As great admirers of Frank’s work, we invited him up to the studio for a cup of tea, a catch up and a chance to pick his creative brain.

“I have drawn since childhood”, Frank tells us. “A series of happy accidents took me to Dundee after National Service, in 1955. I’d applied for, and managed to land, a job with DC Thomson as a trainee cartoonist. There I spent 11 years soaking up experience and talent, after which I went freelance.”

“What with there being a lot of London comics starting up then, my career flourished until, in the late 80s, the market began to shrink again. And so, in 1993, I opened my own gallery and for the next 7 years I painted avidly, leaving in 2000 to work again from home.
I paint in oils, watercolours and pastels, drawing one-off full-colour bespoke caricatures, and going on the road to caricature bookings at weddings, corporate and charity events.”

With the ever-changing industry and rise of technological advances, we asked for Frank’s take on the decline of the traditional comic book market and if he’s ever considered illustrating for TV, digital animation or moving pictures.

“Of course I regret the unstoppable demise of the traditional comic, but nothing lasts forever. The thought of illustrating for other industries may have crossed my mind, but as of yet it’s gone no further; though never say never. Over 11 years I wrote about 50 scripts for Roger the Dodger, and still, to amuse myself, write nonsense verses to accompany animal drawings. A book for the future? Who knows…”

“My advice to anyone looking to become a professional illustrator would be; develop a style of your own- then perfect it, and study the opposition.”

And we believe that’s good advice for folk in every area of the creative industries…

To see more of Frank’s work or for commissions, visit his website, send an e-mail or call 01241-872844.

Little by little, we’re working on making MadeBrave HQ exactly that with such additions as fancy furnishings (we just can’t seem to walk past Papyrus without buying one of their cushion covers or novelty spoons), full wall projector screens (yes, we will be planning studio screenings of Die Hard 1, 2 and 3 as soon as possible), comfy sofas (as one should always be prepared for an unplanned nap attack), a library of creative books (because you can never have enough books, ever), a fridge full of treats (and a tin, and a cupboard, and a shelf…) and, most recently, some awesome branded artwork for the walls and doors (of which you can see for yourselves)

Yup, we’re pretty happy with the way our office is shaping up; so happy that we want to keep sharing it with you! So watch this space and we’ll keep you updated with what’s happening behind the MadeBrave doors; though it’s safe to say that we’re feeling pretty comfortable and inspired right now…

Yes Graham, you are in the right place…

Our morning meeting space just got a makeover

A Gibson Les Paul never looked so happy…

Oooh gloss on matt… oooh

Either way, as keen supporters of all our eco-active clients, we are pretty dang happy to be welcoming another awesome green energy supplier on board.

Meet Repsol – refiners of oil and other raw materials, pursuers of technological advancements in sustainable systems and pioneers in the research of renewable energy.

At MadeBrave, we are proud to add Repsol to our ever-expanding list of environmental and sustainable living experts, which currently includes…

MadeBrave – happy to be helping our clients towards a greener, brighter and more sustainable future.

So in between arrival, starter forms, introductions and all the other stuff that comes with your standard first day, we’ve managed to pester him with some quick fire questions to find out a bit more about the man behind the Mac.

They call me:
Callum Henry

Skilled in:
My skills are mostly in Web Development but pretty skilled at whipping up some Cheesecakes when the need comes!

Always with:
My phone, feel totally naked if I leave home without it.

Laughing at:
Cats in funny poses.

Listening to:
The sounds of the MadeBrave office: whirring, printing, clicking, coffee being made and I think I can hear Dancing in the Street coming from somewhere…

Dreaming of:
The sun, and warm weather… please come back!

Could do without:
Could probably do without spending all my money on video games.

Want to say:
Just want to say thanks guys for the welcome to MadeBrave, I’m sure it’ll be a fun 3 months!

Thank you Callum, we’re looking forward to getting you settled and started on a bright and prosperous future. We’re also looking forward to sampling this cheesecake…

The idea is that large, complicated indoor areas like shopping centres, airports, universities and public transit hubs, would be mapped the same way that cities are. It’s a lot trickier than outdoor mapping; your location needs to be much more precise, along with which direction you’re facing, because the hallways and rooms are smaller and more intricate per square foot than large cities. If your phone is off by half a street in a city, that’s OK; you can still figure out where you are. If you’re wandering through a university trying to find the Maths Department and your phone is off by that much… you might as well not be using it.

