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Welcome to robotandspark, a multi-disciplinary creative studio with offices in Dubai, UAE and London, UK. Started by an Illustrator, a web architect and a television producer, robotandspark offers design, digital and production services. Robotandspark specializes in illustration, graphic design, character creation, collectible toys, apparel, web development, desktop applications, mobile applications, television commercials plus music and viral videos. Each division of robotandspark is headed up by highly qualified professionals that excel in their particular fields and have worked on projects with leading, multi-national brands like Google, Puma, MTV and Volkswagen. Bored of the bland we wanted to offer something a little bit different. We love what we do and believe our enthusiasm coupled with our imaginative and innovative ways of thinking offer something refreshing.
Welcome to robotandspark, a multi-disciplinary creative studio with offices in Dubai, UAE and London, UK. Started by an Illustrator, a web architect and a television producer, robotandspark offers design, digital and production services. Robotandspark specializes in Illustraton, graphic design, character creation, collectible toys, apparel, web development, desktop applications, mobile applications, television commercials plus music and viral videos. Each division of robotandspark is headed up by highly qualified professionals that excel in their particular fields and have worked on projects with leading, multi-national brands like Google, Puma, MTV and Volkswagen. Bored of the bland we wanted to offer something a little bit different. We love what we do and believe our enthusiasm coupled with our imaginative and innovative ways of thinking offer something refreshing.
Our design studio specializes in branding, illustration and graphic design. We bring a European level of expertise to the Middle East with a focus on clean, contemporary, colourful design sprinkled with humour, honesty and innovation. Out-of-the-box thinking and attention to detail ensure that we are at the forefront of contemporary design in the region. We are closely involved in the UAE art scene too - robotandspark successfully curated the UAE’s first custom toy exhibition at thejamjar gallery in Dubai in February 2009, as well as contributing work for various other collaborative art shows. We also design and produce our own line of limited edition apparel, including collectible toys, streetwear, jewellery and accessories.
Our design studio specializes in branding, illustration and graphic design. We bring a European level of expertise to the Middle East with a focus on clean, contemporary, colourful design sprinkled with humour, honesty and innovation. Out-of-the-box thinking and attention to detail ensure that we are at the forefront of contemporary design in the region. We are closely involved in the UAE art scene too - robotandspark successfully curated the UAE’s first custom toy exhibition at thejamjar gallery in Dubai in February 2009, as well as contributing work for various other collaborative art shows. We also design and produce our own line of limited edition apparel, including collectible toys, streetwear, jewellery and accessories.
Introducing RS NEW MEDIA, the fully-fledged digital arm of robotandspark, based in London. Headed up by Senior Web Architecht Wael Jammal, RS New Media offers a full scale digital operation. RS New Media brings a unique level of programming expertise to the region, specialising in software and applications native to the UK and Europe, but still relatively foreign to the UAE and MENA area.
Introducing RS NEW MEDIA, the fully-fledged digital arm of robotandspark, based in London / Rickmansworth. Headed up by Senior Web Architect Wael Jammal, RS New Media offers a full scale digital operation. RS New Media brings a unique level of programming expertise to the region, specialising in software and applications native to the UK and Europe, but still relatively foreign to the UAE and MENA area.
Our digital services include: - Web Development - Desktop Applications - Web Applications - Consultation - Mobile Applications We build websites using PHP / HTML / CSS / JQuery and RIA Applications using Adobe Flex for the Web and Adobe AIR for the Desktop. Our consultation services include LCDS, Granite DS, Bojinx Framework and general architecture and setup. All our back-end services with the exception of HTML web sites are built using Java/Spring/Hibernate in conjunction with Blaze DS, Granite DS or LCDS when requested to support advanced features such as Data Streaming. We use different technologies when developing Mobile applications, based on your requirements we might use AIR Mobile, Objective C or Java.
