We catch up with Rich Irving, owner of Squeezed Media, an established video and animation company. Covid accelerated its shift towards graphics and animation after Covid halted video production in its tracks in march 2020. Animation quickly became the main part of the business and sustained Squeezed, in spite of rising competition in that area during the pandemic.
This is a great chat with an experienced business owner and an interesting exploration of the opportunities and obstacles posed by remote working and office working.
When the Covid crisis arrived, Squeezed was growing, centred around a central London office and studio, with 14 employees and an emphasis on company culture. The quick establishment of secure and supported remote working made ade Rich question the need for an office. But by the end of the first lockdown, the culture of the office showed its worth. As Rich says, in the creative industry, individual creativity is essential, but so is team creativity. Zoom and other communication tools facilitate work, but they can also suck that creativity away. Advice, for instance, is important: Even the most experienced personnel are constantly learning.
The flow and nature of the business have changed, and it’s still difficult to see the future for video. But animation continues to build. And while the ability to find and convert new business was affected during the lockdowns, clients loyalty kept Squeezed buoyant as they head to an optimistic future.
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