Request for Proposals: New Hi3 Network Website Design

Overview‍

London South Bank University and the Hi3 Network partners are inviting proposals from creative website designers to build the project's new website with its current branding. We are seeking to appoint an independent organisation/consultant to create engaging, accessible, and fit-for-purpose website that aligns with the innovative projects we're supporting with research and cutting-edge creative technology. The website must be relevant to audiences interested in the production of moving-image storytelling.

Applications can be submitted via Typeform, applicants will be asked to provide:

1. An overview of the organisation/consultant, including business details and contact information

2. Evidence of previous work: this can be a URL link or a PDF portfolio

3. A full proposal that includes:

• A delivery plan with proposed timescales
• A detailed quote for the design work and ongoing support
• An initial design proposal that considers the existing Hi3 Network branding and ERDF branding guidelines (we can provide further information on this prior to your application submission)

Deadline for submission: 27th May 2022 - 11:59PM

Please submit your queries to: connect@hi3.network

Introduction

Hi3 Network is a consortium which consists of five partners: London South Bank University (LSBU), Canterbury Christ Church University (CCCU), Maidstone Studios, Creative Folkestone, and Screen South.

Hi3 Network supports creative industry entrepreneurs, start-ups and small to medium enterprises (SMEs) to develop and deliver new innovations in the moving image by connecting them to academic expertise and state-of-the-art facilities across the SELEP region. The programme officially started in July 2020, launched for registrations in the summer of 2021 and is funded until June 2023. The Hi3 Network is funded by the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) and responds to the UK Industrial Strategy by encouraging the adoption of emerging technologies by SMEs located in England and particularly to stimulate economic growth and wellbeing in the South East of England. The project’s aim is two-fold, firstly to refurbish existing buildings to create three sets of connected studios for the screen industries. Secondly to bring together small to medium-sized businesses with university researchers to explore and generate new to the firm - and demonstrators of potential new to the market - products, services, and experiences.

The three hubs are strategically located to take advantage of existing clusters of Screen Industry activity at Folkestone, Canterbury, and Maidstone. The project will also provide additional activities in Hastings, Southend, and Eastbourne to extend its reach into Essex and East Sussex. Currently, Hi3 Network has an interim website on the LSBU’s South Bank Innovation site which hosts LSBU’s portfolio of Research & Enterprise projects. The project is looking to create a new independent website for the duration of the project (Sept 2023) and beyond.

Key Audiences

The key audiences visiting the Hi3 Network website will be predominantly:

• Businesses (Freelancers/sole traders, CIC, Ltd companies and other small or medium-sized enterprises) working in or looking to explore the benefits of immersive, moving image, screen-based technologies, as well as remote and virtual production.
• Industry experts, externals, and potential future partners looking to work with businesses and academic researchers

The website should be built in a way that is intuitive and easy to navigate for all our audiences and designed for Web accessibility.

Requirements‍

The project has been running for some time, so we already have a domain name, branding and all branding assets needed for the project website. Currently, Hi3 Network has an interim website on the LSBU’s South Bank Innovation site which hosts LSBU’s portfolio of Research & Enterprise projects. We are currently working on refining our voice and messaging for the new website and hope that suppliers will be able to give us feedback on this.

The project is looking to create a new independent website for the duration of the project (Sept 2023) and beyond. The project has the following requirements for the new website build:

1. Content Management System

We need an intuitive and easily manageable website backend for the project team to update and upload content daily. Here is a list of the core functions we need to have for content:

• Advertising upcoming events and other opportunities
• Publishing news stories and articles in text form with images
• Embedding video content
• Creating case study features (Text/Images/Videos)
• Update a directory of members
• Updating a directory of academic researchers
• Embedding livestreams of events
• An introduction to each partner and innovation hub

2. Membership

We would like to have a member’s portal, whereby those receiving support from Hi3 Network can access a range of resources and business support that is not available on the front end of the site. These resources could include:

• Cloud Storage
• An integrated booking system
• Library of recorded webinar content, links and documents/files to download
• A Community area: Community and networking is integral to what we do and we need to design a community function of the site that facilitates peer-to-peer conversation, ideation, knowledge share, and collaboration.

3. Call to Actions

Furthermore, we need the following call to actions:

• The integration of our Expression of Interest form (HubSpot)
• The integration of our Registration Form (HubSpot)
• A mailing list sign up option (Mail Chimp)
• Integration of all social media channels (Instagram, Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn)
• Links to partners websites and third-party sites

4. Website Structure and Design

Hi3 Network is a complex project that needs a website design that helps our audience understand the project and it’s offering. We are therefore looking for a design that is:

• Simple, intuitive, and easy to navigate
• Scalable (compatibility with desktop, tablet, and mobile)
• Web accessible

5. Search Engine Optimisation

Some key words are: Innovation // research // develop // business support // studios // coworking // product development // immersive tech // VR // AR // virtual reality // production // virtual production // arts // creative // experimental// labs // emerging //

6. Support and Maintenance

The projects current funding runs until the end of September 2023, so we will need your quote to include support and maintenance for the website up until this time. We do have the intention of extending after this period.

Commercials

Terms & Conditions

• Payment plan to be determined at contract stage
• Payment terms are 30 days from date of invoice

Questions

If you have any questions, please email: connect@hi3.network