From Denmark, with love
Sometimes, the best opportunities arise in unexpected places. This story is about how a creative digital agency from Aarhus expanded across borders and established a second home in Edinburgh.
It is a tale of partnership, growth and a blend of Danish and Scottish collaboration, built on a shared commitment to innovative digital solutions.
Skip the timeline and jump straight to the full story:
A timeline of love, 3D and ambition
1996
Jonas' meeting with Cadpeople
The year is 1996. Jonas, a student at the School of Architecture in Aarhus, has just completed a course in the new programme, 3D Studio.
While he feels accomplished, he knows he needs support to bring his project to life. Fortunately, his teacher has a contact who might be able to help. Enter: Cadpeople.
Cadpeople is already working with 3D Studio and, as of 1996, has 10 employees. Jonas fits right in and takes a summer job.
1999
Welcome to Cadpeople
Fast forward to 1999. Before he is even finished with his final exams, Cadpeople reaches out to offer Jonas a full-time position upon graduation.
Early 2000s
New beginnings
Over the next years, Jonas works at Cadpeople. Then he meets Elaine, a young Scot studying architecture in Aarhus.
2003
Hello Edinburgh
Jonas moves to Edinburgh, but Klaus and Claus are not willing to lose him altogether and instead arrange for Jonas to take a 'leave of absence'.
2005-2006
The Danish connection
2007-2008
Cadpeople UK is born
By 2007-2008, Jonas establishes Cadpeople UK, initially running it from a room in his flat that serves as the company’s office in those early years.
Balancing work between supporting Cadpeople’s 3D projects and building a client base in Scotland, Jonas steadily grows Cadpeople UK. He feels as though he’s regained a part of Denmark and finds it even more fulfilling when he joins the Danish-Scottish Society, where he builds connections with several clients who still turn to Cadpeople for their solutions today.
2010
Growing the team
By 2010, Cadpeople UK could use an extra set of hands and hires its first employee, Bart, who works with Flash and Motion Graphics.
Jonas' home office soon feels cramped, so he and Bart relocate to a shared workspace in an old chocolate factory.
In the following years, the Edinburgh team grows, with 80% of their work initially coming from the Aarhus office. However, they begin expanding locally as well. It turns out that 3D specialists are just like anyone else – they want to be where the action is.
2019
A new chapter begins
By 2019, Cadpeople UK is ready to take the next step and secure more direct clients within the UK. Just before the Covid-19 pandemic takes hold, Sean, the guy with the big smile in the picture, is brought on board as Business Development Manager (BDM) and partner. As the pandemic spreads worldwide, Cadpeople UK enters growth mode.
2024
Today and tomorrow
Fast forward to 2024, and a lot has changed over the past few years. From its humble beginning in the spare room of Jonas' apartment, Cadpeople UK has grown steadily, now managing a 50-50 split between projects referred from Aarhus and those secured directly in the UK.
While Aarhus and Edinburgh still love working closely together, the UK team is now shifting focus towards growing its own in-house expertise, with an emphasis on expanding development and marketing capabilities to take things to the next level.
The Cadpeople DNA
When Jonas moved to Scotland, he brought not just his Danish background, but also the core values of Cadpeople. He wished to create a collaborative, family-like culture, one centered around mutual support and empowerment - principles he believes form the foundation of the strongest teams. While there are cultural differences between the Scottish and Danish offices, the shared values - the 'Cadpeople DNA' - continue to drive all Cadpeople's work, connecting the teams in both Aarhus and Edinburgh.
3D visualisations
Explore some of Cadpeople UK's 3D visualisations, brought to life by their talented team of artists.
Experience our visualisations
PSST… THERE’S MORE.
