Art Direction Art direction studio in London, United Kingdom
A UK campaign that works in London will not always land in Riyadh. We art direct for the UK, and plan the Gulf version properly when you need one, instead of reshooting later.
For London and UK brands planning shoots and campaigns, including those adapting content for Saudi Arabia, Bahrain and the wider Gulf.
One shoot, two markets, a costly reshoot.
UK brands entering the Gulf often find their campaign imagery does not travel. Casting, wardrobe, settings and small details that pass unnoticed in the UK can feel out of place to a Saudi or Bahraini audience, and the fix is a second shoot.
When the Gulf is on the plan, we design one shoot that covers both: a UK set of frames and a set planned for Gulf audiences, with casting, wardrobe and sets agreed in advance. When it is not, we simply art direct a strong UK shoot, with every format planned and one person accountable for the look.
What UK brands art direct with us
- Product and campaign launches
- Brand photography libraries
- Ad shoots for paid social
- Gulf market adaptations
- Trade show and retail imagery
What you get
You get a concept and moodboards, shot lists for every format, direction on casting, styling and locations, an art director on the day and a review of the final edit and retouching.
Creative Concept
One clear idea for the shoot or campaign, written in a few lines, with the reason it fits your brand and your audience.
Moodboards & References
Moodboards for light, colour, composition, wardrobe and props, so everyone agrees what the result should look like before a camera is booked.
Shot List & Storyboard
A shot list or storyboard for every format you need: website, social, print and paid ads, horizontal and vertical.
Casting, Styling & Sets
Direction on talent, wardrobe, locations, props and set dressing, with the cultural details checked for the market you sell in.
On-set Direction
An art director on the day, making the calls on framing, styling and light so the shoot stays on brief and on time.
Edit & Retouch Review
Review of the edit, grade and retouching, so the final images and films still match the moodboard you approved.
Planning a shoot and unsure how it should look?
Tell us what you are launching, where the content will run and when. We reply with questions and a scoped quote.
How it works
Step 1: Brief
What you are launching, where the content will run, who it must persuade and what your brand has looked like so far.
Step 2: Concept
A short written idea and moodboards. You approve the look before anyone is booked.
Step 3: Prepare
Shot list, casting, locations, wardrobe and props agreed with you and the production team.
Step 4: Shoot and review
Direction on set, then a review of the edit and retouching against the approved look.
Design work
See all work
High Star Est. website and brand
Website, branding, logo and company profile for High Star Est., an operation and maintenance contractor in Yanbu, Saudi Arabia.
Mobius bilingual brand and website
Bilingual Arabic and English logo, brand identity, company profile and website for Mobius Technology Company Limited, an industrial services company in Saudi Arabia.
Alwa Ali Mubarak Est. website
Website, domain and hosting setup, and company profile for a general contracting and trading establishment in Saudi Arabia.
Orbit Conveyancing website
Website, branding and Google Business Profile setup for Orbit Conveyancing, a property conveyancing firm in Melbourne, Australia.
Project or retainer?
Questions
How much does an art director cost in the UK?
It depends on scope: concept and moodboards only, or full preparation and days on set, and the number of markets. Send a short brief and we quote a fixed scope with crew and talent costs listed separately.
Can one shoot cover the UK and the Gulf?
Often, yes, if it is planned that way. We agree separate casting, wardrobe and frames for each audience in the moodboards, and shoot both on the same days where it is practical.
Who checks the content is right for Saudi audiences?
Our team in Riyadh and Manama reviews the concept, casting and styling, and flags anything that may not suit the audience before it is shot.
Can you work with our UK production company?
Yes. We direct the look and hand over moodboards and shot lists while your production company runs the crew and logistics.
Do you plan vertical formats for social?
Yes. Every format is planned in the shot list, so vertical cuts are framed on the day rather than cropped afterwards.
Who owns the final images and films?
You own the approved final files, as agreed in the proposal. Talent and music usage for each market is agreed and listed separately.
How many revisions are included?
The proposal sets rounds for the concept. A change of look once preparation is under way is new scope, and we raise it straight away.
Can you work with our team remotely?
Yes. Concept and preparation work happens on video, with the art director in person in London on shoot days.
Tell us about the shoot or campaign.
A short brief is enough: the product or place, the formats, the date and any references you like. We reply with questions and a fixed-scope quote.
More specialist services
Each one stands alone, and they work together on a single brief.
- DesignAll Design services
- Logo DesignConcepts / Arabic + Latin / Files
- Brand IdentityDirection / Logo + system / Guidelines
- UI/UX DesignResearch / Figma / Arabic RTL
- Packaging DesignDielines / Arabic + English labels / Print-ready
- Social Media DesignPosts & stories / Arabic + English / Templates
- Brand GuidelinesRules / Arabic + English / File kit
- Company ProfileContent / Design / Print
Cities we work in
Got a brief?
Tell us what you are making and when it has to ship. We will take it from there.