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    es•ca•late/ˈeskəˌlāt/
    Verb: 1.Increase rapidly.
             2.Become or cause to become more intense or serious.

    We are the Digital Sages who read the present and we decree that it is suffering from overload. Too many people, too much excess, too much inefficiency, too much bloat.

    We are the Story Builders, who create useful marketing that tells the story of your product and then continues to build that story to respond to an unpredictable audience in real time… because the brave new revolution has created an arena that is incremental, experimental, continually optimized -- "perpetual beta" -- and never, ever complete.

    We are the Cat Video Carnage Control, who understands the explosion of media platforms and ensure that you connect effectively and simply, with real time dialogue to an exponentially complex world. (… because at some point Darwin’s model always stops rewarding complexity)

    Case Studies Now Available for Download

    Case Studies Now Available for Download

    We have released a downloadable portfolio with a complete list of our service offerings and case studies of…

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    FACEBOOK LOOKS TO THE FUTURE WITH INTERACTIVE SOCIAL ADS

    FACEBOOK LOOKS TO THE FUTURE WITH INTERACTIVE SOCIAL ADS

    Facebook is expected to launch a set of premium, social, content-based ads. The social media giant believes that…

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    BIGCITYSTUDIO ADDS MOTION GRAPHICS

    BIGCITYSTUDIO ADDS MOTION GRAPHICS

    We have launched our motion graphic studio as part of our commitment to building an integrative multimedia experience.…

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    Redesign for TRE Johannesburg

    Redesign for TRE Johannesburg

    We have just finished a series of pamphlets and brochures for TRE Johannesburg, as well as a complete…

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    Nature’s Range Releases Spring Brochure

    Nature’s Range Releases Spring Brochure

    Autumn may be upon us in South Africa but we’ve barely noticed here at BigCityStudio. We’ve been too…

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    SAIL MARAPI MOZAMBICAN PHOTOSHOOT

    SAIL MARAPI MOZAMBICAN PHOTOSHOOT

    Our travels recently took us to Vilanculos, Mozambique where we styled and managed a fabulous photo shoot for…

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    UNITED CHARTER PHOTOSHOOT

    UNITED CHARTER PHOTOSHOOT

    BigCityStudio put United Charter in the frame and shot images for new marketing and publication material. Our runway…

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    UNITED CHARTER FLYING HIGH

    UNITED CHARTER FLYING HIGH

    United Charter continues to expand their international business. The charter service is now flying to South America, Europe,…

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    THINK SHOES’ ONLINE SALES SOAR

    THINK SHOES’ ONLINE SALES SOAR

    Think Shoes is harnessing the power of the Green Rand. The organic footwear brand is enjoying tremendous success…

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    UNITED VIP IN-FLIGHT MAGAZINE IN THE WORKS

    UNITED VIP IN-FLIGHT MAGAZINE IN THE WORKS

    We are currently working on developing a high-end, luxury in-flight magazine for United Charter Services. The magazine will…

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    OWENAIR WEBSITE WINS DESIGN AWARD

    OWENAIR WEBSITE WINS DESIGN AWARD

    And the South African Web Award for outstanding design, usability and content goes to…. Owenair - website powered…

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    COWSHED BOOKS INTERNATIONAL WEDDING

    COWSHED BOOKS INTERNATIONAL WEDDING

    The Cowshed’s reputation keeps on growing. They have just booked another international wedding from London. This brings the total…

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    BIG CITY LIFE MAGAZINE COMING SOON

    BIG CITY LIFE MAGAZINE COMING SOON

    Watch this space for the BigCityLife online lifestyle magazine re-launch! Focussing on building a compelling design narrative this…

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    UNITED CHARTER MEDIA PACKS

    UNITED CHARTER MEDIA PACKS

    We have designed a new marketing and media pack for United Charter Services. Work included a comprehensive redesign…

