When putting together an important document or proposal, a business card or brochure it is essential to know what colors to add and which ones to stay away from. In order to do that you must know what the colors mean in the business world. For starters let me just say it is not as simple as black and white, as there are many colors to think about. We have, r […]
Fifteen Wilmington residents raised $74,684 of the $35 million donated by the Pan-Massachusetts Challenge (PMC) to Dana-Farber Cancer Institute through its Jimmy Fund. They were among 5,169 cyclists who rode up to 190 miles across Massachusetts to raise money for cancer research and treatment. The 2011 fundraising total is $2 million, or 5.7 percent, more th […]
They are both similar and yet different depending on how you look at them. First Their Lineage Java is an Object Oriented Programming (OOP) language created by James Gosling of Sun Microsystems. JavaScript is a scripting language that was created by Netscape and was originally known as LiveScript. JavaScript is a (very) distant cousin of […]
QR codes were first created by Toyota to track vehicles in manufacturing, offering a small barcode that can be quickly decoded. That was in 1994, and now, almost 20 years later, QR code technology is experiencing a revival — but not in the automotive industry. The small, square codes are ubiquitous, showing up on everything […]
As the beautiful fall leaves start dropping and the mornings get colder we all start thinking of the Holiday Seasons that are just around the corner. We have all booked our holiday parties, and may have gotten a caterer, but is there something else we need to do? Yes! It is time to think about […]
Everyone is walking around with mobile phones now, Smartphone’s, Iphones, Androids, Ipad’, Blackberry’s. We all have them, from our young children in middle school to our grandparents. According to Experian, 87% of Americans have mobile phones and the Human Factors International (HFI) found that 43% of them use their browser to access the internet on […] […]
Tricks of the trade Have a look on the camera, somewhere, probably on the top or back or somewhere on the front or sides there will be a button or dial marked 'A', this does not stand for 'Automatic' as some amateurs think but 'Awesome'. Leave it on this all the time.
QR and other two-dimensional (2D) codes can be readily integrated into your current business marketing practices to bring your online content to a mobile audience in real time. In North America, QR and 2D codes are still a novelty. For this reason, early adopters are eagerly putting them into practice to get to market first and capitalize on the trend. As a […]
Time to Think about 2012 calendars With this year wrapping up and the New Year quickly approaching, it’s time to start thinking about calendars. An average consumer references a calendar twelve times a day and owns at least three. What better way to promote your business than with a creative product everyone needs and views […]
When putting together an important document or proposal, a business card or brochure it is essential to know what colors to add and which ones to stay away from. In order to do that you must know what the colors mean in the business world.
For starters let me just say it is not as simple as black and white, as there are many colors to think about. We have, red, blue, yellow, green, purple, orange, brown, gray, beige, pink, turquoise, gold and of course, black and white.
Red is a color of blood, a color of life. For a business red can be used for excitement or attention.
Blue is a color of comfortable and relaxation. A business can use blue to portray loyalty and confidence.
Yellow is a color of brightness and purity. Companies can use yellow to bestow warmth and awareness.
Green is a color of nature and health. Companies can use green to represent immortality and dedication.
Purple is a color of magic and mystery. To a business man purple represents their company as wise and sovereigns.
Orange is the color of power and healing. A company would use orange to display youthfulness and liveliness to your customers.
Brown is the color of Mother-Earth, the color of reliability. Your business would use brown to represent wholesomeness and earthiness.
Gray is a conservative and neutral color. For companies gray is often used in IT logos, but not recommended to indecisive personalities.
Beige is the color of calm and neutral. Businesses could use beige coupled with other colors, it is a mix of warm brown and the cool white.
Pink is the sweet side of red, a softer color. In a business you could use pink to convey playfulness and tenderness.
Turquoise is the color sweet feminine and lively sophistication. A company may use turquoise to create a feminine appeal or an old-fashioned 50s retro feel.
Gold is the color of riches and extravagance. A company will want to use gold to produce a richness and warmth.
Black and White are opposites, working great together. Black refers to power and credibility, while white symbolizes peace and prosperity. For a business black and white together produce power and precision, elegance and fairness all in one.
