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Archive for July, 2008

Web design – it’s a mug’s game


July 31st, 2008 by Rachel

In thinly disguised attempt to assert their superiority over the rest of the studio, our esteemed trio of web designers and developers have commissioned their own range of “Digital Brew Crew” ceramic mugs. Beautifully pottered from the cheapest ceramics to be found, and with bespoke artwork courtesy of our own in-house cartoonist, they are now to be found gracing their desks next to their mouse mats, yet surprisingly are never found on the draining board (see clear evidence of stainage above). See if you can recognise YOUR favourite internet anorak (Ed: none of them)

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Charity football tournament


July 30th, 2008 by Michael

A few of the lads in the office recently played in the Allseas Challenge Cup at the JJB Soccerdome in Trafford Park. With over twenty teams from all over the UK taking part for charity, expectations were low and our squad of six feared the worst as kick off loomed large. However, after a mixed afternoon (3 wins and 2 defeats), Studio North’s finest managed a respectable third placed group finish which unfortunately meant we missed out on the knockout stages but were able to hold our heads high as for the first time ever we weren’t laughed out of the place. Rumours that a certain director deliberately engineered the early exit to ensure a strategic vantage point for the buffet are completely unfounded.

Phil ‘The Power’ Hanley of Allseas Cargo collecting money for charity with his er, tongue. When he’s not busy looking like an idiot, Phil is actually one of the star players of the host company who lost the final to Liverpool firm CSAV. All proceeds of the event went to Manchester Kids.

Allseas Cargo is a leading global forwarder specialising in project and out of gauge movements. If you need to get anything anywhere in the world they can probably help so give them a shout www.allseascargo.com

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University of Manchester – Food on Campus


July 30th, 2008 by Michael

Our creative team have redesigned all internal graphics and communications for the University of Manchester’s Food on Campus catering brand. The University has over 30 catering outlets and the first phase of the rollout saw the brand new SCaN building filled with stunning bespoke photography delivered in a contemporary clean style. The designs complemented the wonderful space provided by the architects in the heart of the University campus on Oxford Rd.

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Pink cheers and beers


July 29th, 2008 by Michael

We admit it. We were a nightmare client. After months of amends, mock-ups, re-writes, design tweaks, proofs, wet-proofs, more mock-ups and even more amends…at last the Studio North brochure was printed, bound and delivered. Our ‘perfection not progress’ approach to the centrepiece literature of our relaunch hardly endeared us to the chaps at Wrights Printers.

Braver than most, two of the head honchos from the Congleton based firm, Peter Bell and Daniel Bennett, personally delivered the fabulous end product to presumably milk the well deserved praise. So to thank them for their efforts ‘beyond the call of duty’ we thought we’d be a little creative. Now considering that we don’t necessarily see these printer types as pink champagne drinkers we turned our thoughts to beer, but you don’t tend to find pink beer in your average off license. So we went to great lengths to have Williams Bros Brewing Co. in Alloa send down some of their Roisin tayberry beer to toast the end of a thoroughly exhausting project. The tayberry is a cross between a raspberry and a blackberry, originally grown in the Tay valley region of Scotland. With a delicate fruity aroma the pink beer served chilled on a warm July afternoon went down a treat.

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Carbon Footprint Ltd – Offsetting


July 28th, 2008 by Rachel

Using the Carbon Trust’s website we have calculated our carbon footprint including business and personal miles to and from work, our energy use and the waste that we generate inhouse.  This does not by any means make us carbon neutral but it’s a good place to start and as you may have gathered by now, we’re all about good starting points!

Carbon Footprint Ltd is an independent company which offsets carbon emissions by investing in various clean & renewable energy projects globally.  Through the Carbon Trust we established that we needed to offset over 26 tonnes of carbon to significantly reduce our footprint for May 2007 – May 2008 and did so via Carbon Footprint’s website.

The project we chose is investing in wind turbines and is based in Harshnath, India.  Using the Voluntary Carbon Standard (VCS) the project is governed by credible but easy to understand criteria which convinced us that we were investing wisely.  For more on Carbon Footprint Ltd please click the logo below, or for our specific project click on the wind turbines. 

