10 years of creating good things.
Here’s what we’ve been up to since 2011
I often am asked how and why I started Good Empire. If I'm honest I didn't envisage it to be the size it is today - my background is from Art Department, Art Direction & prop making. I bought my first laser cutter to help me pursue my own freelance work but quickly saw the gap in the market for a design lead laser cutting service, with making, finishing and installation services rolled in.
I can't forget to mention Zombie Collective as an integral part of Good Empire's growth - working as 1 of 5 designers, Zombie helped to kickstart my career - we were hosting making & craft workshops alongside making signs, shop window displays and laser cut products for venues such as The Hayward Gallery shop, The British Library and the Tate Modern.
It's been a blast from the past scouring the archives for some of our first year projects. One of the stand out projects was working with RCA's Amrita Kulkarni on her 'Dine-In Tiffin Box'. Considering the year we've had and how popular at home experiences are, I found this such a relevant project to revisit - where I lasered the bamboo used for her design. An absolutely beautiful product and eco-friendly concept.
It's been a blast from the past scouring the archives for some of our first year projects. One of the stand out projects was working with RCA's Amrita Kulkarni on her 'Dine-In Tiffin Box'. Considering the year we've had and how popular at home experiences are, I found this such a relevent project to revisit - where I lasered the bamboo used for her design. An absolutely beautiful product and eco-friendly concept.
The second year
2012
I began working on models and installations for some interactive displays and working with lots of different artists to help make their ideas come to live. I was excited to have work displayed at Frieze art fair, Somerset House & Southbank Centre as well as being part of "Pick Me UP" with Zombie Collective.
In 2013, I was enjoying my workshop in Battersea, and being so close to the dogs home, it was time to add Pepsi dog to the team.
She's been supervising me ever since
Other projects I worked on in 2012
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Becky Sloan
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day of the Dead
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Display at Watermans Art Centre
Made from laser cut and engraved birch ply I made a set of ten London monuments for an interactive display at Watermans Art Centre. Beautiful illustrated map and floor painting by my fellow Zombie member, Maggie Li
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Hatte Cheer Up
2013
Highlight from our 3rd year in business, was moving workshop (twice!) with carpenter William Bache. We moved together to V22, part of the Biscuit Factory in Bermondsey for a short stint, before settling in Herne Hill for a while. We worked together on some fun projects, and offered engraving on some of his amazing reclaimed furniture.
We've managed to dig out the first project we cut for Poppy's Papercuts! We first worked together in 2013, so one of my longest standing clients. Her work is timeless, still love this piece 8 years later.
My third year was filled to the brim with workshops. We provided workshops and making classes to venues, festivals and events like Shoreditch House and Mothership group as well as for shops and launches, like this printing workshop at Cath Kidston.
Year four
We started collaborating with a lot more designers during our fourth year. We loved making stencils for Calm and Collected, which can be seen above.
We also met the wonderful Anisha Parmar and worked with her on her jewellery designs.
In my fifth year….
Year 6
Year 6 was an exciting year as it was our first overseas job in Monaco. We worked with The Events Mill and created bars, tables, props and décor for a formula 1 themed party.
Year 7
My favourite project this year was the Cartier Christmas Window in New Bond Street. For this we cut and sprayed jewellery box lids in metal which was the start of us working with metal.
We also started doing a lot more bespoke build work such as these exhibition stands at Imbibe.
In our eighth year we continued to work with fashion designer, Mary Katrantzou, laser cutting organza and neoprene for their beautiful collection.
We also started produce a lot more work for Inception group, for some of their Mr & Mrs Fogg's venues - the most fantastical bars in town.
Year 8
Year 9
Year 9 was a rollercoaster year for us - we started off with a bang working on our biggest event to date, along with running a lot of fun live event engraving events for Adidas and Urban Outfitters. We also provided a huge job for AD Events for the BAFTAS... but sadly we ended with a global pandemic.
With a shortage of PPE, we quickly got to work donating our time for free by utilising our lasers to cut plastic face shields to protect our front line workers and proudly provided thousands of free shields to our local NHS trusts, care home workers and anyone in need.
Year 10
Our 10th year has been a big year for growth, off the back of the pandemic we have been raring to go. We have taken on several new staff members and purchasing new equipment - it has been an exciting year.
Our favourite projects of the year are the mirrored acrylic cogs made for AD Events for the 007 No Time to Die installation in The Burlington Arcade and also these bespoke wooden crates produced for Perfect Cartel for Cartier.
For our 10th birthday we celebrated by visiting two of our clients - Sipsmith and Mr Foggs, for a few well earnt drinks.
Thanks for following along on our journey, and thank you to all of our clients and friends for your support across the last ten years. Here's to the next 10!
Joely & GE Team xx