As the beautiful fall leaves start dropping and the mornings get colder we all start thinking of the Holiday Seasons that are just around the corner. We have all booked our holiday parties, and may have gotten a caterer, but is there something else we need to do? Yes! It is time to think about your wonderful employees and clients who have been with you every step of the way.
Everyone enjoys receiving something special at the holiday time so why not do just that. Give the people who have worked so hard for you all year something special. Commend them for all their accomplishments, you couldn’t have done it all on your own. And don’t forget your clients who have been faithful to your company, give them something that will keep them coming back to you.
There are all types of gifts out there, big or small, individual or one type of gift for all. As well, personalized gifts are great, we can do just about any gift you want and put your logo on it. Maybe an engraved ornament or paperweights they can use daily and always remember the business they have done with you.
Everyone is walking around with mobile phones now, Smartphone’s, Iphones, Androids, Ipad’, Blackberry’s. We all have them, from our young children in middle school to our grandparents. According to Experian, 87% of Americans have mobile phones and the Human Factors International (HFI) found that 43% of them use their browser to access the internet on their phone. So what would make us think it isn’t important to have a mobile website?
Why Most Sites Don’t Work Well on Mobile Devices
Most desktop websites don’t work the same on your mobile phone! For one, your phone has a much smaller screen, also, the speed of your mobile website is going to be much slower than with a desktop website. That being said, no two people are the same, so why would we think mobile and desktop users would be the same?
Google Analytics Doesn’t Lie
If you want to find out just how many of your customers are looking at your website via mobile phone you can look at your Google Analytics. What you are going to want to do is to compare the amount of visits your website has had in total compared to visits from mobile users only. It would be best to compare the number of visits over a month through a year for the best comparison. If say you had a total of 46,820 visits through the whole month and 4,670 of those were of mobile phone users then that is 10%. 10% of the visits your companies website was viewed via a mobile phone. You have to ask yourself at that time, is 10% good enough to build a separate website solely for mobile users? One not to consider, when comparing your numbers, the number might actually be higher than the 10% shown, Google Analytics is in Java Script, if your mobile phone doesn’t support Java Script then the visits may not have been recorded in the mobile section of the Analytics.
Solutions
It seems clear to me that most company websites should have a separate mobile website. According to the Nielson Net Ratings the average Internet session lasts for 56 minutes, the average mobile session is less than five minutes. The mobile user needs to be able to get to what they need and quickly. Which typically can’t happen using a desktop website on there mobile phone. The mobile phone user is not just ‘surfing around’, he is looking for something in particular, he knows what he wants and wants to find it! 68% of mobile users said if they knew a business had a mobile website they would visit that instead of the desktop website on their phone, according to (HFI)
Less Is More, Copy Is King
When developing your mobile website remember two things when creating the content, ‘less is more’ and ‘copy is king’. Breakdown all your copy into easy digestible segments. There is no reason to go crazy building a mobile website. Focus on the three most important reasons to visit your mobile website. Ease of use is critical, if the user has a hard time finding the simplest of things -take your phone number or a map- they are more likely to leave.
Ready Yet?
Smartphone’s are only going to get smarter, with time comes technology. If you decide to create your mobile site today you will be capturing all the traffic that visits your site. Is it a necessity at this point? That depends on your traffic level and business model. Still confused? Contact Chris at 1-Stop Design Shop today and find out if your business would benefit from a mobile site, or better yet a phone app!
781-938-3866http://www.1stopdesign.com/
Ipad Accessories!
You have already bought yourself and your employee’s their Smartphone’s, now it’s time to think about protecting them. With the help from 1-Stop Design Shop, you can protect your ipad and promote your company logo with customized ipad accessories.
Professional photography tips with Thomas, who has a digital camera and a wide aperature.
Hello, my name is Thomas and I am a professional photographer because I bought a digital camera.
TIP 1 How to become a professional photographer
Buy a digital camera.
