Turn Key Blog. Things we've done and the things we love.

Turn Key designer Sean has been busy with some exciting graphic motion projects over the past few weeks. Here he talks about his work with metalcore band, Bring Me The Horizon, on the teaser video for their upcoming album, Sempiternal.

When we first heard about the opportunity to work with Bring Me The Horizon , we couldn’t wait to get stuck in. The band wanted to create a dynamic video for the forthcoming album Sempiternal, using the symbol of the cover’s artwork. Having such an open brief gave us a lot of creative freedom over the project.

To design an engaging two minute video that was basically just made up of circles, we had to be very creative and carefully plan each stage so that the viewer wouldn’t lose interest. This was the main obstacle for us and we relished the challenge.

From listening to the music we broke the animation up into three sections. The beginning needed to be slow and mystical to reflect the opening of the song, then progressively speed up, becoming more aggressive as the beat kicks in and singing starts. It all builds up to the ending when the symbol forms together just before the final bass drops.

Having the circles appearing gradually and slowly building up the symbol throughout the animation gave a feeling of depth and space. We managed to capture the mood and intense build-up of the music with the animation, which really grabs the viewer’s attention and doesn’t let go, fulfilling our brief perfectly.

For a project that was such a quick turnaround, we had a lot of creative freedom which gave us an opportunity to really show off our talent. Overall the client (and their fans) gave amazing feedback, everyone at Turn Key loved it and the internet hits have been phenomenal!

Check out the video here:

After reaching the half way point on her year’s placement with Turn Key, our Digital Account Executive and Northumbria University student, Olivia Nicholson, gives an insight into her first six months of agency life…

Last year, as a second year Business Marketing student up in the ‘toon’ of Newcastle, I knew I wanted a taster of the creative agency lifestyle and to gain some first-hand industry experience in the ever-changing world of Digital Marketing. After applying to work with Turn Key and getting through my interview, I received a call confirming that I had been chosen to be a part of the team for the year.  Exploding with excitement, I ran into every housemate’s room waking them up with my fantastic news!

Leaving my student bubble and returning to my Yorkshire roots filled me with nerves and excitement. The nerves soon disappeared within the first few days of meeting the Turn Key team. Everyone was helpful and friendly, plus the uplifting atmosphere of the office makes you feel welcome as soon as you step through the door. After the first month of learning about internal processes within the business and the spectrum of clients Turn Key works with, I was finally finding my feet.

I was immediately involved in the behind the scenes work that is undertaken for clients; competitor research into new business ideas, editing pages on live websites, constructing email content (in a variety of languages!) and exploring the world of Google analytics.

As the months have passed, my responsibility has grown, along with my personal development. From answering clients’ calls requesting amends to their websites to presenting my own competitor research in pitches to potential new clients, I’ve been given some fantastic opportunities. I’m also responsible for the company newsletter, this involves gathering exciting news from each of the departments every month and deciding what projects and messages we’d like to share and promote. In my down time during the day I like to brush up on my learning of the marketing industry by reading online blogs/discussions and researching more into the technological world of digi – geeky, I know!

Some of my personal highlights to date are:

- Bringing the most adventurous (and stupid) props to the ‘meet the team’ photo shoot (see photo!)

- My newly appointed nicknames – Lynchy and Nivea.

- Being a part of the myBunjee photo shoot and spending the day with new clients

- The hilarious yet exhausting team away day – thanks again for the photo of me asleep on the coach home!

- The Chaophraya re-launch party with some of the team enjoying Thai food and drink, live music and entertainment

- Girls night! Our monthly tradition of a girly evening filled with gossip and giggles

- And of course, the friendships I’ve built during the past few months

I cannot thank the digital team enough for their support and guidance over the past six months. They have made me feel truly part of the team with our daily banter over James’ singing and laughing at website animations has made my time with Turn Key invaluable. Surrounded by such a talented group of people has driven my determination to embrace my time here and excel in my final year of university. Let the next six months commence!

Our Designer, Carl Holderness talks about how he ‘Made’ it into the latest Victionary book, Geographics….

In my final year at The Leeds College of Art I took part in the annual Pop-up Shop Project, a string of creative events to encourage innovation and creativity.

My pop-up event was called ‘Made’ and the concept was to sell pieces of work made by students at The Leeds College of Art. The aim was to deliver a snippet of the fresh and professional talent coming from the college with a focus on crafted media.

Little did I know that my work would appear in the latest Victionary book, Geographics. Victionary is well known for its series of ’I Love Type’ books, so when the publishers contacted me via my personal website asking for high quality images of my project ‘ Made ’ I was beyond excited!

When I spoke to the team at Victionary, they explained that Geographics has been designed to highlight geometric designs in today’s creative world. The book demonstrates how simple shapes, together with colours, facilitate communication and fortify memories in diverse context and fields of design. So, my ‘ Made ’ project was exactly what they were looking for!

