“The results were well beyond our initial vision. Not only did they elevate our website, they were able to elevate our brand. I can’t recommend ruef Design enough if you are in the market for a new website or could use some guidance in marketing.”

UES Inc., an Ohio-based research and development company that specializes in materials and manufacturing and aerospace systems and partners with government and industry customers such as the Air Force Research Laboratory, needed a video and 3D animation that could show off the company’s new Robo-Met 3D, a materials characterization system.

The Robo-Met machine provides materials insights needed for materials science applications, from validating additive manufacturing builds or non-destructive testing methods, to testing metals and composite materials.

The ruef video production crew of three (two camera operators and a director/producer) captured the Robo-Met in action on a full-day on-location shoot at the UES headquarters in Dayton, OH. The footage was compiled and edited into a rough cut using a temp voiceover and music bed. UES provided ruef 3D designers with footage of the Robo-Met’s microscopic materials analysis capabilities, which we enhanced using motion graphics and 3D animation.

The Robo-Met itself was recreated in 3D by ruef 3D designers using only photographic reference. Once the script and rough edit was approved, a professional voiceover and music bed was applied for the final edit.

ruef delivered the video to the client in a hi-def (1920×1080) format with embedded subtitles. The video was released by UES on the UES website and social media on June 20, 2019. The video is now being used in sales efforts and presentations in a go-to market strategy for Robo-Met sales around the world.

The National Wood Flooring Association (NWFA) is a leading voice of the wood flooring industry in North America. NWFA needed to update the illustrations within their widespread publication.

The publication contained some outdated imagery to fill illustration needs. Due to our extensive experience in hardwoods and timber industries, ruef was hired to create original artwork and technical illustrations for the publication.

Our approach was to provide sketches as a starting point in order to engage the client and give them an opportunity to review and provide feedback before the 3D modeling process began.

The production consists of a mix of 3D modeling, texturing, and rendering with text overlays.

The technical illustrations appeared in multiple educational publications produced by the NWFA.

The NWFA team was impressed at ruef Design’s ability to use outdated, simple sketches and drawings as references to develop complex, highly-engaging 3D technical illustrations.

“ruef Design has been doing work for NWFA technical publications for several years. We love the detail, and consistency Zack and his team provide for documents that are as important to the wood flooring industry as our Technical Publications."

Brett Miller, V.P. Technical Standards, Training, & Certification, National Wood Flooring Association

Every Child Can Read (ECCR), is a Richmond-based 501(c) 3 non-profit organization with multiple programs that focus on building child literacy in Wayne County, Indiana. The organization’s goals include having all students in Richmond reading on grade level by the time they enter the fourth grade. ruef design needed to ensure that ECCR had a website that was simple to navigate, responsive and could facilitate engagement with ECCR’s target audience. The website, logo, and messaging needed to be distinct and professional to help instill confidence in potential donors and benefactors.

We provided feedback to the Every Child Can Read team throughout the entire process to make sure their complete visual rebranding was in line with their expectations. With the logo design, we worked to create something that embodied their organization’s objectives and was flexible enough to meet the needs of their various programs. The website was designed to be a further extension of the new logo with an emphasis on modern design that would appeal to both program members and donors.

The complete redesign delivered on all of the goals shared by Every Child Can Read and the ruef design team.

The Every Child Can Read website receives hundreds of unique visitors each week, and is the hub for ECCR online activities and community announcements.

“Last fall, I contacted ruef to ask for some help with the back end of a very old, non-functional, unattractive website that ECCR was using. In a few short months, they created a visually compelling logo for ECCR and its programs and a beautiful, responsive website that will help us secure grant funding and local donations as the initiative expands. The team was so easy to work with and the site they created far exceeded our expectations.”

Leslie Bolser, ECCR board member