Design for the Developing World Conference

As someone who has had the opportunity to experience a portion of my life in the developing world, namely the Caribbean and Brazil, I have been following some of the outcomes from the Design for the Developing World Conference.

Tim Brown, CEO of IDEO, from my experience living in the developing world made a very valid point. The real secret is the combination of design, communications, and implementation. Good design can add real value to our experience of the world but it is equally important that developing nations have information on how any designed solution can benefit the consumer, where to find these products, and to also make sure we design the distribution systems so that good design is accessible to people.

He also alluded to the idea that Philanthropy by itself does not have the power to make system wide change in the developing world but businesses can because businesses inherently build the systems that enable people to access good design.

It's Awards Time Again!

Working with our amazing clients is in many ways an award just in itself. We love our work and they challenge us to think creatively, to communicate their message effectively, and enable us to explore our love of design. 

Today we received a letter from the International Academy of Visual Arts. We had submitted a few pieces of work to them and so everyone in the office crowded around with excitement to see what this was all about. As the envelope was opened .... We Won!

A Silver Award!

In the Best Visual Appeal category in recognition of our web design work for Aleah Sato, an exciting Toronto poet and creative writer. 

And a Second Silver Award!

In the Art category for our web design work for Elizabeth Siegfried, a Toronto fine art photographer and print artist whose work is exhibited throughout North America.

What Obama can teach us about business

One of my favorite magazines and blogs recently featured a fantastic article on the use of social media to promote business. The article was an excellent illustration on how even a small business can make social media marketing part of their marketing strategy and build strong relationships and connections with their customers.

You can find the article here.

http://www.fastcompany.com/articles/2008/10/interview-john-della-volpe.html

The UK's Coolest Brands Report

Coolbrands is an annual initiative to identify the UK's coolest brands based on independent voting and consumer feedback. Today here are the top 5 coolest brands in the UK.

1. Aston Martin

2. iPhone

3. Apple

4. Bang & Olufsen

5. YouTube

The 2008 results featured many of the world's best known brands, but what was also interesting is that 55% of the Top 20 brands were technology & internet related brands. Making the Top 20 list: iPhone, Apple, YouTube, Google, Nintendo, Playstation, Bang & Olufsen, Sony, Bose, Facebook and Skype.

Are we becoming a more web influenced society? Will internet advertising influence consumers purchasing decisions even more in the future? Comments? 

5 Steps for Getting Results from your Marketing

Growing a profitable business requires a systematic approach to marketing if you are going to be successful in increasing your client base and sales. Here are some tips.

No. 1: Define your goals

Write them down! Have a defined business objective that you would like to achieve with your marketing activities. Planning + execution = results.

No. 2: Know who you want to advertise to

If you have not specifically identified your target market, you are not going to be able to make the best decisions about marketing and advertising and your marketing will not help you reach your business objectives.

No. 3: Good design & good copywriting

A clear, concise, and well design message is important to cut through the noise in the marketplace and engage your potential customers. Good copywriting & design pulls your customer in to learn more about you.

No. 4: Make strategic use of your website

Customers are increasingly internet savvy today and use the internet as one of their primary methods to make buying decisions. Your marketing & advertising should send people to the right page on your website - the truth is that your home page may not be the first place they should land.

No. 5: Be Consistent

Many businesses fail to see the results from their marketing activities because they stop too early or change the approach. Make a plan, implement it, and stick with it. Give it time to develop and for your customers to get to know you and engage with you.

Comments?

Access Copyright Enhances Shareholder Communications

A strategic shareholder communications strategy can be instrumental in elevating the brand for many public companies. We had the opportunity to tackle this type of business challenge with Access Copyright.

The organization wished to refresh the look of their Annual Report and take it into a new direction. Wishing to imply a sense of trust and full disclosure to the general public, our theme for the new Annual Report was an "open book" which was a perfect fit as Access Copyright works with publishers to regulate and manage the distribution of copyright fees.

