Articles I have written about topics that have been on my mind - An insight into what makes me tick...(part 1)
Read MoreWebsite Build
As with any web design agency, I thoroughly research and use industry recognised products, platforms and frameworks to give what in my view is the best solution to the requirements of my clients. In the last year I have come to believe that platforms such as Shopify, Squarespace and Wordpress are now sophisticated enough interface and administration systems to allow us to work with the pre-built tools and concentrate on design, user experience and keeping the cost down when designing for small businesses.
Read MoreA bit about Web Design
A website designer, is a name often used for the requirement of design and build of a website, but in this instance I am talking about just the design aspect. Each element of the design process needs to account for the different device view ports, so when thinking about designing a website we now think about it across any device from mobile to tablet, laptop and desktop, offering the best experience for that device.
Read MoreHire More Mums (They have superpowers!)
Design Director Abi Fawcus gave one of the talks at the reasons.to conference in Brighton 1-3rd September 2014. As part of an incredibly creative and inspiring 3 day conference Abi was pushing the virtues of Mums in the work place with her talk: HIRE MORE MUMS… they have superpowers!
Read MoreWhat business taught me about Marketing
10 things I learned along the way each making it a little easier to gain great clients…
My first job was selling flowers on the side of the road with my friend Polly. We were 5. My house was on quite a busy street with, it seemed, quite a few elderly people living on it. Her house in contrast was up a completely quiet lane with the odd horse, virtually no cars and definitely no foot passers by.
Read MoreSuffolk Skylines
I've got to admit that I carry out my photography on my smart phone. I have an amazing SLR and traditional photographic training, but I found I kept missing the moment by not carrying this unwieldy object around with me. I shrunk down to a ‘pocket’ camera but realistically whose pockets are they meaning... not mine, and I’m not one for a handbag either so there became many moments I missed and wished I hadn't.
Read MoreWhy I was drawn to Digital Art
My grandmother is an amazing oil painter, my mother is great at drawing horses (except for their feet), my mother-in-law is an incredible fine artist and my husband is pretty hot too! My aunt went to art school and was a flamboyant painter, punk and new romantic and my other granny had a wonderful 1950’s style of interiors never shy of strong lively colours. As we look back we can usually see what shaped our lives and art has always been around for me.
Read MoreGood Suffolk Food & Drink Website Design
We love our amazingly diverse and entrepreneurial food and drink producers in Suffolk and I'm always trying a new product that comes on to the shelves. We are also fortunate to have two supermarkets - Co-Op and Waitrose in the coastal area that make it their duty to promote and stock local brands. Here are a few sites that I thought reflected the product well, or made me smile.
Read MoreOne brand or Two?
I often work with estate agents and Departments within an Estate Agent’s portfolio are sometimes diversely different in their outlook, process, marketing and in some cases brand identity. When asked recently the question ‘One brand or two?’ in reference to the visual identity of departments within an Estate Agent my reply was that one brand is always stronger and here's why:
Read MoreWhat is Graphic Design exactly?
Design is big, it is talked about more than ever before and we are always hearing about design thinking, user experience design, visual design, information design, product design, interface design, interaction design. We hear about how big business are bringing in holistic design to improve every aspect of their business and drive sales - but what about good old fashioned Graphic Design?
Read MoreExperience design for small businesses
The design workshop session generates lots of information in a creative freeform way. This phase makes sense of the data providing set specifications and schematics. What I have written here is a cut down version of experience design for small businesses mainly focusing on information architecture.
Read MorePreparing for a new project
Pre-project preparation can help you hit the ground running and creates a chance to collect and digest some of your thoughts about the project to be undertaken and therefore influence the design briefing.
Any user research such as customer surveying, focus groups or online research looking at your competitors and your analytics data can help form a better understanding also influencing the design stage. Adding depth and perspective to what we ‘think’ we know into what we ‘actually’ know.
Read MoreDesign Briefing Workshop for Small Businesses
Design theory underpins creative work that is carried by exposing the context of what the project is to achieve and understanding the brand and values of the business involved.
Introduction
Finding out what makes a person get out of bed in the morning - the driving force behind any business is an insight into what the web or graphics project hinges on. If my reason is to sell the most products I possibly can this will have a different outlook than if my reason is to sell the best product there is.
Read MoreBecoming me
A step by step guide to creating my brand.
step 1. What name
Is a name important? I think the importance is in what it stands for, the birth of something that is yours and holds the key to your future. It’s a cross between naming your child and a pet; it has to feel comfortable to you, it has to suit them, it needs to resonate, be fit for purpose and place. It’s good to remember as well that you’ll be answering the phone with that name a considerable amount of times a day - so choose wisely.
Business names usually fall into 3 categories:
Read MorePrint Isn't Dead, It Just Got Interesting.
Talking about the different uses of print in marketing. Print is still useful in many ways when you're trying to get the attention of potential clients. It's just another channel in a well planned marketing strategy.
Read MoreSetting up a business in Suffolk
I'm busily working on it! ...