Formula Studio

Whilst thinking about the current brief that we are working on, 'Design For Print', me and fellow student Harrison were discussing various different processes that we thought were interesting. One process that we both really liked and wanted to try out was latex scratch off overprint. We knew that this was used last year within the college project 'This Is Not The End'. One of the designers responsible for this design was Luke O'Brien, former LCA student and co-founder of Formula Studios. We decided to contact him and arrange to meet up to discuss various things, which we did through Twitter.

Things that we wanted to discuss with Luke:

• Latex Overprint
• Stock Supplier
• Clients
• Printers
• Various Projects

We initially discussed latex overprint, as this was the main motive behind contacting him. Generally if this process was going to be used, it would be printed by professional printers; but when proposing the idea originally Luke had to create a DIY version to visually demonstrate their concept. He talked us through the process, explaining his findings and what we needed to do in order to get what we wanted. He explained how this was a trial and error type of process that would involve a lot of experimenting in order to achieve an effective result, this being something that we are going to explore over the next few days and hopefully perfect. 

We then started talking about local printers and the places that Formula Studios uses to print their work. He informed us of a few places that are in Leeds, but said that he had not yet found a printer that they have used frequently. We learnt about various tips and tricks that could help us to make new contacts and get free samples of paper and other materials, as well as talking us through his method of professionally photographing their own work.

This led us to talk more about individual projects and the concepts and processes that he has used in the past. This was very interesting as it gave us more of an insight into the workings of a professional designer and was very enlightening. Once we had talked through the projects we were very enthusiastic about and looked through his portfolio, we just had a chat about Formula Studio as a whole and how they're getting on.

This meeting was very beneficial for us as designers and as professionals; we have learnt many new techniques and tricks as well as helping us start to think about creating new contacts and networks. At the end of the meeting, Luke kindly gave us a print and business card as well as agreeing to let us go visit them once they have moved into their new studio space in the coming year. From here, we plan on experimenting with latex overprint, as well as contacting some of the places and people that Luke recommended to us.