Case Study: Terracotta Design Build Brand Video
Client: Terracotta Design Build
Location: Decatur, GA
Date: October 2025
Mission:
After 20 years in business, Terracotta Design-Build sought to create a cinematic brand video that did more than just celebrate their legacy; it needed to solve a significant education gap in their client acquisition process.
First, the general public often misunderstands the Design-Build model—the powerful integration of architect, builder, and designer under one roof. By articulating this approach, we aimed to showcase how Terracotta provides a seamless alternative to the traditional model of hiring separate entities, effectively saving clients from the typical headaches, lost time, and costly mistakes of fragmented communication.
Secondly, owner Ili Hidalgo-Nilsson was wary of the "scripted" nature of many brand videos. Her priority was to avoid an inauthentic tone and instead capture the true soul of their work. Ili was adamant that the visual focus remain less on the physical structures and more on the people inhabiting the spaces—demonstrating how thoughtful design allows families to live "comfortably, vividly, and fluidly."
Strategy:
To combat a "rehearsed" feel, we utilized a documentary-style interview approach. By having the four principals, staff members, and three clients speak directly to me off-camera rather than into the lens, we fostered a natural, relaxed dialogue. This allowed the company’s true ethos to surface organically rather than through a script.
The production was strategically split to capture the full breadth of the Terracotta experience:
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The Process: We captured the design and construction teams in their element—collaborating in the studio and managing progress on-site.
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The Lifestyle: We filmed three separate client families within their homes to document the "human" side of design. Rather than static shots of rooms, we choreographed "life-in-motion" scenarios, including a lively house party, quiet nights in with family, morning breakfast routines, and daily life with the family pets.
This multi-layered approach ensured the final film was a reflection of both professional precision and personal connection.
Production:
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4 Days of Filming: Capturing a comprehensive view of the Terracotta ecosystem.
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8 In-Depth Interviews: Balancing the expertise of the design team with the lived experiences of their clients.
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Life in Motion: Per Ili’s vision, the B-roll focused on people inhabiting spaces—families sharing meals, playing with dogs, and raising children—to prove that good design is, above all, functional.
The Deliverables:
We maximized the four-day shoot by creating a library of assets for every stage of the marketing funnel:
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The Brand Video: The centerpiece "hero" video for the website and high-level presentations.
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3 Client Testimonials: Exported in both horizontal and vertical (9:16) formats for versatile use.
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6 Social Media Reels: High-impact clips pulled from the main film to create social proof on Instragram and drive engagement.
Narrative:
The video successfully articulated the immense value of the Design-Build approach: efficiency, budgetary accuracy, and seamless communication.
The final piece didn't just showcase beautiful rooms; it showed how Terracotta allows their clients to live more vibrantly.
''They literally had a solution for everything. Sometimes they even had solutions before I knew
there was a problem. It was fantastic!"'
- Olamide Alabi
Client Praise:
"Harrison did an excellent job for us! He was able to capture our company ethos and voice as if he had known us forever... The outcome of his work is exactly what we wanted and we will be sure to work with him for all future videography work."
— Ili Hidalgo-Nilsson, Owner