Design Musings

We have just started a new project for the Rutherford Group, they specialise in security services and training. Currently they have two websites, and we are working on combining the two into one, more concise, site. They are a local firm that work on a national level, and we aim to make that clear in our design approach. Check back soon to see the progress. Marie started putting the early drafts together this week, and we look forward to seeing how the job develops.

At last we have it, John O'Carroll's first book! We have been working on it for quite some time, and now the finished product is in our hands, and we are very pleased with the result, as is John himself. He signed a copy for each of us. Later this month he will be presenting the book in Royal Cornwall Museum in Truro, along with an exhibition of his work. This is an excellent setting to see the presentation, as much of his work is influenced by Egyptian archaeology. The design of the book is carried over into his new websites we are currently putting the finishing touches to, with strong leanings toward Dutch design practices. The book will be available to buy from his new site.

We've just started work converting the existing Bored Lizard website to an e-commerce site. Laurent Calvez is now going to be selling his own brand of surf clothing online, along with other products in his popular, Bude based shop. Right in the centre of town, you can't miss Bored Lizard, and there will soon be a new sign outside with the logo we designed for them last year. Emma enjoyed designing two posters as well, a real opportunity to get her creative juices flowing! The new website design should be online soon, but in the meantime, if you are looking for online surf clothing, then have a look at the site to get an idea of what is to come.

John O'Carroll brought Florence in on Friday, freshly back from Central London where he took her for a charity dog walk with the Duchess of Cornwall in Green Park. The story was covered in the Telegraph with a picture of Florence after the Duchess had hung a garland on her, these are traditional Nepalese marks of respect. The walk was to raise money for the Kathmandu Arts Centre and Animal Treatment Centre. John was also in the studio to enjoy a bottle of champagne to celebrate the printing of his first book, although we are still waiting for it to be delivered at the moment. Still, any reason for a glass of champagne!

We are very pleased to have started work on two websites for John O'Carroll, one featuring his work and some of his recent exhibitions, the second based on his gallery in Cornwall, Padstow Contemporary Art Gallery. Both sites will have a common layout based on the designs we have produced for his new book and exhibition invitations. Check back to see some of our early designs, I will post them here to give you an idea of how the site will look.

Our latest site to go online for The Nut Hatch Barbers, in the centre of Wadebridge. George Hatcher has recently taken over the barbers and made a few changes including bringing in William Rowe as an apprentice and starting shaves. The barber shop is full of character and very welcoming, and as you can see from the website, contemporary in its fittings without losing the personal touch. To see the site, take a look at our portfolio .

We have just last week put the finishing touches to the WBS project, waiting only on the fittings for one sign. You may have spotted the new sign at the top of Bess Park Road on Trenant Industrial Estate, it features their new branding and is pretty much unmissable! When the fittings arrive, the final sign will be fixed outside their large studio at the bottom of the hill, just past our studio. You may be aware that they are currently building new units at Perch, outside Wadebridge, a few hundred yards on from Whitecross. They will be moving their studio there along with a few other businesses. Keep an eye open as you drive between Wadebridge and Newquay to see how far along they are in the build. Their new website has been online for a while now, take a look at our portfolio to see it.

Some new work has been added to our design portfolio online, with more to be included soon. We have had a busy year with a lot of new and diverse projects ranging from design for the tourist industry through to builders and lingerie boutiques. The real growth has been seen in website design , but we have also expanded in deign for print and branding. Recently we have completed quite an extensive signage contract, with van graphics and external signs.

This is when we are especially pleased the studio has very large windows. After such a dismal Summer, all this sun is a real treat, but we still have to get on with our work! The Wadebridge Bathroom Studio project is almost complete, next week we will be picking up the new signs for the Bess Park Road location. In the future there will be a need for some at Perch where they are building the new units. Another project that is nearing completion is the website for the Nut Hatch barbers in Wadebridge. We have been working with their existing brand and creating a clear representation of their barber shop. Last week they started offering shaves to their customers, and the site will tell you a little more about this service. We are well advanced in creating a new website for Brookfields Bed and Breakfast, run by Ron and Robbie Caswell. When I get back to the studio I will add the logo to this post that we completed for them a couple of weeks ago. They were looking for something that c

Steppes Farm's website is now up and running, showing off the excellent accommodation available in exceptional scenery. The luxury holiday cottages have been furnished to capture the character of the buildings, not trying to modernise and loose what makes Cornish buildings so unique. For those looking for self catering in Cornwall, you would find a choice base for exploring. The site features editable news using a content management system, which also allows the availability checker to be updated. There is a lot of information on the site such as details regarding the horse riding and spa facilities on the farm, so take a few minutes to see what is on offer.

The book for John O'Carroll is just about finished, just a few minor touches left and it is set to be printed. It features his work from the last ten years, and has been created throughout the world, from the East to West and taking in Egypt and Canada. He has a very distinct vision on how it should be presented, and we have worked with him closely to ensure that this is represented in the book. The book has grown from its initial concept, to its current state of over twice the size, giving a very comprehensive view of his work and approach. We are all looking forward to seeing the finished project, and hope that the exhibition in Holland that it coincides with is a great success. He is setting off from North Cornwall to the Netherlands for the exhibition the book coincides very soon, the exhibition is called Archaiolgia, and features his drawings and paintings. It is to be held in Galerie Roger Katwijk in Amsterdam. The exhibition will run from 6th September to 4th October 2008

Another new website online for tests today for Glasshouse, a restaurant in Wadebridge. If you have visited the town in North Cornwall, you will know it well, as it is located right in the centre. Open from the morning for breakfasts and coffee, lunches, and then evening meals. It has recently been bought by Tim and Tina Burridge, who also run Burridge's in Rock, based under The Rock Inn. The Glasshouse has been previously known for its Italian cuisine, and that will still be a speciality, but now Tim has added some of his traditionally English dishes to the menu.

