Rupert Ray - A New Design Company from Alex Maclean & Caroline Matthews (Airside)

Rising phoenix-like from the ashes of the beloved Airside, brand-spanking-new design company Rupert Ray will open its doors in April 2012.  Launched by Alex Maclean, Airside co-founder, and Caroline Matthews, previous Airside MD, Rupert Ray’s output will span disciplines including branding, graphic design, illustration, animation & live action.

According to the release, the pairing of the two directors is what will make Rupert Ray unique – Alex is known as a ‘client’s creative’ and Caroline has a reputation as a ‘designer’s MD.’ Coming from very different backgrounds and with different skillsets, their combined experience and enthusiasm will enable them to undertake projects spanning both the digital realm and the old world.

However, the question on everyone’s lips is…

Who is Rupert Ray?

AM & CM - In the late 19th Century a young man, the last child of nine, not much more than a boy, left his privileged but unhappy home to make his own way and forget the past. He had a penchant for adventure, a reckless disregard for his own shortcomings and a hunger for knowledge that would place him close to the eye of a storm overtaking his world.

His young adult life saw the end of an age of empire, of inherited privilege and a culture of deference. Through the transformations wrought by horrors of two successive wars Rupert Ray witnessed the awakening possibilities of meritocracy (which he exploited) and the emancipation of strong willed women (whom he loved too much). Acquiring artisanal and engineering skills before duty in the fledgling Air Corps, he became an accomplished artist.

Later in life he lost no thirst for change, becoming a patron of the arts and embracing a new and unsettling visual and literary culture born in the salons of Paris, the pubs of London and the coffee shops of Edinburgh.

By some accident of fate both of us (Alex and Caroline) happen to be related to him, albeit distantly. We love the story, the myth and the spirit of restless adventure he displayed so it seemed most appropriate to name the company after him.

How is Rupert Ray different to Airside?

AM & CM - At its heart Rupert Ray will carry the same enthusiasm, warmth, humour and respectful working process – we’re just a little more glamorous, less cartoony and with a glint in the eye.

Rupert Ray’s first clients are a start-up lingerie brand in the US, which Rupert Ray will be creating branding for, and a user experience brief from Intel.  We can’t wait to see what they’re going to produce!

We'll announce more information (including the company branding) as soon as we have it. In the meantime, give them a follow on @rupert_ray or check out the very vanilla contact page here - www.rupertray.co.uk.