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Artists’ Product Photography

December 14th, 2011

Thomas Knowles is a local Liverpool based artist that creates simplistic, earthly and fragile narratives with an ambiguous content. Working with real issues, scenarios and contexts, and process them within a playful and fictitious method, applying flares of fantasy, melancholy and myth.

We were approached by Tom who told us that he wanted photographs of his art to use on his website and to send to galleries to raise general awareness of his work and establish himself as an artist. Tom’s work is something that has to be seen to fully appreciate it, the works are painted onto objects and so having a single image to showcase the work wouldn’t do them justice. The works stretch around the object a whole 360 degrees, so a series of photographs were needed to try and show the full extent of the work.

Tom is looking to display his work in galleries. The photographs are something that would be featured on his website and then viewed by galleries. Tom wanted the pictures to try and show off his art as much as possible without having the person look at the piece directly in person. Due to the size of some of the pieces, this would be almost impossible to be sending out or carrying around.

Tom was looking for the pictures to raise awareness of the art that he produces. The pictures need to show the attention to detail that Tom undertakes when painting each of his pieces.To solve this problem, we proposed a series of each photographs for each piece. Three main ‘establishing’ shots that show the piece as a whole from different angles and then a further three macro shots that will show the detail in each of the paintings.

At some point in the future Tom has stated that he would be using our 360 degree photography facilities so that people are able to rotate his pieces virtually and experience them almost as if they were viewing them in a gallery.

In total we took 39 photographs of Tom's art work, all ready to be put in his website. Tom is hoping the photographs will raise more awareness for the art that he produces. The photographs are also helping Tom sell his £2,000 artwork pieces.

Testimonial;

“I recently worked with Studiowide to complete a portfolio of product photography, capturing my artwork. I found working with Studiowide a real pleasure. On a personal level they showed genuine interest in both myself and my work, and went above and beyond to provide me with an excellent service, practical guidance and technical help. With regards to the photography work; I approached them with a difficult task as my artwork is very challenging to photograph due to its 3-Dimensional shape, its size and lacquered finish. These factors did not cause a problem for the Studiowide team who expertly, professionally and innovatively tackled the brief. As an artist it was fantastic to work with a creative team who understood art and my product, and how to show it at its best. I could not recommend Studiowide enough to any artists wanting to develop a portfolio, or anyone with a product that needs to be shown to its full potential.” Thomas Knowles, Artist.

Tags: art, painting, photograph, product photography
Posted in Advertising, Marketing, Photography | No Comments »

Digital Publishing Whets Our Appetite!

December 13th, 2011

Cooking Demonstrations – I love events like these. I always leave so inspired; wanting to get back to my own kitchen to try all the recipes for myself! However, by the time I get home it’s a different matter as I’m racking my brain just to remember the correct measurements and ingredients!

In response to a brief from our client; Celebrity Chef Paul Da-costa-Greaves, we had a little think back here at our office in Liverpool about how to overcome a similar lull of inspiration, regarding the audiences at his cooking demonstration – it was a no brainer – to create the recipes which are demonstrated at his events, as an online digital book!

Paul Da-Costa-Greaves is a Masterchef and creator of the gourmet fine food range ‘Feeding Your Imagination’, Paul has been busy lately, appearing at cooking demonstrations up and down the country. When it came to creating a range of recipe books we felt it was perfect for him to tap into the digital age of consuming information.

We created all recipe books online using our interactive publishing software. A simple, easy to read graphical solution that enables the recipes to be displayed in a familiar page turning format, just like a book only online. Paul’s recipe books specialise in seafood, desserts, alternative Christmas nibbles and even how to use your BBQ for yummy food all year round! These are all available exclusively to those lucky viewers of his cooking demonstrations.

Now that Paul has all of his recipes digitally published he can email the content after a show, instead of his audience trying to remember the exact method in which to cook his famous jerk chicken or seafood pasta. These digital books have been a huge hit with his fans and are great for referring back to in the kitchen. We have now completed four booklets with more to come I’m sure.

