EYE ON DESIGN STUDIO INTERVIEW
the Wacom Cintiq screen is a real bonus, thanks to its
unique, natural interface for drawing and painting.
Other areas of the business also benefit from
cutting-edge technology in different ways. “For user
interface design, we often have to work with
proprietary systems so that our designs fit seamlessly
into the final product, which could be anything from a
game options screen through to a vending machine
menu. Our UI/UX team uses Adobe Illustrator for
traditional 2D graphic design work and After Effects to
bring their designs to life,” explains Wilson. “We’ve also
found that software plays a massive role in successful
project management. We’ve embraced a number of
web-based tools, such as Basecamp, to help us track
and share projects. This has made a huge positive
impact on the way that we communicate as a team,
resulting in work being completed faster.”
Atomhawk is certainly not lacking the talent or the
tools, and its impressive client list, which includes
Marvel, Sony and Microsoft, means that the studio
can work on the right projects for them. “When
possible, we seek out projects where the client is
keen for a creative collaboration,” says Ashtiani.
“This is because as artists and designers, we
always like to be involved in the generation of
ideas. Plus, with a talented team like ours, we can
be a huge creative resource for our clients.
However, we do of course love a well-presented
brief and the challenge of hitting it in style.”While Atomhawk might be known for producing
striking concepts and marketing art for film and
videogames, it is also well versed in interactive
media design, and the team are no less passionate
about their work in this area. “The user interface
design we did for Costa Coffee’s new flagship coffee
machine was a really interesting project,” says
Ashtiani. “Costa engaged with us due to our games
industry background to develop a UI/UX that would
be easy to use, entertaining and visually stunning.
We also got to work in partnership with fellow
design gurus Pininfarina (www.pininfarina.com),
who were designing the physical aesthetics of the
machine. The audio was being developed by Steve
Belgrave of EMIXPRO (www.emixpro.com), who
has worked with bands like U2. It was inspirational to
be part of a team with such pedigree and to deliver a
truly ground-breaking machine that has already won
a number of design awards.”
As Tim Wilson explains, being skilled in the UI/UX
arena could prove veryimportant with the way that
the world is developing technologically: “The fact that
we have a dedicated user interface team means we
provide a service in a very exciting emerging
marketplace. As the world becomes ever more
digital, user interfaces won’t just be restricted to
traditional screens. UI will be all around us in areas
like packaging, appliances and even clothing, all of
which will require great interface design.”Growing team:Atomhawk began with a
team of four, but has grown to be 20-strongInternational clients: The Atomhawk
studios are based in Gateshead, UK, but it works for a number of international clientsHard at work: The Atomhawk team works
together to produce high-end visuals for films, videogames and interactive mediaKiller Instinct: Atomhawk created
concept art and marketing art for this 2013 Microsoft release for the
Xbox One system