 

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Getting to know youuuuu….(a la Oliver)


July 22nd, 2008 by Rachel

And who would have thought the SN crew had lives outside / prior to Studio North?  I know I found it difficult to believe but occasionally you hear titbits that you hope to the very core of your bitchy little being that it’s true and my friends, I have one such piece of informatic gold.  Our very own Mr Sean Booth, otherwise known as Smoothy Boothy used to attend circus club….Oh yes, the avid performer can juggle not only balls (blatantly for the wimps) but knives and fire (big ooooooh please).  He even appeared onstage in a production of ‘Barnham’ (so long ago that not even trusty Google can resurrect it) wearing bright pink tights.  Unfortunately we were unable to get tight photographic evidence but, being unable to get the image out of our heads we have created our own ’artist’s’ impression.  Ok ok so the tutu takes it a bit far and the general ensemble rather than the tights themselves are pink, but you have to admit it looks good :-)

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Supergaz…


July 18th, 2008 by Rachel

We’ve had some sensational feedback over the years including glowing testimonials, flowers and chocolates but recently an email dropped into an inbox that for sheer creativity beat the rest hands down.

To make her point, Steph ‘Lois Lane’ Brown of Medacs Healthcare felt it necessary to comp the following image of one of our hero designers, the mild mannered Gary Butterworth, after another heroic performance from our Krypton empowered friend.

Unfortunately, since the receipt of said image the Creative Director has decided that Steph shows far too much Photoshop talent to merely be thanked for her good effort and she has subsequently been offered Supergaz’s job with immediate effect.

Can Supergaz save his job or will the fate of Studio North be left in the hands of Miss Steph Brown? Tune in next week for another installment of ‘S-U-P-E-R-G-A-Z’ (said in big booming voice followed by rubbish theme music)…

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Quote of the day


July 18th, 2008 by Rachel

Chocolate lovers unite….

‘I’m not overweight.  I am chocolate-enriched.’ – anonymous

Here here lady! (Well we can only assume)……Enjoy!

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Responsible drinking


July 15th, 2008 by Rachel

Now, we are all aware of how important such behaviour is.  No one wants to make a fool of themselves, wake up with the head from hell or worse still a combination of the two.  As a wise man once said to me, moderation is the key.  But how  to be moderate has always been a problem that has perplexed me, I mean once you are in the throes of a jolly good knees up when do you know you’ve had enough?  The line between having a fabulous time and going past the pint of no return is a difficult one indeed and yet (& yes I would like a fanfare please) I believe I have a found a solution….If, of course your drink contains a slice of lime.

Take Gin & Tonics for instance (mmmmm G&T’s).  At the beginning of the evening you start with your highball and a slice….Beautiful.  Now, what if, instead of discarding the lime with every refresh you added another.  You can monitor how much you have had to drink without spending all evening desparately trying to keep count.  What is more, when your glass becomes full of lime to the extent that no more of the good stuff can fit it is probably safe to say that you have had enough and can retire to bed, hangover avoided and dignity in tact…..Result!*

*The author takes no responsibility if aforementioned technique does not work for one (or any) readers.  Studio North takes no responsibility for any misguided ideas that staff members publish, and none of the advice provided reflects the stance or opinions of Studio North Ltd.   Undertaking such an experiment is done so entirely at the readers own risk….If you know that your alcohol tolerance is low we also recommend you switch to a tumbler.

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Stormin’ Norman


July 14th, 2008 by Rachel

On the 11 May our very own Miss Sarah Norman (otherwise known as the Norms, Normster or Normski) flung herself out of a plane in order to raise close to £600 for charity. Stormin’ Norman took the death defying leap in order to raise funds for the Cotswold Care Hospice which cares for people suffering from life threatening illnesses as well as providing support to their families. With such a fantastic cause it’s no wonder that Norms took to the skies but hat’s off to her, Sarah, we salute you!

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