Top 20 Creative Firms
By Nancy A. Hitchcock
Electronic Publishing / July 2004
Electronic Publishing Magazine solicited the help of industry experts to compile a list of 20 graphic design firms that excel at their craft. These artists are recognized for creating exceptional design for some of the top companies in the world. In addition, they win national and international design competitions, are regularly published in highly regarded magazines and books, and have been included in permanent museum collections. These firms inspire us because they produce effective, visually appealing designs for their clients and are passionate about what they do.
What makes design firms successful, they say, is the courage to take risks and deliver unique solutions. These leading-edge designers also admit to pushing their printers pretty hard - demanding high quality and advice on achieving unusual, compelling results. But, above all, these designers report that their biggest accomplishments are delivering solutions that satisfy their clients' needs.
Belyea
For its clients, Belyea builds brands, develops identities, and creates marketing collateral, websites, and environmental graphics.
What drives the company in new creative directions?
In some ways our clients drive us. Once we build a relationship with a client, they often ask us to do projects that are not like anything else we have ever done before. We love this as it continually stretches us.
List a few top projects you produced in the last year.
Belyea produced a promo for Fraser Papers that showcases two recycled-paper lines. The final piece is a unique folder that holds a pocket journal, a box of gift cards, stationery and envelopes, and two fans of gift tags. The job required 45 press checks and incredible attention to detail with all the hand-finishing. This is a very important promo for Fraser Papers, with international distribution. It was successful because one year later we are still doing exciting projects with Fraser Papers.
Another project was for TEREX Corporation, which bought 38 manufacturers of construction equipment over an eight-year period. Belyea was brought in to align the TEREX brand internationally so that the construction industry would understand that all TEREX's subsidiaries are backed by one clientcentric company. Deliverables include refined identities, graphic standards, a comprehensive business paper system, templates for brochures and ads, and trade-show themes. This project is impressive in its elegant solutions for very complicated graphics challenges.
What role does the printer have in helping the project succeed?
Printers play an important role in our lives. We work with premium printers who understand the level of quality and service we want. The new economy is demanding that printers produce shorter runs, work as hard as ever, and offer great pricing for tightened budgets. Located in a technologycentric metropolis, Seattle printers tend to embrace innovative technologies. Our reps let us know what's new and wonderful regularly.
Principals: Patricia Belyea, Ron Lars Hansen, Michael Stone
Number of employees: 8
Founded: 1988
Location: Seattle
Website: www.belyea.com
Clients: TEREX Corporation, Fraser Papers, Weyerhaeuser, K/P Corporation, ColorGraphics
Define success: I believe it is being able to live the dream of creating incredible design for sophisticated and appreciative clients. Returning clients are an important part of our success formula.