DUNDEELICIOUS

So at the start of my Professional Practice Development module, the idea of the class was to produce blogs based on any Design area you wanted- as long as it was focused on Dundee only. To kick start our blogs we were given the addresses of two companies based in Dundee called our "hotspots". We were to go on our visits and report back, take note on how these companies networked and if they marketed themselves. The first hotspot was Not Just Design where we met design consultant Andy Rice...

Our first destination during the hotspot visits was at the DCA where we met Andy Rice, design consultant for Not Just Design and who was previously a student and tutor at Duncan of Jordanstone Art College. We went to talk to him about his work, the projects he had done and most of all.... why Dundee?
Andy stayed in Dundee due to family. I respect his decision to stay, not cause it was out of stubborness, but the idea of: why should you move out of Dundee to make it work? The effort and the projects he puts himself into just goes to show that you can make it work anywhere you are, it does not just have to be a big city.
 The Not Just Design in The DCA is downstairs and hold classes and courses for people who want to gain more skills in the art and design area. It was in Tonic, the bar across from The DCA where Andy Rice started to unravel just how successful and creative he was when he mentioned that he had done a project on South Tay Street in a bar/restaurant called The West House. Eager to see if our expectations were true, we walked down the road to see for ourselves. Having seen The West House after its opening day, well I think the levels of business speaks for itself. I was truly happy when I read this on-line review  from The List:
 "This place is an absolute gem of a find. We heard it was good from a friend who has never let us down with restaurants/ bars but has never recommended anywhere in Dundee. This place is different! We enjoyed a lovely mediterranean meal in a wonderfully relaxed, chic and friendly surrounding - the staff could not be more attentive and we ended staying far longer then we planned. Good value, great service, beautifully unrushed and enjoyable time in a lovely environment - i'll definately be back!" 

The thing that amazes me about Andy Rice, is how down to earth and passionate he was about design. The quote that stuck with me the most is simple but true: "You should be living and breathing DESIGN" and "Design is everywhere". 

 It is safe to say that I now have a list of things to do and think about and now I can use them in my studies.Including networking, especially networking: "Networking is critical". Enough said, Mr Rice you have won me over. What Andy says you should do- just do. After all, he only has a successful company, team of associates, various projects and his space at The DCA just show you a snippet of what he is talking about. 

Our second hotspot destination was to a business called "T Ann Cake" on a quirky, cute cafe on Exchange Street.When given the address for this hot spot, I sort of already had my expectations on it. I knew the "hip" part of Dundee was anywhere between Union Street and Exchange Street. Businesses would start up this hip area cause the rent is cheaper, and small businesses like to be grouped together to help each other out. However cause it is just a tad off the main part of the centre, you would have to know it was there to go to it, which then leads me to think that this cafe is probably unique/ quirky but a good and honest one too. Put it this way, if you had a heart of stone or as much life in you as a robot - T Ann Cake would probably melt you...

When you walk into the cafe you can tell that Ann (the owner) did not choose the decor just because she liked it, it was embedded in her past which instantly made it feel more personal and homey. Later on we learned that Ann has worked in many places over the world. The main one which I found fascinating was New York and it was then I could tell that was inspiration for the cafe. 

 T Ann Cake is a cute cafe. Its the type of place where you would take your gran for a catch up, meet up the girls for a slice of cake and persuade the boyfriend to go back again to get a second helping. 

When I described T Ann Cake as a "honest" cafe, I meant that it is genuine- it is very much "what you see, is what you get". I literally mean that. She has an open kitchen, which goes along with the American touch, however I think that it is successful on more than just interior factors, but also its atmosphere and ambience too. Ann also tries to make all the food from scratch as much as she can and she supports farmers markets, she almost shows her passion through honesty and effort. 

Ann is educated, she has got a degree in Business Commerce with Abertay University which was nice to know as she takes her business seriously too. As well as being educated, we learn that she takes time away to enjoy food programs. So like with Andy Rice we also asked Ann "Why Dundee?".  Ann knew where she wanted her cafe (The cool hipster bit I told you!) she used to live in the area and it was some where she was familar with. The cafe took almost a year to open but if there is anything that I have learned from Ann it is: you have to be patient and things will start to happen. 

 Unlike Andy Rice, Ann is a lot more relaxed when it comes to networking. She has a facebook page which has over a 1,000 likes and a blog. So you could say her best way of networking was by mouth. If you ask me, I would deffo be up for some T Ann Cake the now!