When we say ‘Visual Asset Production’, what we mean is…

Ever wondered what 'visual asset production' really encompasses? In short, visual asset production is the craft of creating high quality visual elements. “Sounds simple enough,” you say as you stroll right into the rabbit hole.

Reality is, producing high quality visuals is so much more than just taking pictures. There's the technical expertise, the artistic practice, and, with our eyes on the consumer attention prize, carefully considering how to use well curated, authentic feeling visuals to enhance a brand’s identity and resonate with its audience.

With 3.2 billion images being shared daily on social media, according to Brandwatch, it’s an essential component for any business looking to make a mark in the digital space. This is particularly critical for the seafood industry, where visual appeal and willing transparency can significantly influence consumer decisions. Today’s consumers have keenly honed perception and often make purchasing decisions based on the appearance of products, and the story those visuals tell.

Having quality, narrative enhancing imagery, videos, and graphics can be what sets you apart from the competition, drives engagement, and fosters brand loyalty. While anyone can snap passable photos and video on their phones, creating the kind of top-tier visual assets you want as consistent representation of your brand requires a diverse skill set and a deep understanding of various production techniques and visual storytelling skills.

Professional visual asset production involves a blend of artistic vision and technical expertise to produce content that not only looks good but also serves a strategic purpose. From capturing the freshest catch in stunning photos to creating engaging videos that tell your brand’s story, to all the pre and post efforts behind refining your creative work, visual assets are crucial for building a memorable and impactful digital presence.

So what are the building blocks we're referring to in our production roster? Here’s a closer look at the different forms of visual assets, along with tips on how they can be used to boost your seafood brand’s digital presence.

Photography - High-quality images that capture your brand’s essence and amp up your visual appeal.

In the world of seafood, high-quality photography is essential. Imagine you visit a seafood restaurant's website featuring a mediocre looking plate of dull fish with a side of sad slaw in a paper cup. That's going to be a hard pass. Now envision a vibrant, mouth-watering shot of grilled salmon, highlighting the dish's texture, color, and presentation. These photos not only attract potential customers but also communicate the freshness and quality of the ingredients used. Which do you think is more likely to entice viewers to visit the restaurant or order online? No one's clicking ‘order now’ on the sad slaw, we can tell you that much.

Video - Dynamic and polished videos that tell your story and keep viewers hooked.

Videos are a powerful medium for storytelling. For a seafood business, a video could showcase the journey of their products from ocean to table, emphasizing their commitment to sustainability and quality. A short documentary-style video could follow fishermen as they harvest fresh seafood, providing a behind-the-scenes look at the hard work and dedication that goes into delivering top-quality products. This not only engages viewers but also builds trust and connection to a brand's authenticity.

Graphic Design - Eye-catching designs that grab attention and convey your message instantly.

Graphic design plays a pivotal role in creating cohesive and attractive branding materials. For a seafood brand, this could include designing eye-catching menus, promotional posters, or social media graphics. For example, a well-designed infographic about the health benefits of seafood can educate consumers while also promoting specific products. The use of vibrant colors, clear layouts, and appealing visuals can make otherwise complex information more digestible and engaging for a time strapped audience.

Motion Graphics - Smooth animations that add flair to your content and make it memorable.

Motion graphics are perfect for adding a dynamic element to your digital content. A seafood business could use motion graphics in their social media posts or advertisements to make their content stand out. For instance, an animated graphic showing 5 simple ways to prepare one type of fish can be both informative and visually appealing, encouraging viewers to share the content and increase its reach.

Custom Illustration - Unique visuals tailored to your brand's voice and personality.

Custom illustrations can give a unique and personal touch to a brand’s visual assets. For a seafood brand, illustrations can be used in various ways, such as creating whimsical characters to represent different seafood items or crafting detailed scenes of underwater life to adorn packaging. These bespoke visuals can help differentiate the brand and make it more memorable. For example, a seafood market could use hand-drawn illustrations on their signage and packaging to evoke a sense of tradition and craftsmanship.

What our Visual Asset Production is NOT

While understanding what visual asset production includes is important, it’s equally crucial to know what doesn't make our cut when we're working together to create your visuals. Here’s what it’s not:

❌ Stock Images - We believe in originality and authenticity, not cookie-cutter visuals.

Stock images have their place, but often come across as inauthentic and generic. In the seafood industry, originality is key. Custom photos and illustrations convey a sense of authenticity and show your brand’s commitment to investing in its product, that stock images simply cannot. Consumers are more likely to trust and engage with content that feels real and unique to the brand.

❌ Copycat Content - We’re all about riding the latest social media trends, but plagiarism is not ok. Full stop.

While it’s important to stay current with trends, originality should never be compromised. Copycat content can damage a brand’s reputation and credibility. Furthermore, direct plagiarism can lead to legal action. Yikes! Instead, seafood brands should focus on creating original content that reflects their unique story and values. For example, instead of mimicking a competitor's successful campaign, a seafood brand could develop a unique series of cooking tutorials featuring their products, providing value while also showcasing their offerings.

❌ One-Size-Fits-All - Your brand is unique, and so are our solutions. Generic templates are not on the guest list.

Generic templates and one-size-fits-all solutions rarely capture the essence of a brand. Custom visual assets tailored to a brand’s specific needs and identity can make a significant impact. For a seafood brand, this means creating visuals that highlight their unique selling points, whether it’s the sustainable practices they follow, the unique flavors they offer, or the premium quality of their products.

❌ AI Overkill - We want AI folding our laundry and washing our dishes while we create art. Not the other way around, and we bet you don't either.

AI can be a useful tool for brainstorming ideas and getting past the roadblock of that dreaded blinking cursor. But when it comes to visual composition, we stick to the real deal - creative work crafted by real humans who are moved by an emotional compass that AI simply doesn't possess. Unless you REALLY want a ridiculously falsified image to comedically juxtapose your human-crafted visuals and highlight your brand's authenticity and transparency, we'll be using our years of combined creative experience to craft your visuals tailored exactly to your needs, for your audience. We're not anti AI, we just believe it has a time and place, and the creative end product isn't it.

As we've highlighted, visual asset production is a vital aspect of building a strong digital presence, especially in the visually-driven seafood industry. Remember, it's not only about looking good — effective visual assets tell a story, build trust, and engage with your audience in a meaningful way that will have them saving, sharing, and celebrating your seafood.

Ready to enrich your visual presence? Send us a message to learn more about our creative production services in detail and discover how we can bring your visual story to life!