After our last post with a rundown of our work that slipped through the net over the last few months we’re now back on track and can blog about current projects – one of which is a new website for the Jewellery Quarter in Birmingham.

The site itself has recently launched and so a few areas, particularly the directory, will become more rich in content as more businesses begin managing their own listing. The site has been built to provide a better online presence for those working and living and in the quarter, as well as those planning a visit from out of town. Historically the Jewellery Quarter seems to have been a bit lacking in terms of online coverage compared with other areas of the city and we hope that the tools on the site can be put to good use by the community they were built for. One of the catalysts which has informed the sites development throughout has been the need for an online space where the creative community in the Quarter can broadcast what they’re doing, and network with one another. We’re really hopeful that the blogs in particular provide a better insight in to the great work the Jewellers and creatives in the area produce and provide a platform for people who have lots to shout about to be more easily heard.

383 were responsible for the design and build of the site, apart from the video content and advert which have been produced by the guys from SGUD and Dene Films. There’s a bit more information about the project in our portfolio, and a big hello from blogger David Louis on the site itself.

The last couple of weeks here have been a bit busy as we’ve just moved in to a brand new (yet very old) studio. We’re now based above the Vaults in Newhall Place. Aside from driving the van we hired in to a pillar, the office move has been a great success! We now have lots more studio space for our growing team, a nice new meeting room and best of all the building we’re in is much cooler. Here’s a bit of blurb I dug up about it’s history…

“Newhall Place was built about 1860 and designed by H.R. Yeoville Thomason, who was also responsible for many of Birmingham’s finest buildings. He designed the Council House and much of Colmore Row. The building was first occupied by a firm of merchants, Shaw Hawkes & Co, but by 1871 No. 16 had become the premises of Phipps Pickering and Richard, Brewers. By the 1880s it had become part of the Newhall Wire Works in nearby George Street and is now a Grade II Listed building.”

And here’s a few pics now we’re moved in. (more to follow once we’ve properly decorated – we’re planning a few illustrations for the walls).