The logo is to accompany their new Kettlebell Cardio (KBC) training program. KBC is an innovative new group functional training program that incorporates fluid style kettlebell, cardio and dynamic core training. KBC’s unique results based training system allows you to track and develop your performance while the 45 minute format enables you to train smarter and at a higher intensity to develop your inner athlete.

Original sketch that the final logo was based on

The aim was to create an uncomplicated, fun and energetic logo that would appeal to both sexes. The logo needed to be versatile enough to work on clothing and fitness equipment as well as printed literature.

Colour-coded kettlebells

Branded ladies t-shirt

Promotional imagery

I’m not entirely sure what I’m going to do with these illustrations when they are finished. Create a large montage of the entire collection? Create individual montages defined by type, colour, brand or sub-brand? Will these images be printed out and possibly framed or will they remain digital? Style wise, will the illustrations be very accurate almost technical drawings or have a cartoonish look?

Too many questions. Who knows? All I know is it’s been on my ‘do-to’ list for quite a while and I decided to get started this week.

The first task was to photograph all the shoes in my collection so I have a reference image to work over in Adobe Illustrator.

To make my job easier when it comes to illustrating each individual shoe, I needed all the shoes photographed from the same angle and lit consistently. Ideally that meant photographing them all in on go.

What was interesting and something I hadn’t given any thought to beforehand was after viewing the images on the camera, I had the making of a pretty funky little slideshow.

Now the real fun begins… illustrating each individual shoe!

The Hebden Bridge Town Hall redevelopment has been open now for over 6 months and I think I’m right in saying that all the offices are now occupied. A friend of mine recently enquired about an office here and has been added to a waiting list. Makes me quite proud that I was one of the original tenants that signed up for an office while the redevelopment was still a car park.

Just before Christmas, I had a walk round the building and a sneaky peak in to everyone’s office – just to get an idea of who was here and what services they offered. It’s fair to say that apart from the odd business card ‘Blu Tacked’ to the door, it’s almost impossible to know who is who and what they do without knocking on and being neighbourly/nosey.

When I originally moved in to my office last August, door signage was a job I added to my ‘To Do’ list. But for one reason or another, it ended up being one of those jobs that never became a priority. That was until my office wander just before Christmas. I now decided it was time to take the initiative and deck out my door. I may not know what everyone else is up to but at least they’ll know whats going on behind my door. It also brings a welcome touch of colour to the corridor, something the owners of the building have felt quite positive about.

So far the response to the door vinyl has been fantastic. I’ve heard comments such as… “You’re the guy with THAT door”, and “I love your door, we want one”

Recently completed the design and illustration work on a set of promotional pieces for Role With It Productions’ upcoming performance of the Nutcracker. The promotional pieces included the usual… tickets, program, flyers, posters, vinyl banners, website banners and popup stands. Banners, posters and stands are currently visible around Hebden Bridge while tickets, flyers and colouring competition sheets have been distributed throughout the Calder Valley.

Here is Dig Yorkshire’s blurb:

Role With It Productions will take you on a magical journey this Christmas to the Land Of Sweets! In conjunction with the Town Hall, Hebden Bridge and the Helen Wilman School Of Dance, this musical play will transport you to a winter wonderland. Adapted from the original story by E.T.A Hoffman, this 200 year old tale begins on Christmas Eve and will be presented by a professional cast & creative team. The cast includes Timothy Richey, West End star of The Gruffalo.

Role With It’s adaptation of the Nutcracker will be showing in Hebden Bridge at the Waterfront Hall in the newly built extension to the Town Hall from the 8th – 22nd December. Tickets are available from the Town Hall Box Office or by ringing 01422 417300. £8 for adults and £6 for children.

Above – The Creative Quarter, the newly built extension to the Town Hall

Above – The Town Hall

Above – The Town Hall from over the bridge up St George’s Street

Above – The Waterfront Hall overlooking the River Calder

Recently completed the design work on the latest Creative Calderdale event invite.

The main speaker at the next event is Frank Boyd, Director or the Creative Industries Knowledge Transfer Network.

Here’s Creative Calderdale’s blurp about the event:

Currently the Director of CIKTN, the Creative Industries Knowledge Transfer Network, Frank will deliver a talk on the impact of convergence on the digital economy, detailing the opportunities and challenges for creative businesses, and excitingly, will be announcing a new, government funded £1.8 million competition.

Pushing creative and technical boundaries since 1989, Frank has been bringing together leading experts from across the film, TV and interactive media sectors, to explore new ways to produce compelling, convergent and transmedia content.

He has worked in both the public and private sector, and has acted as producer, funder and trainer on a series of innovative, creative and economic programmes across the arts, broadcast and education, and in the UK, Europe, the US and Australia.

Now supporting the UK creative industries, particularly in the area of emerging technologies, through his leadership of CIKTN (which is funded by the UK government agency Technology Strategy Board) Frank will be offering £1.8 million to developers in a series of competitions and feasibility projects and his talk will include more information about this and offer guidance on how to access these funds.

The Creative Calderdale event is being held at the Elsie Whiteley Innovation Centre, Halifax on Thursday 4th October 2012. The events starts at 6pm. Contact Ha Smith at Creative Calderdale for more information.

As of the beginning of August, I’ve been working out of my new office in Hebden Bridge.

Situated in the newly built extension of the Town Hall called The Creative Quarter, at long last, I now have more than enough space to entertain clients and collab with friends.

The Creative Quarter offers permanent office space as well as temporary ‘hot desking’ facilities for those just fancying a change of scenery. Conferencing and board room facilities are available for tenants as well as plenty of exhibition space for those wanting to display their talents to fellow residents and members of the public.

My contact details are still the same but if you fancy popping in for a brew, The Town Hall is situated on St George’s Street, Hebden Bridge, West Yorkshire.

Pictures, and more furnishing to arrive soon.

Recently completed the design work on a logo for Nelson-based Italian deli – La Dolce Vita.

Sarah and Sara ultimately have plans to open a Deli-type shop, but in the meantime, they will be selling there authentic Italian products at local farmer/food markets.

As and when the business becomes more successful, I fully expect there to be more rollout of their brand across packaging, stationery and website and in-shop branding.

Recently completed the design work on a series of key promotional pieces for HEROtsc’s internal recruitment drive.

HEROtsc operate a number of call centres around the UK and wanted to step up recruitment by asking current employees to ‘recommend a friend’ to apply for a job with HEROtsc – a Future Hero if you will.

Requirements were to design a pair of humorous superhero characters who would be the face of this campaign and appear on all the related printed material – internal emails, leaflets, posters, popup banners etc.

Initially there was a competition to name the characters – the chosen names being Dexter and Penelope. Then there was the rollout of leaflets and posters to promote the ‘Recommend a Future Hero’.

My final task was to provide HEROtsc with a selection of library images of the two characters for their own internal use.

Leaflet & Poster

Life-size popup stands for the reception areas of the call centres

Selection of library images provided to the client for their own internal use.

Many thanks to the clients who recently gave positive recommendations to RAR regarding Kreative Bomb Limited.

In case you are wondering who the Recommended Agency Registry is, here is a bit of insightful copy I lifted off their website:

“Recommendedagencies.com is an online sourcing tool for marketing and procurement professionals. Using an online research process we tap into the power of the marketing community to find out which agencies come recommended.”

Initially, what this means is I can now display their logo on my website/email/letterhead – almost like a badge of honour. The plan then is to become a fully paid-up member of RAR and hopefully capitalise on the great networking and referral functions they offer members.