TIP 2 Tricks of the trade Have a look on the camera, somewhere, probably on the top or back or somewhere on the front or sides there will be a button or dial marked ‘A’, this does not stand for ‘Automatic’ as some amateurs think but ‘Awesome’. Leave it on this all the time.
TIP 3 Photography courses There is no need for even a basic photography course because once you buy a digital camera you will be a professional photographer like me. Not as good as me though.
TIP 4 Lighting You will need some light otherwise the photos will come out a bit too dark. Usually you can fix them in photoshop but some light to begin with is good.
TIP 5 Subject Matter Yes, it does. Dont take photos of girls leaving the high school from your car as the fine is $360.00 and a years probation.
Photo Gallery
Sunset from my rooftop.
Me on my rooftop.
View of city from my rooftop.
The plant on my rooftop.
Clouds over my rooftop.
Some people that once came to visit me on my rooftop.
Or my toes, I am unsure.
Are you wondering how to use QR codes to enhance your marketing?
Keep reading to learn some tips for implementing 5 essential steps.
Why QR codes?
QR and other two-dimensional (2D) codes can be readily integrated into your current business marketing practices to bring your online content to a mobile audience in real time.
In North America, QR and 2D codes are still a novelty. For this reason, early adopters are eagerly putting them into practice to get to market first and capitalize on the trend. As a result, some embarrassing and costly mistakes are being made.
This article will help you learn from those mistakes and develop best practices for creating a favorable user experience that serves both you and your community well.
#1: Plan your QR code campaign strategy
To create a successful QR code campaign, it is essential to understand your target audience, have clear objectives and provide useful and valuable incentives to deliver a favorable user experience.
Here are some ideas and considerations to help you get started building your strategy.
Understand Your Target Audience:
Does he/she need instructions about the use of QR codes?
Does he/she need to use a specific type of code reader?
Will the codes be scanned indoors or outside?
Have Clear Objectives—Here are some possibilities:
Grow your email list
Increase Likes for your Facebook page
Increase your blog subscribers
Provide Useful and Valuable Incentives—Here are some options:
Enter a contest to win
Deliver a discount coupon
Download a free eBook
Talk to a live agent
Take a virtual tour
Demonstrate a product or service with video
Download a free mp3
Get VIP access
Are you trying to grow your email list or get more Likes for your Facebook page? Then you should always provide an incentive, especially when using scannable codes.
As more businesses fail to deliver value with their QR code campaigns, consumers in general will become more reluctant to scan them in the future. This will make it increasingly necessary to provide clear incentives and deliver on them.
#2: Create quality codes and test them
While there are numerous 2D code formats, the two most commonly used worldwide are QR codes and Microsoft (MS) tags. Both technologies are free, so your choice of which to use will largely depend upon your audience and other market factors.
A customized MS tag for IAMS pet products.
A customized QR code by Patrick Donnelly of 2ergo for American Parkour.
The owners of the QR code technology have elected to allow anyone free use of it. This gives QR codes the advantage of being in mainstream use around the world, and that awareness is currently working to their advantage.
The MS tag technology is proprietary, which allows for complete control over the entire user experience of generating, reading and tracking the tags. MS tags are also easily customized. One can embed images or logos into the codes using Microsoft PowerPoint.
The widespread use of the QR technology has attracted lots of developers who want to cash in on the trend. However, when technologies are open like this, there is always the risk that generally accepted standards will not be followed. QR code generators and scanners are only as good as the developers creating them, so you have to do your due diligence.
What happens if your QR codes do not work? For one thing, your reputation and brand are tarnished—just as it would be if a visitor to your website discovered multiple broken links.
I recently discovered one particular situation where a small business used QR codes in print ads in an annual publication. After trying several scanners, I could not get any of the QR codes to register. The investment of thousands of dollars on those print ads that will be in the market for a year was a costly mistake for that merchant. The lesson from this is clear—test your codes.
These best practices will maximize your success with 2D codes:
Test your QR codes with multiple readers and devices.
Use link shorteners to create clean codes.
Avoid using colors that do not provide sufficient contrast—a potential problem with both QR codes and customized MS tags.
Make your codes at least 1″ x 1″—larger is better.
