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!

It’s been an interesting start to the week so far for me - I’ve enjoyed doing the Art Direction for two photo-shoot’s that couldn’t have been any different.

And in complete contrast, yesterdays photo-shoot could not have been any different… outdoors, on a lovely summers day by a reservoir in Derbyshire (warm). This was for one of our latest clients, Stratagia. The aim of the shoot was to capture images of Derbyshire and the Stratagia team within a natural environment. And where better than Linacre Reservoir near Chesterfield, which is just a few miles away from their office?

The location worked a treat as you can see from the image below, and a good time was had by all… despite Mr Swift losing his Ray-Bans in the corn field somewhere! It called for a pint of cider and a ploughman’s lunch (sat outside of course), before heading back to sunny Sheffield.

Say the word ’solicitor’ to a member of the public and most people would respond with a joke portraying the law as hard faced and fee chasing. So, eager to help dispel this myth, we at  D4 have recently teamed up with ASD Solicitors to help re-design their website and prove that solicitors are capable of showing off their lighthearted side with a bit of fun in front of the camera.

We decided that part of the re-design would be to stop using the previous cheesy stock photos of toothy American models and replace them with a more inviting collection of photos taken of key members of staff at ASD. We felt this would help give a more natural portrayal of the company and approachable image for those found navigating their way around the new website.

After the initial camera-shyness had subsided, the ASD staff really got into their element and all manner of poses were being struck with several of them obviously realising they’d missed out on previous life callings as models and were now making up for lost time! As I’m sure you can tell from the photos below, much fun was had by all involved and the day was a great success…….

Yorkshire puddings, The Human League, Bobby Knut… all things we love about South Yorkshire. Now gorgeous curves can be added to the list…

Thinbelina - a small, independent business based in Maltby - are experts in bespoke, handmade corsetry and D4 has just finished their branding, design and website. Keep checking the D4 site for much more to come from Thinbelina, including a rather tasty postcard set we are currently working on. Speaking of tasty, The Drum magazine definintely thought so: www.thedrum.co.uk

Have a peek at the site and spread the word about an up and coming local brand. Full details of the project will be showcased on our website soon…

www.thinbelina.co.uk

D4 spent a top day at Aston Hall Hotel art directing a corsets photo-shoot for our client Thinbelina.

With the run of the hotel we had great fun carting semi-naked model Lana around in corsets and heels. She was an utter pro and an avid fan of steak sandwiches and energy drinks. Stunning hair and make-up was provided by Leanne Shaw, and all our hard work culminated in incredible photography from Tom Jackson.

Everyone was beaming by the end of the day (and also ready for some sleep).

The exciting launch of the Thinbelina website will be coming soon to a computer screen near you…

Here’s one of the final shots to whet your appetite, and a few ‘behind the scenes’ snaps.

We have recently been working with Darwins Castings on their brand strategy with the end goal being improved communication to potential and existing clients. Part of the project is literature, so we were pleased to take delivery today of the new Darwins brochure we’ve been working hard on recently. The Darwins logo in silver foil on the GF Smith ColourPlan Cord cover looks really effective, and with a metallic ink throughout the inner spreads it has an extra zing about it. The photography we art directed works a treat throughout the brochure and has real impact.

The guys at Darwins are very happy with their new ‘tool’, so much so they are quoted as saying ‘it’s real good!’.

Can’t say fairer than that.

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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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…

International branding project completed.

We are pleased to announce the launch of an international branding and website development project for our new client, Coldend. Coldend are based in Conisbrough near Doncaster and specialise in glass inspection machinery and services. They approached D4 to design a new brand concept and website that would communicate their values and promote their services into overseas markets. D4 won a three way pitch to win the business in the summer of 2008. In late September the new branding and marketing style was rolled to the marketplace in the (lovely) form of stationery, brochures and website. The website includes the photography from the 2-day shoot at the Coldend premises art-directed by Paul, as well as the well-crafted copywriting from Zoe. Not only that… but it has the D4 ‘content management system’ that enables Coldend’s staff to easily and frequently update the product stock availability on a daily basis.

The final result has been very well received by all at Coldend and we’re all expecting some great results (worldwide!) off the back of the project.

For further info, and to view the new Coldend brand, photography, copy and website developed by the D4 creative team, go to: www.coldend.com

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Regent Street, London

It was a very early start for Paul recently to get down to the capital for the photo-shoot at the recently opened GAP store on Regent Street in London. His task was to art direct the shoot (post bacon sandwich & coffee of course!) for our client Macdonald Joinery & Construction, who were responsible for the entire ‘fit out’ of the new flagship store.

London’s a beautiful place when there’s no one around, well Regent Street anyway (Catford aint so nice)… get there at 5am on a Tuesday to appreciate it’s charm! A good day was had by all, and the shots have come out a treat.

To view the on-going Macdonald project click here.

Gap 1

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Gap 4