They required a major overhaul to their HTML-based site in terms of both providing a fresh and stylish design as well as creating a content management system which allowed Eagle Gallery to update the site themselves.

The result was this simple yet highly effective design, which makes for easy navigation and usability whilst allowing the artwork images to speak for themselves.

The brief was to come up with a fresh, funky and innovative design which would reflect UKHH.com’s place in the market as the cool and cutting edge leader in their marketplace. From a development point of view, the site was to include the ability for users to upload tracks and videos as well as rate and comment on other members mixes.

When I first heard they were resurrecting the franchise (which - as far as I’m concerned - died with the first episode of Voyager) I was pretty much indifferent. The last two series were terrible and the last three films not much better so I wasn’t expecting - or even interested - all that much. Even when I heard the usually excellent J.J. Abrams (writer of TV show Lost) was directing and self-admitting geek Simon Pegg co-starring, I could not muster any enthusiasm.

This feeling of indifference, however, was blown away within the frantic first 10 minutes of the film. A blockbuster of an opening in which photon torpedoes are fired, spaceships destroyed and captains self-sacrificed. I do not want to ruin the film for those who haven’t seen it by revealing the plot but rest assured it does not let up. One blistering scene seems to lead to another and special credit should go to the writers as well as Abrams for a script which has warmth and depth.

The tone of the film is - at least compared to previous Trek outings - a gentle one. Gone for the most part (although not completely - to appease the fanboys) are the tedious techno-babble lines (’my visor is picking up resonating maison polar activity’ - TNG) and baffling technology (’neutrino displacement grid’ - DS9) and in are bar-room brawls, one night stands and all round grime. Yes, this is a Trek universe which has actually been lived in. Engine rooms are dirty and unmanned outposts have fungus climbing the walls. This all leads to a Star Trek film which is way more accessible than its predecessors and definitely the most fun to date.

Abrams has been quoted as saying that as much work went into the casting process as anything else - and it shows. Every character is carefully thought out and brings more to the table than just a funny catchphrase or a mini-skirt. Speaking of Scotty (Pegg) and Uhura (Zoe Saldana), as well as other classic characters ‘Bones’ McCoy (Karl Urban), Chekhov (Anton Yelchin) and Sulu (John Cho), all are solid, but their time will come in later Trek movies - this is the Kirk and Spock show.

Zachary Quinto (Sylar in Heroes) is superb as the new and (in my opinion) improved Spock. He brings all the logic, composure and assuredness that Leonard Nimoy did for 40 years but does so in a more, well, likeable way. Meanwhile, Chris Pine does an equally good job with the angry young Kirk. All rebel without a cause, he is arrogant, charming and funny and breathes new life into a massively over-used character type. From their first scene together, there is a chemistry between these two and a lot of the movies best scenes are when they share the screen.

There will be more movies I’m sure and if any of them are as big or as bold as this first attempt then we are all in for a treat. A real summer blockbuster, there is action, laughs and even a little romance to enjoy. Hats off to Abrams for guiding a swinging sixties vision of the 23rd century into the 21st.

-John

Highway 7 overhauled their current site with impressive results. Capturing the look and feel they were after, Lloyds themselves said “Perfect. It’s exactly what we were looking for”.

It’s been a while coming, but as you can see Highway 7 now have a new, improved and pretty awesome (if we say so ourselves!) website.

We still have a lot of work to upload but if you can bear with us we’re pretty sure you’ll agree it will be worth the wait.

Be sure to check back regularly for blog updates, new additions to our portfolio and general good vibrations.

Later alligator.

They commissioned us to design their logo and provided a fairly detailed brief of their requirements. In order to capture the feeling of unity - as well as incorporating a far-eastern influence - they wished the design to be based upon the Yin and Yang symbol of infinity. They also requested that the main colours were two different shades of blue.

We provided several creatives and Universal Exchange were so pleased they purchased two separate designs - both shown on the right.

With no online presence whatsoever, McGladery simply required a one-page site which would inform potential customers of exactly what McGladery offered and how to get in touch.

Highway 7 designed and built the site which provides all information any new customers may require in a clear and concise manner whilst capturing the fluid-yet-professional look and feel which McGladery were looking for.

Scotswood Music is a family-run music business based in the heart of Newcastle city centre. They came to Highway 7 looking for a fully functional e-Commerce site which - as well as allowing products to be bought online - also allowed for multiple blogs to be created and regularly updated by registered users.

Scotswood also required a forum to be added to the back of the site where users could discuss the latest music issues, learn from tutorials ask for advice and also buy/sell their own instruments and services.

Unfortunately, Scotswood Music were forced to close in January 2009.

Wishing to increase his limited online presence (a page on the main KISS FM website and a fairly outdated website of his own), Swerve commissioned Highway 7 to entirely create his new website. This was to provide a blog on which Swerve could play his latest tunes and keep fans up to date with any news, allow any promoters to book him for their event and also act as a portal page to his online social networking sites - Twitter, Facebook, SwerveTV and MySpace.

The result was a sleek, stylish and modern-looking site which fits in well with Swerve’s own image and reputation as one of the country’s leading hip-hop DJ’s.

A relatively simple site structure allows users to browse the content easily whilst the sleek design reflects the clean and classic image of one of the UK’s ever-growing salons.