Interior designer Michaela Reysenn acknowledges that it can be hard for a printer to differentiate themselves in the creative market in terms of the products and services they offer. So in her view much of it comes down to customer service. When interviewed for Think Bigger this month, the managing director of Kai Design, talks about the value of her long-standing relationship with printer and wallcovering specialist Forrest and Jones with whom she has collaborated on the interior design of a number of restaurants and bars.
She would like to see the printing community at large invest the same level of relationship-building as her favoured suppliers and help to increase the creative’s knowledge when it comes to what is available. “For instance, there are magnetic wallpapers out there used in play areas but there is much more they could be used for,” she says. “I really want to find out more about metallic digital printing.”
Give a creative new tools, techniques or surfaces to explore and it stimulates their creative thinking. Don’t necessarily expect them to put it to use straightaway though. They won’t incorporate it for the sake of it but when the right job comes along it, what you’ve told them will come front of mind if it helps them to realise their creative ambition. Most creatives enjoy being part of a fruitful, two-way relationship so start the conversation today and it will hopefully pay off tomorrow.