.jpg "Kananaskis clouds")
A blog about web design and technology
A quick update on all things business - January 26
The last few months have been quite busy for me in regards to business. I have been working steadily on the new websites for the Lacombe Foundation and Sundance Realty and Management. Both of these projects should launch in the next couple of weeks.
Design prototyping is continuing for the 2010 revision of www.imaginemediadesigns.com and I hope to have it finalized by early next week. The next step will be developing the website and connecting it to a content management system. This step should be completed by mid February and the website should be ready for launch by the end of next month.
I have decided to make iMAGINE MEDIA DESIGNS more social and I have created accounts on Facebook, LinkedIn and Twitter. The Facebook fan page is still being populated with content, but you can view my LinkedIn profile or follow me on Twitter.
New website for the Lacombe Foundation - September 8
This week marks the start of another web project. The Lacombe Foundation which is a non-profit organization that provides safe and affordable accommodation to seniors has chosen iMAGINE MEDIA DESIGNS to re-design their current web presence. The project will include designing a new user interface that will be accessible to all demographics, rich web development to provide the needed functionality (event calendars and digital media), and a powerful content management system for on-line Client access and updates.
Look for this project to launch in the next six to eight weeks.
Benefits of re-coding your website - August 23
Recently a new Client approached me with an existing website that needed to be updated with some current content. After I reviewed the websites code which consists of HTML and some CSS, I realized that the previous web designer used a program that uses a proprietary coding language to build their website. This choice of program and code language poses many problems including non-compliant web standards, bloated web pages (slow loading even on broadband connections), and very difficult to edit or update without the proprietary program. The websites visibility to search engines also takes a hit when developed using proprietary techniques.
To remedy this problem, the best course of action is to re-code the website from the ground up using standards compliant HTML and CSS. This ensures that the website will work cross-browser (be Internet Explorer, Firefox, Chrome, and Safari-compatible), be future ready, allow for easy updates, provide better search engine visibility, and be lean and mean (load quick and look good).
Once re-coded and launched the website may carry the same look and feel of the previous website, but the changes behind the scenes will provide a better experience for all users visiting the website. If you are a website owner and feel like your website could undergo these changes, feel free to contact iMAGINE MEDIA DESIGNS today for your free website consultation and review.
Summertime website redesign - August 9
Summer is now in full swing and it seems like the perfect time to review my current website and decide how the 2009 revision should be reworked. Last years redesign was fairly basic with regards to layout and colour changes, but for this years revision I plan on starting from scratch. The development will be treated like a Client-based project and will include research, wire framing and design prototyping, standards compliant HTML and CSS coding, custom programming, implementing WordPress as my blogging platform, and applying some serious search engine optimization to help boost my placement on Bing's, Google's and Yahoo's search index.
Research will consist of reviewing what is trendy in the web design industry today, what designs are effective and user friendly, the pitfalls of certain Web 2.0 features, and a peek at what the internet may look like in the next twelve to thirty six months.
Moving onto the design part of the development, wire frames and design prototyping will play a big part in creating an effective user interface. Wire framing consists of sketching out the most basic design of the website layout. Pencil and paper are the best tools to use and allow you to draw out the website using boxes and captions. Nothing beats being able to scribble and erase during the planning phase of developing a new or revising an existing website. After the design has been wire framed and the basic layout has been realized, the next step is to jump into Adobe Photoshop (my preferred design prototyping tool). Design prototyping takes the basic wire frame and applies colours, shapes, and typography to produce a near-final design (fine-tuning is always needed) that can then be sliced and recreated using HTML and CSS.
Once the design is finalized and prepped for coding, the real fun begins, HTML and CSS provide a powerful framework that allows the web designer / developer to take their design prototype and re-imagine it as a working user interface. The website is coded with strict adherence to web standards. This means that certain guidelines are followed to make sure the website is available and easily viewed by all audiences. Following web standards also ensures that any website that is built by iMAGINE MEDIA DESIGNS will be easily viewed in all current and future web browsers.
Custom programming will provide the much valued functionality to the website. This will include a contact form that validates each input field, prevents the website from being spammed, and formats the user submitted information in a nice, presentable fashion. Nobody likes to have lines and lines of text to look through for the important information submitted by their website visitors.