Provide a sufficient quiet zone around the code.
Avoid using 2D codes on highly reflective surfaces.
Consider where your codes will be scanned. One unfortunate application was in the New York City subway where there is not an Internet connection.
Use a quality QR code generator. My favorite is Kerem Erkan.
Use a quality scanner or reader. Two excellent choices are Qrafter and i-nigma. Qrafter is unique in that it is both a code generator and scanner in one app.
Qrafter is a multi-feature QR code generator and reader.
#3: Link your codes to mobile-friendly or mobile-optimized sites
The most common mistake marketers make with QR codes is having them resolve to a standard web page that is not mobile-friendly. Worse yet is to have a code connect to a site with Flash video, which is not supported by the iOS devices (iPhones and iPads) that account for nearly 50% of the code readers in the world.
At a minimum, the page your code connects to should be mobile-friendly. For example, one of my codes resolves to the speaking page on my WordPress blog. A couple of taps on my iPhone enlarges it to fit nicely to my screen.
Mobile-optimized is better than mobile-friendly. According to Matthew Gallizzi of NotixTech, mobile sites are websites optimized specifically for smartphones. He suggests hosting these mobile sites on a subdomain or subdirectory of your main website, thereby giving you the SEO benefit of the traffic they bring.
Here are additional considerations when building a mobile site:
Build your site around the desired user experience.
Smaller images and solid colors load more quickly.
Size your links and buttons to be touch-friendly.
Use concise copy—sentences rather than paragraphs.
Use “fluid width” for horizontal and vertical orientation.
Test, test and test again—on iPhone, Android and Blackberry platforms.
This mobile-optimized site emphasizes incentives.
Three unique mobile sites featuring specific optimized content and actions.
The primary benefit of 2D codes is encouraging action. This can be accomplished by connecting to multimedia content such as video that shows a product or service in action. Other logical actions include activating a phone call or social share.
Here’s a list of the most requested features for mobile-optimized sites:
Tap to call links.
Tap to email links.
Tap to SMS (text).
Google maps integration.
Social sharing links.
Links to Yelp, Flickr and other mobile-optimized sites.
Links to YouTube and Vimeo (both mobile-optimized).
The cost of building a mobile-optimized site is comparable to a professionally designed and built WordPress site. If you are not ready to make that investment, there are a couple of services that allow you to create mobile sites hosted on their platforms: ShareSquare and Qraffiticodes.
#4: Track your scans with code management systems
QR codes and MS tags can presently track basic data, such as number of scans, with codes generated with bit.ly being just one example. However, if you use a QR code management system, you can gather even richer data.
The experts I interviewed for this article collectively agree that QR code management systems are in the early stages of their development cycle. According to Roger Smolski of 2d-code.co.uk, “There are new QR code management systems appearing every day, but there is not yet enough user experience of these systems for a consensus on their relative merits.”
Most of these services are free for limited used, with Delivr being one that presently offers an uncomplicated experience.
Delivr provides a variety of analytics, including scans by location and time.
According to Nick Martin of Microsoft, “MS tags have the capability to accurately determine the location of a scan and report that data in real time.” This creates a number of code management opportunities, such as delivering different content depending upon the location of the scan—directions to the store or a discount coupon for those in or near the store.
#5: Deliver value and a favorable user experience
Will QR codes gain more widespread use? When it comes to technology, or just about anything else, there will always be naysayers.
What is most relevant is that you as the marketer are the one who gives your codes value. They are just tools, and how you use the tool determines the value derived from it.
QR codes can serve a specific use for you, mostly as a lead generation tool. How are you doing your lead generation now? If you can use what is working for you now and make it better, more attractive or easier with QR codes, you are probably on the right track.
The video below shows how an ingenious use of QR codes helped a business in Korea to expand, and it all started with understanding the customers and building a QR code campaign strategy around their buying behaviors.
Ready to implement your QR Codes into your corporate collateral, website and marketing? Give us a call 781-938-3866 or email and we can get started today!
