Trade Arts / The studio
Good ideas.
Capable hands.
We bring design and fabrication together, from the first model to the final finish.
Led by Bryce Noakes, Trade Arts works with production designers, art directors, artists, museums and brand teams. Our Mullumbimby workshop brings 3D modelling, printing, CNC fabrication and scenic finishing into one collaborative process.
What we do best
- Advanced 3D Printing – FDM & resin for scale and detail
- Design & 3D Modeling – CAD, ZBrush, Rhino
- Prototyping – looks-like and works-like models
- Scenic Finishes & Paintwork – hyper-realistic surface treatments
- CNC & Fabrication – structural, metal, and hybrid builds
How we work
We’re collaborators, not just fabricators. Having worked inside art departments, workshops, and production builds, we know how to speak the same language as set decorators, curators, and designers.
We get involved early, ask the right questions, and bring decades of hands-on experience. Every project is guided by three principles: fit, finish, and follow-through.
Our work supports
- Feature films & series shot in Australia
- Exhibition and museum builds
- Creative directors & agencies developing immersive experiences
- Founders bringing new products to life
- Props departments & independent crews
- Brands needing custom, physical activations
Location
Based near the Gold Coast, we’re within reach of major studios and shipping networks. Our workshop features CNC machines, a comprehensive suite of 3D printers, scenic finishing facilities, and all the necessary equipment to deliver design-to-installation builds in-house.
FAQs
What kind of projects do you take on?
We focus on detailed, design-led builds — hero props, set pieces, exhibition elements, public artworks, prototypes, and one-off objects that require custom fabrication. Whether it needs to hold up on camera, withstand public interaction, or impress in a gallery, that's where we come in.
Do you work from supplied designs, or create them in-house?
Both. We can work from supplied CAD files, sketches, or reference images — or handle the full design and 3D modelling process in-house. Most projects involve a collaborative approach where we refine the brief together and develop the design alongside the build plan.
What does Trade Arts do?
We design and build physical objects — props, prototypes, set pieces, exhibition elements, and public artworks — for film, TV, museums, councils, and product-based teams.
Who do you work with?
Our clients range from production designers and art directors to museum curators, council project managers, exhibition designers, and brand teams. We work across film, advertising, exhibitions, public art, and product development.
Do you only work in entertainment?
No — while many of our projects are for screen, we also build for exhibitions, museums, public art commissions, themed attractions, and brand activations. Our biggest projects often come from government tenders and cultural infrastructure briefs.