We’re all for reducing our carbon footprint so we were glad to start work with a new solar panel company in the region, to help them get their brand message out there…

We’ll say more about them soon, but for now we thought we’d share some of the gorgeous illustrations made by our Matt for the company’s literature.

The idea was to tell a simple story about how solar energy can be harnessed by ordinary householders to run their homes. We wanted to show that, as well as helping reduce CO2 emissions, solar panels can save people cash and even earn them a bit extra in return for producing clean energy.

We’re creating a whole new brand strategy for the company, and producing a brochure and web design, which we’ll shout about when they’re launched. In the meantime, enjoy the pretty pictures…

We’re all delighted to have won the highly prized Jewel Blade account. As the world leader in blade manufacturing the company is carrying forward a proud Sheffield tradition and we’re really pleased to be a part of that.

We were up against stiff competition but our experience, creative approach and the results we’ve achieved for other high-quality manufacturers from the region struck a chord.

So we’ve wasted no time in cracking on with the creative. Ace photographer Tom Jackson (wearing Michael Jackson gloves) is in the studio as we (err) speak, creating truly beautiful images of Jewel Blade’s precision products (art directed by Paul).

And surprisingly there is real beauty to be found in a well crafted blade (and, no, that’s not a comment on football allegiance).

We’re looking forward to building an on-going relationship with Jewel Blade. 2010 is set to be a busy year for them – and us – kicking off with a major international handtools exhibition in Köln. Our carefully crafted product literature and exhibition design will take pride of place!

In the absence of Rudolf, Santa or even a stray elf we roped in our Dawn to spread a little Christmas cheer. It’s in her job description.

It had been two days since she’d last been seen without her Santa’s hat so she was the obvious choice. And we think she looks lovely.

Happy Christmas everyone!

When we made a short video recently as part of a website for Sheffield-based solicitors ASD, it proved to be a great SEO tool as well as a fantastic way of engaging their audience.

We wanted to help ASD define themselves as a local, trustworthy legal firm, different from the rest of the large, faceless corporations. So we wasted no time in persuading partner Chris Chapel to star in his very own video message. And, check him out, he did a great job.

We wrote the script, directed and edited the piece, and used motion graphics to reinforce key messages, but it was Chris who was crucial to its success. He’s local and, because he’s the real deal not an actor, he speaks with genuine authority about his subject. Allowing online visitors to ‘meet’ one of the partners means a personal connection is immediately made.

So in the midst of all this technology it’s worth remembering that the persuasive powers of a human face shouldn’t be underestimated. And including even a simple video like this on a web design can have a big impact on conversion rates.

The whole ASD project has been a great success read all about it… http://www.d4online.com/portfolio/asd-solicitors

We’ve really enjoyed working with Niki and the team at Sheffield Industrial Museums Trust over the past few months since they came on board with D4 in the summer. Since then we’ve rebranded them, produced a new CMS website, as well as various seasonal campaigns for each venue. And here’s the latest one for them - a Christmas campaign! We love a bit of Christmas here at D4 (no one more than Dawn though - she’s a yuletide fanatic), so we were delighted to get the brief to design the campaign to promote the 18th Victorian Christmas Market at Kelham Island Museum here in Sheffield.

Before we started the creative process, original artwork of a hardcopy illustration from the 80’s was dug out that they wanted to use - so we scanned it and designed it in to our handy work as we went along. The look and feel of the design has a traditional yet contemporary feel that was complemented nicely by the original artwork provided. We’ve now produced a Visitors Guide for the 2 days the event is on, web graphics, promotional leaflets and dressed a shop window in prime position in Sheffield city centre to attract Christmas Shoppers.

The event runs from Saturday 5th - Sunday 6th December. So this weekend get yourself down to Kelham Island for the Victorian Christmas Market, and enjoy a Victorian Fairground, Ice Skating, Traditional Crafts, Singers & Musicians, Gifts & Jewellery Stalls, Festive Food and a Traditional Hog Roast. Then there’s the Kelham Island Museum which is superb in its own right to have a look round!

What are you waiting for - get yourself and the family down there! The D4 team are going so hopefully we’ll see a few familiar faces down there! No doubt I’ll be spending most of my time loitering with intent around the Hog Roast.

See you there… oh yes, graphic design stuff is below!

We’ve all enjoyed browsing the website of Paris based Photographer, Sune Czajkowski recently.

His portfolio of work is elegant to say the least and has an air of sophistication about it that you rarely see. Sune’s work is regularly featured in Fashion Magazines and Advertising campaigns throughout Europe and beyond.

We’re not sure how to pronounce his surname, but we’d love to work with this photographer at some point either way. Get yourself a drink, sit back and browse his website to enjoy the work of this great Dane: http://www.kowski.dk