So I guess those dirty and thumbed Delia books can stay on the shelf, now that there is a much easier way to take recipes to the kitchen with you! Do get in touch if you feel you could benefit from our publishing services to turn your reading digital.

Tags: digital publishing
Posted in Case studies, Copywriting, Digital, publishing | No Comments »

Production Process Video

December 7th, 2011

Campaign background

Our most recent video production project has just been completed for a company called Plastic Closures Ltd based in Warrington. They are specialists in the supply and manufacture of caps, closures, temper evident caps, snap caps, beverage caps, closures caps, cosmetic closures, flip top caps, screw caps, sports bottle cap and diary caps… phew; almost forgot to breathe there.

The Challenge

Studiowide was asked to produce a promotional video that would be used at an exhibition in early 2012, with the intention of gathering interest and giving potential customers an insight into what Plastic Closures Ltd do. The video would also be displayed in the reception area for customers to watch while they’re waiting.

The main objective for the video was to communicate a variety of key messages such as; ‘we do as we promise’, ‘develop the relationship – deliver the promise’, ’55 million closures produced annually’, ‘fast friendly service’ and that they have ‘eco credentials with the introduction of all electric machines’.

The Solution

To achieve this objective, we proposed to our client some suggestions for the video to have a slight narrative. Now, we’re not talking Coronation Street with the standard affair being followed by a bloody murder of the cheating partner with the aid of a rusty spoon; we’re talking more along the lines of a super simple ‘story’ (so to speak). One that follows the customer from the very beginning; starting with the introduction and initial meeting and ending with a shiny new plastic closure (lid). The client was excited with this angle and agreed to focus on the production journey of a Galaxy hot chocolate lid. With this brief in mind we then set about showing the viewer exactly what to expect when working with Plastic Closures Ltd.

After un-leashing my amazing drawing ability (Ha!) to storyboard the video, it was time to go to Plastic Closures Ltd and begin the filming. This is where it got really interesting; we crawled all over the production process with our HD cameras then John (the M.D. of Plastic Closures Ltd) asked if I wanted to see the robot. “Hell yeah! A robot!” I was over there before you could say ‘all electric injection moulding machine incorporating the LRX50 Linear Robot’. If you’ve ever seen ‘How It’s Made’ on the Discovery Channel – that’s exactly what it was like!

The Results

Following some hours of on-location-filming it was once again back to the nerd cave to begin the editing process. After liaising with the client with a few iterations we arrived, quite quickly I must say, with the final video.

The total process, from filming to final cut, agreed and signed off was 5 days. What! 5 days I hear you say! Yep – we don’t hang around. After this first video was finalised the client also requested two other specific videos to help promote the use of two machines which they are particularly proud of in the factory.

Overall, the client was very pleased with the end videos, and even sent us some nice feedback to brighten our lovely grey winter’s day.

“Superb, well delivered from story board to final cut, understood our intentions and developed them into a very professional video, we are happy to have found Studiowide and would not hesitate recommending to other businesses. The proof is in the pudding and they delivered on time and in a very courteous manner.” – John Hargreaves. M.D. Plastic Closures Ltd.

Tags: case study, editing, video, video production
Posted in Case studies, Video Production, Videos | No Comments »

Product and Location Photography

November 30th, 2011

Over the past few weeks we’ve been busy snapping pictures to help promote ‘Beautiful Brows’;

‘Beautiful Brows is a specialist Cosmetics Company based in the UK. We manufacture and supply a unique brow makeover product, to retail and trade outlets across the UK. Beautiful Brows is a revolutionary system that creates perfectly shaped and coloured eyebrows in just minutes!

Our unique eyebrow powder is made in the UK, ensuring the highest quality – the product has fast become a UK top seller. Proven to quickly transform thin, short and pale eyebrows into the perfect shape, every time!’

We were asked to take a series of product shots that would be used both online and in a shiny magazine that would be available in Dubai. The product shots were all taken here at our Studio in Liverpool; using professional studio lights and a white backdrop we were able to create a stylish looking product shot for each of the products in the line-up. Once the picture had been taken and we were happy with the positioning of the light and the composition; it was time to take it to the next level! Well, into Photoshop. This is where we do all our post-production work to make an image come alive. Once the image has been touched up and enhanced, it’s ready to save for the web. This is where we will save the image at a specific resolution and file size so that it is easily viewable for everybody on the web, regardless of internet speed or monitor size.

