MLM CPS Limited is a personal debt management company that provides advice and assistance to individuals and directors of companies who are experiencing financial difficulties.
The main aim of the website redesign was to realign the brands online image and bring it up to date with the current company goals and aspirations. 360innovate designed an information rich website which compliments the company branding and presents a strong image of the company.
When you think of patterns, what is the first thing that comes into your mind? Many would think of the 70′s or Gran’s carpet, but patterns have made a huge comeback over the past few years, thanks to establishments like Ikea who promoted the use of bold colours within home furnishings. However, within web design, patterns are being used more readily; with faster download speeds and better file sizes with the use of vector graphics, patterns are being used more and more for background images within web design than ever before.
Patterns are now used often throughout web design. However, they usually go unnoticed, remaining in the background and enhancing the overall design (hopefully!). These background patterns are used to replace standard background colours, creating a more inviting atmosphere fitting the overall style of the site and boosting the branding and image of the company.
The reason why patterns are popular for background images within web design is because they are extremely versatile, creating a unique space and increasing the sites personality, setting it apart from others. Within the e-commerce sector, websites using patterns within their background can be seen often, but many other sectors choose to use patterns to add a touch of character to their sites too. Here are a few examples that we have come across:
It is easy to create completely different styles by utilising background patterns. Whatever look and feel you want to achieve with your website, from crafty and homely looks to ultra modern and sleek designs, patterns are so diverse enabling you to transform a relatively ordinary website into something a little less ordinary.
Here are a couple of great resources for downloading free patterns:
Back again with another instalment of Design Crush. This time we are talking about current colour trends. While web design has had a long history with colour it hasn’t always been pretty. In the years gone by, when websites were in their infancy it was common place to see cyan used throughout. But we are not here to discuss the past, we are here to discuss the present colour trends that are occurring within web design.
One recent colour trend that is cropping up throughout the web is the use of Autumn colours. With this time of year descending upon us, it’s no wonder designers are turning to the autumn season for colour inspiration. According to Linda Chadbourne’s article for thewebsqueeze.com these autumn colours are not necessarily your typical browns and reds. There is an array of warm pinks, greys, blues and natural tones that are storming the web. Below are the top picks:
Here are a few examples of where some websites have successfully used these new autumn colours in their design:
Of course there is a lot more to be said about colour other than just being a trend. Colours can not only promote a certain feeling and atmosphere within a design but they can also make a website more (or less) user friendly. Colours are a major part of any website design and by using these new autumn colours, websites are sure to be fresh, warm and welcoming.
Check back soon to find out what other colour trends catch our attention, in our search for design inspiration.
Let us know what colour trends you are linking at the moment…
Recently we have been receiving CV’S for web designers and graphics designers looking for positions within 360. This got me thinking about how designers can make a company like 360 take notice and take action. While the CV is very important, in terms of the information that it holds, the portfolio is even more so. Why? Because it shows companies your style and skill set first hand and can be the making or breaking of a future job.
Designing and building your own portfolio site would be the best way to get your work from your head to your potential employment. However if you don’t have your own site to house all your unique work, then don’t worry. There are plenty of resources available to you that still let you have an effective online presence. Online portfolio sites like the examples below would be a good place to start.
While thinking about all this, I decided to write down a few tips that may help any budding designers figure out what to include and what not to include in their portfolio.
Tip 1 Define the purpose of your portfolio. What do you want your portfolio to achieve? Portfolios can be used for many things including selling your services, promoting your services, getting a job, building a reputation and networking.
Tip 2 Whatever you want your portfolio to do, make sure you get the message across crystal clear. Targeting your portfolio to your intended audience is important to make it more effective and achieve your desired outcome.
Tip 3 When deciding what to include in your portfolio make sure you don’t put any old rubbish in. Only include your best work. Remember its quality not quantity.
Tip 4 One of the most important tips is to make it different. Your portfolio is an expression of your work therefore it should be totally unique and should be able to make a statement of who you are a designer.
Tip 5 And finally, with all portfolios, keep it up to date. Its amazing how over time, work can look dated and can make a portfolio (including mine) look less than impressive. So whenever you have completed a new project and its worthy of showcasing your talents, stick it into your portfolio.
360innovate are delighted to announce the launch of the Reid Brothers Sure Fast Strapping website.
Reid Brothers (Glasgow) Ltd was established in 1868, over 140 years ago. They sell a range of strapping and load securing equipment to a variety of industries including offshore, construction and haulage.
Reid Brothers required the design and development of a website on which they could sell their range of strapping products under the brand name Surefast. Emphasis was placed upon creating a professional website that could be easily navigated by users with only basic computer skills, coupled with the knowledge they can make secure payment transactions online.
