Lexington, KY - It's something of a surprise that the house that is the home of Cricket Press isn't visibly vibrating and humming as you approach. Inside, a lot is going on.
Brian and Sara Turner, owners of the graphic design business, are not only talented artists but they are also skilled in space planning and organization. Every inch of their work space, which also doubles as their residence, has a purpose, and it all works well.
The part that serves as home looks like home, and the business aspect looks impossibly efficient as a work space. There are rooms with names like the "wet room" and the "exposure room" for each stage of their artistic process. Every nook and cranny earns its keep and contributes to this successful business.
Keeping overhead low and producing a consistent body of good work are the basics of a business plan that has worked for the Turners since 2003 when they started the business. The two artists are the only employees, and they divide the work in a kind of pas de deux as they work in their studio.
The two met while in school as photography majors and clicked - no pun intended. Knowing they worked well together and shared an aesthetic, they saw starting their own business as a natural next step. The dream became a reality when the design projects they were doing on the side began to swamp their available free time, and they realized they could sustain a business of their own. Cricket Press was born.
After its debut, it didn't take long for the business to gain momentum.
"Friends asked us to do a poster promoting their band, known as a gig poster. That really started something. Bands and venues started calling, and it kind of snowballed from there," Sara Turner said.
An early inspiration was the work of artist J. Ryan, who did advertisements for bands both the Turners really liked.
"We loved his posters. We became friends, and he was super-supportive and shared a lot with us in the way of connections and process and information on how to get started. The gig poster artist community is very tight. We proved ourselves and that led to more jobs," said Brian Turner.
The duo grew the business further to include many graphic design services, including logo design, illustration and advertising and the business grew. They both agree that the Lexington community has been good to them.
Their posters, advertisements and art prints adorn walls in homes and businesses all over Lexington. Their unique signature style and aesthetic have become very recognizable, and their screen prints are prized additions to many art collections. They occasionally do their own advertising, of course, when they aren't creating buzz for others, but they admit their success is due mostly to powerful, positive word of mouth and gaining a solid reputation in the community and beyond.
They have worked with many high-profile bands from around the country and admit it is easy to be inspired especially when you are also a fan.
"We do a lot of work for bands whose music we also really like. We have some great relationships, and it makes working with them all the more satisfying," said Brian Turner. They have also worked with nationally known bands with a Kentucky connection, such as My Morning Jacket, Apples In Stereo and Ben Sollee.
It all starts with a pencil and paper. Sketches then go to the computer, where the designs are digitized and then exposed on a screen that is then prepared to create the final hand-pulled screen print on paper. All in-house work created by Cricket Press is handmade in this process; each piece is an original. Each design is created in a limited run. Designs are never repeated.
The two artists admit their choice to start and run their own business keeps them busy.
"You wear many hats. You're an accountant, errand runner, artist, marketer and shipper, and anything else that needs to be done," Sara Turner explained. "You have to juggle time to design, deadlines and clients, and also attract future projects. Time gets spread pretty thin."
They also recognize the reality that any successful small business requires a lot of time, effort and passion, and fans of Cricket Press say that shows in their work.
"I love their stuff, and we have used them a considerable amount. They have done event posters, ads and a t-shirt design for us," noted Wyn Morris, owner of Morris Book Shop in Chevy Chase. "What I like most is that I can give them the basic information of what I need to be said, and then I just stay out of their way and let them do their thing. We have always gotten exceptional results, and they make it so easy for us. Plus, you get a real piece of art. We have their work framed at the bookstore and at our home. No one tears down a Cricket poster and throws it away. They live on."
Every day Brian and Sara Turner open their email to new requests and begin outlining the design projects for the day. Their house begins its creative vibration all over again. They hope to grow into a bigger space someday with a gallery and space to share their work and process with people.
The work of Cricket Press is currently part of an exhibit at ArtsPlace, located at 161 N. Mill St. The work will be on display through Jan. 31.
If you would like to learn more about Cricket Press, their work and services, please visit their website, cricketpress.com.