The recommendations we’re sharing today have been selected with those in mind who are currently concerned with the development of their creative business, marketing issues, growth models and public funding for their projects. 

The first, “How to Win Work”, is already a classic and, although written from an architectural perspective, is easily applicable to other creative sectors that have to work with both private clients and through competitions.

The second, Do Scale, serves as a slight counterpoint to Paul Jarvis’s “Company of One”, which we recommended in our previous post. However, like everything from “The Do Book Co”, it offers an ethical and sustainable perspective on growth, showing different paths to follow.

Finally, the new book by our friend Francisco Cipriano, which we have been recommending on our social media for a few weeks now, is an essential guide for anyone running a creative business or cultural organisation and seeking European funding for their projects. 

As the first three recommendations we published, the three I'm bringing today are essentials in our library.

We often recommend Company of One to our clients facing the scaling-up dilemma and how some options can impact their personal lives and represent a higher risk than needed. The Business of Aspiration is another classic, and we recommend it to our clients who work with consumers, especially in fashion, culture, and design. 

The Delft design guide was a "bargain bin" find. I was browsing a major retailer's design section on an ultra-discounted pop-up and found a few gems. My 2013 edition cost less than 5 euros, but it is worth all the 35€ that the publisher is asking for a 2020 revised edition.

Today, we share the first of a series of posts about our extensive (and ever-growing) book library. We will recommend those we consider to be essential books that inform our practice as strategists, educators, and designers. The list includes a mix of more technical suggestions and easy-to-read editions.

We hope you enjoy the readings (and buy the books).

We purchased all three books in this first post from our friends at Matéria Prima, a local favourite.

Here is a preview of a set of botanical illustrations that Oficio’s art director, Maria Helena , is currently drawing for Saber Fazer, our education and editorial unit, upcoming book on natural dyeing.

The book, to be published in the next few months, was written by Guida Fonseca and Alice Bernardo.

All our design projects start with a deep dive into our studio's ever-expanding library; today, it wasn't different.

We are in the early stages of a project for a hotel chain, starting a rebranding and strategic repositioning process.

We are exploring five possible paths in the creative direction and selected titles in art, craft, food culture, urban living, hospitality and interior design for our first brainstorming with the client.