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    PHOTOSHOOT AT LOTUS THAI AND WELLNESS CENTRE

    PHOTOSHOOT AT LOTUS THAI AND WELLNESS CENTRE

    Lotus Thai commissioned us to photograph their new Spa and Wellness Centre in Pretoria. The centre’s soothing blue,…

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    Big City Life Studio

    PHOTOSHOOT AT LOTUS THAI AND WELLNESS CENTRE
    News 05.03.2012

    PHOTOSHOOT AT LOTUS THAI AND WELLNESS CENTRE

    Lotus Thai commissioned us to photograph their new Spa and…

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  • about us

    If you don’t know the stars you may be lost at sea,
    but if you don’t know the stories you may be
    lost in life.
    —Siberian Elder

    The BigCityStudio story so far…

    BigCityStudio began in 2006 as a studio that offers customised design solutions across a range of platforms. We pride ourselves in delivering top tier visual branding services that emphasise usability, creativity and individuality. Our iconoclastic, innovative design approach has won us a diverse client base ranging from large blue-chip corporates to up-and-coming boutique businesses.

    Director Ingrid Irsigler has over a decade’s experience in the industry. In that time, she has worked with some of the world's most high-profile brands and won numerous international design and new media awards. She employs a specialist team comprising some of the industry’s most creative professionals who share her vision of story-driven design.

    We believe that design that doesn’t have something compelling to say is without purpose. We strive always for the perfect union of function, form and narrative. We understand that creativity and passion are what drive greatness. We are the digital sages and visual storytellers of a brave new conceptual age.

    Big City Life Studio

    43 Airschool Training Adverts Owenair Print Her Majesty's Jo’s Designs Thai Wellness Centre Owenair Phillip Eloff Pollination Gryphon Flight School United Charter Services United Charter Services Par Avion
    View Our Portfolio
  • portfolio

    we REALLY, TRULY, PASSIONATELY, covet design

    United Charter Services Owenair Par Avion Big City Life Yummy Cakes and Catering Pollination Pumelani Bed & Breakfast Phillip Eloff The Cowshed Gryphon Flight School Sail Marapi Ecca Mine Think Shoes Jo’s Designs Lukacs Fine Art Titolino's Food Heroes Lotus Thai Her Majesty's Simuflight Advanced Flight School Thai Wellness Centre Pool Poncho United Charter Services Henry Taylor Gallery 43 Airschool Training Directory 43 Airschool Training Adverts United Charter Services United Charter Services Owenair Print Stirling Health The Cowshed The Cowshed Rock Chic inspired wedding invitations Food Heroes Vintage Inspired Wedding Invitations

    Big City Life Studio

    People differ.

    X hates change,
    Y ignores the stinking fish,
    Z has tried winking only in the dark

    No matter how tactile your product – it is what people THINK about it that counts, because people buy ideas not things.

    And how you communicate who you are is how you are perceived. We are not squeamish about stinking fish and we don’t mind explaining the inherent problems with winking in the dark one more time… 

    Operative communication guarantees cataclysmic change, and when it comes to harnessing communication we are the proverbial bright sparks.

  • case studies

    Thou shalt not' is soon forgotten,
    but 'Once upon a time' lasts forever
    -Philip Pullman

    No-one fast-forwards past the TV show to get to the commercial break.  No-one has spiritual moments reading corporate jargon. No-one starts Spin Clubs to discuss the deeper meanings of press releases. No-one’s ever cried at an informercial.

    Stories are what make the world go round. Humans forge personal connections through satisfying narrative. Our brains are wired to tell tales and learn from them. In a highly commoditised, information-bloated society, a memorable story is more relevant than ever.

    The strength of a business lies not in the size of its corporate headquarters or the size of its profit margins. It lies in the story it tells its customers. The most successful companies understand that ‘brand’ is just another word for ‘story’.

    BigCityStudio loves stories. We specialise in gathering dry data and, through design, weaving it into a tapestry that resonates with people. We believe stories are transformational and can turn the smallest company into the leader of its field as easily as a frog becomes a prince. We know this because we do it every day.