360innovate proposed an ecommerce shopping cart for the Reid Brothers website with clear navigation allowing users to easily find their desired products.
It’s been a while since the last Design Crush, what with summer holidays and a busy work load getting in the way. But here we are again, and this week it’s all about minimalism. Minimalism can be described as a “design style that emphasizes simplicity and the removal of superfluous elements in one’s own work” – Wikipedia. It is a type of design that can be achieved throughout many different types of media and can be a very effective way of presenting an idea. And with web design, it is no different:
“Minimalist web design relies on subtraction and the preservation of empty space.”
— Tokujin Yoshioka
When designing for the web, taking advantage of the use of white space can often be challenging due to the commonly large amount of information that has to be included within a relatively limited space. But when white space is employed properly, you can often create a sense of mystery that makes people want to know more about your website.
The key element of minimalist design that makes it successful is being able to cut out all the padding and unnecessary bumph and being left with the fundamental information. This makes minimalistic websites more succinct and to the point providing your users with the most important information . Moreover, it can be considered quite a talent to create an attractive website design with a limited amount of resources.
Minimalism in web design can create a statement and can clearly and effectively communicate the core idea or ethos of the website. With less clutter and useless information supplied, it means that visitors will spend more time focussing on the vital information. So the next time you are designing or getting a website design, think to yourself “do I really need to include that?”
Here are some examples of web design that use minimalism to produce successful websites:
For more examples of minimalism in web design visit Minimal Exhibit
The web agency I work for receives a fair amount of requests for visual design work on spec from prospective clients. From an agency perspective the dilemma whether or not to agree to carry out speculative design work is often a difficult one, and due to commercial pressures it can be difficult to say no. However should we as designers or indeed agencies dismiss all on spec work out of hand?
This short article aims to present some of my own views, concerns and the professional implications for business (and designers) that deciding to do on spec work bring.
What is ‘on spec’ work and why does it matter?
Now it’s fair to say that the subject of designing on spec is a pretty contentious one, and with strong views on both sides it’s often difficult to know where best to pitch in on the topic. However some clarification of what ‘on-spec’ means is probably a fair starting point. The AIGA (professional association for design) briefly defines it as “Speculative or “spec” work: work done for free, for the client’s speculation”.
The AIGA also makes the distinction between the following types of work, which are sometimes perceived as work carried out ‘on spec’. For the purposes of this article the items in the bullet pointed list below have not been considered as ‘on-spec’ work as defined above;
Now while I do understand why some designers and agencies decide that producing work on spec is the right thing to do, my own views and experience tell me that it’s ultimately the wrong choice and one that can damage the value and perceived quality of services that designers and agencies offer clients.
Ultimately who does on spec design benefit?
There are many reasons I believe a professional web agency shouldn’t consider on spec requests from clients – a few key reasons are as follows;
Good design is not simply an artistic statement. Essentially good design is about problem solving. Different clients will invariably have unique needs and associated problems to solve, which can’t adequately be addressed without having detailed information about the project and it’s specific requirements. For example; goals of the website, user needs, information architecture and so on.
Poor understanding of the creative process - Prospective clients who insist on pre-sign up layouts often don’t appreciate the creative (and technical) process and by inisiting on work on spec present themselves as clients that an agency should probably steer well clear of – this raises doubts about the type of relationship that would exist between agency and client within the lifetime of a project.
Potentially damaging client/designer relationship – The very nature of doing work on spec preempts the important relationship between designer and client, which can be damaged if the work produced on spec is discovered not to be workable within the context of the project. On spec work can also damage the credibility, trust and value of a designer. After all if all we are seen to do is knock-up some visuals in an hour or two where does the real value in what a designer does lie?
Promotes sub-standard work and plagiarism - Due to having little or no requirements upfront the resulting design will most often be a very superficial reference for the client. Being judged on visual work alone means that unless it is of top quality (which often takes a large investment in time) it’s not likely to win the account. It is also not uncommon for work done on spec (that has been rejected by the prospective client) to turn up months later with someone else’s name on it. Potentially leading to litigation, where no-one really wins.
Lots of unpaid hours of work - Producing work on spec requires an agency (and designers) to often invest large amounts of time and resources for a client or prospective clients speculation. For an agency this can be costly not only financially with the investment in time – it can also undermine and draw resources from other projects, which can be damaging to existing client relationships.
Pitching for work should be about understanding the brief - When pitching for work, agencies should be able to show client they understand the brief. It’s better to give an explanation of previous related work and examples so clients can see the creative and design skills an agency has to offer. Clients should be walked through the creative process so they get a real sense of how the design phases fit within the wider project.