Time to Think about 2012 calendars
With this year wrapping up and the New Year quickly approaching, it’s time to start thinking about calendars. An average consumer references a calendar twelve times a day and owns at least three. What better way to promote your business than with a creative product everyone needs and views daily! Here at 1-Stop Design Shop we can meet all of your 2012 calendar needs.
There is a large variety of different calendars out there and we can help you find the one that best fits you and your business. From classic wall calendars to mouse pad calendars-there are so many options! There are even bookmarks, magnets, desk calendars, ad-a-day calendars, weekly planners, perpetual calendars, and various electronic calendars. We do it all!
Save 20%*
Contact us and start your project today!
Email or call (781) 938-3866
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limit one per customer
A Cambridge orthobiologics company steps into the future with new products.
ETEX was founded in 1989 by the late Dosuk Lee, a preeminent researcher at Harvard Dental School. The company is headquartered in MIT’s University Park in Cambridge, Massachusetts. A world renowned center for biotech research and innovation.
ETEX Corporation contacted 1-Stop to redesign their corporate identity. In our first meeting with ETEX, Chris Hennigan, Principal of 1-Stop Design, met with Brian Ennis, President of ETEX to discuss what his vision for ETEX’s future looked like. Chris needed to know who the company was targeting and how they needed to communicate their progress.
When ETEX asked 1-Stop to redesign their logo, the Lenoard P. Zakiam Bunker Hill Bridge was in the process of being built. What better way to transform this growing Cambridge based corporation than with the newest trademark of our capital. 1-Stop created the “Bridge to the Future”for ETEX Corporation’s new logo and branding.
Next 1-Stop began developing ETEX’s collateral, comprehensive print package and website. 1-Stop handled a photo shoot to capture all of ETEX’s products. Once the photos and logo were approved, business cards, letterhead and all the additional collateral was designed and printed by 1-Stop.
The photos used in the print package were strong elements in the website design. 1-Stop needed to create a site that was easy to navigate, inter-active and educative for the potential patient or surgeon. ETEX approved 1-Stops solution for organizing and communicating information in a professional, informative way. Brian Ennis, President of ETEX Corporation, thinks “this new inter-active website provides a dynamic forum for information exchange with our patients and the medical community. Our reach into the marketplace is enhanced by this formation.”
Since creating the new brand for ETEX Corporation, 1-Stop has designed all product packaging, video and print pieces. We have also designed t-shirts, promotional items and tradeshow graphics. The tradeshow graphics feature their photographic and brand elements. 1-Stop was also responsible for designing the invitations, e-blast, stand-up posters, handouts, and awards that were associated with each tradeshow.
1-Stop Design Shop in Boston Crave's first edition
CRAVE boston innovatively connects urban gals to the sassiest, gutsiest, most inspiring people they need to know in Boston. Our modern marketplace of soirees, gatherings and online networking serves as your ambassador to everything there is to CRAVE about the Walking City.
Crave Boston
CRAVE Boston is the most unique and stylish guidebook for Boston living. It is a celebration of women entreprenesses that showcases some of the most creative, interesting, and gutsy proprietors throughout our city.
You need this book because:
You love quality goods
You expect exceptional service
You want to be pampered
You appreciate attention to detail
You enjoy supporting local, female proprietors
You have absolutely no time to waste
You long to get out and explore the city
Let us introduce you to a fabulous new designer, to a miracle-worker masseuse, to a confectionery queen, to the amazing women around town who will help satisfy your next craving.
WHAT DO YOU CRAVE?
The first edition of CRAVE Boston: The Urban Girl’s Manifesto hits shelves in 2010.
There are many ways to create a greener workplace and make a strong impact on the environment. It is always good to start by taking some small steps to get a new plan into action. Here are a few ideas to get you going in the right direction.
Think About Your Commute
If your office is not within walking or biking, consider carpooling with two to three coworkers. Other alternatives are purchasing a hybrid or electric vehicle or switching from an eight-hour workday, five days a week to a 10-hour workday, four days a week. This will cut your daily commute time by at least 20 percent.
