Graphic Design for Independent Rail Retailers

Introduction

 

Independent Rail Retailers (IRR) is a membership and advocacy organisation representing nearly all retailers licensed by the Rail Delivery Group to sell train tickets for the National Rail network. IRR approached us to design a 20-page prospectus that would do more than inform. It needed to engage, inspire, and reflect a bold new chapter for the brand. They also required event collateral that would align with their refreshed identity.

Services:

Design

The
Vision

IRR wanted to move away from traditional corporate branding and embrace a more contemporary, eye-catching aesthetic. The goal was to create a visual identity that felt modern, characterful, and aligned with their long-term aspirations – something that would better connect with their audience while still reflecting the organisation’s core values.

The
Journey

To bring the vision to life, we combined classic and contemporary design elements, pairing a serif typeface with their existing font, introducing vibrant accent colours, and using black-and-white cut-out photography for an editorial edge. The result was a clean, modern layout with strong visual impact. Following the prospectus, we extended the new branding to event pull-up banners, ensuring consistency across all materials

The
Results

The final materials delivered a fresh, modern identity that clearly distinguished IRR. The new design direction was not only well received internally by the client but also resonated strongly at their event, setting a compelling tone for the future of the brand.

Our Work

Rail Trail Vlogs

The Client

Worcestershire Community Rail Partnership has been established to enable local communities to work with the three Train Operating Companies to improve the 18 stations within the County.

At its heart, community rail connects communities, schools, businesses, charities and organisations in enhancing and improving local rail services.

Services:

Design / Film / Marketing

The
Vision

The Worcestershire Community Rail Partnership (WCRP) aimed to increase public awareness and engagement with their Rail Trails initiative, which encourages people to use the train to access scenic walks and historical sites in the region. The goal was to leverage social media to highlight the beauty and historical significance of these trails, thereby reducing carbon footprint, boost train usage and encourage local tourism. TeamBA’s mission was to create compelling multimedia content, including videos and social media posts, that would captivate and inform the audience about the Rail Trails.

The
Journey

Initial Consultation and Planning

Our journey began with in-depth discussions with the Worcestershire CRP to understand their vision and objectives. We learned about the Rail Trails, their significance, and the key messages the CRP wanted to convey. Based on these insights, we developed a detailed script and film plan that would effectively showcase the trails and their unique attractions.

Talent Acquisition and Pre-production

To ensure engaging and professional content, we auditioned several presenters and with the input of Worcestershire CRP, selected two who were best suited for the project. Their enthusiasm and connection with the audience were critical to bringing the Rail Trails to life. Our team meticulously studied the maps and identified the most picturesque and historically significant sites for filming. This planning phase was crucial for ensuring that the filming days would be productive and efficient.

Filming

The filming took place over two days, with a team consisting of a videographer, director, presenters, and a CRP representative. We captured extensive footage with our expert videographer and drone pilot, along with photographs of the trails, highlighting key landmarks and scenic views. The presence of a CRP representative ensured that we accurately portrayed the trails and included all necessary information. The filming process was smooth and collaborative, resulting in a wealth of high-quality content.

Post-production and Design

In the post-production phase, our editor worked closely with the CRP to refine the footage. We maintained constant communication, incorporating their feedback to ensure the final product met their expectations. Our graphic designer also collaborated with the client to create ten social media posts using the footage and pictures from the filming days. These posts adhered to the CRP’s brand guidelines, ensuring a consistent and professional look across all promotional materials.

The
Impact

The media campaign for the Worcestershire CRP’s Rail Trails initiative is one we are very proud of. The CRP now has a library of high-quality multimedia content that they can use to promote the Rail Trails on social media and at various events. This content not only showcases the beauty and history of the trails but also effectively communicates the convenience and benefits of using the train to access these areas.

Client Testimonial

Working with Team BA was brilliant from start to finish. The team were engaging, enthusiastic and responsive throughout the project and made filming fun! As a result of their detailed and meticulous planning, we now have high quality videos and social media content to promote our Rail Trails. We are looking forward to working with TeamBA again in the very near future.
Fiona Saxon Worcestershire Community Rail Partnership Officer

Summary Video

Our Work

The Great Transport Debate

The Client

CMAC are experts in ground travel solutions. They support clients with planned or emergency passenger transport and accommodation, making it simple for businesses to move people safely and efficiently.

Services:

Design / Event Management / Film / Marketing / Photography

The
Vision

The Great Transport Debate emerged from a gap in the transport industry – a lack of collaborative events that unite all modes of transport under one roof. CMAC recognised this opportunity and sought to create a groundbreaking event – a live debate among transport industry leaders. They turned to TeamBA to take this vision and turn it into reality.

The challenge was twofold; First, there was no event that brought together diverse segments of the transport industry. Second, launching such an event required comprehensive planning, coordination, and execution.

The
Journey

The first step was defining clear objectives for the event. The event was aptly named “The Great Transport Debate.” We were responsible for creating the event brand that was bold, recognisable, and captured the interest of the audience.

To set the stage for a unique and engaging experience, the decision was made to hold the event at the Concorde Hangar at Manchester Airport. The venue combines a rich history with ongoing transport investment. The venue is grand and breathtaking, and moreover, debating under the legendary Concorde was truly inspiring. To make the event unforgettable, tours of the iconic Concorde and a selection of street food were incorporated.

