When imagination becomes reality… from an idea into something tangible. This is how magic is created!

Everything starts with an idea, with imagination. From the most creative piece of artwork to the brightest business idea, to the biggest brands in the world; it all started with imagination.

Using the latest in design tools, design thinking and technology, we are able to deliver world-class end-to-end marketing and communication solutions for our clients.

This is where it starts…

Ideation is an essential part of our design process

It is the creative process of generating, developing, and communicating new ideas. In this process, an idea is understood as a basic element of thought and can be either visual, concrete, or abstract. Ideation comprises all stages of a thought cycle; from innovation to development, to actualisation. Ideation can be conducted by individuals, organisations, or crowds. We tend to brainstorm as a team to bring our ideation and turn it into a reality.

Design Thinking

A method we use for problem-solving. This is applied to both the digital and technology side of our business, as well as the print production and execution side that facilitates ideation into reality. Ultimately, it allows us to innovate to solve problems.

Design thinking tackles complex problems by

Empathising: understanding the human needs involved.
Defining: re-framing and defining the problem in human-centric ways.
Ideating: creating many ideas in ideation sessions.
Prototyping: adopting a hands-on approach in prototyping.
Testing: developing a prototype/solution to the problem.

Print Technology

By using the latest in digital print technology and design thinking we turn these ideas into reality. Technology has amplified our ability to be creative with what we design and how we produce it. Digital platforms linked to print have helped our clients increase market penetration. They have also allowed our clients to connect with their customers on a one on one basis (more on this in our upcoming blog article).

Our partnership with HP and our carefully designed and tailored suite of technologies allow us to offer cutting edge innovation in print marketing to our clients.

To explain the technology a bit further, our HP Indigo digital presses, like conventional presses, use liquid ink to print an image. The major difference, however, is that HP ElectroInk technology directs the ink electronically using charged particles in the ink. HP Indigo digital presses use a light-sensitive plate that attracts ink. Unlike conventional printing that uses a fixed (etched) plate that cannot change, the HP Indigo Photo Imaging Plate (PIP) is a dynamic light-sensitive plate that can be re-imaged with different information on every revolution of the printing cylinder. The ink is attracted to the PIP by an electrical charge rather than a physical transfer from ink tray to cylinder. Using the latest HP technology to create production workflow efficiencies is at the top of our list. Speed to market is critical to our clients. Using this technology, our variable data print capability empowers creativity that is unmatched when applying ideation, design thinking and technology to our end to end solutions. We are leveraging smarter software, high-speed digital print on demand, and customised print solutions which are now measurable. This is where we see value.

Hirt & Carter’s drive and purpose is to service the needs of companies, retailers and brands by blending strategic partnerships, creativity, print technology and industry innovation. This enables advertisers, brands and marketers to effectively converse with both South African and global markets on an unmatched scale.