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Our Journey So FarOur official Arty Globe anniversary in Greenwich isn’t until September this year but in just a few weeks’ time it marks a really important step in our journey to date. It was just before Easter 2009 when we first picked up the keys to our very first shop in Greenwich Market. I’ll never forget the day! This was huge. We were moving from having a stall at the weekends to having our very own retail space. Full-time. Seven days a week. Exciting as it was, it was equally quite scary.
Our first shop unit at Greenwich Market 04/2009 to 06/2010 Since then the business, and life in general, is just moving at such a fast pace. But it’s also lots of fun too! And it’s fantastic to speak to customers directly. I think for Hartwig it’s more about the creation of the art and having that instant feedback, for me it’s more about making sure they are happy and trying to go the extra mile with the products. Also, the challenge of trying to find innovative ways of showing the artwork and exploring new opportunities. When I think back to where we were three years ago I’m pretty amazed about everything that’s happened! Six months from having our stall and moving into the first shop in Easter 2009 (which Greenwich Market states as being the fastest transition in their 25-year history!) that same month we were on Dragon’s Den (broadcast in September). By this time Hartwig was already working on his first bespoke commissions for Wandsworth Council (Battersea & Clapham Junction) and the British Museum.
Hartwig signing prints at the British Museum And there’s been a lot more to keep Hartwig busy in between then and now! Some of the highlights I think must be; Bilbao’s Guggenheim Museum, Hamley’s 250th Anniversary, The London Eye, Canary Wharf & the City magazine covers, the iSPY airline industry event (2010 and 2011), a special series of greeting cards ‘Celebrating the Urban’ for Woodmansterne greeting card range and an exclusive design for Easyjet. But there’s more yet to come! Of course, there is always an on-going plan for the business, but opportunities aren’t always there for long so we’ve just had to be ready to grab them, as long as they make real business sense – to try and find the balance of not rushing in too quickly and to consider the longer term.
The easyjet exclusive jigsaw puzzle duo - launched May 2010. As well as the commercial side I think it’s really gratifying for Hartwig to have his work recognised in the art world with a number of prestigious accolades. The AOI (Association of Illustrators) have now chosen a number of designs over three consecutive years (2010, 2011 and 2012) and the Elephant Family charity event selection for the Croc-a-doodle in Edinburgh (Jungle City). In addition to this, Hartwig’s work has also featured in London Design Festival (2009 Judges Favourite) and also shortlisted for the Serco Prize 2011.
Hartwig's Croc-A-Doodle for Edinburgh Jungle City - September 2011. Throughout our time at Greenwich, from stall to shop, it’s been absolutely vital to have the backing of the market management and landlords. We might not absolutely agree on everything but it makes such a difference to have that two-way direct communication – when you can speak openly and honestly about what you want to achieve with your business, any concerns that you have or may be facing, and equally they can discuss with you what constraints they are experiencing and ask all of us for our input. They’re fairly pro-active about organising regular commercial tenants meetings and so there is always this continuous dialogue – communicating to us what’s happening with the market, their plans and things that could affect us –involving us and asking for our input. So I’d just like to say a very big thank you to all our supporters, old and new, who are very much with us on this journey! And for making it the most fun and such an amazing experience! And so it continues…there’s a lot more to do! Add new comment
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