We used continuously revolving 3D animations to reflect Fat Tuesday’s grab-and-go culture, as well as realistic film and photography, flyer-style torn edging, and bright neon signage - a nod to the fact that their Vegas stores are often first-stop vacation spots for those visiting the city. 

A brand that blends in, instead of just trying to fit in

To increase footfall, we created an interactive map to show users where they can grab their first (or their next) drink. Cup QR codes direct users to a location finder, and we integrated with Fat Tuesday’s third-party gift voucher platform to enable users to quickly and easily check their balance online.

A user journey that keeps the party going

Research showed that visiting Fat Tuesday was usually a group activity, and almost always part of a wider experience - be that partying, sightseeing, or hitting the beach. With a selfie-worthy selection of drinks and a ready-made audience of social media users, we added a live social feed that synced with in-store screens across all locations to show the good times never stop rolling.

A space for sharing the good times

After the go-live of the new Fat Tuesday site, we set to work on overhauling the sister brand - New Orleans Original Daiquiri. The premise and concept were the same (frozen cocktails to-go, a dated online presence), but with all outlets in the state of Louisiana, and an older more local audience to appeal to, we gave the brand a small-town, neighbourly feel. Think laid-back Southern vibes, a retro typeface and photography, and a feel-good colour palette and design that says “stop by and kick back with a cold one”.

A local, Louisiana-based little sister

Fat Tuesday

The visual branding was all about refinement. Acupanel’s current logo typography was uncomfortably wide, so we worked on spacing to create a more readable wordmark and clean, modern logo. We paired that with a new colour palette featuring darker shades of green as background colours alongside lighter, complementary shades. The result? A more premium look and feel that lets the product shots do the talking. 

A twist (or two) on a classic typeface

Acupanel is an industry-first, so emphasising the brand’s originality was a must. We went back to basics, running workshops with the team to outline tone, rhythm and personality. We landed on a new brand voice that’s adventurous, inspiring, and real. 

We then turned our attention to copywriting. We used pairs of headings to add a signature characteristic to the content  - plus, give a nod to the fact that Acupanel’s products are all about style and substance. We told stories about the brand’s heritage to inspire readers. And, above all things, we ensured Acupanel’s voice was warm, genuine, and reflected the fact that installing its products was reassuringly simple. Because to 'do it yourself' should mean just that. 

Showing you’re a pioneer — not just saying you are

Behind Acupanel is a team of expert craftsmen with a love of design. Its out-of-the-box panelling is an industry first,  so it only made sense that we shake up the average e-commerce store structure with something out-of-the-ordinary. 

We designed and developed an immersive, interactive website featuring layers of texture, continuous movement and animation, and striking photography. We incorporated audio clips, annotated imagery, and real-life inspiration galleries to elevate the entire user experience. Shoppers can select colours, apply finishes and calculate how many panels they’ll need with the coverage calculator. And traders can sign up for exclusive discounts through Acupanel’s partner program. Everything that shopping with a premium brand should be. 

A design that’s out of the ordinary 

Acupanel

With heaps of product-related info, plus an entire area of the site dedicated to sex ed, we already had plenty of content to work with. But after a series of persona and TOV workshops, we defined a new visual identity – one that better represents the brand’s empowering, pleasure-first narrative and celebrates the joy of sex. 

Changing the narrative around sex talk

We collaborated with Smile Makers’ SEO agency throughout the project, from initial conversations around wireframes to ensuring all metadata was migrated to the new site. We also wove high-ranking search terms into the website copy and made sure the new site structure changed as little as possible. 

Ticking all the SEO-shaped boxes

We pushed the boundaries of standard e-commerce page layouts to create a premium site that’s playful, functional and puts accessibility first. We also found different ways to educate users about pleasure-first sex, from fun facts and vibrator comparison charts to more in depth how-to tips. 

Taking the stigma out of sex toy shopping

We overhauled the matchmaker quiz, creating a multi-step user flow that encourages users to talk about their pleasure preferences in order to find their perfect vibe. We added an Omnisend integration that allows users to receive a copy of results by email. Plus, with a custom Google Analytics/GTM setup that captures data at every step of the user flow, Smile Makers can gain a better understanding of their audience, perspectives on pleasure, and the most popular sex toys chosen. 