Ultimately individual design agencies (and designers) have to make a jugement call on the potential value and/or damage of doing work on spec. I believe it is best for an agency to stand it’s ground, while politely and professionally explaining the position of the company. It’s clear that many clients will understand and respect the stance, others most definitely won’t!
If design agencies (and designers) want to build successful, long-term relationships with clients who value and understand the creative process and benefits of good web design – work on spec should not even be a question.
Another exciting new website launch this week, this time in the shape of Clothes From the Show, a 
website set to become a firm favourite for fashionistas all over.
Clothes For The Shows is a new website service offering a unique fashion and retail experience. Ever see something on TV but can’t find it in the shops, well Clothes For The Shows will hunt down and find the item for you!
Clothes From The Shows approached 360innovate looking for an exciting website that would be the primary point where people could contact Clothes From The Shows and a new logo for the company. 360innovate proposed a high design website with simple navigation that allows users to easily enquire after their items.
360innovate are pleased to announce that the Strathclyde Police Authority website has officially gone live!
Strathclyde Police Authority is an independent public body made up entirely of locally elected councillors. Together with Scotland’s Justice Secretary and Strathclyde’s Chief Constable, they are responsible for the management of policing in Strathclyde. Strathclyde Police Authority has a duty to ensure the local police force is effective and efficient and hold the Chief Constable to account for decisions taken and services delivered.
The Strathclyde Police Authority approached 360innovate looking for rebranding and a new website. By rebranding we aim to present a clearer, more defined image of the police authority. By creating the website, the Authority aim to bring themselves into line with all other public bodies as well as making themselves more accessible and encouraging their target audience to access information.
Working closely with the Authority 360innovate developed branding guidelines, which included the development of a new corporate logo and stationary, followed by the design of a new corporate website.
360innovate has provided a high level of creative and professional expertise and we are confident it will produce a strong and focused identity and website for Strathclyde Police Authority. Vanessa Ewing, Strathclyde Police Authority.
To create a successful website the design is highly important in order to achieve the primary goals of the site; commonly being to communicate brand awareness, target their specific market, increase sales or enquires and lastly to give the company an online identity. However, for successful web design to be able to fulfil all of these goals there needs to be something else added into the mix, this being SEO (Search Engine Optimisation).
Many web designers forget about the importance of creating a site that is not only designed well but is also able to have the best chance of being found in the search engines. With the internet advancing all the time, web design must keep up with the new demands. One of the biggest demands is having a site that performs well in terms of search engine rankings to make sure that it is received by its audience.
So how can web designers create searchable designs? With a few easy and often underestimated tricks, a website can have a much greater chance of being found online. Here are a few tips that web designers should take into consideration while designing a site:
Headers – Headers of pages should always be text. Many designers use images for headers which does not allow search engine to read the text making it detrimental to the sites rankings. These text headers should be bold and descriptive.
Title tags - Often it can be seen that a title tag of a web page includes the company name and thats about it. But in order for search engines to know what the page is about, these title tags should be optimised to include keywords that describe what the page is about. They should also try to create a call to action.
Description Meta tags - Like the title tags, this too should be a detailed description of the content of the page , including keywords to accurately describe it.
Alt tags - These tags describe images that are on web pages and should be used to include descriptive keywords that keep in line with what the page is about, to amplify its meaning and therefore look more authoritative to the search engines.
Content - When designing sites, content is one of the elements that if lacking, then the ‘searchablility’ of the site really suffers. Search engines like to see lots of keyword rich unique content to make the site look informative and useful, so when designing a site, make sure you include content, content, content.
Creating Call to Action - The design of the website should be able to create a clear call to action in order to achieve the aims of the site, whether it is to sell products or services, or to promote them. Either way, website design should be able a successful create this call to action.
Usability - Web design is all about usability so it’s no surprise that its getting a mention here. Usability is something that is important to make the site easy to use, creating a pleasant user experience that will encourage people to use the site and help with its online success.
Make it social - These days it’s important to give a site a social aspect. By including the company’s social networks on its website it boosts their online identity and makes it much easier to create a buzz, promote and increase awareness of the brand.
Analytics - Adding Google Analytics onto a site is not only easy, simple pasting in code supplyed by Google, but iot also allows you to see how the site is performing, such as the amount of traffic to the site, what keywords the site is being found for, making it easy to see what the sites disadvantages are and improving on them.
All of these tips may not be suitable for every site but they should be considered when designing a site to ensure that your design is not only seen and used by the company and its current customers, but seen by new and potential online customers too. Getting these SEO tips right in the first instance, at the design stage, overall ensures the site more online success.
