Blink Boys' studio signage - inspired by the latest Kayne album
Blink Boys share their studio space with jewellery label Walter Crow
A place of work isn't really a place of work until you have old school lockers.
I'm jealous of your exposed beams, guys
Look at these fresh faces with their fresh whips. Good mates since school, and now running their own marketing agency in Auckland. For a change of blog scenery, I thought I'd ask some questions and let the Blink Boys tell their story for themselves...
Who are the Blink Boys?
At its core the Blink Boys are Andrew Slane (26), Tim Slane (25) and Asher Walker (27). We went to Dilworth School together and have been in each other's pockets ever since. Bigger than the Blink Boys is Blink Ltd, our 'official' company. We're lucky to have some awesome people who work with us and a network of experts that we can call on.
At its core the Blink Boys are Andrew Slane (26), Tim Slane (25) and Asher Walker (27). We went to Dilworth School together and have been in each other's pockets ever since. Bigger than the Blink Boys is Blink Ltd, our 'official' company. We're lucky to have some awesome people who work with us and a network of experts that we can call on.
How did Blink Boys come about?
The Blink Boys came about after a tropical holiday in the Perhentian Islands. Having always had a desire to do our own thing and over one too many piña coladas Andrew and I decided to leave our work and go out on our own. Andrew had been the general manager of a print company and I had been working in advertising. When we returned, we teamed up with our good friend Harrison Burt who was a freelance web and graphic designer and Blink was born.
Originally we focused on building websites, design and running social media campaigns. Nine months later, Tim who had been working at a print and signage company joined us to start the signage side of the business and as they say the rest is history. Harrison's moved on to some other projects but we've been lucky to nab designer Gabi Lardies to fill his shoes!
What do you offer as Blink Boys?
We focus on creating value through a range of digital and signage solutions. We work on a broad range of projects, from brand architecture and strategy to signage design, print management and installation. We're fortunate to have a great set of clients and be able to work on some really fun briefs.
We focus on creating value through a range of digital and signage solutions. We work on a broad range of projects, from brand architecture and strategy to signage design, print management and installation. We're fortunate to have a great set of clients and be able to work on some really fun briefs.
What are some of the projects you've done recently?
We’ve recently finished up doing all of the signage for this year's Art Fair, paper cuts for Trelise Cooper’s latest lookbook and reception (printed wallpaper and vinyl) and have been working closely with South Studio on a few of their client’s signage requirements. Branding wise we’ve been working on a new Rum brand which has been super fun and we’re looking to launch the new Public Library website in the next month or so.
We’ve recently finished up doing all of the signage for this year's Art Fair, paper cuts for Trelise Cooper’s latest lookbook and reception (printed wallpaper and vinyl) and have been working closely with South Studio on a few of their client’s signage requirements. Branding wise we’ve been working on a new Rum brand which has been super fun and we’re looking to launch the new Public Library website in the next month or so.
Tell us about your space - where is it, who do you share it witf?
The 'Blink Factory', as we've nicknamed it, is tucked away on Exmouth Street in Eden Terrace. After spending a year working above the Golden Dawn on Ponsonby Road, in a small corner office that overlooked the busy street, we plucked up enough courage to take on a bigger space. The space was formerly a dance studio so we lucked out with the polished wooden floors and high ceilings. Up until recently, artist Henry Christian Slane rented a room from us. He's moved out so we're currently converting the front area into a space where anyone with great ideas can hot desk and a smaller area into a photography studio. It's exciting being in a place that has so much potential.
The 'Blink Factory', as we've nicknamed it, is tucked away on Exmouth Street in Eden Terrace. After spending a year working above the Golden Dawn on Ponsonby Road, in a small corner office that overlooked the busy street, we plucked up enough courage to take on a bigger space. The space was formerly a dance studio so we lucked out with the polished wooden floors and high ceilings. Up until recently, artist Henry Christian Slane rented a room from us. He's moved out so we're currently converting the front area into a space where anyone with great ideas can hot desk and a smaller area into a photography studio. It's exciting being in a place that has so much potential.
And two of you also run the jewellery brand Walter Crow?
Andrew and Asher run Walter Crow with another friend we went to school with. Part of our studio has been converted to a showroom for Walter, we're looking forward to using the space for more activations for the brand. Watch this space.
Andrew and Asher run Walter Crow with another friend we went to school with. Part of our studio has been converted to a showroom for Walter, we're looking forward to using the space for more activations for the brand. Watch this space.
What was the scariest part of going out on your own and did that fear turn out to be founded?
The scariest part of starting Blink was venturing into the unknown. We started with one small client and had no idea whether we were going to make enough money to even pay the rent. When starting something new, there’s always going to be the fear of failure but you’ve just got to keep moving and push on. It definitely wasn’t all smooth sailing to begin with but we’re not bogged down with too many commitments so our lifestyle adapted!
What other NZ brands or creatives (individuals) inspire you?
We’re inspired by the young people around us doing rad stuff in Auckland, no matter what the field - people like Connor and Charles from Ceremony/Homestead, the guys at I Love Ugly, Angus from Angus Muir Design and the team at Think and Shift. What's some of the best and worst parts about being in business with good friends? The line is definitely blurry between on and off the clock. It can be hard to switch between the work and friend zone, we’ll be out for dinner with our partners talking about projects that we’re working on. Safe to say we’ve been given the hard word that Blink work doesn’t happen over pad Thai on a Friday anymore. The big bonus is we don’t see our best mates once a week, we get to hang out everyday!
What's one golden piece of advice you would give to someone wanting to start their own thing?
There’s no time like the present. Just stay focused and remember that people are the most important thing. 
Photography by Josh Griggs for Fancy
Check Josh's work out on Instagram.
