the sites
Combining time-tested, standards-compliant web practices and optimization techniques with good old graphic design savvy, together we can work to assure your audience can find the information they are looking for and that new visitors convert into solid business leads. Read through some success stories about clients I’ve been able to help:
ADAPT
The Essex Prevention Coalition’s Alcohol and Drug Abuse Prevention Team works to reduce underage drinking, addiction and substance abuse in Essex County, NJ by targeting teenage drinking reduciton, teenage drunk driving, and drug abuse throughout New Jersey areas such as Newark, Millburn, Livingston, and the Oranges. Upon being contacted to help them create a site to detail all that they do, it provided a great opportunity to apply "responsive" web tactics to "adapt" the site to their growing audience.
Viewable in all screen formats, from mobile to tablets to web, the site has been coded to "adapt" itself in each situaiton… something the organization does itself as it goes from institution to institution with their message. With resizing imagery and a navigation that reformats per screen size, this fully content managable site is connected across multiple social media platforms, from Twitter to Facebook to Google + and more, to create a net threaded with optimized content and meta-information to help jumpstart their campaign.
Culture Connections NJ
CultureConnections works to improve mental health services and outcomes in northern New Jersey by enhancing the cultural competence of mental health professionals and their organizations. Being a new aspect of the Family Connections family in New Jersey, I was contacted to create a content managable site for them to modify and grow as their organization and outreach grew.
Taking cues from their existing branding materials, we worked to encapsulate all of the various informational dimensions of cultural competence, from ethnic differences in a workplace setting, as well as disability, gender variations, linguistic and religious diversity. With the team fully trained to use the CMS, they are capable of managing on-page edits, informational drop-downs, contact and event forms, and email capture management.
Liberated Life Project
Maia Duerr owns Five Directions, which supports nonprofit organizations with mindful marketing and specialized services such as program evaluation, employee matching, and member/donor relationship building, etc. (I created with her the Five Directions logo). It was a pleasure to work with Ms. Duerr once again as we poised creative exuberance with strong content in the reworking of the look and flow of her inspirational blogging opus, The Liberated Life Project.
Literally adding a splash of color, interesting page layouts, and new ways of finding content, we gave this 2.0 view of Maia’s perspective on personal liberation and reclamation of the love of life a new hierarchy, structure, and overall a new excitement throughout the site that I think finally is starting to be able to hold the power of Maia’s amazing writing. All on Wordpress, Maia started this project last year (Maia requested I help make the LLP logo as well) and she took off on her own with a simple template we pulled together, writing and networking away. Now with a growing fan-base, sections and setions of content, and connections abound, Maia was ready to take the look and functionality of her site to the next level.
Project Scope: Content-Managed Website Development, Logo Development, Illustration
Bella Vista Trattoria & Pizzeria
A few years ago Candace and Nunzio Roseo approached Cindy and I with this simple project: create an entire marketing identity with them for their dream restaurant: logo, menus, window signage, street signage, gift certificates, magazine ads, emailers, website... you name it. Starting with the name of the restaurant and their back-story, we used a photo depicting Nunzio's hometown ocean view in Italy as the centerpiece of the logo, and worked with the client to develop both a highly illustrative logo, as well as a color scheme and overall tonality of how all of their material was going to look. Following that easily came business cards, certificates, menus, signage, etc.
The main goal of the material and the site was to give an atmosphere of rustic, authentic goodness, but in an up-to-date and capable venue, and I believe we were able to achieve that by blending seamlessly Flash elements, AJAX areas, and Javascript functionality into a composition that is both modern, yet familiar. Currently, I have been working with the team on their new Facebook Fan page that we created with FBML Tabs with special content for Fans. Other features we've included are PDFs of the menus for download, Google Maps and Mapquest for directions, and the latest reviews, events, and programs going on at BellaVista.
Social Media Update: Not only have we set BellaVista Up with a fully functioning Facebook Fan Page, but Candace herself loves to tweet their latest specials and upcoming events on their Twitter page! Also, you guessed it: Groupon was a big hit when it hit BellaVista in the Fall on 2010!