We provide a production facilitating service to clients from abroad who wish to come to Dubai and film. We know the market, we know the local talent, we know the best ways to turn your storyboards into reality. We can facilitate television commercials, documentaries, short movies, viral campaigns and so much more. Our services include managing the production from start to finish, booking crew, hiring equipment, presenting locations, proposing cast, booking accommodation and flights etc (so that when clients arrive everything is ready and organized for the shoot). If needed, we can also provide the regions' leading directors and DOPS. We also offer local production services to production companies or clients who need a producer to handle or assist with their project. Our clients include: Brag Limited, City Films Beirut and Onside Consulting South Africa, while our Head of Production, Nadine Gibbs, has production managed for Nissan, GM, Kellogg's, NCB, Hardees, Mobily, Dubai Pearl, Dubai Sports, Madinaty, Galaxy and Panadol and more recently (before starting robotandspark) was Head of Production at MTV Arabia.
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The Yas Island Show Weekends are a series of concerts on Yas Island, Abu Dhabi, featuring prominent international music icons like the Jonas Brothers, Nelly Furtado, Creamfields and Guns N’ Roses
Robotandspark was asked to create the entire campaign for Flash Entertainment, from designing the logo to the advertising campaign, right through all the digital communications to the below-the-line materials.
We came up with the concept, “Do Somewhere Different” - provoking the audience to venture beyond their comfort zone of Dubai’s beaches and malls. This strategic line was then adapted across the various communications, depending on the genre of music - for example, the Nelly Furtado weekend was labelled “Do Somewhere Chic”, Guns N’ Roses was “Do Somewhere Rock”. The pubic events available to everybody were tagged “Do Somewhere Free.”
With over 150 different press ads and hundreds of other various pieces of communication rolled out over a period of 14 weeks, this was by far the biggest campaign robotandspark has ever taken on.
A small selection of photography from the MY NAME IS ROBOT exhibition from way back in February 2009. Absolutely delicious stuff…. thanks to all the guys and gals that took part.
Pics by Graham Tooby Tariq Dajani, and Martin Beck.
As part of the Puma Creative Factory video brief, we were asked to illustrate the 12 brand ambassadors as well as create the visuals for an animation.
We teamed up with twin sisters and creative duo, Seven Minutes, for the illustration and must say that collaborating with Lina and Dina was massive fun, they brought so much energy and talent to the project.
The full video can be seen in the production section of the website, but here are a couple of stills.
Creamfields Abu Dhabi 2010 took place on Yas Island and featured international music icons David Guetta, Dizzee Rascal, Sasha, Above & Beyond and many more.
We created the full campaign for the event including press ads, posters, flyers, outdoor branding, website and promo videos. Because of the nature of the Creamfields brand, we were able to produce really cool stuff for the campaign, including the big neon stage branding, illustrated venue map and sexy “I do it every Thursday, Friday and Saturday on Yas” skinny dresses (as modeled by the beautiful Brazilian stunners in the photo!).
Capital Commodities Partners are an investment company that specialize in consumable commodities like wheat and sugar.
We were asked to create a brand that symbolized knowledge, enterprise, confidence and heritage while retaining a visual link to the company’s main aspect of business. We worked on a few ideas revolving around traditional style crests, lions and crowns but eventually went with the olive tree, due to it’s significance in Lebanese culture and also it’s roots in long term stability.
The tree itself was hand-drawn to give an authentic, old-age feel and all the stationary was printed using dark metallic gold inks.
As part of the brief for creating a new apparel brand for Flash, we were asked to create a set of unique graphics / illustrations that could be adorned to skate boards, sketch books or just used as art prints. Here are a selection of our favourites.
Flash Entertainment wanted to create a new apparel brand that would specialize in cool, designer streetwear, apparel and merchandise.
They wanted something edgy, creative and different. “Definitely not safe!” was the cry from the Flash executives and we didn’t want to disappoint! We came up with a few options, and the project is still a work-in-progress, but we felt we had to share some of our initial ideas…. A vampire vixen kitty called Flish, He-Man getting dominated and the Monopoly man wearing a turban.
The Remix Project was a little something we worked on for fun.
We basically took some of our favourite (and most recognizable) pieces of modern art and rebuilt them digitally using LEGO bricks. We’re sure there is an ad campaign in there somewhere. Shown are Warhol’s iconic Marilyn Monroe print, the Mona Lisa and a piece from Banksy.