WordPress, the number one open source blogging platform will be implemented to provide the perfect vehicle to deliver regular updates to the website. My previous blogging choice was clunky and not powered by a database (on-line content storage) which made creating new entries difficult and editing old entries even more difficult.
Finally, one of the most asked questions Client's ask is: search engine optimization and how do I get ranked high on Google? With this year's revision I will use the skills and techniques that I have been practicing over the last twelve months to help get www.imaginemediadesigns.com ranked very well in more general categories and search keywords on all of the major search engines. Everybody likes to focus just on Google, which does hold a large portion of the market, but I make sure all of the websites that are designed and developed at iMAGINE MEDIA DESIGNS are easily found using Bing, Google, and Yahoo. Broad exposure ensures high visibility to many potential customer's on the internet.
Well that about wraps up this very long blog entry, but it is nice to keep general users' and returning Client's informed about all of the happenings at iMAGINE MEDIA DESIGNS. Check back in the coming weeks to see the new website and possibly some other branding changes.
Village of Delburne website - July 16
iMAGINE MEDIA DESIGNS was chosen by the Village of Delburne to create and deliver a website that would suit the municipality and give them a tool to keep their citizens informed about community events and information.
The project included researching similar municipal websites to find what does and does not work and how best to provide the necessary information and tools to the residents of the Village of Delburne; creating a design that was fresh, eye catching, and user friendly; develop the website using a powerful CMS that would help drive the day to day functionality and provide the village staff with an easy way to add and update their own content; and finally make the website as search engine friendly as possible, ensuring residents and visitors alike could find the information they were looking for using either Google or Yahoo.
The completed website launched on July 9th, 2009 and it will provide the Village of Delburne an effective on-line tool to promote their community and keep their citizens well informed all year long.
Website redesign for Classic Bowtie Connection - June 28
This week marks the start of a new web project at iMAGINE MEDIA DESIGNS.
Classic Bowtie Connection and iMAGINE have teamed up for the redesign of Classic Bowtie Connection's website. We will also be collaborating on their newest venture, Classic Dream Machines.
Both projects will be designed from the ground up and will include fresh designs, powerful content management system functionality, and excellent SEO visibility for search engines.
Look for both projects to be launched in the next eight weeks.
New Sunreal website is live - May 15
I just recently completed work on the new website for Sunreal Property Management Ltd. The project consisted of a refreshed design and some detailed programming that would help power the functionality of the website.
The new website was built upon the Joomla CMS to provide the Client with access to their content and the ability to make updates to their website themselves. Special functionality was also implemented to allow for Sunreal's clients to login and review specific information about their commercial / residential properties.
All of the custom programming for the Sunreal Property Management Ltd. project was provided by Terry Noel of TPU Design.
Sunreal's new website can be found on-line at www.sunrealgroup.com.
Two new projects started this week - March 18
Today I have started work on two new projects. The first project is for the Village of Delburne. This project includes the redesign of their current website and implementation of a content management system (Joomla). I look to have this project launched within the next four weeks, so check out the new design in the coming weeks.
The other project is for Sunreal Property Management. I will be redesigning their current website and will be implementing a customized CMS that will allow for e-commerce (sale of real estate documents) and multi-level user access.
This project should be completed within six weeks of commencement, so check back to see the new Sunreal Property Management website.
Cloud 9 Naturally website launched - March 18
I have just recently completed work on the new website for Cloud 9 Naturally bath and beauty products. The redesign and development took just over eight weeks to complete and the final product clearly reflects the Client's vision.
The website includes a complete e-commerce solution that will allow Cloud 9 Naturally to sell their products to a large range of consumers. Other features included in the website are: Google Maps for locating all of the retail stores that currently sell Cloud 9 Naturally products, a contact form for submitting comments, inquires, or questions and image faders to showcase their featured products.
The new website can be viewed at: www.cloud9naturally.com.
Earth Hour ™ 2009 - March 10
iMAGINE MEDIA DESIGNS has joined the thousands of other businesses and millions of individuals that are supporting Earth Hour ™ 2009. Support the effort by turning off all of your lights and non-essential electronics at 8:30pm on March 28, 2009 for one hour. This small gesture helps convey peoples willingness to do what is needed to help stop global warming.
Visit: Earth Hour ™ 2009 today to sign up for this awesome event.