Project Scope: Branding and Logo Development, Website Development, Image Work, Email and Print Materials, Social Media
MainLine Ventures
Last year Dr. Greg Harriman contacted me with a very specific request: "Wow" him with a logo and web site that would place him among competitors and attract future collegues with a simple, straight-forward interface. Beginning with the branding direction for his start-up, we developed a fresh, precise logo design that easily informed the style and tone of the rest of the project.
Keeping the message concise and the goal in mind, the site was created using clean HTML5—the newest iteration of the internet’s main rendering language—allowing for greater forward compatibility, mobile applications, and the latest Javascript and rendering technologies.
Project Scope: Branding and Logo Development, Website Development, Image Work, Print Materials
NET Centers & Kirkwood Detoxification Treatment Center
NET Centers is an amazing non-profit client that Sara Hosdgson, Joyce Eisenberg and I work with at incompra that offers a range of behavioral health and social services to adults, adolescents, children and families in Pennsylvania and Delaware. After multiple meetings with Sara and Joyce the team at NET quickly realized the website to be the flagship for the organization, and our revamping and expansion of the site’s content (a la Joyce’s amazing writing), as well as developing the flow, functionality and style (with Sara), were paramount.
Recreating the site in a modified version of Wordpress to serve as a Content Management System, this is easily one of the largest sites I’ve done in a while: with various sections and sub-pages, cross-linking, interactive maps, multi-page employment applications, Flash embeds and more. Patience was a true asset in the creation of this site, as the massaging and tweaking and fixing to get content and imagery just right took a number of months, but in the end will prove the best benefit for the people they help.
Following the launch of the main NET Centers’ website, I was also happy to work with James and his team at the NET Kirkwood Detoxification Center to furnish them with a split-off content-manageable site for them for use with their own particular client base. Built on the same system as teh main NET site, after some over-the-phone training the Kirkwood staff have all they need to keep the site updated and fresh.
Project Scope: Content-Managed Website Development and Training
The Meditation Initiative
Jeff Zlotnik of the Meditation Initiative has one goal: to help everyone relax. To just take a few minutes, maybe 20, and turn off for the sake of regaining centeredness, clarity, and focus... something so very scarce in this information-overload age. So when he said he needed a identity campaign, I was more than happy to lend a hand.
Starting with their branding, I took all of the ideas they had floating around and focused it all together to a logo and color palette that tried to capture the calm freshness that they aimed to promote. From that point it was very easy to work with The Meditation Initiaitve to look at what they had—text and pictures—and begin to create an informational scheme of what he was doing and how to tell it to the world.
With “getting the word out there” as the sites main focus, the intent was not only to get groups and organizations to sign-up for meditations, but also to reach out for donations, support, and volunteers. Toward that goal we made sure that all the marketing materials and resource documents were easily accessible to make it a complete online press-kit. A very successful and rewarding project, I can say that for sure.
Social Media Update: You can read all about the different Social Media additions and features implemented with this project in it's own mini-case study. In it is detailed Facebook, Mailchimp, etc.
Project Scope: Branding and Logo Development, Website Development, Image Work, Print Materials, Social Media
blogs!
I have been very busy helping clients get the word out about themselves with their own blogs.
Presence Care Project
I was honored to work with mindfulness-based psychotherapist and dementia care counselor Marguerite Manteu-Rao to bring her newest practice, the Presence Care Project, to life. Focusing on creating a mental/emotional/spiritual holistic bridge for all members involved with dementia care, Marguerite and her partner are working to help those in need, and those helping those in need, get the help they need.
Starting with branding and logo development, we evolved the online site with a WordPress-powered CMS for ease of editing on the clients part. This has become a very popular option for many clients as they may be interested in handling their own comments, uploading mp3s, and managing events pages. In the end Marguerite realized she was going to need a little more, so we created a leave-behind brochure and business cards to match.
Project Scope: Branding and Logo Development, Content-Managed Website Development and Training
Waterdog Computer Works
Waterdog Computer Works in Wayne, PA, have re-named, re-branded, and re-located their business and I was happy to help them get their online interactions with their clients together. Cindy and I worked with Fred and his team at Waterdog to understand their goals and audience, and we created a content managed system that allowed them to update and interface with their clients remotely through their hosted online support service.