Not only is it hard to get the kind of detail you need for indoor mapping with existing tools, but when you’re indoors, you often have to deal with a new problem: walls blocking your GPS signal.

The company acquired by Apple is called WiFiSlam–less a mapping company than a location company, dedicated to overcoming those difficulties. The company claims they have “2.5m accuracy using only ambient WiFi signals that are already present in buildings.” Quite how they can use ambient Wi-Fi signals is still unclear, but Apple must have faith in their abilities, given that they just paid $20 million for them… *queue mini heart attack*

For the non-designers out there, not to worry, Google is also pouring resources into an Indoor Maps Initiative, intuitively called “Google Maps Floor Plans”. The company claims to have indoor maps for over 10,000 locations worldwide including airports, hotels, libraries, museums and even Ikea Stores. That means no more scouring the ‘You are HERE’ boards in shopping galleries, taking wrong turns down endless hotel corridors and bumping into freaky twins, or getting stuck in the soft furnishings department at Ikea when all you really want is a hot dog and packet of Dime bars…

And for the non-designers, non-developers, and non-interested in geeky computer stuff readers, here’s the really good news – indoor mapping is gonna add a whole new level of fun to games of hide and seek.
SOLD.

Source : New York Times

Yup, we’re pretty busy just now and as such, are often on the lookout for a friendly face with a creative eye and a clever computer head to jump behind a desk and give us a hand. Someone who might not be with us all the time but is happy and willing to help out with some design work here and there.  Someone self motivated, hardworking and reliable. Apparently there’s a name for someone like that.

Oh yeah, there is. It’s a freelancer. So I guess you could say, we’re looking for a freelancer. Or two…

We’re on the hunt for some middleweight to senior designers who are happy to add their names to the MadeBrave directory of super awesome talent. Working on big projects with a small turnaround time, we need folk who can handle large jobs with speed, efficiency and creative flair.

Sound like you? Send us over your CV along with a recent portfolio of work and we’ll see if you fit the MadeBrave bill.

NB Those who lack a positive attitude, good sense of humour or serious appreciation of Disney’s The Lion King need not apply.

So Kieran, how long have you been wrestling for and, more over – how did you get into it?

“I got into the sport about 15 years ago. When I was a kid I had a bit too much energy so my mum tried to wear me out at the local sports centre. I’m from Cumbernauld, which is 1 of the only 3 places in Scotland with a wrestling club – just as well really, as it turns out I was pretty good at it”

And it seems your energy and determination has followed you into adulthood… What have you achieved so far through your wrestling?

“I’ve been multiple time British Champion, Scottish Champion, have represented Britain in the European Championship and won at the Commonwealth Youth Games in 2008.”

Kieran in the flesh…minus the socks…

Seems only right then that you’re working towards Commonwealth success here in Glasgow. What would competing at the 2014 Games mean to you?

“It would mean everything, having a nation behind me, here on home soil. Already the hype behind Glasgow 2014 has been massive, and it’s gonna be a great opportunity for the sport of wrestling to get better recognition in Scotland.”

And if all goes well, here’s hoping your success will put the spotlight on Scotland too! So what’s stopping you from making the team?

“I’m pretty much 95% taking part in the games. Every fighter needs to get through 3 tournaments and reach a certain standard to come out on top and make the team. I’ve just got one in June and one in July left to go and am feeling pretty confident.”

So how can MadeBrave followers get behind you and keep up to date with your progress?

“Get onto facebook and Twitter, like my pages, follow me and keep checking out my website. As a countdown to the games, I’ll be posting all sorts of stuff on my pages; written and video blogs, venues I’m at, what training I’m up to, diet & nutrition, photos, etc.”

Photos you say? Oh yeah, actually, we’ve got some here… Looking good already …

Set to represent Scotland at Glasgow 2014

MadeBrave are proud to be behind Kieran every step of the way. We’re currently busy putting the final touches onto his new webpage where you can follow his daily updates as the countdown to the Games begins…

Get involved now @

F: Kieran Malone

T: @thekieranmalone

www.kieranmalone.co.uk – Coming Soon

Well, what is NFC?


