We recently worked with the ECTA to integrate a database management system that would take online memberships and donations and allow the non-profit to manage their contact list and communications. Now, users that join or donate online are automatically added to the contact list and members can log in via the web site to update their information, renew and/or register for events.
We also added social media sharing buttons to all news stories and pages in order to build upon the success of the ECTA Facebook presence.
IMP wanted a self-editable web site that would reflect their corporate personality and provide easy user-access to information that could drive sales.
To that end we made some tweaks to the existing logo, based the color scheme for the web site off the existing branding and added some subtle textures - to give the impression of something that was more tactile and hands-on as opposed to a web 2.0 shiny look that might be appropriate for a tech product.
The client wanted a prominent logo and we encouraged placement of the contact telephone number right up there in the "global" (i.e. appearing on every page of the web site) header/navigation area. The navigation icons help set the scene with regard to the company being a seafood products distributor.
IMP staff now manage their own text, image and media updates via Wordpress, only requiring web developer help for major updates.
A custom Wordpress CMS for a law firm based in Los Angeles, California.
The client wanted a clean, modern web site which would stand out from the competition. The core offering is emphasized on the home page so that it is easy for new visitors to understand what the firm specializes in.
Using Wordpress as a CMS (Content Management System) the client can now log in online and make changes to the text, add new pages, upload images, video, audio... All without needing to re-hire or retain a web developer.
Contact information is available on every page of the web site. In addition, the telephone number, link to contact form and social media connections are highlighted in the right hand column for easy access - to encourage new clients to get in touch.
Designed to show off the work of both the artists-in-residence and contributing artists, this site also provides details of the studio and the services provided.
The portfolio pages are categorized so that the client can upload new work, check a category box in the editor, and have the piece show up automatically in the correct slideshow.
The homepage highlights the work of the artists with a series of four slides that animate out when moused-over. This allows us to show more work front and center on the homepage. Clicking on one of the slides takes the user to the relevant portfolio page.
The site architecture is designed make edits simple for the client and easy for visitors to navigate through. The custom code uses Wordpress categories to place content in all the relevant parts of the site automatically.
The clients received two tutorial sessions and an always-accessible-online customized user guide. They are now comfortable making text edits, adding/deleting/editing pages and posts, uploading new artwork to their portfolio pages and they can also add new users if they need to.
This client needed four websites: a corporate homepage describing the company's offerings; and three branded "sub" sites (including one ecommerce site).
Trevi Design is the corporate homepage. A custom Wordpress theme was developed so that the client can use Wordpress to make future updates.
Trevi Design Dwell is another self-editable Wordpress website using a custom theme. This time showcasing homesites and luxury home development plans in Puglia Italy. The theme makes use of custom fields for subpage layouts, allowing for image, link and testimonial additions.
Trevi Design Discover offers tailored vacations in Puglia, Italy. This Wordpress web site uses a slightly modified (for branding) theme and has similar functionality.
Trevi Design Decorate is an ecommerce web site that uses Newtek Cart software as requested by the client. Gatehouse designed and coded the custom skin to work with the Newtek page templates. In addition Gatehouse configured the ecommerce site settings and uploaded products.
New logo: improved readability, updated but still classic look, and a more accurate reflection (deciduous trees, stone walls as opposed to firs and mountains in the previous logo) of Essex County's open spaces.
Web Site design and development: custom Wordpress CMS theme presents trails info in a user-friendly way using tags and categories; trails can be found via a map, listed by town and also by activity (they automatically display under the correct town/activity according to tags assigned by the writer); latest news and an events list are automatically displayed on the home page; the site can be maintained by staff with no coding experience; secure joining, renewing and donating is enabled through PayPal integration.
NEW: Facebook integration has been added. News and events published on the web site can be sent to the new ECTA Facebook application with just one click when the post is written by the site editor. Fans will then see news, events and trail alerts in their Facebook news feeds. Designed to build community, drive traffic to the web site, and as a convenience for users.