Here’s me with my very own copy of Geographics…

No day is ever the same for our Digital Account Director, James Wray . Here’s a little update on the sights he’s seen recently, including Ideal Heating’s stand at this year’s Retro Expo…

Sometimes working at a creative agency, you find yourself in places you never dreamed you’d get to.

Last week I was working on the latest album website for metalcore band Bring Me The Horizon one day the next finding myself at an onshore gas drilling rig near the Lancashire coast! The following day, Rachel Phipps and I attended Retro Expo at the Birmingham NEC, otherwise known as the UK heating industry’s event of the year.  Ceaseless glamour!

We were there to meet our client Ideal Heating and to see Turn Key’s artwork and animations for the Magnificent 7 campaign come to life on their amazing new exhibition stand.

As a career-long digital marketer, I’m used to seeing the fruits of my labour exist in the virtual world. However, it is still something really quite special when I get the chance to see work in a physical environment, particularly for me when it consists of an outdoor digital element too!

Ideal’s stand was the cream of the crop at Retro Expert, the most stand-out by far! Consisting of statues of huge rotating 7’s (marking the ‘7 year warranty’ campaign), a bar (always important in attracting visitors!), and beautiful canvases with the campaign messages. There was even a giant LED video wall (the kind you see at rock concerts) playing a specifically created animation including a timer, counting down in real time to the end of the 7 year warranty offer.

Take a look for yourself…

Our senior account executive Leanne Seward recently embarked upon a half marathon to raise money for a cause close to her heart. Read all about it here in her first blog for Turn Key:

There have been a few tragic deaths of undiagnosed heart conditions in my local community, including one of my friend’s neighbours who was only in his late 20s. I decided to run the half marathon in Bridlington to raise money and awareness of Cardiac Risk in the Young ( CRY ) as it can happen to anyone at any time, no matter how fit and healthy they are.

Training began with a few 10Ks around my local park and with my running club, Pontefract FC. However, stepping up the pace to seven miles resulted in an injury to my neck. I had to rest this for about three weeks prior to the half marathon and could only do the odd spinning class at my local gym!

On the day of the half marathon I was very nervous, this being my first ever attempt at 13 miles!

Everyone piled down to the sea front wearing running club tops and their best running trainers! Myself, a friend and a few other people were the only ones wearing charity t-shirts.

The gun shot indicated the start of the race and we were off along the sea front until the crowds were no more.  As this is an up and coming run, none of the roads were closed and the cars, tractors, police and ambulances were building up behind us until we started running down the country roads.

We ran through the countryside via Sewerby, Flamborough and Bempton before returning to Bridlington. One more loop out to Sewerby passing through Sewerby Hall’s grounds before returning to the sea front.

The first four miles of a run are always a struggle for me as I find my feet, but after six miles it wasn’t getting any easier!

Reaching the four water tables along the way was like reaching a goal in itself, I grabbed two cups of water which proved difficult to hold, run and drink all at the same time, I think most of the water ended up down my front rather than in my mouth!

The last mile was a big push as I could see the finish line along the coast, the crowds were shouting at me to keep going and telling me I didn’t have far to go.

Passing all my friends and family, plus Oscar my dog, I ran over the finishing line and a rush of relief washed over me, I had just ran 13 miles!

Out of breath, I was handed a cup of water by one of the team who took another look at me and gave me a litre bottle!

I placed my medal around my neck, I had done it, my first half marathon!

From the 816 people who took part in the race I came a proud 795 ^th with a time of 2 hours 36 minutes and 23 seconds.

I am very pleased with my time but that night I was struck down with the 24-hour sickness bug so this may have been the reason I found running more difficult.

A big thank you to everyone who sponsored me. I reached my goal of £500! My fundraising page is still open so if anyone would like to give to this worthy cause please visit my page at:

http://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/LeanneSeward

Last week, we decided to do our bit for charity and take part in Wear it Pink Day ! The national fundraising day was organised by the Breast Cancer Campaign , urging businesses and individuals to wear pink on Friday 26 ^th October and donate some pennies to the cause.

We were very inventive with our outfits – pink jackets, scarves, nail varnish, feather boas, boxer shorts and even a bra which Samara wore over her t-shirt for the day! As well as dressing up, our resident baker and business manager, Vikki , made a delicious cake which, when we cut into it, revealed bright pink sponge and a jam filling! Selling it at £1 a slice, the whole office enjoyed a Friday lunchtime treat!

At the end of the day, we’d raised just over £50 in total and donations are still coming in. It was great to club together and do something for such a worthy cause and we’ll be going bigger and better next year, there’s even talk of a TK bake-off!