Case Studies
Find out how we support designer-makers with these case studies about a selection of businesses based at Cockpit Arts, or watch our Design Shorts films:
Lush Designs
'Being at Cockpit Arts, and having that kind of interaction with artists, has been fantastic for us because however un-commercial ideas may seem, you can develop them into something with a bit of encouragement – it makes you much more adventurous'.
Watch our Design Shorts film about Lush Designs.
Lush Designs produce a range of home accessories which feature their characteristic narrative prints. They combine traditional techniques with cutting-edge digital technology, to create ever-evolving ranges of gifts and interiors. Since joining Cockpit in September 2002, Lush has capitalised on the twice-yearly Open Studios, which have provided a valuable opportunity to test out new products and inform the development and diversification of new ranges. They have tapped into one-to-one support to help boost their business and attended workshops on business planning and growth aimed at established craft businesses. Lush has also benefited from discounted trade shows brokered by Cockpit. As well as being stocked in selected UK stores, their work is now reaching an international audience through their successful online shop. They have developed a growth strategy to take their already successful business to the next level, and in 2008 opened their own shop in Greenwich market.
Karen Henriksen
'Having a business plan in place and access to regular progress meetings has made a real difference to the way I run my business. It's great to have someone to discuss my ideas with and get feedback on how best to achieve my goals. It means I can focus on the bigger picture knowing the detail is all worked out'.
Following Karen Henriksen's graduation from the Royal College of Art in 2003, she set up her own millinery label, underpinned by her MA collection, Windswept. The collection now features sculptural windswept hats inspired by both traditional and contemporary utilitarian and street headwear such as the flat cap, hoods and visors, and headscarves. Once a central London base was secured at Cockpit Arts Holborn in 2005, Karen was able to grow retail sales through Open Studios and focus on brand development. Karen secured a loan through the Cockpit Business Growth Loan Scheme and is well on track to achieve her predicted sale targets for the coming years. Most recently, Karen’s products have been launched on Cockpit Arts' on-line store with CultureLabel, exposing Karen's work to a new, culture savvy audience. Two collections are now presented each season – couture and Windswept, both of which are available through selected stockists in the UK, Europe and Japan.
Jane Adam
'I am grateful to Cockpit Arts, not only for offering me a great place to work for many years, but also for supporting my growth as a professional maker, both formally through the business development programme but also through day to day interaction in a vibrant and creative environment'.
Jane Adam has been based at our studios since Cockpit Arts was founded in 1993. Today her jewellery can be seen in galleries, exhibitions and, most importantly, being worn by discerning people, all around the world. She is an established jeweller with an international reputation for her anodised aluminium jewellery, but still felt that she had more potential for growth. In 2006 Cockpit Arts matched Jane with a mentor. The result was a period of planned growth and the production of a new range of work in high carat gold. We exhibited Jane's new pieces at Collect at the V&A in 2008, to introduce the new work to collectors and boost her already impressive profile and sales. Most recently, Jane accessed one-to-one support from Cockpit to make a successful application to the Crafted project with Arts & Business and Walpole. In June 2009, following two years of research, learning and experimentation, Jane launched 'Urban', her first full collection in digitally printed aluminium.
Thornback & Peel
'Starting a business can be complicated, but Cockpit has supported us with advice at every stage. The loan scheme in particular has provided us with the means and motivation to grow our business and build our brand'.
Design partnership Thornback & Peel produce a range of printed textiles with a playful style - combining contemporary patterns with nineteenth century wood engravings. Alongside collections of interior products, t-shirts, stationery and fabrics, the business offers a high end bespoke service. They completed Cockpit Arts' business start-up course in 2006, and were provided with intensive one-to-one support by the in-house team to develop a robust business plan. The duo made a series of successful applications to the Cockpit Business Growth Loan Scheme to develop their product range, fund an on-line shop and increase their production capacity. Within two years of receiving their loan, the business reported an increase in turnover of 400%. Thornback & Peel now employs a full time studio manager and has products stocked in over 60 UK stores including Liberty and Paul Smith as well as supplying European and US outlets.
Katherine Wardropper
'I am extremely lucky to have the opportunity to become part of Cockpit Arts. It is such a breath of fresh air to be surrounded by inspiring, dedicated designers and have professional advice and support from the Cockpit Arts team'.
Award winning 3D textile designer Katherine Wardropper is an emerging talent who is making a name for her sculptural textile pieces. By applying her unique 'Sculptural Fabric Technique' in a variety of ways, Katherine creates intricate ranges of jewellery and interior accessories as well as bespoke wall art pieces. Katherine joined Cockpit in 2008 having already successfully completed our accredited business start up course the previous year. She is a recipient of a Bellhouse Award, which provides Katherine with a subsidised studio for three years. Katherine has recently made a successful application to the Cockpit Business Growth Loan Scheme to support the development of her business and brand. Her work is already stocked in selected UK stores and galleries, and Katherine plans to use the loan to launch a new range of interior products as well as reach new global audiences through the launch of an online boutique.
carréducker
'We know how to make shoes, but we didn't have experience of building and running a business, which involves a whole new set of skills. We have had a lot of support from Cockpit Arts to help develop these skills, prepare our business plan and to get our business ready for growth and success. We were put forward by Peter Ting of Asprey, and supported by the Cockpit Arts' team, for the Walpole and Arts & Business 'Crafted' programme and we are thrilled to have been chosen to be part of it'.
