Most of our projects begin in black and white. Not because we don’t love colour, but because removing it early forces better decisions.

Hierarchy first

Without colour to lean on, a layout has to work through size, weight, spacing and contrast alone. If it reads clearly in grey, it will read beautifully in colour.

Colour is a reward for a layout that already works.

Light and shadow as material

Black and white photography turns light into the subject. We look for images with strong shapes and deep shadows that hold up next to big, confident type.

• Choose images with a clear silhouette

• Look for one strong light source

• Crop tight and let negative space breathe

• Keep the palette to one accent, if any

When colour finally arrives, it lands with intention, and every use of it means something.