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Oliver Blayney

Feb 07
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Branding & Web Design Feedback from the 1867

By Branding, Featured, Our Work, Web Design

New branding, signage & web design for 1867 cafe & restaurant.

If you live anywhere near West Northamptonshire, then may be familiar with the Heart of the Shires Shopping Village.  A shopping village outlet on the Northamptonshire/Warwickshire border that offers individual, independent retailers with real character and most importantly, a restaurant and tearoom for all to enjoy.

We were kindly approached by returning clients Paul Campbell & Andreea Calenic to produce an eye catching new brand, some unmissable signage and an easy to use mobile web experience to help launch the rebranding and management takeover of ‘Darlingtons’, which would later become The 1867 – a neat new name inspired by the year the building was built.

Since it’s launch, the rebrand has been well received amongst the local community, which was music to our ears. It’s always challenging working on rebrands with established businesses that have so much local presence, as not everyone is a fan of change initially. But we’re glad to hear on this occasion, we must have got something right. Of course, don’t just take our word for it, read what Andreea & Paul think…

Launch Website

”Our network of businesses have been working with the Blayney Partnership for more than 30 years now so that says a lot about the level of experience and expertise their team has. Within that time, they have built and changed 4 websites for us across different industries from an art gallery retail type site to an estate agency and later even a restaurant site. All of those have different nuances and needs that have been well considered during the building and designing process and all the team members have always come up the best solutions and options to make the websites the most efficient, user friendly, beautiful and creative.

Andreea CalenicThe 1867
LOGO
BRAND COLOURS

1867 Dark Green

#32413f
R: 50, G: 65, B: 64
C: 75, M: 57, Y: 62, K: 48

1867 Mid Green

#5d675f
R: 93, G: 103, B: 95
C: 63, M: 47, Y: 57, K: 23

1867 Light Green

#aeab97
R: 174, G: 171, B: 151
C: 33, M: 27, Y: 41, K: 1

1867 Bronze

#bc8160
R: 188, G: 129, B: 96
C: 24, M: 52, Y: 66, K: 4

Andreea continues: “I have mostly worked with Ollie and Ozz on our projects and I can honestly say that they really are some natural creative breeds and can probably teach degrees on it. However, they also have one thing that you can’t teach or learn, and that is the passion they have for each project they take on. We have created significant parts of history of our businesses within the four walls of their head quarters with their help. From initial branding to websites, leaflets, merchandise and everything in between.

Anytime we share our vision about a website or a change we want to make to our current websites, they are brilliant at bringing the picture in our heads to life so that we have the best platform to communicate with our customers. They are also patient in teaching us how to manage our own sites so that we have a certain level of independence which is a great advantage as not all designers will do that just so you have to ask them anytime you want a basic change which can get costly and frustrating.

There are many ways of trying to achieve what Blayney’s do by doing it yourself or paying amateurs to do it but it would cost us a lot of trial and error, time and ultimately money that no successful business has to throw away to waste. So if we want the best product, we think it’s best to pay the best professional to do it. We have trusted Ozz and Ollie to handle the faces of our brands and they have never disappointed and on that basis, I have and would recommend them to all of our friends and business associates.”

”They are always easy to get hold off and are also respectful and mindful of timescales which often can be a massive problem with other designers we have encountered previously. Any business needs a good team of accountants, lawyers, suppliers and I think digital design experts like Blayney's are definitely a must on that list, those are the ones that will make you or break you.

Everyone in the team is awesome. We have had the great fortune of having both Ollie and Ozz on most of our projects and they are simply brilliant. I couldn't choose only one of them so if you get both of them working with you then lucky you that's all I can say!

Thank you Blayney Partnership for your expertise and being part of our journey.

Paul CampbellThe 1867

We would love to hear from you!

If you would like to find out more about our branding, web development & web design services, or have a project you would like us to quote on, please feel free to contact us.

Call us on 01604 671 714

Plan A Project
Sep 09
Love0
andrew straus

New Donation Portal for #RedForRuth2021

By Featured, Our Work

We launched our new donation portal for the Ruth Strauss Foundation ahead of another succesful #RedForRuth annual event.

We are absolutely bowled over to announce that the Ruth Strauss Foundation have raised an amazing £1,204,447.00 during the recent second LV= Insurance Test, an event that partnered the foundation.

We were approached by the RSF to provide a solution for them to take donations directly on the main Ruth Strauss Foundation website, which is something they had never done before on past Red For Ruth days. Traditionally, the website had served the purposed of directing followers and donators to JustGiving & VirginMoney, but in order to gain more advanced statistics and data from each donation the decision to launch a new donation platform was put into place.

”From seeing children supported by our charity ring the five minute bell for day two of this Test to Joe Root saying he was thinking about the Foundation supporting families facing one of life’s toughest tests during his incredible batting spell, this year’s Red for Ruth has been my proudest yet. Ruth would have been utterly humbled and delighted by the generosity of the crowds and the cricket family, as I am. Your generosity means so much to me but more importantly it means we can help even more families than we could have expected, to prepare for grief, death and dying. From the bottom of my and my boys’ hearts: thank you.”