Go Digital
The greenest paper is no paper, and one of the most effective ways to be more eco-friendly in your office is to reduce paper waste. Keep things digital whenever possible. The more you do online, the less paper you need. Switch from a fax machine to a fax modem to send and receive paperless documents. Use electronic forms whenever possible, and e-mail letters and documents to be read online rather than printed out. (1-Stop Design provides electronic versions of letterhead to all our branding clients to promote a paperless office.) Have staff members take their laptops to meetings so they aren’t printing copy after copy of the same report. Make it a policy to post employee manuals and similar materials online, rather than distribute print copies. An added bonus: Storing files on your computer saves time, money and space. Don’t forget to backup regularly to an off-site data system or use compact flash drives.
Use Green Marketing Tools
In these tough economic times don’t stop marketing, think green marketing? Eblasts, Updating websites, social Media marketing, Search Engine Optimization are all examples of cost efficient marketing that are green too! Promote your company and do you part to save the environment. It is a win win solution!!!
Think before you print. The average worker in the United States goes through 10,000 sheets of copy paper a year. Make it a habit to print on both sides and use the back side of old documents for faxes, scrap paper, or drafts. Avoid color printing and print in draft mode whenever possible.
Use Green Materials
At 1-Stop Design we do our best to match our clients printing budget with solutions that utilize environmentally friendly paper products. Some paper use can’t be avoided, so use recycled paper and envelopes that have been processed and colored using eco-friendly methods.
Buy chlorine-free paper with a higher percentage of post-consumer recycled content. Also consider switching to a lighter stock of paper or alternatives made from bamboo, hemp, organic cotton. Pens and pencils can also be made of recycled materials, and refillable pens and markers are better for the environment than disposable ones. Buy in bulk so that shipping and packaging waste are reduced, and reuse the shipping boxes. Recycling printer cartridges is often free, and recycled replacements are cheaper than new ones. According to Office Depot, each remanufactured toner cartridge “keeps approximately 2.5 pounds of metal and plastic out of landfills.
Green your PC.
Make your computer more efficient and environmentally friendly. Start by putting computers on “standby” or in “hibernation” mode when they haven’t been accessed for more than 10 minutes. Turn them off when you’re finished working for the day. When replacing a computer, switch to a laptop for more efficiency. Laptops use 80 percent less energy.
Get Others in on the Act.
Share eco-friendly tips with your coworkers. Ask the office manager to make sure everyone has a small recycling bin so that recycling is just as easy as throwing paper away.
All of these eco-friendly tips are simple and easy to implement today. So, yes, it IS easy to be green.
4, One to change the bulb and 3 to argue about whether they should have used serifed or sans serifed fonts on the packaging.
Don’t know, but when you change it, can you make it bigger?
I have a few more answers, I’m just wondering how many are out there?
Good one!
How about: It only takes one, but you’ll need to provide the bulb as either a vector or high resolution raster file.
One, but can you also change all the other bulbs, its not a big job, should only take you an hour.
ha ha, you’ve been reading Clientcopia!
Or:
Just one, but I had my sister (who’s also a designer) pick out some bulbs that we would like you to use.
One…..and while you’re at it, we have a few more small things for you to change.
I’m not sure…
But I’ll know it when I see it…LMAO.
One, but I’d like you to make the light coming from the bulb to match our logo – here’s a .gif for reference.
One, but can you make the bulb, oh, I don’t know, less bulby?
3, one to come up with the concept, one to do a mock-up simulation, and one to do the production work.
One professional…but I’m sure he will need help from my 14 year old nephew because Timmy changed a bulb once. (am I sensing an undertone here lol)
None: light bulbs aren’t “out of the box” unless you take them out of the box,
then maybe one, if the designer holds perfectly still while the rest of the world revolves around him/her. Yes, I am a designer who doesn’t think out of the box. After watching the Matrix for the umpteenth time…”there is no box, there is no box.
Takes 1 Designer for bulb installation, but it takes the clients cousin to finish it by changing the kerning on the title and adding a kick-ass rainbow effect! Yeah!
Only one, and could I see a few variations on that? Be creative! (calling from the road) I’m on my way to the meeting, I’ll download them on my BlackBerry before I go in..