Translating a Typeform quiz into a bespoke digital experience

We added subtle, playful animations that align with Smile Makers’ joyful brand image. Think confetti cannon explosions, bouncing product imagery, and gentle, floating movements on scroll. Plus, we couldn’t resist having a little fun with some flying vibes on the 404.

Creating a site that moves and shakes

Ahead of go-live, we migrated Smile Makers’ entire library of blogs and sex ed content across to the new Shopify site. We used a custom script to ensure the content aligned with the brand-new design and Shopify article structure. Plus, we transferred all customer and order information and Yotpo reviews ahead of launch. 

Migrating from WooCommerce to Shopify

Smile Makers

Aescape empowers everybody to embrace self-care for better living. We went beyond functionality, crafting a narrative that invites everyone to envision themselves benefiting from Aescape's massage. Whether you're a member seeking relaxation, a partner exploring new wellness solutions, or an investor interested in cutting-edge innovations, the website demonstrates how Aescape enhances lives through accessible, inclusive self-care. 

A story-centric site design

We collaborated closely with Aescape on everything from custom icon creation to art direction. The goal was to create a deeper, more emotional connection with the user by illustrating how Aescape makes you feel: refreshed and rejuvenated. Throughout the site, we used compelling video and photography to show Aescape in action, maintaining an ultra-clean look and feel—and keeping text to a minimum.

Translating the brand story across every touchpoint

Aescape empowers users to embark on a personalised wellness journey. The brand is centred around boundless optimism, limitless possibilities, and finding the courage to transform—so we incorporated continuous scrolling to signify free-flowing movement. We explored subtle interactions, micro-animations and transitions across all components, and created a super-fluid web experience that engages the user and guides them seamlessly along their journey.

An experience made to move you

Each section of the site was tailored to communicate Aescape's benefits to every audience. We explored the best approach in terms of colour, structure and content, and mapped out the ideal architecture for each persona. From intuitive Aescape location searches to an interactive ROI calculator, every user journey was designed to be as frictionless as possible. Plus, we integrated multiple newsletter lists, contact forms, and the Aescape booking app to ensure the site was fully optimised for all business goals. 

A journey tailored to every audience

Aescape

Viatu’s current identity didn’t truly reflect who the brand was, what it did, and – more importantly – where it was headed. We ran workshops with the entire Viatu team, covering everything from audience personas to user flows. We took a deep dive into values, vision, purpose and personality. And all of this together helped us develop a stronger, more defined brand identity that would be communicated internally and externally. 

Understanding people, positioning and purpose 

With new trip locations on the horizon, the new brand needed to easily grow with the business. We built a palette inspired by Africa’s wild, untouched landscapes, using colour psychology to make sure our choices aligned with Viatu’s modern and confident character, but still gave a nod to its sustainable roots. We explored traditional hand-drawn tribal patterns and texture, delved deep into photography and iconography styles, and chose typography that reflected Viatu’s bold and playful nature. Then, we rigorously tested everything for legibility and clarity. The result? A brand that translates across all languages and currencies – and can be adapted in line with new product features and Viatu’s future outside of Africa.

Giving the new visual identity room to grow

Storytelling is vital to the Viatu brand. Behind the hundreds of experiences, accommodation listings and blog articles was an entire team of writers. But with this collaboration came inconsistencies. As well as defining a stronger verbal identity through a series of brand personality workshops, we developed a TOV guide featuring sample content, detailed dos and don’ts, and rewrites of existing examples from across multiple touchpoints to help the Viatu team roll out the new voice effectively. 

Finding Viatu's voice - and futureproofing it

While we took care of branding and web design on the front end, Viatu’s product development team would always be responsible for the trip booking system. To ensure consistency across the entire user journey, we built a comprehensive design style guide that featured everything from brand placement rules to UX styling. We even outlined photography aspect ratios, so all imagery translated perfectly across desktop, mobile and social media. 

Creativity meets consistency

Armed with Viatu’s new identity, we designed and developed a site that’s user first – and future first. Working in conjunction with Viatu’s development team, we simplified and streamlined the trip booking process, allowing the user to clearly map out details of their trip, personalise accommodation options. Plus, we paved the way for an entire pipeline of new functionality, including the introduction of car hire, activities, and more.