Safari 4 Beta. The King of Speed! - March 1
Well I have just spent the last few days testing the beta release of Safari 4 (available for Mac + PC) and I must say that it is the best web browser on the market. The browser has been updated to include faster page loads (lightning fast rendering of HTML and CSS), quicker execution of Web 2.0 effects powered by Javascript, and UI tweaks like top-side tabs and 'Top Sites' for visiting your favourite websites quickly.
Websites now load much faster and popular websites seem to function more smoothly than the previous version of Safari. The Javascript elements of websites are very snappy and load in fewer second than other competing browsers. Safari 4 Beta also provides full support for CSS 2.1 and supports many features that will become available when CSS 3 reaches its final release. A really cool CSS3 effect can be viewed at this website: CSS3 Leaves Animation (Requires Safari 4 Beta to view).
Take a moment to try out the future of web browsing and visit: Apple.com/Safari.
New website for My Star Collector Car - January 16
Today I have begun work on a new website for My Star Collector Car. The website is based on the classics of the '50's, '60's, '70's, and '80's and the stories that the owners have about their old fashioned rides.
The website will be built with a custom content management system and will utilize unique features like a custom light box image gallery, an on-line newsletter, and a YouTube link to allows users to showcase videos of car meets and other events.
The website design will reflect the look and feel of decades past and will display the content to the user in a clear and accessible manner.
The project will be ready for launch in about four to six weeks, so check out: www.mystarcollectorcar.com for all the interesting stories Jim and Jerry Sutherland will be serving up to readers.
Multiple projects completed - December 11
I have just recently completed three exciting projects. Two multimedia projects and one website.
The mutlimedia projects included video editing, slide scanning and editing, and DVD production. Print work was also required for the DVD covers and labelling for the DVD discs. These projects provided me the first opportunity to work with Adobe Premiere Pro (Video editing) and Encore CS3 (DVD production) and I must say it was a definite learning experience.
After spending the past nine months working exclusively on websites, entering the video production realm was a real eye opener. Working with both the creative and technical side of video editing fills up your day quite quickly (it alsos fills up the CPU hard drive as well). The amount of time spent editing footage, adding transitions, and adjusting audio tracks to match the length and mood of each scene adds up quickly. Also actively trying to tell a story with the video footage is a taxing duty.
Overall, I believe everything for the two projects was executed very well and the final products achieved their desired affect.
The website I recently completed was a contract project with Idea Market Design Inc. The project was for PROMETAL Management located in Lacombe, Alberta and it consisted of design prototyping, HTML and CSS coding, and implementation of a custom lightbox photo gallery.
The design matches their metal recycling image and pairs dark greys and rich oranges with a grainy metallic edge. Subtle drop shadows and edge blurs also add depth and dimension to the design.
The custom lightbox photo gallery utilizes the JQuery Javascript framework and provides a border-less presentation and smooth animations to effectively display their work-related images in a unobtrusive manner.
Two new projects started this week - September 13
This week I have begun work on two new projects. A website redesign for Four Corners Vacations and a business card for Vision Truck Lines.
The website for Four Corners Vacations will include an on-line booking request form and a custom photo gallery to display images from global destinations. The website will be built using HTML /CSS and will include dynamic PHP elements including the booking request form. I hope to have this website ready and launched in the next six weeks.
The business cards for Vision Truck Lines will be designed using a photograph of their shiny red truck and trailer units. The cards will provide the company a new communications tool and will help advertise their recently launched website.
Look for both of these projects to be displayed in the portfolio section in the coming weeks.
A visit to the Apple store - July 22
Today I went and visited the new Apple store in Edmonton and I must say it was a very cool experience. From the large amount of computers on display to the abundance of staff eager to answer all of your questions, there was plenty to see and do. The store itself has a very clean, well structured layout and simple decor (this helps keep the customers focused on the Apple product I would assume).
I took the opportunity to try out the Macbook Air, iPhone 3G, and also stare wide-eyed at the 30 inch Apple Cinema Display (you could work in four near full-size windows on that monitor). I must say that the Macbook Air is very cool and the multi-touch trackpad allows for some unique movements. The 'thin' factor of the Air would definitely be a space saver in the old laptop bag! The iPhone 3G with its slim design and multi-touch display most definitely revolutionizes the mobile phone concept in my opinion and provides a near-perfect browsing experience. I made sure to visit my website while surfing in-store.