    Every business has a story to tell. Let us find your ‘once upon a time’ and help you move towards ‘happily ever after’ one page at a time.

    Need more information? Click on the links below to find out more about our What We can Do for your business.

    Digital Strategy
    CMS Website Design & Development
    Rich Media Websites
    Print & Graphic Design
    Motion Graphics

    Email Marketing
    Photography
    Copywriting
    Media
    SEO Specialists

    Big City Life Studio

    Some day… 

    when your life flashes in front of your eyes …

    we are going to make sure that THIS chapter is the one worth watching!

    It is the one where the hero faces daunting obstacles and the audience knows that failure is a real option.

    The sequence where it becomes clear that success is not final – you have to find the courage to continue to try.

    The slow motion close up where you take massive, decisive action (think Tarantino) and prove that growth is always optional

    …. and achieving the impossible is often a lot like fun.

  • client comments

    We at The Cowshed love BigCityStudio – They understood our brief completely but then they absolutely exceeded our wildest expectations – The Cowshed

    43 Airschool

    • David Howarth Marketing Director 43 Air School (PTY) Ltd Africa’s Premier Aviation Training Organisation
    • http://
    • http://
    • http://

    43 Air School contracted the services of BigCityStudio to come up with fresh, new creative designs for the 2011/2012 marketing campaign. We were thoroughly impressed with the high level of service offered by Ingrid who recognised our requirements and met our demanding time schedules. Her passion and striving for design excellence sat well with our own value for ‘Training Excellence’ and we will be contracting BigCityStudio for the majority of our advertising and multimedia projects going forward. We highly recommend BigCityStudio and would like to take the opportunity to say “Thank you, Ingrid!”

    United Charter

    • Jonathan Wolpe Chief Executive Officer, United Charter Services & Owenair
    • http://
    • www.owenair.com
    • www.unitedcharter.com

    We were very impressed with the efficiency and professionalism with which BigCityStudio handled our complete website revamp. Right from the design proposal, Ingrid had a clear understanding of what was required to project our corporate image in the light of our V.I.P service. We also utilized BigCityStudio to do all our print media with incredible results! We have already seen a vast improvement in enquiries and turn over since we launched the new website and are delighted with both the new web site and our advertising portfolio designed by BigCityStudio. We were so pleased, we also had BigCityStudio complete our subsidiary company’s work for Owenair. We strongly recommend using BigCityStudio for their outstanding design talent.

    Ecca Mine

    • Dale Packham Chief Executive Officer Ecca Group.
    • http://
    • www.eccamining.co.za
    • http://

    Ingrid duly designed and developed the ECCA Mining website and as can be seen, she did a superb job. It was a pleasure dealing with Ingrid and I highly recommend her services, which are professional, quick and very reasonably priced.

    The Cowshed

    • Zaskia Wilson Owner The Cowshed, Pollination, Sail Marapi
    • http://
    • www.thecowshed.co.za
    • www.sailmarapi.co.za

    I have worked with Ingrid from BigCityStudio on numerous occasions. She has up to date built four websites for me. The Cowshed is a function and wedding venue and our business has tripled since we put up the new website that BigCityStudio built us.

    We at The Cowshed love Ingrid– she understood our brief completely but then she absolutely exceeded our wildest expectations when it came to the website. Our venue has taken off since our new website was launched and we have received numerous complements from our guests on our website.

    Sail Marapi highly recommends Ingrid. Her wonderful disposition makes it so easy and effortless to work with her. She even took the time out to come and see our venture to be able to give us a website that truly reflects what we are selling. She always tries harder and always gives you more than required.

    We at Pollination have been complimented so many times on our website and that is thanks to Ingrid – she has made our shop “blossom” and we think we have the COOLEST website in Gauteng!