NFC stands for Near Field Communication and, as the name implies, it’s a set of close-range wireless communication standards. NFC equipped smartphones and other devices can exchange information with each other with a simple tap or a wave; simply hold your NFC enabled device in the proximity of an NFC enabled media, such as a sticker, or poster.  There are many uses for such a technology ranging from the basic launching of a browser on your target device to sending an email, or to more complex actions such as controlling the lights in your house, unlocking a door or starting a car engine. Essentially, anything that can be automated electronically can be interacted with via NFC.

Which Devices Have NFC?

Many smartphones, tablets and new laptops now have NFC chips. NFC World  has an extensive list of all the phones around the world that are NFC-equipped.  Google Nexus variants have NFC, as do several BlackBerries, HTC phones, and others.

What Exactly Can I Do With NFC

NFC is most commonly associated with the “mobile wallet”—the idea that your smartphone will replace your cash and credit cards. In one tap or wave of your phone, you can pay for your shopping or redeem offers or coupons.

Beyond mobile payments however, there is a world of uses for NFC, including:

• Providing interactive tickets or entry passes to your event.  This can be in the form of a standard ticket, or embedded into wristbands, worn by the attendee.
• Downloading information. Advertisers and marketers can use NFC chips in posters and other promotional materials so all you have to do to get more information is tap or wave your phone (quicker than scanning QR codes, and certainly easier on the eye).
• Ease of company travel. NFC technology can enable ‘car mode’ when your employees get into a vehicle, launching satellite navigation and disabling mobile phone capabilities, thereby increasing productivity and promoting safe driving within your organisation.
• Provide offers, or promotions to customers via an NFC enabled key ring or badge. Free product offers or promotional codes can be programmed onto the media, which can then be redeemed in store using an NFC enabled device to scan the media.

Right now, NFC hasn’t hit the mainstream in terms of usage, but it’s the potential that’s making it pretty interesting technology.
..

NFC enabled product packaging

Why are MadeBrave talking about NFC?

Here at MadeBrave HQ we’ve been watching closely the advancements of NFC technology and techniques and, being a full-service agency, we feel this is a package we should be offering our clients.
Working with The Rivergate Shopping Centre we have recently launched NFC enabled posters in the centre – the first Shopping centre in Scotland to use this technology. If you have an NFC enabled device and you’re in the area, pop in and have a look.  We’ve also been working with TPL-Labels to create  NFC enabled product labels and packaging and an NFC enabled Exhibition Stand, where visitors were invited to dynamically enter a competition, with a chance of winning the latest NFC Enabled Google Nexus tablet.

What can MadeBrave and NFC do for my Business?


There are multiple ways in which MadeBrave can enhance your business utilising NFC technology.  Interactive posters and stickers, interactive exhibition stands, interactive business cards, key fobs, wristbands, labels, tickets, beer mats, badges, magnets … even NFC enabled interactive pens! All of these can be branded to suit your project or company branding, and programmed to your unique specification. If you’d like to know more, or have a specific project in mind, then give us a call, or drop us an email, and we’ll be happy to discuss your requirements.

We’ve been shouting a lot recently about team photoshoots, sexy light bulbs, paid internships and, of course, the office move but now that we’re settled, caffeined to the max, and tired from trying to perfect the JCVD Kickboxer dance, we feel that now’s the right time to get back into work mode.

So, even though we like to play hard, we also like to think we work hard,  giving us a fair bit of work related news to shout about.  So here goes:

We’ve all been model employees working hard on a redesign for the Colours Modelling Agency website,  making a vogue-worthy new home for all their stunning profiles. It’s looking so good that MadeBrave’s Mrs Photogenic, Susan, is considering a change of career, so when the website is launched in the next few days, don’t be too surprised if Susan is their new star signing.

Everyone got involved when Alexander Wines asked us to help branding their new portfolio in time for their upcoming tasting event on Monday 18th.  Branding, event invites, pop up banners and an online R.S.V.P system; we were pretty sure we’d earned ourselves a big ol’ glass of vino tinto on this one, so imagine our joy when we were sent a lovely crate as a moving present #weloveourclients.