Not only are we able to take photographic images in the confines of our own studio, but also out and about in the real World, aaawwwwhhh yeah! You heard correct. We’ll come to you and provide a location based shoot. This is something that was also required as part of the Beautiful Brows brief. We were given media passes to the ‘Professional Beauty North 2011’ show in Manchester. Armed with our go-anywhere-and-photograph-anything badges we made our way over to the Beautiful Brows stand and started snapping as customers continuously queued up to try the new products out! Making sure we showed the beauty of the product and the sheer excitement of the customers trying it out.

Overall, our client was very happy with the photographs we produced and has them proudly displayed on their website. Success.

If you’re interested in any of our photography services then don’t hesitate to get in touch!

Tags: camera, location, photography, product, studio
Posted in Advertising, Case studies, Marketing, Photography | No Comments »

Marketing Campaign

November 16th, 2011

We are currently working on an exciting marketing campaign for a local environment / charitable organisation, in partnership with Wirral Council. Studiowide was selected from a number of companies to provide a 4 month marketing campaign, aimed at raising awareness of a Government grant, free home insulation scheme.

The project is a complete single sourced campaign encompassing; micro website, video production, PR, logo design, posters, direct mail pieces, digital marketing – including online and offline response devices.

The Warmer Wirral campaign is one of those exciting projects which we love to get involved with where we have 100% responsibility for all marketing and creative activities – this is where we shine.

Our campaign angle was to create a strong creative visual to which we could anchor the original idea of a Polar Bear mascot. Our client had originally been running this programme without external help, and now felt that professional assistance would bring the additional exposure that was needed. Our overall objective for the marketing campaign was to increase online applications for the free loft and cavity wall insulation scheme.

First off we needed a good logo. The previous company logo had been used in the campaign materials prior to the revamp. We felt that this didn’t present a uniform identity and was contributing to an overall confusing message.

The new Warmer Wirral logo was created along with a main graphic. At first glance, the graphic appears to be an iceberg, supported with the tagline ‘Heating Bills are the Tip of the Iceberg’. On a folded page the top of the iceberg is visible, then, by unfolding the piece the revealed iceberg is actually a roof top. Below the roof top lays the lower two thirds of a house.

When we presented this idea to our client they immediately liked the ‘houseberg’ concept. Having such a quick approval of the logo and visuals meant we could get on with creating the basic assets required for the four individual videos and the website.

Once the visuals and logos had been ‘tweaked’, we transferred this across all pieces, including poster and postcards. The direct mail was designed to be shown folded, which could then be pulled open to reveal the ice/houseberg concept.

We finished the direct mail letters and leaflets following additional briefing and review meetings. This part of the approval process was critical and involved senior representatives from Wirral Council and Energy Projects Plus.

Whilst working on our offline materials we were simultaneously creating our online assets. For the Warmer Wirral website we utilised a JQuery slider function to create the ice/ houseberg effect – this worked really well and provided the perfect landing page, bridging off-line communications with the on-line environment.

In addition to the website we wanted to add a greater visual element to the campaign – video lends itself perfectly to this project. All footage was filmed onsite over a number of days and culminated in short videos which were based on the customer journey. This included; the campaign mascot, Lofty the Polar Bear, including survey, installation and testimonials.

We’re extremely excited about the Warmer Wirral campaign being launched this week. We’re now beginning our promotional activities and hope to report back some exciting results in the coming months!

Testimonial;

“The strength of this company is its creative visual talent. We have gone from our own homemade look to a completely re-branded look that is totally professional, topical, fresh and, well, just plain gorgeous. We have seen an immediate increase in web traffic. Nothing has been too much trouble for these guys to do. Thank you.” Sandra Manning. Energy Projects Plus. Wirral.

Tags: marketing campaign
Posted in Marketing, Strategic Marketing | No Comments »