158-159_161_SOTN Art & Design.qxp_NEW LSB 2008 GRID 20/09/2018 13:19 Page 159
STATE OF THE NATION: ART & DESIGN
Right: Lucy Pittaway's ones. Exhibitors in the zone this year bright and happy include MGL Licensing, Vicki Thomas designs have a really broad appeal in Associates, Howard Robinson & licensing terms. Associates, Linda Wood Licensing, This is Iris, Old School Art Studio, Lemon Ribbon, Claire Louise, Ahh Inspiring Art and Animaru among others. The reconfiguration of the floorplan means that everyone is on the same level, increasing footfall across the Below: Steve Maddren, Lucy board and also making it easier for Pittaway's director, is visitors to discover licences they might looking to connect with a range of otherwise not have seen. product Stuart Cox from I Like Birds can manufacturers at BLE. vouch for how important BLE is for art and design companies. The publisher took home the License opportunities.” This runner up position in 2016 and Colin Livingstone went on to sign with global licensing from Old School Art agency JELC. Studio has worked as “We didn’t win License This but it a scenic artist and set was still a game changer for us,” builder in the Stuart says. “It’s a life changing television field as well opportunity. License This offers the as a commercial chance for brands to get up and talk cartoonist, character about what they’ve done, what they and concept designer do, what they’d like to do and what and an illustrator. makes them different – and all to a “Gaining exposure captive audience of people who can to a wider market is make things happen. an obvious factor in “We’ve got some really exciting us attending BLE for the first time,” he says. “As a projects in the pipeline and are also rural studio we have to create a presence through just starting on what we’re calling ‘phase two’ of selected trade shows and have to be visible in the our licensing adventure and we’ve had some right place at the right time. For me it’s crucial for amazing feedback on our samples from key business to meet people face to face. retailers.” “I’ve had previous successes in a number of retail Successful artist and photographer Linda Wood, genres, from technical products to food, and have of Linda Wood Licensing, is extremely excited designed everything from dancing telephones to about attending BLE 2018. flying pigs. Now I’d really like to put my character “Now that the art and design section has moved design skills on the market map as cartoons can from the Gallery area to downstairs in the National sell anything. Hall I think it will prove to be a very positive move “BLE is a show geared to a far wider and diverse for the design studios,” she tells LSB. “I’m hoping market place and by attending you may attract to gain a higher profile within manufacturing customers who weren’t in your former orbit – or industries – both here in the UK and worldwide. business sectors you never anticipated. In recent “I publish my own greeting cards and stationery years my customers have been media companies and having these products has enabled me to or publishers but this show is a real opportunity to obtain licensing deals for a multitude of end showcase skills to other industries or products – from art prints, textiles and mugs to agencies. Throughout my career I’ve learned from diaries, photo albums and kitchen textiles. the falls as much as the highs and it’s made me “I think BLE is an important show for a businessdetermined to carve out my own niche.” minded artist because it’s extremely interesting to Independent artist and illustrator Monika Susa meet up with fellow designers and see what is will be attending BLE for the second time with her happening within the wider industry. My main design brand Oaxaca Desert. objective though is to hopefully bring in licensing
LICENSING SOURCE BOOK EUROPE 2018
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