Bristol creative agency Workbrands relaunches today as Shaped By, a creative studio for global tech brands.

Workbrands, founded by Nick Farrar and Steve Goss in 2005 has grown from bedroom startup to a 15-strong agency based in Paintworks, Bristol’s creative quarter, located off the Bath Road. The company has steadily extended its influence and expertise within the tech sector on both sides of the Atlantic over recent years, working with global companies including Autodesk, Rubrik and Nutanix.

These companies may build tech products, but they’re really in the business of change. Shaped By delivers brand identity and creative marketing that helps these changemaker brands to communicate how their technology changes people’s lives for the better.

“The marketing landscape has changed dramatically over the years. Now, the need for effective communication through great design has never been more important,”

says Nick.

“As an agency we’re continually evolving to meet this challenge and felt it was the right time to recognise this with an ambitious and playful new brand.”

“The Shaped By brand name and core concept reflects the fact that, as humans we are all shaped by our life experiences, our environment and the people around us: we are a constant work in progress, says Nick. “Similarly in a work context, the Shaped By team shapes the outcome of a project through our collaboration with clients.”

Shaped By revolves around the idea that there is a direct link between the level of creativity invested in marketing, and the impact that it has. According to an Adobe State of Create report, companies that foster creativity boost 1.5x more market share compared to those that overlook it.

The Shaped By team believes that for changemaker brands to reach their potential, creativity needs to be a sustainable part of their culture: a means by which they can carve out deeper connections with their customers on the premise of bold, authentic stories told in an original way.

“These days everyone is battling for attention – brands are using an increasingly sophisticated armoury of marketing tools to push their message in front of people, which is great, but it’s only half the challenge,”

Nick explains.

“Without real consideration to what you’re putting in front of your audience, you risk missing the opportunity to create those positive reactions which are vital for each stage of a business relationship.

“At Shaped By we aim to take clients on a journey, we dig deep to understand what makes them tick and why their audience needs them in their lives. Then we help them to communicate that message with a real sense of purpose and deliver it in the right time, in the best format and in the right place.”

Nick originally trained in furniture design before breaking into the creative scene in Bristol 25 years ago. He heads up Shaped By with co-director Steve Goss, business director Dave Corlett, creative director Tom Ovens and client services director Wei Kee.

Shaped By’s brand launch is marked by a new website and social channels. Find out more about the agency’s creative ethos on their blog.