Describe an average day for you at work in Birmingham.
Reading through emails is my first job, making sure clients have the latest version of work in front of them to review and give us feedback. I then move on to find out what projects other designers have on and whether they need any assistance with clients, or work. I've found myself becoming more involved with project management as Clusta has grown. It's then down to work, and whatever project it is I have on at the time. I'm generally in charge of the larger Clusta projects, especially the corporate work. Navigation and linkage of larger sites is very important, we make sure that site structure is versatile from the outset, if there is likely to be structure change we make sure we can do this at a later stage with as little fuss/work as possible. Most of our sites involve a Content Management System (CMS) developed in-house, this allows clients to update specific areas of their site on-line, so no matter where they are in the world as long as they have Net access they can update there site content at will. At the end of the day we try to find time for some multiplayer Halo action on the X-box - there's nothing like some hardcore annihilation to relieve the stresses of the day. Who's had the Clusta treatment?
I think Clusta's approach to web design differs from many other companies, Clusta is a design agency heavily involved with the on-line design community, this means that we are always aware of the latest trends surrounding design and navigation for the web. We try to incorporate this into our clients work without alienating them, take www.dunnhumby.com for instance, a corporate agency that manage data for Tesco and other such companies. We could have given them something very corporate but felt that it was important to create a site that not only conveyed their message but was also fun to navigate and pulled users back to the site. Dunnhumby have undergone two phases of web development now and have seen a 300% increase in traffic within that time. The other side of the coin is the work that really pushes us creatively, work that furthers our reputation as a design agency that likes to push the boundaries of on-line design like www.djstevelawler.com and www.futureshockmusic.net Describe the scene in Birmingham to someone who's never been here...
Diverse, that's why I like it. On the surface you have all your usual stuff, shops, restaurants, bars etc. but underneath all that there's a really nice scene building from arts installations through to music events, and collaborations of the two. There are a lot of creative types in Birmingham that are really trying to push the boundaries. When you're off duty where do you hang out?
Poppyred in the Arcadian is a nice bar with a decent music policy, I also enjoy 'Default' at the Bull, Moseley on a Wednesday night, an electronica night that has built a strong reputation over the last few years for delivering good acts and a good music policy. Best place for a meal?
Torque D'Or in the Jewellery Quarter does some really nice food, slightly further away from Birmingham, The Belle Inn, Tanworth-in-Arden. Best bar?
I'd have to say Medicine Bar, not just because it's convenient but because it puts on some really good events. The music policy is diverse and the crowd is generally pretty friendly. Where do you grab a coffee or lunch?
I get coffee from 'For Coffee' at the bottom of Custard Factory II, really nice little venue, great coffee, good service and plenty of places to sit and relax or chat to clients. They also have regular exhibitions, from photography through to graphics, illustration and fine art. I get lunch from the local baguette shop. Best place for a boogie?
Floatation at the Oxygen rooms in Hockley, they only do events every now and again but when they do, they go off. Mixture of deep and tech house, nice and bouncy. Really nice people, really good music. What's Birmingham got that London hasn't?
Clusta! I think Birmingham is a city full of creative potential and it's finally getting heard. It's not necessary these days to be based anywhere near your clients, we have working relationships with many London agencies all of which have been a success. I think to a certain extent as a client you can pay a premium for working with a design company based in Soho for instance, and whilst there are some great design firms down there it has become saturated. What do you say to Birmophobes? For Coffee. www.clusta.com | 
