languages: En/Fr/It

Freight Train Digital Ltd

Why Freight Train?

Freight Train came about because we wanted a powerful visual symbol of delivery. From the outset we wanted to be an agency that above everything, conveyed our client's message to their customers. At Freight Train we're not just all about unique ideas, we understand the importance of delivering your message.

Graphic Design and communication agency based in Hertfordshire, London advertising Agency service without the London Agency charges

Our History

Nolan Cowzer founded Freight Train Digital in early 2010 with a clear idea of the kind of company he wanted to run. Tired of the monotonous stereotype of account handlers and agency executives blowing smoke at their clients, in a bid to make as much profit as possible, Nolan set out to create something different.

Having worked in the Design Industry since graduating in 2000, Nolan had come to realise that the weak link in the client - designer relationship was more often than not the Account Handler, who's job of placating the client meant that often the brief became blurred and ultimately the message lost. This often left everyone involved a little disappointed with the finished project.

By removing the weak link, the client is dealt with directly by the designer working on their project. The brief is minus any spin the Account Handler may otherwise put on it and ultimately the client is able to convey exactly what he wants from the designer.

Our People

We are all qualified designers at Freight Train so believe the quality of the initial idea and thought provoking, innovative design to be the cornerstone of every successful campaign.

Fantastic Graphic Design Delivered on time and in budget

Nolan Cowzer

Our bike-crazy Creative Director, Nolan has a wealth of experience in creating dynamic marketing campaigns across every platform.
Twitter: http://twitter.com/ftdltd

What's Fresh - Industry trends and other stuff:

Santa's coming, look busy. - 5th December 2011

Well another year has literally flown by. Where did 2011 go? The run up to Christmas is now
well and truly upon us. There's still plenty of time however to get your ads designed and in
the papers, or even to get cracking on a project for the New Year launches. Drop us a line with
your needs and we'll make sure you hit your deadlines.

The Olympics on your doorstep?. - 20th November 2011

FTD recently completed the marketing materials for a brand new development in the heart of
Hackney. Sutton Place is a development of just 7 architecture led houses situated just off
Homerton Hight Street and less than a mile from the Olympic Village.
We're very pleased to announce that the site has been a fantastic success with all the
properties being sold on schedule. Thanks to our fantastic brochure that uses the latest
print and paper technologies from Italian paper manufacturer Fedrigoni and the effective
web marketing materials.

For more information or to see a file copy of the fantastic brochure just drop us a line
We'd be happy to show you the fantastic marketing material for this job.

The Better Web Co. - 9th November 2011

We were recently asked to design a corporate ID for our friends at The Better Web Company.
The Brief was to encompass the quirky and fun atmosphere that this company exudes. Adam and
his team provide a fantastic service to their clients and we're very pleased that they love the design
work we've done for them.
We helped with the look of the website as well: www.thebetterwebco.com

Ron Holland Design - 11th October 2011

Ok so the secret is out. We're proud to say that the new Ron Holland Design Website is now live.
The Super Yacht Design Industry is new to us a company but our expertise in designing marketing
materials for the top end of the housing market has meant that it has proven to be an easy
transition. A transition made even easier with our new industry consultant with over 30 years
in Super Yacht sales. We hope you like the new Ron Holland Site, and we welcome your feedback.
www.ronhollanddesign.com

New clients - new industry sectors - 5th august 2011

We're currently putting the finishing touches to a new corporate website for a major figure in the
Super Yacht Design Industry. Obviously we'll update you with the site details when it goes live
but until you'll jsut have to wait to see it. We'll be attending the Monaco Yacht Show again this
year to show off our latest work and talk to people in the Boat Industry. Last year was a great
a great eye opener, both for us and for the people we spoke to. It would appear that our pricing
structure and the way we work came across as refreshingly good value for money in an industry that
has been hit hard in many areas by the global economic downturn. If you want to talk to us whilst we're
at the show then please drop us an email and we'll make sure we put something in the diary.

Adobe and Apple - 8th June 2011

I was talking today with a client about the current tussle between Apple and Adobe over the 'Flash' issue.
Whilst we're a Mac based studio, we predominantly use Adobe Software, which, for us at least, is the
Industry standard. You'll often hear web designers telling you that Flash allows you to build immersive
web experiences, and yes, it's great for certain things, but its probably best seen as a web 'garnish'
something to use for adding a little extra to your site. However, if its not there, you probably wont
miss it. We're still able to work with it if a client wants it, but we certainly don't advise using it.
After all, we go on the web to find information, we've become accustomed to getting that information
immediately and when we can't get it, it annoys us. We design usable sites that look great and give
our viewers what they want.

Integrated Marketing Solutions - 17th May 2011

Social media outlets have meant that its now a straightforward process to get your message seen by a great
deal of people for very little outlay. What makes the difference between effective and ineffective campaigns
is of course the strength of the initial idea/message. Compounding this is the chance that your message can
in some way become diluted by slight variation across the various media forms. It is imperative that there is
no deviation from the original message. If your website says one thing, and your Facebook pages say
something slightly different, then your opening yourself up to problems.