A site that's no longer product first, but user first

Viatu

Our main goal was to modernise the brand by introducing a new look and feel that’s playful and youthful, but still gives a nod to its core values. We paired a new palette of contrasting colours with distinctive design elements such as badge stamps and image inktraps. Then, we went big and bold with typography.

220 years young: a traditional brand with a bold new energy

British style is all about independence and eclecticism. And when your history is as inspiring as Peregrine’s, it's only right that you write with flair. We outlined a new brand voice that brings together the wit of great British humour, the authenticity of storytelling, and the straight-talking tone of a brand that’s big on sustainability. In other words, charming, honest and rugged. Definitely no wooliness. 

A voice that speaks volumes

Our discovery work revealed that almost 3 in 4 users were returning visitors. And since these users are more likely to make a purchase, it only made sense to incorporate more upsell features in both the cart and the wishlist. Shoppers now see recommended products based on what they’ve purchased in the past. Or, they’re presented with suggestions of products that (based on data from past visitors) are frequently purchased together. 

Personal(ised) shopping, from the wishlist to the checkout

Peregrine’s a British-made brand, but its products are sold all over the world. Using Shopify Markets, we built a bespoke location switcher that groups countries into regions and enables shoppers to see specific pricing based on their location. Plus, the Peregrine team can customise pages depending on the season or campaign. 

We also went the extra mile to create more seamless user journeys. Users can browse clothing by size (and only see items that are in stock), as well as product type and material. The responsive image galleries are tailored to their chosen product colour. And, we also added quick buy functionality to the collections pages and blog, so users can easily add featured products to their basket. 

Making it better to browse and easier than ever to buy

Peregrine

Mixing up work and play, every day 

We design identities, build websites, and craft growth strategies that better connect e-commerce brands with customers. 

Brand and digital that cultivate connection, conversion and joy.

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We recently launched our brand-new creative studio in Portugal (woohoo!) Creating winning e-commerce experiences has always been our bag, so having a dedicated space where we can do everything from art direction to photoshoots just made sense.

But we were still pretty surprised when someone recently said to us “A photography studio? Aren’t you just using AI for everything?” Not everything, friends. Here’s why we believe real-life photography still beats AI-generated imagery in the world of e-commerce.

Don’t get us wrong, we’re big believers in using AI for mood-boarding and mock-ups, or helping us fast-track touch-ups in the editing room. But when it comes to art direction and actually capturing content, that’s something AI can’t replicate. Take our new Art Director, Rita. She’s crafted visual identities for tonnes of brands in her time, so she knows what works and what resonates. Her ideas come from true inspiration, not what’s already on the web—and she’ll tell you herself how important creative freedom is for shooting quality content. We’re creating content for humans, so don’t underestimate the power of the human experience, people.

It doesn’t matter what you’re selling, we can all agree there’s no excuse for a sloppy shopping experience. We eat with our eyes, right? So nothing fills a cart faster than a super polished product, packaging or lifestyle shot. And it’s not just about avoiding the cringeworthy, superimposed look you get from clunky AI mock-ups. Photos and videos captured in a studio have a scale that’s 10 times greater than an AI-generated image, so you can use them for super-detailed close-ups, big branded billboards, print, packaging and anything else you can think of. And believe us when we say there’s nothing a marketing team loves nothing more than having a whole library of high-quality assets to play with.

They’re your assets. So make them yours.

The clue’s in the name—if you’re using artificial intelligence to create your product shots, can you ever really call them original? If real people and places are a big part of your brand identity, then real photography is the only way to capture this—right down to the tiny details such as lighting, texture and colour. By keeping it real, you’re not only steering well clear of any issues like misuse or misrepresentation, but you’re building trust, too. We’re hardwired to be suspicious of anything that looks artificial—but give us an accurate picture of what we’re buying into and we’ll be way more likely to part with our cash.

You can’t shoot content without a solid strategy. But the good news is, this kind of groundwork pays for itself. Art direction just so happens to be one of the best investments you can make in your brand. Whether you’re just starting out or simply want to refresh your assets, art direction (and the bank of beautifully shot photography that comes out of it) will help you maintain that consistent look and feel online, offline—and anywhere else you show up in the future.

Why real e-commerce photography still beats AI-generated imagery

Earlier this year, our sister agency and sidekick, Parallel 9, merged with team S8 to create Series Eight 2.0. Our expertise in branding, content creation, web design and development, and Parallel 9’s skills in growth marketing––now all under one roof.