Susan has been kept busy completeing the design for Mary’s Meals annual magazine, for which 200,000 copies will be distributed around the world – raising support and awareness of the charity to help get vital meals, educational resources and relief to children in need. Want to help too? We’d love it if you did…  www.marysmeals.org.uk

The whole team has been working with Scottish Renewables who are hosting their biggest ever annual conference next week, for which we’ve put together the exhibition graphics, designed the conference website (lovingly built by our friends at Level Up), programme, menus and more. Plus we’ll be there to film and shoot the whole thing!

Did we mention that we had a new office?, Now we have a valid excuse to buy sweets

We’ve been busy getting the all new BikeEventsScotland site up and running, or cycling.  It’s a one stop shop for biking events in Scotland and It’s live now, so go check it out.

Continuing the sporty theme, with last Sunday marking 500 days until the Glasgow Commonwealth Games, we’re thrilled to announce that we’ll be sponsoring Scottish Wrestler, Kieran Malone, on his journey to the games. You can follow his own personal count down to the big event via his online diary, video blogs, facebook and twitter. Watch this space for further details…

If your thinking about attending the games and cheering on Kieran in person, then what better place to stay than the RadissonBLU in Glasgow?  We’ve been working with the hotel,  creating email campaigns to help promote their offers and services.

To top it all off we are mega chuffed to welcome our new client Scottish Cycling to the MadeBrave family. Working with Cycle Scotland, Sustrans, Scottish Cycling AND Pedal for Scotland, makes that ride into work all the more enjoyable.

Not to mention a big “Welcome” to our new Office manager Elle Porteous … welcome to the funhouse.

Yup, considering the crazy couple of weeks we’ve had, it seems only fitting that we designed the campaign for Sterling Mills Outlet Shopping Village ‘Mad Hatters Tea Party’….

#backtowork #onwardsandupwards

But obscure music preferences aside, this is a great opportunity for anyone looking to further their skill set and gain experience in a professional working environment. We say professional in the broadest sense of the word; we’re a welcoming, outgoing, equal opportunities employer keen to help folk who are keen to help themselves. In an ever growing, competitive industry, we realise how hard it is to get your foot in the door and some hands on experience (double whammy of body part metaphors totally unintentional there…), but MadeBrave can help!

In case the smooth jazz wasn’t enough to sway you, here’s a bit more about how our internship can help those looking to apply:

• A chance to gain experience in a fast paced working environment with a team of friendly professionals, helping you to develop your skills whilst acquiring new ones
• An opportunity to enhance your career prospects, expand your CV and gain trusted and reliable references
• Create contacts within the industry, liaise with our clients, get your work out there and your efforts recognised
• Get paid, get mentored, get inspired

Our team is expanding all the time; we’ve gone from 1 employee to 5 in the last 12 months alone and are always on the look out for new talent to join the MadeBrave family.

Remember, this is an internship – we’re not looking for a computer wizard or master of their field – this is an opportunity for those who want to build on their experience and learn new skills. So if you’ve got any of the following, then get applying, and we can teach you the rest…

* Confident in HTML, CSS and jQuery

* Understanding of PHP & mySQL

* Comfortable working with WordPress and building/editing custom themes

* Excellent attention to detail with a creative approach to the aesthetics of web design

Alas, there are a few guidelines that the programme requires us to follow…

Applicants must:

- Be aged 24 or younger
- Hold a SCQF Level 8+ qualification related to the arts or creative industries (equivalent to an HND, first degree, SVQ Level 4 or above)
- Be unemployed, either claiming benefits but not yet on the Work Programme or not yet claiming benefits, in which case you must make a claim for JSA to receive a referral.

Other than that –applications are wide open! To apply, you’ll need to go through your local Job Centre  - go here for more info http://www.scvo.net/Home/viewijob.aspx?Oeid=5688&oid=1, and we’ll soon be in touch to arrange an interview. If you’ve any questions, just drop us a line at work@madebrave.com – we’re here to help.

But for now we’d better run – Celine Dion has shuffled on to the playlist and this urgently needs to be addressed…