An e-commerce event website was developed to facilitate ticket sales and promote the event’s themes, speakers and panel debates. This platform was made simple for attendees to buy tickets for the event and also allowed us to create discount codes for sponsors and VIPs.

BA Events collaborated with CMAC’s marketing team to create a range of resources to market the event. This included videos, personalised social media posts for speakers and sponsors, and printed artwork for our media partner Passenger Transport Magazine.

The event included speeches from carefully selected speakers and panel sessions. We prepared briefing packs and calls for speakers and panellists, ensuring they were well-prepared.

There were ten organisations that supported The Great Transport Debate in various capacities, from core event sponsorship to exhibition. BA Events ensured sponsors had all the information they needed to maximise their sponsorship investment. This included planning the exhibition area on to a floorplan and ensuring a smooth set-up of the exhibition area on the day.

BA Events crafted the script for the event’s hosts and curated the walk-up music, designed slides in the event brand and enhanced the event’s overall impact.

An experienced event delivery team managed various aspects, from guest check-in to venue management and event production. We handled AV including lighting the Concorde aircraft, live camera feeds and audio management in an acoustically challenging airport hangar environment.

Post-event, we continued to support CMAC by providing event photos for PR, a post-event summary video and a series of “snippet videos” that were produced to highlight key moments of the event.

The
Impact

The Great Transport Debate became a pioneering event, uniting the diverse modes of the transport industry and delivering a memorable experience. BA Events played a pivotal role in the event’s success, from planning and execution to post-event amplification. This case study showcases our commitment to making unique ideas come to life. We are your partners in creating remarkable events.

Client Testimonial

From the outset, their dedication to understanding our company and the purpose of our event was exceptional. They took the time to delve into our brand ethos and event goals, ensuring every aspect of the event aligned seamlessly with our vision.

Moreover, the BA Events played a pivotal role in equipping us with the resources needed to effectively market the event. Their collaborative approach and focus on increasing attendee numbers significantly contributed to the success of our event.

On the day of the event, their meticulous planning and coordination ensured everything ran smoothly. From logistics to execution, their team’s expertise was evident, allowing us to fully immerse ourselves in the day knowing that every detail was being taken care of.
Charlotte Todd Director of Marketing and Communications, CMAC Group

Event Highlights

Our Work

Rail Staff Away Day

The Client

The West Midlands Grand Railway Collaboration (GRC) is an alliance made up of train operators, Network Rail and other rail industry stakeholders. The partners of the GRC work together to identify areas where the rail industry can be improved for customers. An annual away day bringing together front-line staff from across 5 train operators is a key way to plan their activity for the year.

Services:

Design / Event Management / Film / Photography

The
Vision

The GRC Away Day event aimed to bring together key stakeholders from various train operating companies to discuss pressing industry issues, share best practices, and foster collaboration.

The goal was to create a memorable and engaging experience that would not only inform but also inspire the delegates. TeamBA, as an events and media company, envisioned an event that was meticulously planned and executed, ensuring a seamless experience from start to finish.

Our mission was to manage every aspect of the event, from initial invitations to post-event follow-ups, thereby allowing the GRC team to focus on their core objectives without worrying about the logistics.

The
Journey

Planning and Preparation

TeamBA’s involvement began with the conceptualisation phase, where we collaborated closely with the GRC team to understand their goals and expectations. Our Graphic Designer, Libby, played a crucial role in creating a cohesive and appealing visual identity for the event. She designed a ‘golden ticket’ invitation, which was sent out to all delegates, setting the tone for an exclusive and exciting event. Additionally, she built a comprehensive landing page that included all necessary information about the event, pictures from previous years, and a link for sign-ups.

Event Management

As delegates signed up, we managed all email communications, including confirmations and follow-ups, ensuring that attendees were well-informed and engaged. Our team also managed the venue logistics, ensuring that all necessary arrangements were in place for a smooth event day. We designed a consistent and professional slide deck that aligned with the GRC’s branding, which was used throughout the event.

Multimedia and Engagement

Our Videographer, Mike, created a captivating film that was showcased during the event. This film included interviews with key individuals discussing the GRC’s impact and their expectations for the Away Day. It served as an engaging film that set the stage for one of the day’s main themes. Additionally, Mike was present to capture the event, including a group picture and various important moments throughout the day. This footage was later used to create an impactful summary video, encapsulating the highlights and key takeaways of the event.

On-the-Day Coordination

On the day of the event, we managed the registration of delegates and ensured that the audiovisual (AV) setup was flawless. Our in-house host, Ben, played a pivotal role in organising and moderating the panel discussions with Managing Directors from different TOCs. His energetic and professional demeanour kept the event on track and maintained high energy levels throughout the day.

The
Impact

The GRC Away Day was a resounding success, thanks to the creativity, meticulous planning, and execution by TeamBA. The seamless coordination and engaging multimedia elements left a lasting impression on the delegates.

Testimonial

I have to say, every step of the way, they’ve been with me. All of the support from the media, the creation, making sure our agenda was flowing, on-day support, running the event… I feel like I’ve had so much support from the beginning to the end of the event which has just been amazing.

The end-to-end management by TeamBA not only met but exceeded the client's expectations, resulting in a highly satisfied client and a blueprint for future successful events.
Tara Walsh Head of GRC

Summary Video

Our Work