Utilizing the time-tested talents of Wordpress, we were able to pull together a great site for them to manage, update, and gather new clients and prospects through a variety of contact portals. We also have helped them with their email campaigns and direct mail pieces.
Project Scope: Content-Managed Website Development and Training
Creative Original
In today's business climate companies are dividing, re-organizing, or just closing up shop. When that happens, many proprietors are taking their hard work and starting up their own businesses which need a quick turn-around on a new concept, a new look, and a new way for clients to find them. Sarah Benoit was such an entrepreneur. When she called me and talked to me about her dream to continue to provide quality service to her clients, but with a more refined and focused team of associates, I was more than happy to jump on board to help realize that goal.
Starting with a new branding format, including logo, stationery, and style guide, I took cues from Ms. Benoit's tastes and worked with her to create a fun and energetic look and feel for her identity and online interface. using Wordpress, we developed a Content Management System that Ms. Benoit could use to modify the quickly growing content of her site and used Adobe Flash accents and interfaces thoughtfully in order to exhibit the fresh and “out-of-the-box” approach that she has become famous for.
All in all, this project became a perfect example of teamwork, creativity, and style working together to create an economical and effective indentity package to start off this new business.
Project Scope: Branding and Logo Development, Content-Managed Website Development, Print Materials
email campaigns
As of late I have been creating a lot of e-newsletter and email marketing campaigns to help my clients business grow.
Tsunami Studios
Tsunami Studios was a production company in Hollywood that moved so fast that they became successful independent writers, producers, and directors overnight. Faster than any other start-up motion picture outfit has in a long time, they shared with me. Making the right contacts in the industry and quickly revolving in the right Hollywood cirlces, when they asked me to quickly throw together a new logo, identity materials, and a start-up website, I was more than happy to meet their needs immediately.
Beginning with their name and industry, I quickly collaborated with them on some ideas for look, feel, and iconographic elements regarding the branding, finally creating a logo that we agreed captured the fresh and modern attitude and style that they bring to the table. From that point on business cards and letterhead flowed organically, as well as the direction of the site.
With a quick Flash intro that leads directly to the site, the information on the site itself is spare and direct, acting as an online calling card with a few in progress shots from their first film as well as a teaser section for their next project. It was just what they needed to get their foot in the door and jump-start their careers.
All done in a week—very much at the speed of Hollywood—the team and Tsunami felt this quick splash of identity and web development provided what they need to inundate tinsel town effectively and jump-start their careers.
Project Scope: Branding and Logo Development, Website Development, Image Work, Print Materials
Dr. Ted Eisenberg
One of my earliest commercial CSS-styled sites, this site was a major upgrade project from a previous document. This hand-coded HTML/CSS/Flash hybrid site was a full-on revamp: color-scheme trials, logo development, image generation, design consultation, content audit and relayout — basically, the works. Inspired by the excitement and vivacity the doctor had about his craft, I was able to generate a sensual, visceral, almost chocolatey user-space which, from what I'm told, has been met with resounding approval.
Being ever-cautious to never seem “porn-like”, working closely with the content, design, and typography was the true challenge here as these details in the end serve to assure a sense of class and distinction are ever-present.
Currently, I have been working with the doctor and his team on his event emailers through Mailchimp and his new Facebook Fan page that we created with FBML Tabs with special content for Fans. Also, we are constantly keeping the content on the site up-to-date and fresh, periodically adding new gallery images and update the information and elements as necessary. When visiting the link below, please be aware there is partial-nude photography of Dr. Eisenberg’s work.
Social Media Update: Dr. Eisenberg is sure having fun sending out email blasts using the Mailchimp email template I set up for him. Mostly speaking about his Facebook Fan Page. That is if he isn't tending to his YouTube page we set up, now highlighting over 12 videos about his practice.