Evening Standard Award Winners - 13th May 2011

We've always prided ourselves on our ability to produce effective awards submissions for our clients.
Marchfield Homes has just won the Evening Standard Award for the 'Best Family Home - Up to 3 bedrooms'
for Acacia Lodge, in Royston. Not only did we produce all the marketing material for Acacia Lodge, we also produced and wrote the awards submission for it well.

Facebook IFrames content - 12th May 2011

Facebook's recent decision to allow static HTML content for everyone has opened the doors to forward
thinking Design and Communications Agencies like Freight Train Digital. It is now possible to create HTML pages within Facebook for products/services/developments etc. This coupled with Facebook's incredible opportunities for 'Viral' marketing means that it is possible to communicate with people on a whole new platform... Watch this space for some very interesting opportunities for reaching out to people. Currently
we're creating pages for Newhall, The North Chase Development, UK Bike Skills and of course ourselves!

Continuity of message is Key - 1st may 2011

Connecting our customers with their customers is something we specialise in. But in today's mass communication market its easy for a company's message to become fragmented and ultimately lost.
At FTD we recognise this and go out of our way to implement a design strategy that works across all
of the mass media. If your advertising campaign looks nothing like your website homepage, then
chances are, your viewers will become lost and ultimately disinterested.Therefore its also vital to maintain message and visual continuity throughout.

Mailing List Sign Up

Stay up-to-date with what we've been up to, Industry trends, and things that we think you'll find interesting. Enter your E-Mail here.

Get in Touch

linkedin

Say Hello: [email protected]

Twitter Feed:

FTD on Facebook:

Connect with Graphic Designers on Facebook

Facebook is now offering some incredible interactivity via Iframes and Static HTML. All of which is going to help you reach more customers.
Click our 'like' button to find out more and join us on Facebook.

Current Project...

There continues to be a great trend towards web development with our clients. With the cost of traditional advertising space continuing to increase, our client base is falling back on social media and increased web usabilty because it offers such fantastic value for money.

What Graphic Design projects we're currently working on

Different - but in a good way...

Keeping the client happy by providing great service, creativity and value, whilst making as much money for the agency as possible is the key remit of most account handlers. The problem with this model is that many agencies aren't able to keep a healthy balance between these things. We don't use account handlers and never will. We tell it to you straight because you're dealing directly with the designers. If we think its a bad idea and it won't reach your customers, then we'll tell you. In the same vein, if we think you're missing out on a great opportunity by not taking advantage of a particular medium or idea, then we'll tell you that as well.

Clear pricing...

If you ask us to buy in a service on your behalf then we'll tell you what we paid for that service. We dont mark up print or any other charges. In fact, more often than not, we'll organise the services and let you pay the supplier direct.


Great ideas...

We are all qualified designers at Freight Train and we believe the quality of the initial idea and thought provoking, innovative design to be the cornerstone of every successful campaign.

Creative heavyweights...

Hertford based Graphic Design and Advertising agency help you reach your customers

As award winning designers, we have a well earned reputation for the exceptional quality and integrity of our work, regardless of any time restraints or the size of the budget. We treat our clients with respect and as most of our clients have been with us for many years, it's a strategy that works and one everyone enjoys.

Click on the flow navigation below to see how the design process unfolds:

Contact:

The client makes contact with us. At Freight Train we're not a 'hard sales' type of agency. We dont chase our clients for the next project all the time, and as a result we tend to be the first people they call when they need something new.

More often than not, a client comes to us with a problem, we help them to create a brief for us all to work to and ultimately we provide them with a solution.

Research

After the initial contact from the client we will go away and research the project thoroughly. Then its usually opportune to have a quick meeting with the client so that we can get a feel for not only what they need, but also the sometimes intangible elements of a project that can't be conveyed over the phone or by email.

After this we go away and start the process of coming up with a solution that fulfills the client's needs. We keep in constant contact with the client to make sure we're not going off brief.


img

Presentation...

Because we keep in contact with the client as much as they want us to, when we come to present the concept and ideas, the style and formats used are often no surprise to the client. They are kept informed as to how the project is progressing the whole way through the process but the finished creative concepts are always best presented face to face with the client.

This face to face initial impression is extremely important, especially with a new client as it allows us, the designers, to get a 'gut reaction' feel of what the client really thinks.

Second/Third workings...

At Freight Train we're sticklers for making our clients happy. As such we'll work the idea until we think we have the best possible solution to the brief. Ultimately this makes for happy clients and very often opens up new ideas and avenues to be explored on future campaigns.

Once we have the 'the nod' we then start turning these design stages into a finished campaign...





Design delivery...

Once final approval has been secured from the client, it is time to deliver the finished article to the respective media outlet

Careful monitoring of where the artwork has gone and confirmation from organisations its been sent to is sought along the way, to make sure everything possible is done to prevent production problems.

Only after this stage will the client be invoiced by Freight Train.


