The 'WE' in Hicksdesign / journal / hicksdesign

17/10/06

The 'WE' in Hicksdesign

When I finally got around to making new business cards a few months ago, I had a few questions/raised eyebrows about my use of ‘we’ not ‘I’ in the blurb. Many thought that this was either my bad grammar, or delusions of grandeur. Has everyone heard of the ‘Royal We’?

The thing is, while I do work with others (like the brilliant Denis Radenkovic and John Oxton), I had a very specific meaning of ‘WE’ in mind when I used it. It was a plan, and I can finally talk about.

My wife, Leigh, will be joining Hicksdesign in January, making it a partnership, rather than a sole trader enterprise! We’ve been thinking about this for a long time now, and I can’t tell you how excited I am at the prospect of this. It will also allow both of us to be more flexible, and deal with the day to day running of a young family that little bit better. Leigh will develop the print design side of Hicksdesign, as well as carrying out some of her own ideas. The transition from employment to freelance was made easier for me by the fact that Leigh was also working at the time, but now the business will be the sole income. These are scary, but exciting times!

Please join me in welcoming Leigh aboard!

Comments | RSS

Matt Carey said 648 days ago:

My wife and I are both partners in our studio and it is the best thing we ever did. Like you, I started out as sole trader first while Clare held down the day job! Then when the business was established enough she left her job and we became a partnership.

Scary yes, but exciting. All the best with the future…

Tom Richards said 648 days ago:

Congratulations! I can understand you worry, but if she’s anything like you, I’m sure everything will go along wonderfully.

Rob Weychert said 648 days ago:

Congrats, Hicks Design/Family! Does this mean we can expect the entire family to come out to SXSW next year?

Jina Bolton said 648 days ago:

Yay, congrats and welcome, Leigh.

So, Jon, will she be blogging here, too, by any chance?

Eric Eggert said 648 days ago:

Congrats and best wishes for you both at Hicksdesign :)

Patrick said 648 days ago:

Cheers, John! (And Leigh!)

Keith said 648 days ago:

Sounds like a great partnership, as I’m sure you knew! Best of luck!!

karmatosed said 648 days ago:

My husband and we are going to take that leap next year when we’ll be ready for him to go full time. I am already excited so I can only imagine how exciting it’s for you to be doing this now. Good luck and congratulations.

Manuela said 648 days ago:

Congratulations! What an exciting move. I hope it works out well for you two and the business as well.

#10

Brian Warren said 648 days ago:

Congrats you guys! That’s fantastic news. Will the office still be closed on fridays?

#11

James Kenwood said 648 days ago:

Long time no speak Jon. Glad to hear you and Leigh are going it alone. Nikki and I both work freelance now (graphic design & Mac support) and are really enjoying it.

Pass on my congratulations to Leigh bet she is glad to get away from those Education boys!!

Love
James & Nikki

#12

Jordan Ryan Moore said 648 days ago:

Congratulations to the both of you! I can only imagine how much fun that will be.

#13

The Missis said 648 days ago:

Thankyou nice people.

Very exciting – very scary!

Hey St James of Harcourt folklore … might need some Mac support ;o)

I didn’t know you were freelance as well as Nikki, hope things are good.

#14

dumitru said 648 days ago:

Congrats and all the best for you and your business.

#15

Lard said 648 days ago:

That’s fantastic! I’d like nothing more than to be working with my good lady.

You will be in my thoughts

#16

Allan Reyes said 648 days ago:

Congrats! Wish you all the best

#17

Dale Cruse said 648 days ago:

Wow, fantastic! Congratulations to you both.

#18

Adam Schilling said 648 days ago:

Cheers! Here’s to a fantastic partnership! ;)

#19

Mike Brand said 648 days ago:

Congrats, I hope it all goes well for you two!

#20

Scott said 647 days ago:

That’s great news Jon. Congrats!

I think once my wife starts her maternity leave in a couple weeks she’ll be helping me out a bit. Once we both get used to have more than just cats running the place that is ;-)

#21

Paul Groves said 647 days ago:

I sincerely love to see good people being successful, you truly deserve much good fortune. Congratulations.

#22

Massimo said 647 days ago:

Good luck & positive E-karma from me too! :-D

#23

Brutal said 647 days ago:

Congrats!
I wish you both great future successes!

#24

Peter Asquith said 647 days ago:

Excellent stuff! Congratulations to you both.

#25

Mark Boulton said 647 days ago:

Wow, congratulations both and good luck!

#26

John Oxton said 647 days ago:

Woooo! Does that mean longer luncheon meetings? ;)

#27

Leanne Johnson said 647 days ago:

very cool, being able to work with your wife and to benefit your children too! I LOVE the business cards, lovely design and finish :-)

#28

Benjamin said 647 days ago:

Congrats & good luck to you both.

#29

Ethan said 647 days ago:

Congratulations to the both of you, and best of luck. Not that you’ll need it!

#30

Denis Radenkovic said 647 days ago:

Excellent, congratulations to both of you! Will the office still be closed on Fridays? :-)

#31

SpO said 647 days ago:

What font do you use on your business cards?

#32

Veerle Pieters said 647 days ago:

Geert and me have been working together for more than 8 years and we still haven’t murdered each-other :D Not bad for being in the same office space all the time. We also understand the scary part of the sole income. We have been thinking about this a lot lately when we bought the house/office and all the extra costs involved you didn’t count on. You know… what if etc. You’ll do great I’m sure of it ;)

#33

Euan said 647 days ago:

Sounds a great move for not only you but your kids as well.

#34

Andre Luis said 647 days ago:

I wish you, your wife and hicksdesign all the best.

Scary times tend to bring out the best in people. I’m sure it’s the case here. :)
Enjoy the ride!

#35

Kirk said 646 days ago:

Wow – living the dream! Congrats.

#36

P.J. Onori said 645 days ago:

Congrats and best of luck. I know how invaluable my wife’s thoughts/opinion are to my work, so I can only imagine you feel the same way about your ‘partner in crime’. :)

#37

Stephen said 644 days ago:

Good luck, I hope that hicksdesign goes from strength to strength.

#38

Discoth said 644 days ago:

Welcome Leigh

#39

Anisa said 644 days ago:

Please explain me what does “Hickdesign 0 degrees” mean?

#40

Jon Hicks said 644 days ago:

Anisa – Its meant to look like the logo!

#41

Andrei Maxim said 644 days ago:

I’m trying to convince my girlfriend to take a closer look at web design. She’s studying Architecture and she basically feels how things should be changed in order to look great and be functional.

On the other hand, I’m more of a programmer type. I like doing pretty things, but the end result is not that great and it’s pretty obvious it’s not original.

I know we’d make a great team, but… I’m waiting for her to choose what she likes best.