We're thrilled to have been shortlisted for the 2019 Mixology North "Design Practice of the Year" award. We'd like to think this nomination is a reflection of how we deliberately try to do things differently. Let us explain...

It's in our DNA to work together as a family, not just a business, and, like any family, we're a bit of a mixed bag. Our collective backgrounds span the design spectrum: interiors to illustration, coding to crafting, master chef to masterplanning - that's how we can keep our work varied, our solutions bespoke and our response rapid. What makes us a family, however, is our common passion for design (in all forms) and an open willingness to pull together: collectively thinking, interrogating, challenging and crafting the perfect solution to exceed our client's expectations.

So if you're expecting a super slick, corporate, glossy, high-definition design studio we might not quite be for you. If you're after a cuppa, chin-wag and collaborate kinda place, then we're probably exactly what you're looking for. Trumpet-blowing aside, we know our work stands up - and so it should, we've been doing it for nearly 30 years - but we believe the way we work is far more important to our clients. That's why (we're pleased to say) they keep coming back to us.

*toot

Vic, Susanna and Dave were invited to take a trip upt' North to visit NaughtOne at their factory and showroom near Harrogate.

Manned with hi-vis and safety goggles the trio were put to work making their very own Pinch stools.

It was an insightful and impressive day, following the factory operation from start to finish and learning all about their handmade manufacturing process along the way.

Many thanks to NaughtOne for having us!!

We're very pleased to announce that Kim Williams has joined the iDEA team. Kim has worked in the commercial sectors of design in London for the past 5 years - most recently with a heavy concentration in Workplace. A self-confessed aesthete, Kim believes good design is present in most places if you seek it - and there is always something to be inspired by. Couldn't agree more, Kim! With a connection to both Shrewsbury (her hometown) and London, Kim is a vital new member of the team.

On 10th September we attended BCO's lunchtime event with 60 other Delegates at Avison Young’s conference facility in Birmingham. This seminar session focussed on how the 2019 BCO Guide has redefined its position as the definitive guide to office development. The session provided the opportunity to hear about what has changed since the last edition and how the research commissioned for the new Guide has been interpreted into design and specification guidance from a panel of subject matter experts who led the specialist working groups responsible for producing the Guide. Always good to keep on top of what's happening and great to catch up with a few familiar faces.

We're ever-keen to explore new creative avenues. Back in 2013, to promote our 'Me + My Workplace' survey, we took the bold approach of creating a piece of stop-frame animation. Numerous hours, cups of coffee and midnight snacks were demolished whilst painstakingly moving the scenes inch-by-inch, but the outcome was totally worth it.

It's not the first time we've deliberately chosen to stray outside our comfort zone and it certainly won't be the last. We love to innovate - always looking for the right creative direction to help tell our client's stories - even if it means stepping back and learning something new. We've made a bit of a habit of this over the years - diversifying into new markets, techniques and approaches but retaining one consistent view: to always challenge our approach.

Take a look at the final video here: https://vimeo.com/22708010

On Tuesday 23rd iDEA attended the official ‘opening event’ following the completion of works on the ONE Coventry Project at Cheylesmore House. James Hughes (Project Director) along with members of the Senior Leadership Team from DfE officially inaugurated the refreshed facilities at Cheylesmore House.

This was a celebratory event to showcase the works that have been done and to congratulate all the teams involved from both the DfE and project side.

iDEA first started reviewing the tired and worn facilities in August 2017 and over the following months developed a design scheme and strategy that complimented the new ways of working lead by the Smarter Working Team.

Two 3-storey buildings (North and South) are linked by a staff restaurant to form 'One Coventry'. The whole building has been refurbished over the past year including new furniture to provide fully refreshed offices. Works include new collaboration zones, breakout spaces in the atrium balconies, a social event / flexible meet and workplace at the base of the South atrium. The North Building retains the main visitor reception which now offers a welcoming space to greet visitors and staff alike and links into the restaurant which in addition to providing a relaxing place to eat, also offers places to work and meet after the busy hours. We'll be adding a full project case study in the near future, so watch this space!

Back in May, Susanna and Dave were fortunate enough to be invited to Kvadrat's stunning headquarters in Ebeltoft, Denmark. A guided tour of their office space and warehouse facilities by the company's passionate CEO, Andres Byriel was a particular highlight. An absolutely wonderful trip all round. Scandi-inspired designs coming your way soon!

(Read in your best movie trailer voices please)

On July 11th-12th 2019, staff members of iDEA, plus some enthusiastic friends and clients, will be undertaking one – epic – journey. A journey which will change their lives, forever. Their goal? One single purpose; commute between our two offices. By bicycle.

This near-200-mile voyage will give us the opportunity to raise money for the Stroke Association - a worthy cause which is very close to our hearts, after James, one of our designers, had a stroke at the age of 33 a couple of years back. We're delighted to say that James will be leading our little peloton after making astonishing progress. You can find out more about the trip (and sponsor us!) by visiting our JustGiving page.

We're pleased to announce a new member of the iDEA family, with award-winning Interior Designer Tracey Hora joining us in June. Offering over 18 years’ interior design experience in the UK and abroad whilst working with some of the UK’s leading design focused architectural companies, including Pringle Brandon, Carey Jones, Chapman Taylor and Sheppard Robson; Tracey will be a key member of the iDEA team. Impressively, she's already getting stuck in by signing up for our office-to-office cycle commute, which, incidentally, you can find out more about here. Great to have you in the team Tracey!

We’re thrilled to announce that we’ve once again been shortlisted for a prestigious Mixology design award. Our work for the Ministry of Justice in Canary Wharf has been selected in the Public Sector Interiors Project of the Year category. The project, which formed part of our wider remit for the MoJ nationally, allowed us to create a stunning array of flexible spaces which catered to the needs of a modern Government Department. The colourful design provides not only a much-needed bright and airy environment in which to work, but also a delightfully simple wayfinding solution. The awards take place on Thursday 20th June 2019.

We attended the bi-annual Workplace Trends conference at the British Library - an event which focused on Evidence Based Design in the workplace. A host of speakers gave an interesting insight into the data behind workplace decisions - something which very much chimes with the way we work. We are constantly striving to find new and innovative ways of documenting and analysing the workplace experience through our range of tools - allowing us to design spaces which compliment the way people use them.

Most of us haven't done a "show and tell" since primary school and with a growing number of large scale projects underway for us, it was high-time we shared what we've been up to. It's not too often that our Shropshire and London studios come together as one, so what better venue than The Screening Room at Somerset House for such an occasion. We had a whole day of presentations from everyone across iDEA - it was a truly eclectic mix. We covered everything from video to VR, programming to painting. Our design diversity is a huge part of our DNA, and it's something we're proud to celebrate. Roll on the next one!