With a record number of delegates attending this year’s event, World Routes offers an unrivalled platform for airlines and airports to do business face to face with the people in the industry who really matter.

Our digital strategy and planning for Routes identified the opportunity and benefits of producing a mobile app for the event to work alongside their traditional communication channels. A number of impressive functional benefits were served up to those who downloaded the app, including event news, information about Berlin, programme guide, delegate listings and full social media interactivity.

With additional features now planned for ongoing development and future events, this initial foray into the world of mobile apps was loved by both client and delegate alike.

Now and again changes are made, eras end and a new generation begins. Stagecoach have enjoyed such a time with the opening of their brand new, state of the art Sharston depot. Well, it’s not every day that you bid farewell to the depot and area that has been part of the community for over 100 years, so the occasion warranted a bit of a ceremony.

Every party needs an invite so Studio North were very happy to be involved with this and to mark the occasion produced a unique and appropriate piece for recipients, who’s feedback has been wonderful. Just a little thought can go a long way to making something very apt for a one off occasion (unless we’re all still here in 100 years).

But, why stop there? No opening ceremony would be complete without a brochure to remember the occasion, surely? We thought so and therefore a brochure was produced for all the guests to keep as a reminder. Sometimes changes are required to move forward with the times, new facilities needed to cater for over 200 buses and 500 staff. Whilst the event was tinged with sadness by saying goodbye to the old depot it also represents a mark of confidence that Stagecoach has in its business, its customers and its role in the local community.

Here’s to a new era, enjoy the next 100 years.

There was no strategic brief or promise of an unlimited budget or ongoing account – just the chance of a trip to Zambia, to see some elephants. And that was good enough for us. Time for Team Buckley to get creative on a wet Saturday in February, armed only with pens, paper, and some haribo star mix.

Beth and Ella

Without much of a brief the only way we could tackle this was from a tourists point of view. What would be on our list of things we’d like to see? What would make us consider Zambia as a destination? Firstly, we’d want to know this was the real africa, undeveloped and authentic, that it is accessible and safe – and of course that we’d see elephants.

So what does Zambia have to offer? Victoria Falls (or Mosi-o-Tunya – the Smoke that Thunders) is the countries premium tourist destination. The world’s largest waterfalls are situated on the Zambezi River and are recognised as one of the seven natural wonders of the world – how many countries can boast they have one of those? Of course there are many fantastic safaris too, like the South Luangwa National Park – one of Africa’s finest, as well as loads of adrenaline sports and game reserves you can visit. As well as the abundant wildlife there’s a rich and diverse cultural heritage. All very real, effortlessly genuine and wonderfully natural.

Which gave us our first strapline idea. Zambia – Naturally Wonderful.

Now for the logo and back to that cultural heritage. I really wanted to focus on the craft of traditional African carving and how it was used as a story telling medium. Talented craftsmen and artists  would use what they could find around them, wood, stone or copper to visualise their life. Everything from traditional ceremonies to family, animals and the Zambian landscape.

Mood board

I thought it appropriate to pay tribute to this rich tradition within the logo in order to give it an authentic look and feel. The first option features a carved emblem which has a ‘Z’ at the heart of it and is also made up of 9 separate pieces, representing the 9 provinces that make up Zambia. This ‘coming together’ of elements reflects modern Zambias ethnic and tribal diversity and collective harmony.

Initial sketches

Identity

Strapline

Logo variants

Application

Another of Beth’s ideas was ‘Live like an animal in Zambia’ which I really liked. Everything Zambia has to offer is all about life experience, wether you are visiting Victoria Falls, Kayaking down the Zambezi or camping out on a safari, it’s all about living life to the full and being at one with nature. Wherever you are in Zambia, the surroundings really are alive. Alive with passion and energy. Alive with history and colour. Alive with natural beauty.

So our second strapline option is, Zambia – Where nature lives.

