Out of Office, Into Design
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This month, we’re sharing fresh explorations in photography and design, sparked by time spent outside the studio. From local landscapes in England to creative inspiration found abroad, May gave us space to recharge and rediscover ideas that fuel our work. Dive in and see what caught our eye, and left our studio.
IN THE STUDIO
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Studio Play: Photography & Colour
This month, we spent some dedicated time in our in-house photography studio, exploring the relationship between form and colour. We paired vibrant, playful tones with everyday objects to find new and interesting ways of bringing familiar subjects to life. It was a chance to step away from the screen and get hands-on, experimenting with light, angles, and composition to see what fresh perspectives we could create.
One of the great things about having our own photography setup is the freedom it gives us. We can move quickly from idea to execution, try out different concepts without waiting on external schedules, and stay true to a consistent visual style across our work. It also allows us to be more flexible and responsive, whether we’re shooting for a client project or simply exploring new ideas for creative growth.
Fairwork – Cloudwork Ratings 2025
Our ongoing collaboration with Fairwork – a project led by the University of Oxford and the WZB Berlin Social Science Center – continues to challenge and inspire us. This month, we developed the 2025 editions of their global reports, including the Cloudwork Ratings. These reports assess 16 major cloud-based work platforms, from freelance marketplaces to data annotation services, against Fairwork’s five core principles of fair labour.
BEYOND THE STUDIO
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Out and About
Lately, our team have been out and about, soaking up new sights, and bringing back loads of fresh inspiration. Rob travelled to the picturesque Shropshire countryside for the Van Life Festival, where he was surrounded by an inspiring mix of converted campers, clever off-grid setups, and a vibrant community of adventure lovers.
Meanwhile, Steve headed to the stunning island of Sicily in southern Italy. Between exploring the local culture and coastal views, he made a stop at the incredible Mount Etna – Europe’s most active volcano and a true natural wonder, narrowly dodging its latest outburst.
What We’re Watching
Steve’s been diving into Andor, the gripping Disney+ series that expands on the Star Wars universe. With its darker tone, layered characters, and rich world-building, Andor offers a fresh perspective on a galaxy far, far away – one that’s resonated with Steve for its storytelling depth and cinematic style.
What We’re Listening To
Over May’s final the bank holiday weekend, Heather’s been getting her shoes dirty at the Dot to Dot music festival in Nottingham, featuring great artists such as Fat Dog, Big Special and The Horrors.
SEE YOU AROUND
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Thanks for reading our newsletter, hopefully it provided an insight into what makes us tick and what goes on in our studio. Any comments are always welcome, or if you would like to work with us on a project just get in touch.