Here’s why we decided to combine all things S8 and P9 under the original Series Eight brand and what this new era has in store for us all.

S8 has always been in the business of building brands and websites, and we spend a tonne of time getting to understand every business we work with. From target audience to long-term vision, we come away with the kind of insider insights you only get from being part of a project. So, why not take that knowledge and use it to help those same businesses grow faster and go further?

Whether you’re a start-up entering the world of e-commerce or a brand that’s been in the business for decades, you now gain access to an entire suite of services from a team that really knows you and your business. Makes total sense if you ask us.

We all know how important it is for agencies to act as an extension of a brand’s in-house team. And if you’re working with the same team for brand, design, build and growth, then things are bound to run even more smoothly.

Shared comms channels, better visibility, a bigger skillset––and not to mention an easier handover once your site goes live and you’re ready to start marketing to the masses. With just one point of contact, there’s no onboarding separate agencies or bringing brand-new teams up to speed. Because we may be spread across timezones, but you can rest assured we’re always across all of the important stuff.

Faster, more flexible, and more future-focused

Paid ad landing pages, post sign-up offers, even bespoke banners and pop-ups––if we’re working across everything from web design to growth, then any marketing tools can be factored into your site build. And that means fewer hold-ups later down the line and a laser-focused strategy from the get-go.

You also get access to a team that’s super-skilled in every area of growth marketing. Our team is made up of email marketing strategists, SEO and Meta ad specialists, copywriters, designers, and video editors. And if you’re looking to work with influencers, we can find the right people to represent your brand, too.

We’ve put our web design and marketing heads together and added a load more services. We’re talking specialist SEO knowledge, community management for paid social media, plus––our all-new Series Eight studio, where we’ll be doing art direction, product photography, and more.

You also get the freedom to pick and choose based on your business goals and budget. Because one size never fits all––especially if (like us) you’re all about standing out rather than trying to fit in.

When two become one...

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There’s lots to love about remote life. But the biggest perk of all is being able to work practically anywhere in the world. Every year, when summer rolls around, it’s never long before the backdrops start to look a little different and ad-hoc days off become the norm.

But—there’s an art to working from anywhere. Especially if it’s not something you’re used to. So here are 5 tips for working while travelling, from the people who do it best.

Know when and where you’re working—not just for your own sanity, but for your coworkers’, too. We’re used to working across timezones, but your fellow teammates need to know they can get hold of you if they need to—and that means a solid WiFi connection in an environment where you can still get stuff done. Put it this way, the more productive you are, the more time you’ll have for activities once you’ve clocked off for the day.

No monitor, no problem. Pick up one of those laptop-to-HDMI adaptor cables, and you can make any TV your second screen. This one is great for when you’re staying in Airbnbs, hotel rooms, or just paying a visit to your friendly neighbourhood coworking space. Because let’s be honest, when you’re designing or developing—or even just tabbing between apps and windows—it’s never long before single-screen life starts to wear thin.

You’ll find WiFi most places nowadays: coffee shops, beach bars, trains, hotels, boats—you name it. But that doesn’t mean it’s good WiFi. And since hot-spotting is usually a no-no, it’s good to do a recce beforehand if you’re planning on working somewhere new. As soon as you arrive (so before getting too comfortable) do an internet speed test on your phone—or, ask the host to do one and share the results. It means you can confidently get set up and crack on, rather than awkwardly having to find an alternative an hour or so later. For bonus points, stop by in advance to suss things out even further ahead of time.

Remember, you’re in that very place for a reason—so enjoy it. A change of scenery can do wonders for our wellbeing, so embrace the fact that once the laptop closes, you can be in full-on holiday mode. Whether you want to max out on time with family and friends before heading home, switch things up and live like a local, or (if you’re based in the UK) just need some sun—who says travel has to be confined to vacation days? WFA is the way to go.

Brand and digital that cultivate connection, conversion and joy.

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Why real e-commerce photography still beats AI-generated imagery

When two become one...

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Brand and digital that cultivate connection, conversion and joy.

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Take it from our people people

Why real e-commerce photography still beats AI-generated imagery

When two become one...

How to work from anywhere

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Mixing up work and play, every day
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