Case studies

Whitespace - Design and Interactive Agency

In 1994 Whitespace, one of the most successful design and new media agencies in the north, began life at the Barnsley Business and Innovation Centre (BBIC).

Creative Director Nick Birch chose Barnsley because of its proximity to the M1, the competitive operating costs and the convenience of the BBIC.  All three factors made it easier for Whitespace to grow and service clients from across the UK as well as tap into the design and technology recruitment markets in Barnsley, Sheffield and Leeds. Free and ample car parking at BBIC was a bonus for staff and clients alike - something not always available in more trendy city centre offices.

Barnsley Development Agency has supported Whitespace through each stage of its growth, funding equipment and providing business information along the way.

In 2002, Whitespace flew the BBIC nest and bought and now occupies its own high tech building close to the M1 on Dodworth Road.  The company employs 14 people and is approaching £1million turnover on design fees alone. Clients range from blue chip organisations, central government and FTSE companies with over 40% of their business coming from London. Their digital design team is one of the strongest in the North building everything from websites to fully integrated back and e-commerce systems, to full flash viral media campaigns, content management systems and web products using the very latest technologies such as Ruby on Rails. Their design team continue to produce award winning work for many high street names and their strategy team underpin both operations ensuring clients get the best return for their investments.

For more information about Whitespace please visit www.white-space.co.uk.

Whitespace produced the new consumer website for Iceland. Combining their skills in strategy planning, design and advanced programming, the site was launched to coincide with Iceland's sponsorship of ITV's 'I'm A Celebrity Get Me Out of Here' to national critical acclaim. www.iceland.co.uk

In 2007 Whitespace became Jacuzzi's design and new media agency for operations across Europe. Whitespace have developed a European web strategy, redesigned and built four websites including a revolutionary white label site for retailers, as well as redesigned several prestigious product brochures.  www.jacuzzi.co.uk

In 2002 Whitespace bought and now occupies a 3,000 sq ft high tech building located on Barnsley's Dodworth Road, within minutes of the M1. From here Whitespace service their clients from across the UK. BDA have supported Whitespace every step of the way.

Design and Image Works - Photography, design, marketing and print consultancy

Specialising in photography, design, marketing and print production, Design & Image Works was incorporated in October 2005 by Mick Mitchell.

Originally from Barnsley, Mick trained at Barnsley School of Art, Manchester and Leicester Business School and then worked for design and advertising agencies in London and Leeds. However, recognising the growth potential of Barnsley’s creative and digital sector, Mick returned to his home town to set up Design & Image Works at Barnsley Business & Innovation Centre (BBIC). The business incubation services offered by BBIC have proved to be exactly what Image Works needed to establish itself within a competitive industry. Image Works has been assisted by Barnsley Development Agency (BDA) which provided them with a Single Regeneration Budget grant via the Creativity Works! scheme. The funding enabled Mick to remain at the forefront in terms of technology, software and capability winning contracts with international brands including ASDA and working with celebrities such as Wayne Rooney and Coleen McLoughlin. The agency has also recently produced photography, point of sale signage and posters promoting the new Gillette Fusion razor for Proctor and Gamble. Other high profile clients include Billy Piper, Katie Hill, Audley Harrison, Michael Owen and Sir Steve Redgrave.

Image Works were also able to able to established links with other companies based in Barnsley. Their work with Side Effects Studio, one of the only Apple accredited training facilities outside London, included producing internal ASDA videos for the supermarket chain.

The Design & Image Works studio offers over 20 years of experience in the creative industry and have consistently delivered effective projects for a variety of national organisations. Current projects include the complete design and advertising account for an international patent attorney firm and the point of sale account for Australian wine maker Andrew Peace.

For more information about Design and Image Works please visit www.designandimageworks.com.

Gillette are just one of Design and Image Works many prestigious clients.

Photo shoots with celebrities including Wayne Rooney and Colleen McCloughlin are all in a day's work for Design and Image Works.