So if you are ever in or around Edmonton make sure to stop by the West Edmonton Mall and check out the Apple store.
New multimedia project starting this week - July 20
I have begun work this week on a new multimedia project. The scope of this project includes the scanning and archiving of 1200 slides, editing and restoring the images, and buidling a slideshow DVD presentation. There will also be custom print work designed for the DVD covers and custom labeling for DVD discs as well.
The project will take up to four months to complete and the final product will be a full-featured DVD slideshow experience.
Firefox 3.0 release - June 17
The Mozilla Foundation launched their latest revision of the Firefox browser today for all major platforms. The new build of Firefox has been drastically overhauled from previous versions. The developers have claimed over 15,000 new features, but the main change most people will notice is the new streamlined, more graphically appealing user interface.
The performance of Firefox has also increased exponentially with faster page loads and quicker execution of both Client-side and Server-side code. The browser is also ever closer to complete standards compliance for both XHTML and CSS. This ensures that when a website is coded to W3C standards it will be rendered correctly for the user. It also ensures that when an emphasis is put on usability and accessiblity everything will preform just as it should for any users with physical impairments.
You can find Firefox on the web at: Firefox - web browser extraordinaire. Give it a try and enjoy a faster and more efficient web browsing experience!
Website redesign complete - June 17
Today I have completed the redesign of my freelance website. I have changed the design and layout and also updated the colours to be bolder and more vivid. The new website includes some new features including a custom contact form and a very dynamic lightbox gallery.
The redesign of the website displays the new skills I have learned in the past nine months and also includes some very cool technologies I have learned to utilized. You can check out the Portfolio section to see the 'Fancy Zoom' lightbox in action! It is a very smooth effect. You can visit the creator of Fancy Zoom at: www.cabel.name.
My aim with the new website is to keep a more up to date blog and also have more of my photography up for display. So please stay tuned and watch for updates.
New mobile advertising on the City Golf - June 14
Yesterday I was able to finally get my first mobile advertising tool. I had my logo and some text placed on the rear window of my 2008 City Golf. Everything is displayed in white and is very clear to the eye. Now my business can be promoted every time I head out for a drive in and around central Alberta.
The vinyl printing and installation was courtesy of Signs Now in Red Deer. They did an awesome job on the install and the customer service was excellent. If you are ever in the need of vehicle graphics make sure you visit the team at Signs Now.
Vision Truck Lines website is live! - May 30
Yesterday marked the launch of the website for Vision Truck Lines. The project has been under development for the past six months and its nice to see how all the pieces have come together for the final product. The website utilizes a custom content management system and has multiple extensions that allow for a more engaging display of the Client's content.
Vision Truck Lines required a web-based job application that would allow potential employees to apply for postions online and I was able to deliver a custom form that would suit all of their needs. The website also has an image gallery that uses a 'lightbox' effect to display their fleet of trucks and trailers.
Working on the Vision Truck Lines has been a good experience and has allowed me to add even more knowledge of web design along the way. You can visit the website at: Vision Truck Lines.com.
Two new and exciting updates! - April 5th
Today I would like to announce the launch of the new Red Deer Tennis Club website. This project has been under development for the past seven weeks and is based on a custom content management system. The website design is clean and clear and uses colours that reflect the Client in every way.
The content management system utilizes many extensions that allow for event calendars, image galleries, and Google mapping of tennis court locations. Also, the Client can log into the website to make all the changes to the content, from text to images to new events. This feature allows for easy updates and can be done when any new information needs to entered into the website.
This website for the Red Deer Tennis Club has been fun to design and build and will give them a new platform to relay information to the community in and around central Alberta. You can visit the website at: Red Deer Tennis Club.com.
The second piece of news today is the launch of the re-designed iMAGINE MEDIA DESIGNS logo. The logo now has a more vibrant colour scheme and is also more 'edgy'. I wanted the design to better reflect the business and its goals and objectives. Though iMAGINE is not currently taking on any new Clients, I did want to complete a refresh of both the logo and the website. This will allow me to better my skills in both graphic and web design. Look for the website re-design coming in the next six to eight weeks.
