BLOG: Matt Powell of Mud

We started working with Arjowiggins Graphic in December 2013. Together we started planning on designing a website that could convey their recycled papers’ properties in a visual and descriptive way with designers, corporate end-users and printers in mind.

In a nutshell, we wanted to show that there’s no reason not to use recycled papers. By combining stunning imagery with a wealth of technical information we wanted to give designers and printers alike all the information and inspiration they would need.

In early 2014 we conducted extensive research with these three key target audiences. We then studied the data and created an interface (Paper Finder) which quickly and easily allowed users of the site to define what they were looking for in the paper. Once this tool has selected the perfect paper, users can easily order samples from the site to try the product out.

As imagery was such an important aspect of the website, we conducted a photoshoot of a variety of paper samples which lasted over a week. We also used props where appropriate to give context to the products and ensured that the lighting created the correct composition to work within our layout designs for the site.

We used the imagery throughout the site, with a few ‘highlight’ panels showing key imagery and characteristics. We used a mixture of Javascript and CSS3 transitions to create these effects. Creating smooth and seamless changes, these transitions enabled us to showcase Arjowiggins Graphic’s papers and emphasise their quality.   

It was a pleasure to shoot the printed pieces, as there was a real wealth of design skill on show. The beauty of Arjowiggins Graphic’s recycled papers was evident in the paper shoots and further emphasised by their end uses.   

Matt Powell is the Creative Director of Mud, the award winning web design agency based in Bath. Mud have a knack for producing strategically led work that’s backed up by rock solid code. So our list of clients is as happy as it is long. The website Mud created; www.recycled-papers.co.uk has since won the Web Awards ‘Best Environmental Website and the B2B Awards ‘Best Website’ among other accolades.