The second logo design uses a visually strong typeface to represent Zambian craftsmanship. This typeface has an almost carved feel unyet still looks contemporary and stylish. The bright, positive colours mirror the national flag, a source of great pride for Zambians.

Identity

Strapline

Logo variants

Application 1

Application 2

So there they are, two ideas all the way from Northwich to Zambia. Thanks to Beth and Ella for all your enthusiasm, hopefully we’ll get some good feedback, if not we’ll definitely go to the zoo.

Fylde Coast carries out some vital work in the community that adds real value to the lives of the people who use their services on a regular basis. It was essential we made the new site as informative and useful as possible whilst also being engaging and fun to use.

Given the different audiences Fylde work with we needed a cohesive online platform that would provide opportunities for personal and social development through various community based and social initiatives. The new site will ultimately increase brand awareness, act as an effective resource tool for existing and potential clients and create an online information portal.

Not only are we extremely happy with the result, the project has also been a thoroughly enjoyable one to be part of. Have a gander and let us know what you think!

We’ve scripted, designed, illustrated & produced a comic style publication, the first in the series being titled Promethean People, Maria & the Adventures of Marco Polo.

The illustrative style has a Beano style feel but with a Promethean twist, initially set in a Thai school where Maria teaches her pupils about the adventures of of Marco Polo.

Promethean briefed us that they wanted fresher resources to demonstrate their products. The comic strip centres on children’s learning & how the products can benefit the teacher, explaining very simply how they can be used.

The comic strip was recently introduced to teachers and educational professionals at education conferences and has proved a huge hit generating excitement around their product range. Resonating with an audience tired of seeing the same old literature it proves Promethean’s willingness to continue unlocking the potential of achievement in education & training around the world.

Watch this space for more in the series…

Our task was to create a campaign that focussed on the improvements (though there was nothing necessarily wrong with the service in the first place!) and to develop consistent route branding, flexible enough to target specific audience profiles.

Stagecoach aim to attract an extremely wide audience that could include a young commuter travelling to their first job on a daily basis, but equally likely an OAP travelling into town once or twice a week.

Let us take you there

The chosen campaign demonstrates an emotive concept that ensures longevity while underpinning passenger’s route loyalty and the positives of bus travel. As well as regular bus users the campaign also had to consider car users thinking about switching their mode of transport.

The design concept, created with consideration of vehicle livery limitations, is very impactful and something markedly different from typical bus branding.

Strongly featured are illustrations of key landmarks situated down each of the six routes alongside promotional ticket messaging. We literally scoured the routes ourselves and worked closely with the Stagecoach marketing team to identify these key landmarks that bus users associate with their chosen route. This ranged from their local Asda to the football ground of their choice.

The campaign elements targeted at car users sit at the rear of the bus indicates the benefits of travelling by bus.

“Karen is hooked. It’s one of those books you can’t put down. She hopes she can finish this chapter before her stop. Karen is on this bus – why aren’t you?”

The eventual strapline for the campaign - ‘Let us take you there’ speaks to the customer and builds trust in the brand. Stagecoach really can take you where you need to be. Whether it’s getting home at night, getting to the gym or seeing friends.

The launch activity concept has initially been applied to external vehicle livery, internal coving, outdoor advertising and promotional literature.

The initial design prototype/concept:-

The 88 bus route branding on launch day…

Creative style applied to 48 sheet…

Winning over frustrated drivers…

Promotional & information literature…

We’re somewhat proud of the result – using some cracking photos of projects Eric Wright have worked on they can now showcase the diversity of their projects both on the homepage and within each division.

We’ve a few favourites too – the boardroom used under divisions makes Lord Sugar’s look rather bland!

The response from internal staff has been fantastic. Have a look and see what you think – www.ericwright.co.uk

Studio North & the Eric Wight Group have worked together for several years having previously helped them with their corporate rebrand and it’s been a pleasure to watch their business evolve.