How we carefully monitor and check our finished work:

  • Careful proof checking and copy reading
  • Working with suppliers we trust.
  • Ensuring the client is truly happy with the project before it leaves us.
  • Careful monitoring of production stages.
  • Confirmation of receipt from media houses and print producers
  • Digital and wet proof checking.
  • Connect with your customers and advertise your business with effective, great value graphic design

    Fairacre House - A £15m single residence in Kenwood, London

    WEB-DESIGN, BRANDING, BOOK DESIGN

    Very often a client will come to us with a special project, as they know we have the ability to produce work befitting such a development. Willow Acre, as small developer of incredibly high standard homes in Central London, came to us as they had worked with us in the past and knew we could deliver marketing materials that would do justice to their beautiful new development in Kenwood.

    Connect with your customers and advertise your business with effective, great value graphic design advertise your business with effective, communication design increase your sales and connect with your customers through great value graphic design

    Fairacre House, Kenwood, London.

    WEB-DESIGN, BRANDING, BOOK DESIGN

    Willow Acre contacted us with a very clear idea of what they were after. It was decided that this incredible house required a case bound book to do it justice.
    For us it was a great opportunity to showcase what we can do when the budget allows a certain amount of freedom. The covers are casebound with a Fedrigoni stock, and the cover text and Victorian scroll design are foil blocked in bronze.
    'High Definition' printing was used throughout and each picture spot UV varnished to make them stand out. Each copy was then hand assembled by our friends at Diamond Print Finishers in London.
    "A truly special job for a truly special house."

  • strong visual identity and brand building through great graphic design

    UK Bike Skills Ltd

    WEB-DESIGN, BRAND Building

    A fantastic opportunity for us to help build a brand from the ground up. UK Bike Skills came to us as a complete start up company. We not only implemented a website where they could reach their client base, we built the entire graphic identity for the brand.
    Now in its second year, UK Bike Skills has rapidly become the premier mountain bike skills coaching company in the UK, thanks mostly to the vision and drive of its Director and his realisation that we were the best company to help him push his brand effectively.

    UK Bike Skills Ltd

    WEB-DESIGN, BRAND BUILDING, START UPS

    A fantastic example of what can be achieved on a limited budget. Tony from UK Bike Skills first contacted us in the Autumn of 2009. He knew what it was he wanted to achieve, but needed our help to help him achieve it.
    We sat down with Tony and went through his plans and came up with a solution to his needs. Firstly he needed a website where he could direct potential customers and where they could find out more about his services. Tony is very well known in the UK Mountain Bike Industry and has a huge online presence on the various Industry forums. As such it was very important that people could find out more about him and what he was offering.
    Rapidly growing and with his own teaching centre in Hertfordshire, Tony has industry sponsorship and is in his own words "Living the dream."

  • imgBRANDING, DESIGN, MARKETING

    Newhall, Essex

    Newhall, Essex

    BRANDING, DESIGN, MARKETING

    Freight Train Digital has enjoyed a long relationship with Newhall and is responsible for marketing the North Chase element of this large development of Architect designed homes.

    Newhall is the place where Europe's leading architects play a leading role in creating stylish living spaces for modern lifestyles, where design leads the way. As a result the marketing materials required to effectivley promote this development need to reflect this design led approach to modern living.

  • Connect with your customers and promote your business with effective, great value graphic design WEB-DESIGN, BRANDING, MARKETING

    Marchfield Group

    build a unique brand through superb graphic design great value communication design> let us promote your company

    The Marchfield Group

    WEB-DESIGN, BRANDING, Marketing, Corporate ID

    The Marchfield Group is another company that we have enjoyed a long working relationship with.

    Recently what was Marchfield Developments branched into The Marchfield Group and Freight Train was once again asked to oversee the companies corporate literature and branding to ensure that brand continuity was maintained. As well as managing Marchfield's corporate literature, Freight Train also looks after all of Marchfield's development marketing and also their group and subsidiary websites.

  • fantastic graphic design and marketing BRANDING, DESIGN, MARKETING

    Residential Land

    Strong visual identities graphic design professionals communicate with your customer base

    Residential Land

    marketing, design, BRANDING

    Residential Land are Prime Central London’s largest private landlord, specialists dealing in flats for rent, property investment sales and acquisitions.

    Another client we have had a long working relationship with, Residential Land have rapidly grown into a huge prime Central London property firm.

    Over the years, we've handled their marketing, brand guidelines, point of sale, exhibition stand designs and two corporate brochures.

  • use fantastic graphicdesign to promote your business and build a bigger customer base WEB-DESIGN, BRANDING, advertising

    49 The Bishops Av.

    effective development marketing services design promotional material suitable for top end customer bases create unique identities in difficult market sectors with superb graphic design

    49 The Bishops Avenue, London

    WEB-DESIGN, Advertising, BRANDING

    49 The Bishops Avenue is unique in that it offers what can really be termed as 'houses on one level'. With prices starting at £4m the marketing required careful management to ensure it stood out, whilst also remaining in keeping with the discreet nature of the development.

    Freight Train was taken on to manage the development when the relationship with the development owners and existing design firm turned sour. We effectively managed the rebranding of the development initially and still maintain both the website and occasional advertising for what is now a 'sold out' development.