The new Annual Report was combined with new brochure designs and banners leading up to the annual meeting of the board of governors and stake holders in order to enhance their communications and elevate the Access Copyright brand.

A Logo does not make a Brand

Many companies struggle with the challenge of building a strong brand and get caught in the myth that a logo is a brand. We like to challenge that myth.

A well designed logo and corporate identity is important but it is just the starting point of building a strong brand that will attract potential customers. Brand strategy impacts all the potential contact points and experiences you have with your customer and is much more than your logo.

How you communicate with your customers. What level of service & support you provide them. How you engage them and meet their needs also are important aspects of your brand. Building a brand takes time and a step by step strategic approach.

Comments? Thoughts?

Tips for Selecting a Design Agency

The selection of a design firm to handle the creation of your marketing materials or website is one of the most important decisions a company can make. These tips can help determine if a design agency can serve your needs while fitting within your budget.

1. Review the firm's portfolio and work done for previous & existing clients

Examine portfolio materials such as logo designs, brochures, ads, corporate identity designs, and websites to get a sense of the style and quality of design work provided by the agency.

2. Prepare & provide information

Before meeting with the agency, prepare a clear summary of the work you are looking to have done and the results and objectives you would like to achieve. Be prepared to present your present marketing materials, your goals, timelines, and your budget. This information will be necessary for a design agency to make realistic suggestions, provide solutions, and a proper quote for your project.

3. Ask to see samples of work done for other clients

The work of the design agency should click with you and give you an indication of the style of work the firm does. In addition, ask for the "story behind the design". Good design agencies help you solve business problems. Ask about the challenge the client was facing and why the design agency presented the final design you see in their portfolio.

4. Find out about the team & how they work with you

Ask about their design team and their design methodology. Find out what the steps are in the design process, who will be working on your project, and who your primary contacts are so that you can have questions addressed.

5. Do they share your vision?

The most important element is that the design agency understands your needs, objectives, and marketing vision. Their job is then to help you make it a reality and good, open communication is critical.

Finally. Ask for a project proposal and quote so you can determine how the design agency proposes to meet your needs and help you reach your objectives within the budget you have provided.

The Art of Hotel Design

The travel industry has definitely raised the stakes in the last few years and realized that a good hotel is more than location, a bed, and room service. While the grand hotels still exist and attract a certain clientele, the new "boutique" hotels have come up with innovative product offerings tailored to the tastes of their guests.

The key to any successful business is knowing your clientele and then offering an experience that will bring them back again and again. The Drake Hotel in Toronto & Listel Hotel in Vancouver have certainly taken that approach.

The Drake has become a landmark for what is happening in art & culture in the reinvigorated Queen West neighborhood and serves up a great hotel with a enticing dessert of music, entertainment, and art to its guests.

The best hotels are more than a place to sleep but rather a destination to explore at the end of a journey. The Listel Hotel boasts art, elegance, and culture in each room with a showcase of art via a partnership with the British Columbia's Museum of Anthropology and the Buschien Mowatt Art Gallery.

Good music, art, & sweet dreams! The perfect way to end the day.

Website Design & the Pedestrian Scramble

One of Canada's busiest intersections frequented by over 60,000 pedestrians daily has just adopted the pedestrian scramble format.

A recent visit to the intersection this week reminded me of some of the important aspects of website design. The intersection is a "pedestrian destination" driven by the "content" presented on all four corners by shopping facilities, business offices, dining, entertainment, Ryerson University, TTC transit, and the public space of Dundas square. It brings to mind the importance of well designed content & copy in generating relevant traffic to your website. Content is king and too often this important element is overlooked by organizations when developing a website.

The other key element is how design impacts the user experience and engages the visitor. The new pedestrian scramble format provides easy navigation for pedestrians to quickly cross to any corner of the intersection and access the various facilities and "content" featured at Yonge & Dundas. Web design should  also provide logical, clear, and functional ways for site visitors to access, enjoy, and experience your site.