Sir Andrew Strauss OBEFounder
ruth stauss foundation cricket

More Donations, Less Hassle

The new portal has an expansive range of dynamic features that advance way beyond our initial brief. We have delivered a fully content managed tool that includes:

  • Individually customisable donation forms
  • Full-Featured Reporting
  • Recurring Donations
  • Configurable Fundraising Goals
  • Currency Switching for Donors
  • Tax Deductible Receipts
  • Gift Aid Integration

”We're delighted to have partnered with the Blayney Partnership for the creation of our new website. Connecting with our supporters digitally has become even more crucial than ever this year. Team Blayney are creative, responsive, out-of-the-box thinkers, that have been nothing but committed to helping us create a platform true to the RSF spirit, engaging for our supporters while offering clear sign-posting to key information for those looking for support. We look forward to a long lasting partnership!

Ines ThiruHead of Comms
ruth straus foundation

We would love to hear from you!

If you would like to find out more about our web development & web design services, or have a project you would like us to quote on, please feel free to contact us.

Call us on 01604 671 714

Plan A Project
Jul 24
Love0
ruth strauss foundation

Celebrating RedForRuth Day 2020

By Our Work
HELP US TURN RED FOR RUTH

We are proud partners of the Ruth Strauss Foundation, who today celebrate their annual ‘Red For Ruth‘ Day, supporting families facing one of life’s toughest tests.

In the UK around 41,000 children under the age of 18 suffer the death of a parent each year; the equivalent of 112 each day. Ruth and Andrew fortunately found support to help prepare their family for Ruth’s death, but this help is not widely available and healthcare professionals often feel ill-equipped to guide parents on how to talk to their children about the incurable diagnosis and dying.

The Ruth Strauss Foundation’s mission is to ensure families facing the death a parent from cancer are offered professional emotional support, as well as raise awareness of the need for more research in the fight against non-smoking related lung cancers.

Play Video

Test Day 1 Catch Up
ruth strauss day
HELP US TURN RED FOR RUTH

We were approached to create a new website for the Foundation.

We were thrilled to have the opportunity to work with the Ruth Strauss Foundation, a cause which has proven to be so vital for so many families with young children dealing with the loss of a parent. To be associated with such a fantastic charity is a real privilege. We look forward to many years ahead working together to maintain what we believe is one of the strongest charity websites in this country.

With a highly customisable, first time user friendly interface, and dedicated support teams, The Foundation have found a set up of dedicated designers and keen creatives to help carry their future campaigns to a digital audience.

Launch Website

 

View this post on Instagram

 

#RedForRuth 🔴

A post shared by We Are England Cricket (@englandcricket) on

ruth strauss foundation website preview
View Full Case Study
RUTH’S STORY

Early 2018, Ruth Strauss, wife of Sir Andrew Strauss the former England cricket captain, was diagnosed with an incurable lung cancer that affects non-smokers.

Ruth died on December 29th 2018; she was 46 years old and mother to two children, then aged 10 and 13. In Ruth’s memory, Sir Andrew has launched the Ruth Strauss Foundation to:

  • Provide emotional support for families to prepare for the death of a parent from cancer
  • Raise awareness of the need for more research & collaboration in the fight against non-smoking lung cancers.
Make A Donation Today

”“The idea of setting up the foundation came up with Ruth in the last few months of her life. Ruth desperately wanted to help those affected by this terrible disease and she had a very strong sense of charity – in the broadest sense – of helping others less fortunate than ourselves”.

Sir Andrew StraussRSF Founder & Ruth’s Husband
Ruth Strauss Test Match

England v West Indies

Supporters, cricket fans, families, friends, clubs, counties, commercial partners, media broadcasters and ambassadors – help us turn cricket #RedforRuth. On 25th July we will be turning the third England v West Indies Test Match at Emirates Old Trafford red. Although the game will be played behind closed doors this year, we won’t let this deter us!

View Fixture
andrew straus images
lords cricket ground
lords cricket ground
andrew straus
come on england banner
Mar 29
Love0
barbershop web design

New Website: Born Urban Barbers

By Our Work, Web Design

The Born Urban Barbers website is now live.

We were excited to be approached with the task of producing a new website, visual identity, and social media content for the thriving Northampton barber shop, Born Urban.

Born Urban pride themselves on delivering the highest quality haircuts in modern surroundings, with stylists who are chosen on their skill, passion & ability to create the perfect style tailored their customers needs.

The new website provides a great insight into all that Born Urban is about. With social media feed integration and booksy booking technology, we have created a platform to barbers to share the latest trends online straight from the chair, whilst driving users to book an appointment in less than two clicks at all times. All of this going hand in hand with a slick future-proof e-commerce store to house the full range of Urban Grooming products.