Another new site online, just being tested to see if there are any bugs on it, Tim Walton Builders. Based in Wadebridge, North Cornwall, with new offices opening soon, they produce very high standard homes. We took some time to create a site that hopefully matches the standard and style of their construction. Finished projects have been featured nationally, and the versatility of the firm is clear. On the site you will find three case studies so that you can see a little more about what they do. Another business local to us in Wadebridge is JOG Safety, they provide health and safety courses in Devon and Cornwall. Vital for companies, small and large.

The new website for The Swan Hotel, in Wadebridge, is up online. Right in the centre of town, on the roundabout, the rooms are comfortable and the bar welcoming. It also has outside seating and live bands playing. Look out for From Heart to Stereo who are on soon. Take a look at our portfolio to see the site itself.

The new Mercedes Sprinter was sign-written today for Wadebridge Bathroom Studio, just got it back. Their other van, a transit, is due to be completed soon as well. You may also want to have a look at their website in our portfolio . The product database has just gone live, so take a look to see what they have available. Their studio is deceptive, make sure you walk into the showroom at the rear or you will be missing out on most of their bathrooms!

The new website for The Rock Inn is online for testing, take a look and let us know what you think. Emma came up with the concept for this site, and was pleased to see her work running well on the web. The Rock Inn have two self catering flats that they make available throughout the year, only a few steps from the waterfront. Rock, in North Cornwall, has wonderful beaches and watersports. The Wadebridge Bathroom Studio website is almost complete as well, just a few more items going into the database of products. The vans are due to have the new branding applied to them soon along with new signage at the studio itself.

"I love clothes with pretty patterns, and like drinking tea with chocolate bourbons!" Samantha Bolwell is with us this week on work experience. She has been doing some excellent work which we will post on the website at the end of the week, in the meantime her team self portrait and quote are here.

Steph took this picture at the Royal Cornwall Show this week. She popped by the Wadebridge Bathroom Studios stand to see what the new banner we organised for them looked like. You'll have to drop by yourself to see what it looks like, as camera phones don't do it justice! They are on the Wadebridge Street. We really should have a stand ourselves next year!

New web page online for P.S. Counter Ltd. They are moving premises to the new industrial estate in Wadebridge, beside Tesco, and needed a website to go on their stationery. I didn't know that the image on the page, the one that you have probably seen in their North Cornwall Advertiser advert, was taken locally. Looks like the perfect place to have a window like that!

We're starting work on a new website this week, with a brainstorm this afternoon in the studio. We have been contracted to create a website for Steppes Farm Holiday Cottages, luxurious accommodation in stunning scenery. The farm house dates back to the 14th century, and just oozes character. The farm out buildings have been converted into plush holiday cottages, and a third cottage is nearing completion. Our task is to do justice to this secluded gem, check back to see the progress.

Two new websites have gone online recently. Oh Knickers! is almost completed, a new site for a lingerie boutique in Truro. The main site is all finished, but the e-commerce aspect is being polished off as we speak. Emma has been keen to work on the Oh Knickers! website since she first saw the shop, and you can have a look and see how her illustrations work with the extremely girly designs. I have been reliably informed that it is okay for men to visit the site and shop, and can recommend the lingerie tips for men section to any that are reading this now. The second site, that has gone online this week, also has a few bits and bobs that need to be added, but again, the main site is completed. DP Landrover Services, who specialise in selling and caring for Land Rovers and are based just outside Bodmin more on the A30. Soon to be added will be their vehicles for sale, this is a content managed section of the site which can be updated by the client as and when 4x4s come and go. The aim

Just a very quick post to let you see the advert we placed in the North Cornwall Advertiser recently, Marie and Emma spent sometime getting it right, and I think the result is very eye-catching. Let me know what you think of our new direction.

Got a new one online, Rock Joinery - Richard Collins specialises in bespoke windows, doors, stairways, kitchens and individual pieces of furniture. They are based just up the road from us on the outside Rock in Pityme. We also have a few more projects under way, sites for Wadebridge Bathroom Studio, Oh Knickers and a site for Shaw Van Conversions - who specialise in chiller vans. I will put up some images from early drafts soon, let us know what you think.

Well, I have managed to get a cold. Serves me right for running out of petrol in the middle of Dartmoor! I was travelling so far away from my usual haunts as I had planned to meet the owners of bike hire firm who have opened a new cycle hire centre, and needed their website altering. Cycle hire is really taking off, and receiving a great deal of focus in the media. The National Lottery awarding Sustrans a huge amount of funds recently being an example. There is a lot of development in Cornwall too, with new trails and equipment available for casual riders and those looking for more adventure. Check back soon as I will keep you posted as to the developments on this site, letting you know what design is selected and when their new site will be online.