldrums, Aaron decided to go into the Job Find Centre to source work of any kind. A lovely
46 manning-great lakes focus.
lady la dy at at reception rece re ceptio cept ce pttio ion on said, sa said aid id, "Oh, "Oh, there was "O wa an ad in this week's lady for our first day of trading, and Chris was just about finished p pe pa per for ffor a graphic g ap gr phi hicc designer." desi de d sig ign gner." n " paper with the log wall. He was slotting one of the last logs in and M anwh Me hile, Chris, Chr Chris is, formerly fo Meanwhile, of Hot Tuna and now working then, 'BANG!' The steel support plate holding the logs up flew instr at Barrier Signs, was playing an instrumental role in reworking off the wall, cutting a lamp cord and shorting the power. In th new graphic design their existing art department into the the pitch black, the logs came rolling down. Our friend, Kim, studio 'Juzvolter'. They were now looking for an experienced was on hand with a torch to reveal the carnage. Exhausted designer to ensure the new venture's success. Aaron applied, and defeated, we went home with a lot of logs on the floor, they both clicked, and once again two like-minded designers and it is safe to say that Chris did not get much design work were destined to become good friends … but fate was still done the next day. The steel plate is now held onto the wall not done with Aaron and Tim! Aaron invited Tim to come and with more bolts than the Martin Bridge. stay for a short break, and he fell in love with Hannam Vale. You’ve all been in the Manning Valley for different Two weeks later, Tim returned to look at properties and three lengths of time. What do you love most about this area? months later owned his own chunk of the valley. WE LOVE WINGHAM! It is the unsung gem of the Aaron introduced Tim to Chris, and it was Manning Valley: the way you enter the town over obvious that we could not fight that the river or at Chrissy Gollan Park, the wide centre of gravity! After building a streets, the central green, all of the wonderful s ay w good client base and doing some historic buildings and the vibrant business al ve ha e W great work at Juzvolter, the time community. We feel that Wingham has had the desire to tter way be a is was right to push out the boat a fantastic, creative vibe to it, which e er th if e se ng . This and Well Creative was born. drew us to open Well Creative here. of doing somethi trait. an What exactly does Well For a small town it can boast a cooking is a positive hum e to th Creative do, and what sort of school, architects, museum, fantastic Pushing things e to mak next level, trying more businesses or clients do you food, homewares, tattoo artists and a d things simpler an cater to? photographic studio. But best of all, we e. effectiv We specialise in all areas of have our very own de Havilland Vampire Jet graphic design, advertising, logo in the park! and brand design, brochures large or What is the real passion that drives you in small, illustration, photo retouching, signage the design industry? design and digital media, including website design. We have always had the desire to see if there is a We are also about to move into designing apps better way of doing something. This is a positive human trait. and can manage any kind of printing and signage Pushing things to the next level, trying to make things simpler manufacture. and more effective. When you want to maintain the status We work with all kind of clients. Some are small business quo, you will stagnate and eventually be left behind. Good owners who need a new brand or marketing material. In designers always ask, "Is there a better way?" contrast, we have clients such as The Legendary Pacific Coast You had a killer opening day! It was great to see so who promote tourism from Sydney to Brisbane. We welcome many locals supporting you there. What do you think all business. the reason is that you were able to attract so many? What has been the biggest challenge about opening the The short answer is relationships. We really value developing new studio? strong relationships with our clients, suppliers and the The biggest challenge was to set up the business in just community at large. We think that people always respond to four weeks. It was a crazy time to not only organise the that and support you in turn. The other reason is that there administrative side of things, but the fitout of the studio. We was free food and drinks! did do some things the hard way, such as building a cut log Thanks so much guys, and all the best in your business feature wall. It was the Sunday night before we were to open venture together!