We can help you stay one step ahead of the competition with strong branding, stylish graphics and clear iconography.
We can help your organisation become more user-friendly, competitive and relevant to your customers.
We can help you discover new markets, develop new products and create memorable customer experiences.
Sparkwood and 21 is the small (yet perfectly formed) creative studio of designer, writer and trainer, Duncan McKean. I can help you connect to your audience through strong graphics, clear documents, persuasive promotional pieces and stylish branding. I can also help develop new products and services that are relevant to your customers.
Sparkwood and 21 is also home to twentyone, a publication about design, creativity and business.
Sparkwood and 21 is named after a location from 90s cult TV show Twin Peaks. It is based in Haarlem, the Netherlands, a pretty little city just outside of Amsterdam.
A designer, writer, educator, and dad living in Haarlem, the Netherlands. Duncan is the Founder and Principal of Sparkwood and 21, a small (yet perfectly formed) creative studio.
He is an accomplished designer with over 10 years experience in product, service and graphic design. He has worked with a collection of international clients including Greenpeace, Global Reporting Initiative, David Lynch Foundation TV, United Kingdom Home Office, and The Bristol Institute of Technology.
Duncan enjoys sharing his simplistic approach to design, while spreading the word on using creative methodologies to improve design at courses and events on-line and around the world.
“He is what I would call a designers designer, whose energy and attitude to doing things creates really good results.”
“A passionate and inventive designer, Duncan was able to take projects from a loose verbal briefing, define a project and deliver creative solutions. I would be more than happy to work again with him.”
“Duncan is highly creative and visionary, and goes to every end to find a solution for his clients. A true professional, his great attention to detail and follow-up, made me feel in safe, expert hands. I highly recommend him.”
“As a product designer, he’s continually pushed out content that’s been picked up by the global design community. I would recommend him as an ambitious designer that will go the extra mile when there’s a challenge ahead of him and do it in with his own style.”
Whatever you want a designer to do, make sure your team have clear expectations and goals for your designer.
Finding the right solution requires an understanding of the problem. Good designers can explain the approach to solving your problem, but refuse to speculate too quickly.
Designers work best within a set of constraints. Your budget being one of them. Knowing your budget will help your designer recommend an approach.
Make sure you hire a designer that you can work with, argue with and drink with. You’ll be spending time together.