Project Scope: Branding and Logo Development, Website Development, Image Work, Email and Print Materials, Social Media, Advertising, Powerpoint
Marianne Mitchell
A formal redesign of her preliminary site, this full XHTML/CSS/Javascript-enabled site was created to provide the artist’s audience, contemporaries, and future exhibition spaces with a more robust wealth of information on her and her work.
With a goal of creating an online space that gave it’s viewers a more intimate look at the artist’s work, vision, and achievements as an educator, I utilized the time-tested working style of clean XHTML coding, a balanced visual structure that celebrates the work itself, and a simple Javascript gallery approach to maximize download timing and user experience.
Futhermore, I was able to work with Ms. Mitchell on redeveloping her logotype and identity materials to round out our efforts and bringing a holistic approach to her entire campaign.
Social Media Update: Marianne is breaking out of the studio and into her own blog. This month we launched a Blogger.com-based blog for her to chronicle her latest exploration "Color Drops" which has received great reviews in it's Facebook trial runs.
Project Scope: Branding and Logo Development, Website Development, Image Work, Email and Print Materials, Social Media
Delaware Children’s Museum
The Delaware Children’s Museum will be an interactive, multi-disciplinary museum on the Wilmington, Delaware Waterfront completely dedicated to the education and entertainment of children. The mission of the DCM and its programs is to inspire children to explore, discover, and celebrate the power of their potential.
This awareness and fund-raising site is one tier of an on-going account at incompra design, involving logo development, character conception, identity creation, and good old graphic design and web development. You name it, it's got it: XHTML coding, CSS styling, Flash Development, Javascript/DHTML actioning, bright colors, cute characters, and a coloring game for kids. Targeting both the desires of the client and the demographics of the users who will be visiting the site, we utilized download-light Lightbox enlargements to detail the upcoming exhibits, as well as small Flash embeds for games in the “For Kids” section and animated GIFs sprinkled throughout for a splash of movement.
As the Delaware Children's Museum is moving into their second phase, our fundraising and awareness campaign for them has come to an end, and thusly they are beginning to move thier site and materials into a larger format for the grand opening. Thusly, the example of their web site you can link to from here reflects that online space which helped raise over a 2 million dollars to get the project to where it is today. Good luck, DCM, we love you!
Project Scope: Branding and Logo Development, Website Development, Flash Animation, Image Work, Email and Print Materials, Advertising, Powerpoint
The Delaware Children's Museum Awareness Site.
banner ads
I’ve had the honor of working with many marketing teams over the years to create some great banner advertisements: Adobe Flash, animated gifs, and static.
Delaware Association for the Blind
The Delaware Association for the Blind (DAB) is a private, non-profit agency serving to improve the quality of life for legally blind and severely visually impaired adults and children in Delaware through a variety of education, counseling, and recreation programs.
Focusing on the usability of the site for the specific variety of visitors it would attract, careful adherence to accessibility standards such as the U.S. Government's Section 508 standards, WCAG Guidelines set up by the WC3, as well as maintaining valid, semantic XHTML and CSS coding was paramount.
Among these advances to better the online user's experience when they are of limited vision, an extra set of styling controls were created to allow the user to define their own level of comfort. Seperate and selectable style sheets were created to designate font size, a high-contrast format, or a non-graphic representation of the information. Other issues were taken into consideration that dictated the colors and imagery for viewers with a limited color field, careful alt-tagging and meta-information for those who use Lynx Readers to “hear” the internet, and temporary internet cookies used to remember the user's style choices upon returning during a session.
Project Scope: Branding and Logo Development, Website Development
FrankenKnuckle
Every now and again I get a client that doesn't quite fit into the non-profit or start-up or health-related industries; sometimes I get a client that's a little more... Rock-and-Roll! And that's where FrankenKnuckle comes in.
FrankenKnuckle is a side-project I started to cater to the more artsy, grungey, punk-rock clientele that sometimes seeks out my services. Over the years FrankenKnuckle has worked with many artists, musicians, shops, directors and all types of creatives to help spread the word about their work through print, web, and media. The site itself is a cleanly coded XHTML/CSS portfolio site, all designed by yours truly, from the logo, advertisements, and content.
Project Scope: Branding and Logo Development, Website Development, Print Materials