Bath's 'first CGI shop' opens up in the city centre

Bath's 'first CGI shop' has opened its doors in the city centre and the firm's founders are excited about what the future holds.

The Table Creative has just moved into the spot where Dovetail Lettings in Margaret's Buildings used to be.

Founders Philip and Abigail Tromans have run their business for three years and had a small office space for a while in Northgate House, Upper Borough Walls.

So what does the company do?

On its website, it reads: "We provide CGI which stands for Computer Generated Imagery to architects, housing developers, design agencies and product manufacturers, creating photo-realistic images and animations of products, places and brands that have yet to be constructed or manufactured.

This street had several empty shops until recently (Image: Artur Lesniak/Reach)

"We create still, moving and interactive imagery to help architects illustrate their vision, developers sell off-plan and product designers communicate concepts.

"Around our table sit outstanding 3D artists and interior and architectural designers who collaborate with our clients to produce imagery and animation that brings their products, places and brands to life.

"This unique combination of creative expertise, honest and approachable communication and meticulous execution ensures every project is hosted with due diligence and that stunning CGI is served up on time, on budget and beyond expectation every time."

Now that the business has grown over the years, the couple, who live in Combe Down, have taken on more staff and have now got a place of their own, much to their delight.

Building work is currently taking place to get the place looking the way they want it, but it should not be long before the shop is looking spick and span.

Abigail and Phil Tromans started the business in 2016 (Image: Artur Lesniak/Reach)

"We have just moved in here and it is very exciting to have a place of our own," said Mrs Tromans.

"This business has been running for three years now. We had a co-working office space in Upper Borough Walls in Bath, which is where you can hire spaces and hot desk basically.

"But now we have a lovely new place of our own. I cannot wait to see it when all the building work has been done, which should not be too long.

"Having that office space has helped us grow over the last three years, from just myself and my husband to now having a place of our own.

"I trained in architecture and my husband trained in digital media and animation. After a while of working in this field, we decided to bring our skill sets under one roof.

"Now we have a team of eight and it is really exciting."

The Table Creative will be looking spick and span in not too long (Image: Artur Lesniak/Reach)

Mr and Mrs Tromans and studio co-ordinator, Becca Henson, have more than a decade of experience in CGI visualisation, architectural consultancy, interior design, VFX, graphic design and animation.

"The work that we do here is very varied. We work with all sorts of different businesses, both big and small," said Mrs Tromans.

"We can produce images of a £3m riverside London apartment or packaging for a makeup branch.

"In terms of our growth, we are on an upward trajectory. We have a great relationship with Bournemouth University as well."

Mr Tromans said: "The way this works is that a student at the university may come to us in their year in industry, before their final year there.

"We have introduced this arrangement where the student will then do their final year with us for four days a week, whilst doing their university work too.

"We took a bunch on last summer and we plan to take on more again this summer."

Mrs Tromans said she and her husband let them live stream their lectures at their new office and they help them with their work too.

The couple also guest lecture and do panels at Bournemouth University from time to time.

Even though the team have been there less than a week, Mrs Tromans said the neighbouring businesses have been very welcoming and supportive. She also said the business has big goals.

Three shops are moving in or have moved into shops on this Bath street (Image: Artur Lesniak/Reach)

"We absolutely love Margaret's Buildings. Everyone here has been so welcoming. There is a great atmosphere and vibe here," she said.

"Our aim is to shake up the industry for the better. Too often places in this industry do not get sick pay, have unpaid interns and do not get annual leave etc.

"We give salaries to our interns and support them in the best way we can. Our employees get their birthdays off and they get free gym and cinema memberships too.

"We eat our lunches together and brainstorm ideas, it is a set up we really like."

For more information, visit their website.