Watch our Design Shorts film about carréducker
Business partners James Ducker and Deborah Carré are passionate about handsewn shoemaking, bringing a unique combination of design detail, craftsmanship and customer service to bespoke men's shoes. Their business, carréducker, creates bespoke and made-to-order handsewn shoes; carréducker signature English-manufactured Limited Edition Half-cut shoes and Tweed Winkers shoes, available online and from their studio at Cockpit Arts, Holborn. Since locating to Cockpit Arts in September 2004 they have taken advantage of Making It seminars and workshops, Open Studios and, most recently, made a successful application to the Cockpit Business Growth Loan Scheme. The loan has supported developing new products, entering new overseas markets, and forging new manufacturing partners. carréducker has also continued to benefit from one to one coaching from the Cockpit Arts' team and is one of four selected businesses from Cockpit to participate in the Crafted scheme with Arts & Business and Walpole.
Ndidi Ekubia
'The workshops and one-to-one support at Cockpit are really in tune with what I need as a designer-maker and really help keep my business on track. Going through the loan application process was particularly helpful. Mapping everything out on paper means I can see what I need to do much more clearly. What were once dreams are now becoming realities!'
Ndidi Ekubia is a contemporary silversmith using traditional techniques to create visually stimulating yet functional silverware, recognised for its distinctive style. The business was formally established in 2005 when Ndidi set up a workshop at Cockpit Arts, having graduated from the Royal College of Art in 1998. Since joining Cockpit, Ndidi has benefited from skills development workshops, one to one support and Open Studios. A successful application to the Cockpit Business Growth Loan Scheme in 2009 has provided Ndidi with a three year growth plan, which was utilised most recently to secure a place on the Arts & Business 'Crafted' programme. Her business has continued to grow since 2005 and Ndidi has secured a loyal following of collectors for her work. Ndidi's pieces can be found in high profile outlets throughout the UK and in a number of private collections.
Angie Boothroyd
'Over the last year I have already seen turnover and profit increase and I now have clear goals and objectives for the future. These are really helping me to make the transformation from designer-maker to entrepreneur'.
After graduating from the Royal College of Art in 2001, Angie Boothroyd set up her studio with the help of a Cockpit Arts Award. As a master jeweller, she handcrafts exquisite pieces in gold and silver, painstakingly melting her own precious metal alloys. We matched Angie with a mentor in 2005 to identify ways of boosting retail sales and profitability, and she later took advantage of the Cockpit Business Growth Loan Scheme. She received £10,000, along with ongoing intensive, one-to-one business support from Cockpit's on site coach which enabled her to put a three-year growth plan into practice. Angie is well on target for achieving her growth aims and has enjoyed an increase in export sales as well as launching an on-line boutique.
SORT
'Being at Cockpit is an excellent way to start your business and has opened up lots of positive opportunities for us'.
The Society of Revisionist Typographers (SORT) offer a series of letterpress printed products alongside a typographic design service for a range of clients. Their unique stationery and books are stocked in selected UK stores such as Liberty, Magma and Paul Smith. SORT joined Cockpit Arts in 2007 as a start up business; featured in Cockpit's 'Quick Collect' tour during Open Studios in 2008 and have benefited from subsequent buyer tours. Following this, SORT were selected to take part in Cockpit's Pop Up Studio during the London Design Festival in 2009, delivering workshops and making sales to the public for a week in Carnaby Street, Central London. Most recently SORT successfully applied to take part in a design collaboration project with the Southbank Centre, which was also brokered by Cockpit Arts. The project, Bloom 2010, is supporting six Cockpit Arts' designer-makers to create new work for sale in the Southbank Centre retail outlets.
Jacqueline Cullen
'I've found that being in Cockpit Arts has helped my work a lot, partly due to the exposure you get through the Open Studios but also because there's a lot of business and marketing support. You can have one-to-one coaching, whether it's about approaching the media or because you need to sort out your financial records'.
Watch our Design Shorts film about Jacqueline Cullen
Jacqueline Cullen is the only contemporary jeweller working with Whitby jet in a non-traditional way, and she is dedicated to raising awareness of this ancient and sensual material by bringing it to a new audience. Her collections are sold through selected high profile galleries and outlets in the UK and USA, as well as made to commission for public and private collections. One-to-one support from the in-house team helped Jacqueline to make a successful Arts Council 'Grants for the Arts' application to make and show new work at a solo show in Canary Wharf. In 2008 Jacqueline was one of four Cockpit Arts' jewellers showcased at the high-profile exhibition Collect, and has also benefited from ongoing one-to-one coaching. Today Jacqueline's business is thriving and her sales income has more than doubled in the last two years. She now has work in international collections and exhibited in New York for the first time in 2009.
Re-Silicone
'The Cockpit Arts experience has been fantastic for me so far, from PR opportunities and great business advice to new friends and yoga classes. I have made positive and realistic changes to my work routine and achieved more than I could have ever imagined'.
Watch our Design Shorts film about Re-Silicone.
Re-silicone was founded in 2007 by Lucy Fergus, a designer with a background in woven textiles and a love of industrial materials. She designs and makes bespoke eco-conscious products inspired by and made from waste rubber silicone. Her diverse ranges includes lighting, interior products and accessories including jewellery. In 2008 Lucy was a recipient of a Bellhouse Award (funded by the Bellhouse Foundation), which has enabled her to have a studio at Cockpit Arts in Deptford. She has benefitted from numerous promotional and PR opportunities, and has used our Open Studios events as a valuable market research opportunity to inform the expansion and development of her range. Our professional development team also referred Lucy to the London Manufacturing Advisory Service which then helped her find companies producing silicone waste. Re-Silicone is making a name for itself, with high-profile projects such as an installation in Covent Garden for London Design Festival, as well as excellent media and television coverage.