Quentin Blake’s Office manages the work of Sir Quentin Blake, the famous cartoonist, illustrator and children’s writer best known for illustrating books written by Roald Dahl. They maintain an archive of all Sir Quentin’s work from early sketches through to the completed drawings.

We developed a solution to help them manage the different portfolios of his work and the loaning of his work to different exhibitions or museums.

The app produces documents such as loan transfer listings and ensures that the team knows where each (valuable) piece of work is. A bibliography section keeps track of the numerous books that have used Sir Quentin’s work.  They know instantly which books and even the page of each of book where Sir Quentin’s illustrations have been used.

A later phase of work linked the office database with their website. We added a content management system that pushes information about selected books in the bibliography to their website. An e-commerce section was also added where products such as limited edition prints are sold online. Orders are received via the website and the whole order processing and stock control are managed within the app.

Liz Williams, Archivist commented, “We’ve worked with Cutting Edge since 2007. We needed to develop a new custom-built database to catalogue and mange a large archive of original artwork. Since then our database has grown along with our business needs, to include a contacts directory and product sales integrated with our website – and Cutting Edge has been there every step of the way, ably advising us and delivering the solutions we need. I would have no hesitation in highly recommending their services.”