Comprehensive Branding and Design for Rhondda Arts Festival Treorchy
Background
Rhondda Arts Festival Treorchy (RAFT) is an iconic cultural event celebrated in Treorchy, a town known for its rich arts and heritage. With increasing attention from patrons, artists, and sponsors each year, RAFT sought to reinvent its branding and outreach efforts to create a stronger impact and facilitate a smoother event experience.
The Challenge
RAFT needed a comprehensive solution, not only to uplift its brand image but also to streamline the event management process. This called for a coherent branding strategy, a user-friendly web presence, and a seamless ticketing experience.
The Solution
Highstreet Media, with its vast experience in media solutions, embarked on this project with a detailed action plan.
Flyers & Posters
These were designed to be visually appealing and in line with the new branding, ensuring a coherent look throughout.
Vinyl Banners
Clear, bold, and strategically placed vinyl banners improved event awareness in the local area and drove people to the website.
Stickers
These were designed to be visually appealing and in line with the new branding, ensuring a coherent look and increased brand awareness.
Lanyards
High-quality lanyards with detailed event schedules ensured attendees could easily plan their festival experience.
Logo & Branding
Brainstorming sessions were held to understand the essence of RAFT. This ensured that the new logo resonated with the festival’s ethos and the town’s heritage.
Event Signage
Clear, bold, and strategically placed signs improved event navigation and added to the festival’s professional appeal.
Design Solution for Treorchy Comprehensive School
User Experience (UX) and Interface (UI) Design: Engaging Aesthetics: The design incorporated rich visuals reflective of Rhondda’s arts scene. Intuitive Navigation: A clear menu structure and strategically placed call-to-action buttons ensured easy navigation. Interactive Elements: Dynamic sections showcasing artist profiles, event schedules, and past highlights kept users engaged.
Mobile Optimisation: Recognising that a significant portion of users would access the site via mobile devices, the website was made fully responsive. This ensured a seamless experience across all devices, from desktops to smartphones.
Content Management System (CMS): A robust yet easy-to-use CMS was integrated, enabling the RAFT team to keep the website updated with the latest event news, artist additions, and schedule changes.
Integration of E-Ticketing System: Direct links and widgets were incorporated, guiding users to the ticketing portal smoothly. This facilitated increased ticket sales and allowed attendees to plan their visit efficiently.
Multimedia Integration: A gallery section showcased high-resolution photos and videos from previous editions, giving new visitors a glimpse of what to expect.
Social Media & Newsletter Integration: Direct links to RAFT’s social media profiles and a newsletter sign-up form ensured that the festival could maintain ongoing engagement with its audience.
The Results: After implementing Highstreet Media’s strategies:
- Brand Cohesion: RAFT emerged with a rejuvenated and instantly recognisable brand image.
- Web Engagement: The overhauled website experienced a 60% surge in user traffic and longer engagement durations.
- Ticketing Efficiency: E-ticketing led to a 40% rise in advanced bookings, minimising on-the-day logistical challenges.
- Attendee Experience: Enhanced by the LED screen, clear signages, and lanyards, the attendee feedback was overwhelmingly positive, with many praising the festival’s elevated professional standards.
Conclusion: Highstreet Media’s comprehensive solution revitalised RAFT’s image and operational efficiency. This case underscores the pivotal role of integrated branding and digital strategies in amplifying the success of cultural events.
