Rumour, mystery, passwords and funny handshakes… well not really, but it is a secret project we’re working on internally.

We don’t know if you have heard anything, but there’s a rumour going around that D4 are up to something. Maybe we are and maybe we aren’t, but if you have not heard anything then may we suggest pressing your ears a little harder to walls, looking out for those smoke signals and listening for the drums. If we are up to anything, we promise it’s going to be big…

Here’s a couple of behind-the-scenes shots and a sneak preview of a final image of the photoshoot. Thanks to Tom Jackson and the model we hired this week as part of the project. We’re hoping to launch it to the big wide world in January 2009…. so watch this space folks.

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Paul visits Tokyo and Osaka…

Paul flew to Japan recently to push the good name of D4 even further afield. Paul travelled as part of a creative industries trade mission to Tokyo and Osaka over one week at the end of October. The mission was promoted heavily by the British Embassy in Tokyo and was part of the ‘UK in Japan’ trade mission, it also formed part of the ‘100% Design’ event in Tokyo.

We’ve recently been working for a varied mix of clients overseas, including Germany, UAE and even Barbados. So after continuing to increase our services outside of the UK we thought we’d take a look at the Japanese market.

It was a grueling schedule with many meetings with Japanese companies in both cities for all concerned. After the Tokyo meetings were done, Paul and the other representatives of UK design companies hopped on the bullet train down to Osaka. The bullet train is worth a mention in it’s own right - very impressive. The following day was very eventful, with over 80 Japanese companies attending the DesignUK seminar in Osaka. Paul was on the seminar’s panel, along with other designers from the UK, also on the panel were the former design director of Yamaha and the current head of design at Panasonic - we were in good company. The discussion was about the strength and creativity of the UK design industry and how Japanese companies could, and should benefit from the UK’s expertise in branding, graphics, product design, arts & crafts, marketing and interior design. It was a great seminar and hundreds, if not thousands of business cards (and the customary bows) were exchanged after the seminar.

Then, it was back to Tokyo on the bullet train for more sushi, beer, sake and more beer, followed by sushi, sake… and beer. The last 2 days in Tokyo were spent visiting the 100% Design show in Tokyo, the fish market (at 5 in the morning), as well as meeting two local firms in the local design scene - ACO and Tokyo Pistol - so watch this space for collaboration in the near future.

On the final night it was eating and drinking to excess in downtown Tokyo, after 2 hours sleep it was an emergency cab to the airport to (just) catch the 12 hour flight home to Heathrow!

A great week of ‘work hard / play hard’ was had by all, and we hope to be working with Japanese companies any time soon.

Below is a selection of images from the trip - hopefully the images of the (big) fish eyes for sale won’t put you off your lunch.

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Japan 8

D4 beat off the competition again…

We’re pleased to announce another pitch that was won in early October for Darwins Castings. Darwins specialise in the supply of components and castings in high alloy steels and nickel based alloys for use in demanding applications and corrosive fluids. Working with the current corporate identity it’s D4’s job to overhaul their brand communications with interactive presentations, animation, a website and literature.

Darwins specialise in the supply of components and castings in high alloy steels and nickel based alloys for use in demanding applications and corrosive fluids. Working with the current corporate identity it’s D4’s job to overhaul their brand communications with interactive presentations, animation, a website and literature.

After our initial concept was agreed by the good people at Darwins it was straight down to getting the photography done. After a 2 day photo-shoot in hard-hats with art direction from Paul at the Darwins factory in Sheffield, some great images were captured… despite the tonnes of liquid metal being poured at 1700°C. Not a job for the faint-hearted, a real eye opener for us creative types, and full respect to the men of Darwins who work in that environment day in day out.

Here’s a sneak preview of the images that will enhance the branding and corporate communications we’re creating for them…

Photography with Rum Punch and a Sony Ericsson phone…

If you’re ever in Barbados and you can drag yourself away from the beach you simply have to visit Hunte’s Gardens in the Parish of St Joseph. The gardens are stunning and sit in a natural gully. On arrival you are provided with THE finest rum punch in Barbados, if not the whole of the Caribbean, and it’s lovingly prepared by the charming Anthony Hunte and his team. Take your camera as it’s a visual feast!

Here’s a few images taken on Paul’s mobile phone…