Southwood StudioSouthwood Studio
The Digital Workshop of UK Designer and Photographer Will Soward
'I create websites, photograph, design and teach for good people; Southwood Studio is my digital workshop for just those things.'
Hi, my name is Will. I’m a UK based Web Designer, Photographer, Illustrator and Teacher living and working in the county of Wiltshire, Bedfordshire, Buckinghamshire.
Illustration, Photography, Web and Graphic Design have always laced their way through my personal and academic study, shaping me into a bit of a design monster. I teach Interactive Design at Aylesbury College and I’m proud to be part of a growing community who are dedicated to making the web look and work better. I employ CSS, XHTML, JavaScript, jQuery, to the websites I build, I also utilise open-source platforms such as WordPress and Joomla. I prefer to shoot on Canon full frame Digital Cameras, in the Advertising, Location, Architecture and Corporate Portraiture markets and I’ll also shoot the odd wedding now and again. I have realised works for INBEV UK, Southwest Housing Associations, Viking Food Bermuda and published commissions in The Daily Mirror, Wiltshire Life, First Time Buyer, Mondo ARC and The Mail On Sunday.
If you have a commission in mind or a project you’d like to team up with, please get in touch, i look forward to hearing from you.
This always starts with a chat over a coffee about the basic fundamentals and outlining the requirements. Next, the preliminary designs are approved and a mock-up of the final design gets developed and "tweaked". Lastly the finished article is rolled out with instructions and a full tank, ready to perform.
When you choose me to build and host your site you'll get an expert who'll never leave you behind. I'll guide you through complicated procedures, protect your interests and combat confusion, it’s all part of the service. The gear I utilise to get the job done is the best-of-the-best (cue the “move sound track”).
I build E-commerce, Blog, CMS, Static and Micro Sites for friendly folk and positive companies. I take advantage of open-source publishing platforms because of their intuitive back-end interface. I have over 6 years experience in building sites, I'm always learning and evolving ideas to stay fresh and ahead of the game.
I manage server space from Media Temple, who have a fantastic track record for up-time and download-speed. Depending on your website’s requirements, emails, server space, and databases are individually tailored. I only offer Site Hosting as part of a site build and not separately.
Search Engine Optimisation is not a Dark Art, nor is it a method of simple fast-fix-tricks to getting your website performing well with search engines. In short, it’s about doing things the right way and doing them well. I ensure my clients benefit from SEO on existing and newly built websites.
I capture my clients' imagery on a full-frame Canon, for Corporate Events, Location, Interior and Advertising Commissions. I understand my clients' desire for a flattering depiction of their project, that's why I capture my images with the right tools, first time. I'll also shoot to any format or requirement needed.
I prefer to keep my “purist” methods of photography for Personal and Artistic Projects. Advertising and Commercial assignments always need lifting or re-touching to get the very best from a subject. I use Photoshop primarily to enhance my images, here nearly anything is possible and it all starts with a photo.
I understand identity for your business is very important, communicating your company's philosophy in well-designed business cards and stationary carries a long way. I offer Stationary Branding along with Logo Design as part of a package or as a one a off. Contact me to discuss your requirements.
I'm a determined guy so I will not leave you in the lurch, or make things complicated. I enjoy what I do and that shows in my work. However in the unlikely event that I am unable to help out, I can give you advice on who can.