Changes at iMAGINE MEDIA DESIGNS - March 2nd
Starting as of March 3rd, I will no longer be taking on new Client's as I have taken a job working for Idea Market. All current Client's will have their projects completed and will be displayed on our Portfolio page upon completion. Also, I will be posting the updated iMAGINE logo and a new web site design over the next six weeks. The new web site will consist of portfolio items and photography from my many adventures.
Please stay tuned to see the new web site and all the exciting photo's that will be on display.
A new year to look forward to! - January 16th
Welcome to 2008, a new year and many new oportunities to look forward to down the road. 2007 was a very interesting year for iMAGINE MEDIA DESIGNS. We worked with some awesome client's, completed some great projects and have grown our reputation in the web design business. Along the way we have increased our knowledge base and skills to a level that would have seemed impossible only six months ago.
Working with HTML/CSS, Flash and Joomla CMS have given us the ability to provide new and exciting features to our client's, new and old. Favourite amongst these new skills is Joomla, a content management system that allows extensive customization for web designers/developers and provides a unique experience for client's to run the maintenance of their web sites all on their own.
We are currently using Joomla as we construct a new web site for Vision Truck Lines. The web site will contain many exciting features and will benefit from a unique design that sets it apart from other web sites that are related to their industry.
2008 will also bring about change for iMAGINE MEDIA DESIGNS. We are planning a re-design of our logo and also have a complete web site overhaul in the works. The logo will receive a 'minor facelift' whereas the web site will be re-introduced with a new, stream-lined design and it will utilize many of the new features and technologies that we have been using over the past six months.
But before we start all the exciting work for 2008, we must take two weeks and go enjoy the great weather in sunny Hawaii. We will be away from January 18th until February 4th. Upon returning we will post in the Portfolio section some of the sites from Hawaii.
We would like to thank all our client's for their business this past year and are looking forward to all future projects.
Joomla CMS - November 5th
Joomla is a content management system that allows easy editing of a web site. It allows the web designer to control the administrative aspects of a web site and gives the client access to content editing without risk to the underlying code of the web site. We will be bundling a custom CMS system with every web site we build. This will allow our clients' to make any content changes to their web site themselves. Adding this feature will enhance the value of the product that we are offering to our clients'.
To learn about Joomla CMS, please visit: www.joomla.org.
Lindsay Thurber 30th Year High School Reunion - October 16th
I have just recently finished up work on the Reunion 1977 project and it is nice to see the final product in its full glory. The project consisted of a slideshow including all the portraits from the graduating class of 1977, a Flash-based introduction to the slideshow and also a custom DVD presentation of the whole package. This project presented a lot of neat opportunities and also helped me gain new skills and knowledge in different software suites.
You can check out the Flash-based video introduction and the DVD case/menu design in the portfolio section or just follow the link: Reunion 1977.
Design Can Change - October 10th
We live in a world where design plays an integral part in everything we do. The pencil, mobile phone, computer, and space shuttle all have come from great designs and designers.
Those who design, whether it be big or small need to understand the idea and the material needed to complete that design. In this day and age materials are no longer infinite, but are now becoming more limited in there availability. That is why designer's and all those that consume need to evaluate their lifestyle and make an effort to reduce consumption, reuse more materials, more often, and recycle as much as they can. We can achieve great success with examining our world and doing our part to lessen our impact on our planet.
For more information on how designers and non-designers alike can learn more on this subject, please visit: www.designcanchange.org.
This is only the start for change that will become more prominent at iMAGINE MEDIA DESIGNS. We want to be a force that leads the way towards lessening our 'Carbon Footprint' on our planet.
Green County Rentals website is live - September 2007
Today I launched the website for Green County Rentals. This project has been exciting to watch it develop from start to finish and I have learned a lot of new skills. Working with GCR has been a great experience and I am looking forward to any projects that may arise down the road.
Visit their website at: Green County Rentals.
The iMac - August 7, 2007
Today Apple released a brand new version of their ever-popular iMac all in-one desktop solution. The iMac has always been an awesome piece of computer hardware, but have they ever taken it a giant leap forward. Aluminum and glass to make up the screen and casing define that this machine means business. And then you look at what they have placed on the inside of the iMac: Intel Core 2 Duo processors built on the Santa Rosa technology, up to 4GB of system memory, 1000GB of available hard drive space, and High Definition graphics chipsets.
Just have to say wow and leave it at that, another great job Apple Computer!
