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October 9, 2024

Personal brand development & website for a New York casting agency

Candice Alustiza Casting, founded and led by the experienced casting director Candice Alustiza, has built a strong reputation as a trusted casting agency serving the film, television, and digital content industries. Specializing in sourcing and selecting diverse talent for a wide range of projects, from major motion pictures to cutting-edge streaming series, the agency has become known for its ability to connect directors, producers, and content creators with actors that bring stories to life. As the agency’s profile continued to grow within the competitive entertainment landscape, it became increasingly important for Candice Alustiza Casting to have a brand identity and online presence that matched their evolving status and ambitions. That’s where Madcraft came in …

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Branding

The brand needed to be modern, sleek, and creative, as a true representation of Candice Alustiza Casting. We delved into research of similar agencies operating in the space, and also considered the agencies’ values. Through an in-depth workshop, we learned that Candice Alustiza Casting values diversity in casting and in media representation, inclusivity, and forging meaningful relationships. We wanted to bring through the approachable, friendly nature of the agency, as well as the professionalism, modern approach to casting, and vibrancy of Candice herself. 

Bringing this all together, we crafted a unique logotype brand and brand mark. We incorporated Candice’s favorite color, lilac purple, in the brand as well, which was meaningful for her and made the brand feel like a true representation of her work. Ultimately the brand checked off all the necessary boxes: sleek, professional, with a flair for the creative.

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Research

We conducted in-depth research into the client’s needs, industry trends, and target audience. This phase included competitor analysis and mapping out customer journey touchpoints to optimize the user experience (UX). With a focus on casting services, we identified key pain points and user expectations, allowing us to tailor the site’s structure and content accordingly. A comprehensive sitemap and wireframes were developed, ensuring a seamless navigation flow that prioritizes accessibility and efficient talent search for casting professionals and talent alike.

User Experience Design

We focused on creating an intuitive and seamless user experience. This phase involved developing wireframes that outlined the site’s layout, ensuring a clear, user-friendly structure for agents, actors, and collaborators. The wireframes prioritized simplicity and ease of navigation, with distinct submission paths for actors and collaborators, ensuring quick access to relevant forms. User flows were designed to minimize friction, offering clear instructions and streamlined processes for submissions. This foundational UX work guided inspiration for overall design, aligning the site with industry best practices while enhancing functionality and user satisfaction.

UI Design

The UI design for Candice A Casting was carefully crafted to embody the agency’s dual identity of professionalism and creativity, essential traits for standing out in the highly competitive film and television industry. Our approach was rooted in creating a visually appealing and functional interface that would instantly communicate the brand’s commitment to quality while engaging users with a dynamic, interactive experience.

We prioritized a clean and modern design, ensuring that every element on the website felt purposeful and aligned with the agency’s identity. Large, high-quality visuals were used prominently throughout the site, serving both as eye-catching elements and as a platform to showcase past projects, casting calls, and the talent pool. These visuals not only highlighted the agency’s achievements but also created an immersive experience for users, drawing them into the world of casting through striking imagery, in an industry which is visual-led.

To enhance the interactivity of the site, we incorporated dynamic image hovers and subtle custom animations, adding a layer of depth and sophistication. These interactive features provided users with a more engaging experience without overwhelming them, balancing functionality with creativity. For example, when users hovered over images of featured talent or projects, smooth transitions and x-ray effects brought the site to life, reinforcing Candice A Casting’s modern, forward-thinking approach.

The bold color palette—featuring lilac, charcoal and calm light greys—was consistently applied throughout the design. This mix of colors conveyed energy, confidence, and creativity, creating an aesthetic that was both engaging and professional. The use of these rich tones helped establish a cohesive visual language that was instantly recognizable, making the brand more memorable to visitors while maintaining a polished look.

To complement the visuals, we selected easy-to-read, accessible fonts that enhanced usability across different devices. The sans-serif typeface, Archivo, was chosen for its clarity and modern appeal, with medium and extra-bold weights adding a structured yet warm feel to the design. The typography worked seamlessly with the overall design, ensuring that users could easily navigate through the site, whether reviewing information about the agency’s services or completing submission forms

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Development

In the “Development” phase of the Candice A Casting website project, our team meticulously transformed the approved wireframes and design into a fully functional, responsive site. Leveraging modern development frameworks, we ensured the website was optimized for performance and accessibility across all devices. We enhanced user experience with smooth scrolling, seamless color transitions, and custom cursors, creating an engaging and interactive environment. For a distinctive visual touch, we incorporated custom x-ray color effects on hovered images, adding a dynamic layer to the site’s aesthetic. The submission forms for talent and collaborators were developed with a focus on ease of use, security, and scalability. Additionally, a robust content management system (CMS) was integrated, allowing the client to efficiently manage and update casting calls and submissions. Throughout development, rigorous testing was performed to ensure the website met high standards of functionality, speed, and user experience.

Results

The results of the Candice A Casting website development project have been outstanding. Post-launch metrics reveal significant improvements in performance and user engagement. Core Web Vitals scores showed enhanced page load times, faster interactivity, and greater visual stability, thanks to our optimized design and development practices. Server speeds saw a marked reduction in load times, contributing to a smoother user experience. 

Lead generation showed a notable increase in form submissions from actors and collaborators, reflecting the site’s improved functionality and user-friendly interface. Overall, the project has successfully delivered a more efficient, visually appealing, and highly functional website, meeting and exceeding the client’s goals.

 

Ready to grow your business?

We’re always excited to discuss possibilities. Get in touch for a free consultation call to discuss your project requirements. Our team will be happy to talk about possible solutions, and how your business can benefit. Let’s chat!
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