Events
November 20, 2024
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OFFF Sevilla 2023
Last week we had the pleasure of attending OFFF Sevilla. OFFF hosts design festivals across the globe, originating in Barcelona in 2001. The annual circuit has now expanded to also include the likes of Vienna, Mexico City, Tel Aviv, and, of course, Sevilla. Having attended OFFF 2022 with a few members of our design team, we had an idea of what to expect. This time round, we were fortunate enough to be able to make the trip with the majority of the agency: graphic designers, web designers, marketers and our directorship.
OFFF Sevilla excels in its ability to cover an extremely wide cross-section of creative niches through the speakers it hosts. As creatives, we often become so engrossed in our own work that we fail to notice or appreciate what’s happening in adjacent fields. Stepping back and listening to people talk about their diverse creative endeavours, often unrelated to the type of work we do at Kenshō, was extremely refreshing. It provided a real opportunity to see creativity and design through a broader lens than we typically do.
With that said these were our highlights from the two days:
Graphic Design & Branding
Global heavyweights DixonBaxi were one of our must-see’s coming into OFFF, and they did not disappoint. Boasting a client list filled with the likes of The Premier League, AC Milan, Hulu and Eurosport, they are the gold standard of brand identity design. Founders Simon Dixon and Aporva Baxi delivered a relatable talk, in which they took the audience on a retrospective look at the agency’s humble beginnings, and broke down some of their most recent, high profile projects.
From working in-house at world-renowned cultural institutions and publishers, to starting up her own studio, Sarah Boris demonstrates an admirable desire to never remain content with the status quo. Taking us through her diverse portfolio of work, across a dizzying array of mediums, Sarah’s design career serves as a true source of inspiration for those of us keen to push our creative practice beyond our comfort zone.
3D & Motion Design
Amsterdam based Pierre Nelwan of Media.Monks was one of the most charismatic speakers across the two days. Representing a creative agency of over 8,000 employees lends itself to feeling imposing and potentially disconnected, but Pierre managed to make his talk extremely personal and relatable, with a focus on career trajectory and growth.
NotReal’s presentation was a true visual treat, running through a portfolio stacked with work for the likes of Nike, Microsoft, Ebay and Squarespace. Their 3D, animation and CGI work takes on a dreamlike quality, bursting with vivid colour, personality and practically tangible textures.
Local Talent
An aspect of OFFF that we particularly enjoyed was the inclusion of local speakers. This created a platform for Andalusian creatives to connect with an international audience, and exposed attendees to some very geospecific cultural references. Justa y Rvfina is a typographic project that was undertaken by a group of Andalusian designers during the pandemic. It explores Sevilla’s iconic tiled street signage, its personality, and its role in promoting the Sevillano identity.
Pleasant Surprises
Valencia based Iván Llopis of Banjo Soundscapes delivered an extremely engaging talk, taking the audience on an intimate journey through his creative process, allowing us a look into how he and his team craft immersive soundscapes for both commercial and artistic projects. Sound design can often be an overlooked and under-appreciated art form, watching Iván so passionately celebrate his team’s art and demonstrate work of such a high calibre was eye-opening and extremely inspirational.
Designer and Director Filipe Carvalho specialises in main titles, his impact on popular culture is perhaps not celebrated by the wider design community to the extent that he’s deserving of. We are ourselves guilty of coming into the festival unaware of his significant contributions to crafting sequences for some of our favourite shows. Speaking on his creative journey thus far, Felipe articulated how continued perseverance and self-belief are integral in order to open doors for yourself, no matter where you come from, or where you’re located in the world. “Send that email, the worst thing that can happen is that nothing happens.”
In truth we could have made this article much longer, the talent on display was truly special and we’ve come away feeling energised and excited for our own journey here at Kenshō. We want to extend our thanks to OFFF for organising such a seamless and inspiring event, we’ll definitely be back again in 2024!
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Kenshō Agency & Ads.gi Joins Forces with the Capurro Group
Kenshō Agency & Ads.gi Joins Forces with the Capurro Group
After several years of collaboration, we’re thrilled to announce that the Capurro Group has acquired a majority stake in Kenshō Agency & Ads.gi, marking the beginning of a strategic partnership that will propel us to new heights.
INTRO
After several years of collaboration, we’re thrilled to announce that the Capurro Group has acquired a majority stake in Kenshō Agency & Ads.gi, marking the beginning of a strategic partnership that will propel us to new heights.With over 150 years of business expertise, the Capurro Group brings an extensive network and deep industry knowledge, enabling Kenshō Agency to operate on a more global scale.
This partnership strengthens our ability to serve our clients, unlocking new opportunities, markets, and strategic connections that will enhance the value we deliver to them.
Having worked together for nearly a decade, this move is a natural evolution of our shared vision. With Capurro Group's backing, Kenshō Agency is poised for unprecedented growth while continuing to innovate and push boundaries.
We’re incredibly excited for this next chapter and the possibilities it brings, not just for us but for our clients, partners, and the industries we serve.
Stay tuned for what’s next!
News
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Two Weeks at Kenshō: My Internship Experience
When I first came across the internship at Kenshō, I was looking for an opportunity in Gibraltar before heading into my final year at university... Something that would give me a taste of life in a creative studio and a chance to finally put into practice what I’d been studying. I was lucky to find Kenshō advertising a two-week student internship on their social media, and I applied immediately.
I had already referenced Kenshō in my university work as an inspiring agency in Gibraltar, so I was familiar with their work. They had a range of different projects with a clean, thought-out style. I knew it was an opportunity I couldn’t miss. It felt like it was the perfect place to learn, contribute, and grow as a graphic design student in Gibraltar and also prepare me for my final year in University.
Before starting, I was quite nervous. It was a completely new environment, and I wasn’t sure what to expect. I worried about whether I’d be able to apply my graphic design knowledge from university in a real-world setting, and even whether I’d enjoy working in a design agency despite studying Graphic Design. I imagined I might just be observing from the sidelines and quietly working at a desk. But from my very first day, I realised I had nothing to worry about. The team couldn’t have been more approachable and welcoming. They made me feel included straight away, showing patience and taking the time to explain their roles in depth. During my first week, they walked me through how to process a new client brief and encouraged me to contribute by sharing my ideas and sketches throughout the design journey.
Over the two-week internship, I was given the chance to get involved in real client work. I sat in on meetings, joined creative discussions, and watched how ideas are designed, refined, and brought to life from start to finish. It was amazing to be part of these sessions and to see first-hand how the team translates a client’s vision into design, and how they handle feedback in such a professional and creative way. I quickly realised just how much groundwork goes into a project before design even begins, particularly the initial communication and research phases. I discovered I really enjoyed the strategic part of the process, which is something I might not have realised without this internship. Along the way, I also learnt the basics of software I hadn’t used before, like Figma, as well as valuable design tips and platforms that I’ll now take forward into my university work.
The studio environment at Kenshō was inspiring and extremely encouraging. Everyone was supportive and always happy to answer questions. I enjoyed going into the office every morning and looked forward to it over the weekend. I am now leaving this internship with a much clearer understanding of what it’s like to work in a creative team and how graphic design works in practice. I have learnt how to approach projects, and the difference that good communication makes in producing the best design possible. Every single day within these two weeks I have walked out the office having learnt something new, making it a very valuable step in my design journey. I’m extremely grateful for the opportunity and excited to take what I’ve learnt into my future work.
Thank you Kenshō!
Insights
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