An interview with Debi McCormack of Boxcitement

As my readers will know, I like to champion the creative and artistic talents of others at Not Compulsory. 
Debi McCormack of Boxcitement (UK subscription box)

Today I share a short interview held with Debi McCormack (pictured above). Debi is the Creative Director at Boxcitement, the UK subscription box. 
Introduction
With a background in Graphic Design Debi uses those well honed skills everyday, but she also happens to be a clever maker with a wonderful creative eye for things. Debi (and her partner, Sean) work hard at bridging creativity with the business world in an effort to 'earn their crust'. Debi describes her job as being a perfect one for her. 
Debi makes, sources, as well as 'buys in' bespoke pieces for a themed gift buying subscription service. Items are generally a mix of stationery, jewellery, craft items, home accessories, greetings card and gift wrap items.
Design by Debi McCormack

In the Q & A below Debi talks of the creative process involved in designing exclusive stationery, jewellery and gifts for each monthly subscription box release
Is it hard to come up with different design themes on a monthly basis?
As a designer I have always been used to drawing inspiration from the strangest of places and I carry a notepad everywhere for when an idea pops up! A colour combination, shop display or headline in a newspaper can be enough to get an idea started – for example I came up with our Wild West theme after seeing a picture of a cactus I liked in a cafe! The hardest part is knowing how to bring a theme to life once we have the overall concept with the products that we create.
Do you prefer creating stationery or jewellery?
Both! I enjoy the hands-on element of handcrafting jewellery, and there is something very satisfying about making something from scratch using a pair of pliers, though we make far too many now for me to be able to create every single item – I have a small team of makers to help once the design has been finalised. With the stationery, I love creating illustrations and then sending them off to a printer and waiting for everything to come back. Of course I am very nervous seeing my designs come to life as I can’t help but get personally involved; but when customers say they love what they receive it makes all the hard work worth it!
What is the most challenging aspect of the business?
The longer we have been creating boxes, the more I realise that you simply can’t please everyone all of the time. Our boxes are so different from one another that someone who loves one month may not like the next one so much. However, I think creating surprises is better than being predictable or repeating ideas, though there is an element of trust involved for customers to purchase a box from us without knowing what is inside. That is why we post pictures of our previous boxes on our website – and we also share sneak peeks every month across social media so you can get a bit of an idea about what is coming!
What’s next?
We’d love to be able to invest in our own equipment and learn new crafting techniques so that we’re always coming up with fresh ideas. Needlefelting, clay sculpting and laser cutting are all on the list!
***ENDS***
The following images demonstrate Debi McCormack's designs and presentation. These are four items from a previous Boxcitement box called 'Out of this World'.











Note: this box also included an Alien keyring, and a set of notecards which we've not photographed. More information about Debi and the subscription boxes visit her own blog here

Review of subscription boxes from Boxcitement

review previously published at tssreviews.blog
Boxcitement is a UK company and a web based business offering a gift buying subscription service, the website meets the needs of this online business perfectly well, it is professionally presented, user friendly, and secure. You can treat yourself regularly to a complete Boxcitement box or arrange to send to someone as a gift, alternatively, you get to keep some of its contents and re gift other items. The theme changes each month and as far as we see there is a surprise element because there is no prior indication as to what themes are up and coming. Contents are bespoke pieces and will generally be a mix of stationery, jewellery, crafty, home accessory, greetings card and gift wrap items.
Subscription service Buy without subscribing or Subscribe monthly. Save money by purchasing upfront subscriptions for 3 months,  6 months or 12 months. The online purchasing experience is relatively straightforward and like most subscriptions, once registered, users buy a one off box or choose and agree to one of the period charges. A payment is acknowledged or a subscription is activated once payment has been received and verified. Acceptance comes within a confirmation via email. You are able to cancel anytime with no obligation.
Postage and Packaging/Shipping
UK postage and packing is included. A Boxcitement box fits through a standard letterbox and the box weight differs very little from month to month. Shipping is Worldwide but goods dispatched to other countries will incur a postal charge and those countries outside of the EU may be liable to Import Duty, Tax or VAT on top
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Under review is Boxcitement’s ANIMAL MAGIC. There was plenty of opinion expressed and friendly debating happening among the testers, so admin is choosing to publish comments gathered under three headings, Positive comments, Negative comments, and Balanced Observation/Viewpoint because using this format really gives the review legs in this instance:
Positive comments
‘presented nicely’
‘as someone who is arty, and who often buys unique cards for people when I see them, I’d really like this box’
‘I’m sure that (*friend’s name*) would really love to receive this box!’
‘look at all of the work involved in the making and presentation!’
‘the company do discount on stock left of previous themes’
‘the print quality and packaging is really good’
‘I like the propelling pencil, it looks like a standard one with an eraser on the end which needs sharpening’
‘what a good idea for a business, to pool the skills of a small team of people and to make up these boxes of unique designs and handcrafted items. It’s one way of making a success of selling handmade items’
Negative comments
‘generally people do not have money to buy themselves surprises’
‘I’ve seen versions like this from other sellers and they have no appeal’
‘if I were going to treat myself, for the amount of money it costs, it wouldn’t be this’
‘too expensive’
‘these things are a hobby based interest for the makers, and I’d rather spend my money on something else’
Balanced Observation and Viewpoint
‘Supposing that the idea is that you enjoy the pleasures of giving and receiving’
‘Things are quite nice but it is like buying nic nacs for yourself’
‘you are given something at random, so you are given the chance only of receiving something you like’
‘because of the lack of certainty there’s an element of luck involved, so really they have to charge less’
‘I like everything in the box and would use or pass on, all except (*one thing*)
‘Not sure, considering the hard work involved in producing the items, how financially viable this is for the company in the long term, but can see areas where they could branch out’

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