In their words
“By being a virtual extension of my team, Jan helped me shortlist, select and brief design agencies for business and brand-critical projects. Her ability to add detail and clarity into the briefing process was exceptional. Her charming manner ensured all parties were clear and comfortable with even the most difficult scenarios. Jan has a wealth of knowledge that combines creative integrity with business acumen, which is rare to find in one consultant.”
Joe Ferry
Global Head of Design, Mars
(former Head of Design, Virgin Atlantic Airways)
“Jan’s expertise in the graphic design field helped us choose the best agency for our new identity work. She also advised and supported us to ensure the results were an excellent modernisation of the brand, executed in an intelligent and cost-effective way. Jan continued to analyse and support the work of the team to start them on the journey to becoming a strong in-house brand design unit. Where being a design manager can feel lonely, it’s great to have an industry expert at your side.”
Dee Cooper
former Director of Product and Service
Virgin Atlantic Airways
In brief
I have a great appreciation for clients who are expert in their roles but also open to advice and willing to embrace change. With Virgin Atlantic Airways, I was invited by their Head of Design and Director of Product and Service to work on the relaunch of their brand identity, from the initial strategy through to execution. Alongside that process, I advised on the performance of their creative services team and helped recruit a senior brand designer to lead them.
Part of the Virgin Group, Virgin Atlantic Airways is an established name in the UK airline industry, carrying about 5.4 million passengers every year.
I was invited by their Head of Design to work on the brand relaunch, which involved creating the strategy and identity briefs, before drawing up the shortlist from which the appointed agencies were chosen. I acted as a partner to the Head of Design throughout the process, from concepts through to launch, ensuring the results were on brief and executed cost-effectively. It was good to be involved at an early stage and help steer such an ambitious project through to a successful conclusion.
As part of my involvement, I was also asked to advise on the performance of the creative services team. Following a series of interviews with team members and internal clients, I was able to identify changes in structure and process that would free people to perform to their full potential. I also supported the team members to help them understand their roles more fully as brand and design guardians. At the same time, I advised on the introduction of an experienced brand designer to lead the team, assisting in her recruitment and leading her induction into the company.