Chatting with Carla Sanders
We chat with Carla Sanders, the Creative Director of Make Believe, Founder of Make Believe and Make Studio to delve into the story behind the studio’s evolution, its standout projects, and its innovative approach to CGI, animation, and virtual reality.
Can you tell us a bit about the story behind Make Studio; how did it all begin, and what was the initial vision?
Make Studio began in 2008 with a simple goal: to create high-quality CGI visualisations and marketing materials for local developers, blending architectural design with compelling storytelling.
A turning point came when Garmin invited us to become their creative agency, broadening our scope from CGI to full-scale marketing campaigns. This partnership helped us evolve into a studio that specialises in innovative storytelling for brands.
In 2015, we expanded internationally responding to a growing demand for our architectural CGI expertise, particularly from Norway. This move led us to create Make Believe, a dedicated arm for architecture-focused projects, while Make Studio continued innovating in branding and product marketing. This evolution allowed us to specialise and grow while staying true to our creative roots.
What kinds of design services does Make Believe offer, and are there any areas you’re particularly known for?
We focus on a core set of services that help our clients visualise their designs to the highest level of detail and quality. These include the following:
• Architectural Visualisation
• Interior Visualisation
• Commercial Visualisation
• Animation, Film, and Flythroughs
• 360° and Virtual Reality Tours
• Cinematics
• Photography and Drone Photography
• Post-Production
We are particularly renowned for our attention to detail, creating CGI visualisations with a level of realism that delivers a more photographic end result.
Can you share some standout projects or partnerships that have helped shape the studio’s journey?
Working with clients like Garmin was a game-changer, opening doors to the commercial and product industries and expanding our portfolio beyond its original focus.
We’ve grown from being the go-to CGI agency for local developers and architects in Bournemouth and Poole to partnering with global brands like ABB, Swarovski, and Monsoon. These collaborations showcase our ability to adapt across industries, delivering top-tier CGI visualisations, product campaigns, and marketing strategies.
The trust we’ve built with these clients has cemented our reputation for creativity and innovation, making us a key player both locally and globally, while continuing to push boundaries.
What would you say really sets you apart in the design world? What’s the secret sauce that clients keep coming back for?
The CGI industry is tough, but we stand out by delivering top-quality visuals and building strong, lasting relationships.
As a small, dedicated team, we work closely with clients to understand their unique needs, ensuring tailored results that go above and beyond. Our mix of technical expertise and personal collaboration fosters trust, making clients feel confident and valued—that’s what sets us apart.
What’s the creative process like – how do you approach new projects and develop unique designs for each client?
Our creative process starts with understanding the client’s vision and goals to find the best approach. Through a clear, collaborative workflow, we ensure clients can review and refine concepts early, keeping everything aligned with their expectations. This flexible approach helps us deliver a polished, impactful final product that truly brings their ideas to life.
Could you tell us a bit about the team behind Make Studio?
We often compare running our studio to running a successful restaurant—success depends on exceptional talent. Our team is highly skilled, passionate, and thrives on collaboration, continuous learning, and innovation.
By fostering an open, dynamic environment, we encourage each other’s creativity and elevate our work, consistently delivering outstanding results for our clients.
Make Studio’s portfolio spans various industries and project types. Are there any dream clients or industries you’d love to work with in the future?
We absolutely love working with new architects and developers, and right now, we’re creating visuals for the Middle East, which has been a fun challenge for our designers!. We’re also thrilled to be in talks with a top watch brand, exploring fresh opportunities.
Every project we take on is unique, with its own challenges and opportunities, and that’s what keeps us inspired. We’re always aiming to deliver amazing results for every client, no matter what industry they’re in!
What’s on the horizon for Make Studio?
Design drives everything we do, inspiring us to push creative boundaries. From stunning architectural projects to innovative products, we’ve embraced challenges that fuel our growth.
Recently, we’ve been diving deeper into the world of virtual reality (VR), a powerful tool for creating immersive, lifelike experiences, such as building flythroughs and product interactions. By advancing VR and simulation software, we’re unlocking new creative possibilities. We have a large corporate client, that deals with Water, Gas and Flow and we have some great projects up ahead with them.
Stay updated on our latest work by following us on Instagram: @makebelievecgi / @make_gossip
CONTACT:
Tel. 01202 395 655
Email. [email protected]