    Pool Poncho & Henry Taylor Gallery

    • Trish & Henry Taylor Owner Pool Poncho (PTY) Ltd & Henry Taylor Gallery (PTY) Ltd
    • http://
    • www.poolponcho.com
    • www.henrytaylorgallery.co.za

    We highly recommend BigCityStudio as a design agency. I came across her stunning website a few months ago, and we made contact with each other. Subsequently she has revamped all our business websites. We are looking forward to all our other websites being developed and design by BigCityStudio. Ingrid, has a knack for knowing exactly what your business requires, and she is such a dynamic and positive person, that I would highly recommend her to anyone in the business world who wants to increase their business via the worldwide web.

    The Towel Warehouse

    • Lisa Lombard Chief Executive Officer The Towel Warehouse (PTY) Ltd
    • http://
    • www.towelwarehouse.co.za
    • http://

    Having Ingrid of BigCityStudio design my website has been one of the best decisions I could have made in my business. From the moment Ingrid takes on a job she puts her heart into designing your site and her ability to design an effective and impressive site has no limits. Since my website has gone live I have had nothing but great reviews about look and feel of the website. The website is informative and exceptionally easy to navigate. 'Impressive, professional, friendly' are just some of the words received describing the site. Thanks once again to Ingrid for all the assistance and professional service I received.

    Jo Lukacs Artist

    • Jo Lukacs Owner, Lukacs Fine Art & Jo’s Designs
    • http://
    • www.lukacsfineart.co.za
    • http://www.josdesign.co.za/

    I am Jo Lukacs, an independent fine art professional and the owner of LeoNart CC, a design company based in Johannesburg, South Africa. I was introduced to Ingrid by a friend as I needed a website to showcase my fine art collection, a place where my paintings would fit into a great environment and speak for themselves – this was my brief to Ingrid. After a short time, she reverted with a proposal and I absolutely loved it. Ingrid is really the type of individual any creative person can identify with and sits in the same chair as you sit, directing your life from it… and it makes all the difference. She is not afraid to shape your view with her suggestions but on the other hand she also accommodates all your ideas into a great final piece and absolutely satisfying your needs. Ingrid has designed two web pages for me within a month and at short notice and she didn’t even spare her weekends in order to meet tight deadlines! I would definitely work with her in future and recommend her to anyone wanting creativity and delivery!

    Disal Sphynx Cattery

    • Elizabeth Swart Owner Disal Sphynx Cattery
    • http://
    • www.disalsphynx.com
    • http://

    I want to thank you for the huge positive impact the website you designed for us, has made to our cattery business. Since we have this website, all the feedback (local and international) we received was positive. You understood what we were looking for and did this excellent project in less time than we gave you.

    Big City Life Studio

    Par Avion
    Ecca Group
    Air School 43
    Nac
    Food Heroes
    Gryphon Flight Academy
    United Charter Services
    Alpa Sa
    World Holiday Travel
    Peer to Peer
    We are Imperial
    Owen Air
    The Cowshed
    Thebe
    Pan Pan
    Big City Life
    Simuflight
    Henry Taylor Gallery
    All Heart
    Taylored Events
    Lotus Thai Sushi House
    Yummy Cakes And Catering
    Debzy Dai
    Pollination
    Lucas Fine Art
    Aeronav Academy
    Intersect Architects
    The Towel Warehouse
    Jos Design
    Think Shoes
    Her Majesty's
    Mincor
    Titolino's
    Disal Sphynx
    Poolponcho
    Sail Marapi
    Emotion Lingerie
    Cheryl Toy Poodles
  • contact

    … Alexander Graham Bell suggested ‘Ahoy’
    Thomas Edison preferred ‘Hello’

    We would like to indulge all your calls,
    reguests and suggestions 

    t. 084 742 2402
    e. info@bigcitylife.co.za
    a. 1 Scy House, Eileen Road,
    Blairgowrie

    We answer all calls, requests,
    suggestions and indulgences

    JOIN OUR NEWSLETTER

    We answer all calls, requests,
    suggestions and indulgences

    Big City Life Studio

    Nature’s Range Releases Spring Brochure
    News 25.03.2012

    Nature’s Range Releases Spring Brochure

    Autumn may be upon us in South Africa but we’ve…

    Read more...