We are thinking of doing more of these - a second series featuring famous movie posters could be quite fun!
A selection of miscellaneous branding / corporate identity work.
“Activ8” - Event branding for Nokia / Mint Communications
“ArtBus / ArtMap / ArtintheCity” - Rebranding the various divisions of the Art in the City network.
“Gourmet 974” - Gourmet food deli in Qatar. Client: Salaam Hospitality / RMJM
A selection of miscellaneous branding / corporate identity work.
“Integral” - Communication Strategists
“Ruwaad” - Property and real-estate developer
“Tomato” - Television production company
A selection of miscellaneous branding / corporate identity work.
“Schongroup” - Property and real estate developer
“Taboush” - Gourmet food deli in Qatar (concept). Client: Salaam Hospitality / RMJM
“Underground Procedures” - Dubai-based urban music label (concept)
A selection of miscellaneous branding / corporate identity work.
“Liquorice” fashion label (concept)
“Beauty Within” - Dubai-based beauty salon
“Desert Rats” - Motorbike Racing Team
Dairy Day is a UK company based in London that specializes in Mediterranean style cheeses. Robotandspark was asked to create the branding and packaging for their new line of dairy-based products.
The above shows one of the identity options we proposed; a beautiful, organic environment depicting a picturesque countryside dairy treated in two-tone black and grey for a contemporary take on a traditional theme. Also shown is some concept work for the packaging.
The most dastardly villain of all time is blatantly Megatron from the Decepticons, but Hannibal Lector and Skeletor probably give him a decent run for his money. As far as the heroes go, Optimus Prime, John Rambo and Teenwolf could all handle themselves when the going got tough, too.
These quirky little characters are part of an ongoing project that we are working on where we aim to compile an illustrated index of the top 100 Ultimate Heroes and Villains. Astroboy, Lion-O, Alex from Clockwork Orange, Adolf Hitler and Batman are also going to feature pretty highly on the list!
Not sure what we plan on doing with them once finished, but we think these would look pretty awesome on t-shirts or trucker caps.
traffic is a dubai-based art and design organization founded in 2007 by Rami Farook. Within the Dubai based 7,000sqft gallery, studio and store, sit works by established artists & designers, along with emerging talents. The focus at traffic has been on organic growth, one that helps blend traditional cultures with non-conventional creations, exhibitions and exchange.
Robotandspark has worked with traffic on numerous projects, creating branding, visuals and designs for James Clar’s debut solo, “Acceleration” at Art Dubai, the traffic annual competition, “Design as Reform”, the Vitra Miniatures exhibition and graphics for Eid, New Year and Ramadan flyers.
Founded in 2005, thejamjar is a creative space that works to promote artists and support the development of Dubai’s arts scene through its extensive arts programme, educational initiatives, and community-based projects.
Robotandspark handled the complete rebranding of thejamjar in 2010, redeveloping the mark, stationary, website and all internal and external communications.
We have also designed the branding and collateral for all of the galleries exhibitions, shows and events, including Mahmovies, Candy Riot, Fahd Burki’s “Prostheses”, Pakistani group show “Once Upon a Sting” and Lantian Xie’s “I’ll Be Back Someday”.
Local is a line of furniture, gear and objects from the UAE. The line aims to facilitate design in the country, encouraging both locally based and international designers to produce pieces within the UAE. Local is about the exchange.
Robotandspark created the LOCAL mark and all the initial branding collateral for the launch event in Milan, Italy, including invites, flyers, postcards, price lists, catalogues and website.
The mark was created to imitate a stenciled or stamped graphic that you might find at an airport or customs, the irony that it looked like something that was created in a far-away land and shipped over, but was, in fact, created locally.
The look and feel of the brand was a very structured, rigid, and blocky with the colour palette limited to red, black and grey so not to distract from the wonderful photography.
Omnia is a creative agency located in Media City in Dubai.