Visit Born Urban

”The Blayney Partnership have created a website that we can be proud of. Having a great website, gives us a great platform to start acquiring a different range of clients, as well as a tool to drive our online sales. The fluid usability, and professional design gives visitors and potential clients peace of mind upon their visit, and therefore less hesitation to make first time bookings or order from our online shop.

Charlie GeeDirector
Jan 20
Love0
slack logo

Slack Unveil Controversial New Logo

By Branding, World News

Hate it or love it?

Last week online work collaboration hub Slack, unveiled their new corporate brand, saying goodbye to their beloved Hashtag emblem. The change has sparked some mixed reviews from their customers, what do you think to the new logo?

The new brand will be fully released and integrated into the website, app and marketing material over the coming weeks, featuring some slightly more vibrant colours than its predecessor, but with a bit of a different design. Use the image slider below to toggle between the old & new versions.

slack integrations slack CMS logo

Immediately, customers responded to the announcement negatively, questioning why the change was necessary. The firm later responded to tweets in a blog post stating;

”It was 11 different colours – and if placed on any colour other than white, or at the wrong angle (instead of the precisely prescribed 18-degree rotation), or with the colours tweaked wrong, it looked terrible."

Slack@SlackHQ

Many users also pointed out the slight similarity to the Google Photos logo. This will come as very disappointing news to independent design consultants ‘Pentagram’ who worked on producing the new brand for Slack.

The consensus in the Blayney Studio has been very mixed. We can’t help but think that the logo may have been slightly better received if the emblem had maintained it’s signature 18 degree tilt. As minor as this may seem, we feel it may have lightened the blow of the update, and would have helped maintain some of the character from the original. Join the conversation, and let us know what you think to the new logo!

Change isn’t easy, no matter what size your company is. Very often it does take some time for things to settle in and for people to get used to a logo update, especially with a company of Slack’s size.

If you’re looking to give your logo a facelift to kickstart your 2019, be sure to get in touch, and we can work together to take your brand to the next level.

Nov 28
Love0
pca cricket player

The PCA Launch The Changing Room

By Sport, Web Design

One of our clients The PCA have today launched ‘The Changing Room’ which opens doors for players to remain in the game if situations change at their present club.

The Professional Cricketers’ Association has launched the ‘PCA Changing Room’, an online platform that hosts details of professional cricketers looking for a fresh challenge to stay in the game.

In an extension to the PCA’s contract advice and negotiation service, the Changing Room will act as a facilitator to put counties in touch with players who are looking to move clubs to further their careers.

The PCA revolutionised players’ rights when the association was established in 1967 and has evolved to support individual members with their personal contracts with clear and comprehensive contractual support highlighted as one of two core activities for the PCA, alongside the Personal Development and Welfare Programme.

The contract advice and negotiator service has grown on a more formal basis in recent years and in May 2017 the PCA appointed Rich Hudson as Player Contracts Advisor to dedicate a full-time resource to support player needs.

The Changing Room is the latest development to champion professional cricketers in England and Wales and to support them in creating opportunities to stay within the game.

The marketplace is open to players who are currently without a contract, those who are seeking a loan move or looking to move counties on a permanent basis after gaining approval from their parent county.

The new service, which is available to PCA members, is accessible by counties via their Head Coach and Director of Cricket. Players can join the PCA Changing Room by completing one simple online form in the logged-in area of thepca.co.uk. This will position the player alongside other professionals looking for opportunities.

The Changing Room has launched with 16 players on the platform who are looking for openings with former Leicestershire batsman Ned Eckersley the most experienced campaigner on the site.

”I jumped at the chance to be placed on the PCA Changing Room. As soon as I heard this new outlet was a possibility it immediately made me think this could easily help me find a club for 2019 after being released by Leicestershire at the end of the summer. It is a brilliant addition by the PCA and I am sure this will prove to be a valuable asset to players like myself and many more who are looking for a fresh challenge and to stay within the professional game.

Ned EckersleyFormer Leicestershire Batsman

“I jumped at the chance to be placed on the PCA Changing Room,” said the 29-year-old who has over 200 professional appearances to his name.

“As soon as I heard this new outlet was a possibility it immediately made me think this could easily help me find a club for 2019 after being released by Leicestershire at the end of the summer.

“It is a brilliant addition by the PCA and I am sure this will prove to be a valuable asset to players like myself and many more who are looking for a fresh challenge and to stay within the professional game.”

Over 250 players have interacted with the contract advice and negotiator service since Hudson started in May 2017 and PCA Director of Development and Welfare, Ian Thomas explains the thought process behind the latest initiative.

“The main reason the PCA Changing Room has been created is to add value to our membership,” said Thomas.

“We always want to be able to create opportunities for our players and this initiative ticks that box.

“Every year there is a number of players who want to carry on in the game and unfortunately, the opportunities do not present themselves. They also want to make sure that they have given every avenue an opportunity to see if a club are interested.

“We have developed the PCA Changing Room over the summer to make sure we can aid this and to ensure it enhances our contracts and negotiation service.”

Read The Case Study

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