The sister company to Cut Studio, Command X (Cmdx) is all about crafting a strong and effective brand, from coming up with the right name, strategic planning, to creating a brand identity up to final production solutions. As the Kuwaiti entrepreneurial scene keeps growing, determined business owners are looking for new ways to differentiate their brand. Cmdx Co-founder Abdullah Al-Hamad is here to give us a quick primer on the importance of branding, photography, and the services you’ll find at Cmdx!
What are the services that Command X could provide to an upcoming entrepreneur?
Cmdx is a local design studio powered by a team of talented Kuwaiti designers. The founders believe in the power of visual communication, and this is the basis on which Cmdx was created. Essentially, it is an understanding of the local market, the power of a strong brand and the use of powerful imagery.
Cmdx provides two main services. One is commercial photography, which focuses on food and product photography. All of our photographers are Kuwaitis who understand the subjects they are looking to photograph, and the culture we live in. The second main service is graphic design, with the help of our talented designers and the creative team, we can deliver unique and effective branding services, marketing campaigns, and impressive packaging services.
In your opinion, what’s the importance of branding and photography in this day and age?
Along with large organizations, such as different Kuwaiti banks and local investment companies, we at Cmdx are focusing on supporting young entrepreneurs. You would be surprised at how educated and knowledgeable they are. The younger generation is very exposed to the outside world. They want their brand to not only be memorable to their target audience, but to also represent what can be expected from the brand itself. They want their newly created brands to be equivalent to the big brands out there, and some of them have already achieved that locally. Branding, in general, is very important because it is the first step in building a relationship between the business and their target audience, it should help in showcasing what to expect from the business.
How does the process of brainstorming a branding idea with the client usually work?
It is not only about the project/practice but we also like getting to know our client before the business. Because, even though we have provided design services for so many brands by now, there is always an influence from the business owner in the final product.
Tell us about the commercial photography services offered at Cmdx.
Commercial photography is a representation of the business. It helps business owners show their clients what the business can do, and how they provide the service in a simple but poignant way no matter how complex it might actually be. Think of Pack and Move as an example, we planned their photoshoots to do the same and we delivered a beautiful, artistic solution.
In the process of branding, do you usually work with freelance designers or do you have a full-time team?
All of our work is done in-house. For photography, we always try to deliver the idea no matter who can do it, we will call-up the best guy to deliver the photo. Yet so far, we are satisfied with our team.
How are the services at Cmdx different from the services offered at Cut Studio?
Cmdx and Cut studio complement each other’s services. Cmdx is more into the design thinking process, planning commercial campaigns, creating an effective form of branding strategy and producing photoshoots. Cut Studio is a sister company, which can turn our dreams into a reality. Basically, it is our production house, both companies can do whatever project that is related to branding which cannot typically be done in a printing press.
Do you have a favorite project (locally or internationally) in terms of branding and photography?
It’s like asking me who your favorite kid is. Each project has its own set of sweet and sour memories, and it depends on the kind of business too. If you ask about brands it could be Omnia, and that’s because we appreciate the objective of the project as well as working with the people behind it. And for photography, I would have to go with Kuwait Flour Mills & Bakeries, they believe in themselves and they try to express great ideas to their target audience.
How will your customers benefit from your services?
With each service that we provide, we make sure that we give our clients the best results because we give it all of our effort, use cutting-edge technology, all in an effort to try to deliver the intended message by using either design elements or photography services.
For more information follow @cmdx.design on Instagram, or visit their website. Featured image courtesy of Command X.