Robotandspark has been fortunate to work with Omnia on numerous briefs for clients such as Big 5, Abu Dhabi Tourism Authority, Falcon Aviation, UEMedical, Royal Bank of Scotland, TNT and the 2009 Al Ain Air Show.
Shown above are selected visuals from:
Exceeding Expectations: Advertising campaign for the Channel Islands Stock Exchange.
Future Falcons: Corporate identity design for the Abu Dhabi Golf Club Junior Golf.
Constructing Text: Custom-created typeface for the Big 5 Construction Exhibitor Expo invitation.
The birth of Little Luxuries came from a desire to source items, which were not available in the then rather stagnant interior and home accessories market.
Robotandspark was asked to rebrand Little Luxuries, to create a series of visuals and graphic elements to be used across all communications. Our approach was to create an embroidered looking flower graphic on a polka-dot background that was versatile in that it could be used in different colours and different scales to accompany the silver serif Little Luxuries mark.
We also created a set of quirky hand-drawn illustrations to compliment the new graphics and were used on stickers, postcards, posters and adverts. These illustrations paid homage to Beatrix Potter and Alice in Wonderland in style as we felt that Little Luxuries was a magical little adventure tucked away in the hustle and bustle of Dubai.
The FIFA Club World Cup, formerly known as the FIFA Club World Championship, is a football competition contested between the champion clubs from all six continental confederations.
The 2010 tournament is due to take place in Abu Dhabi, and robotandspark was invited by the event organizers to create a campaign that was a departure from the usual images and tired football clichés. We created the campaign “Live Football. Love the Club World Cup.” To emphasize how the tournament, and football in general, was more than just a game to many people. We designed a set of footballers who were to resemble the participating clubs and developed a campaign where each teams star player was caricatured performing a special move, and incorporated the copy in their native language, to reinforce the global nature of the tournament.
The style of the campaign enabled us to be a little quirkier with the key messages and communication and gave us the opportunity to have a little fun with the merchandise – stickers and t-shirts with slogans like “EAT MY GOAL” and “TRICK DADDY”.
Flydubai is a low cost, no-frills airline operating flights to, from and via Dubai.
Our approach was to create a simple set of graphics that picked up on the brand colours and highlighted how cheap the flights were and suggested humorous alternatives to what you could get for the same amount of money.
The visuals were a throwback to 70’s silk screened prints and retro airline adverts while the copy attempted to pick up on the carefree attitude to spending in Dubai, despite the worst financial crisis in living memory.
This project was an online open-pitch.
Initiated in the summer of 2006, Art Oasis has evolved over the years from a prominent in-mall event to a cherished signature event as seen in last years Dubai summer surprises initiative as part of its endeavors to diversify its events to a wider local, regional and international audience by gathering artists from around the world. As an event, it has opened up a platform for various forms of art to be displayed and more importantly, created an environment for cultural exchange in Dubai, the United Arab Emirates.
Robotandspark was asked to create the Art Oasis 2009: GREEN VISION branding and exhibition brochure.
DJ Solo approached robotandspark to design the artwork for his newest mixtape: DJ SOLO VERSUS DUCTCHILD. He wanted to personify his virtual alter-ego, so we created this mysterious child-like character that was DUCTCHILD – a neo-apocolyptic orphan with a ghost-like appearance and strange powers to suggest the conflict of egos and musical styles of the music.
For the CD and cover case we used a combination of facial close-ups with smoke and explosions, while the accompanying poster featured the full-length character.
The comprehensive guide to the UAE’s arts and culture scene, Art in the City is an umbrella project for a host of art programs and events that unite the arts scene of the UAE collectively, giving it a platform for an international audience of arts and culture lovers.
Robotandspark was in charge of rebranding all of the Art in the City subsidiaries; ArtBus, ArtMap and artinthecity.com, as well as all of the different communications for the different sub-brands. One of the biggest tasks was to take the ArtMap, a tri-annual publication containing exhibition and gallery listings in the UAE and bring some modernity and consistency to the design. We also developed a new set of location maps and keys to compliment the new ArtMap design whist retaining functionality in the new smaller format.