Iron Crow Yoga needed a clean and apt look that would communicate the brand to new and existing clients in a compelling way. Collaborating with Communications Ink we identified the three core offerings: classes, a dvd and retreats which are highlighted on the home page as a user-friendly starting point from which a visitor can find out more. Communications Ink provided the copy and manages marketing strategy for their client.
We developed a custom CMS theme running on the Wordpress framework and utilizing an embedded Google Calendar so that the client could update site copy and class times easily without needing to hire a developer. Iron Crow's clients can also subscribe to the calendar via any ics-compatible calendar application (such as ical, outlook etc.) so they don't have to visit the web site to get the updated schedule. This also extends the reach of the site as a marketing tool, reminding clients to remember to take a regular class.
Communications Ink is a Massachusetts-based marketing agency. The company needed a web site redesign that would upgrade the look and feel as well as displaying the portfolio of work in a modern, visual way. They also wanted to upgrade the code to web standards compliancy and ensure it was search-engine optimized. The new web site is powered by Wordpress which, while costing slightly more upfront, delivers again and again in cost savings because the client can edit the site contents without needing to hire a web developer.
Result: the client has re-booked Gatehouse to provide web design and development solutions for a number of their clients.
Esdaile-Ryus designed this web site for Boston interior designer Jeffery Delvy. Gatehouse was tasked with production and development of the flash web site from Adobe InDesign layout comps.
Solesqua is a new company that sells and installs Velux solar water heaters in Massachusetts. The client needed a logo, business cards and web site consulting (the web site needed to be built in-house).
The town of Ipswich, MA is celebrating its 375th anniversary in 2009. The event committee needed a web site that could provide information about the town, its history and 375th events, also a way to donate to the event fund, drive traffic to local businesses and get in touch. It also needed to be able to expand in size without becoming overly-complex to navigate. Finally, it would need to be updated regularly.
Using Wordpress as a framework a custom CMS (content management system) was developed that would meet all these goals, and that could be updated by volunteers with no knowledge of html thus reducing the cost of upkeep dramatically.
Result: to date the web site has had nearly 11,000 visits and 39,000 page views. A team of five volunteers run the web site, two of whom are local high schoolers.
Estoile is a new fashion label that needed a logo. The client wanted the logo to reflect the style of their fashion designs which are elegant, modern, and high-quality. The main design element was informed by the definition of an "estoile" which is a six-pointed star.
Compton's client Robeco USA wanted a web site layout design for their regional presence as part of Robeco international. The design needed to work with a new code template that Robeco had developed in-house to apply to all regional web sites. Robeco USA wanted to adjust the template design option to reflect more of their design and layout tastes, catering for the expectations of their specific audience.
Result: three design solutions were presented, the client chose their favorite and it was applied by the parent company's in-house development team who apparently liked it so much they adapted their own template to use some of the design elements.
Compton Consulting wanted to upgrade their web presence without starting from scratch. Using the old design as a starting point the site was given a economical design and code overhaul. The hybrid home page displays a flash module that communicates the skills of this financial PR company. Whitepapers and press releases are presented by date in the work section and a simple contact form reduces spam and allows legitimate visitors to get in touch.
The Ridge is a green development in Aiken, SC. The developer had a basic web site that wasn't very search-engine friendly or flexible enough to take new pages. In addition the imagery some work. A new information architecture plan was developed so that new and future pages could be added and presented in a user-friendly way. The most important layout element was the navigation bar which was completely redesigned to provide a secondary menu bar that would appear when the user hovered the cursor over the relevant main nav section. The main nav uses action words to encourage visitors to envisage themselves interacting with the Ridge. Flash components were rebuilt from scratch and a flash slideshow displaying a gallery of photos was added. Just under 40 pages were coded for the site.
Results so far: the web site has had just under 8,000 visits since launch, 43,000 page views, an average of 6 pages viewed per visit and an average visit time of 4.5 minutes. Stats from Google Analytics.
The MSPA wanted an online presence that would: communicate the value, history and mission of the society (which was formed in 1792); but most of all the society wanted to provide an easy way for those needing agricultural grants to find out about and apply for an MSPA grant. Acknowledging that the rural portion of the audience may not have easy access to a fast internet connection, the site provides a downloadable pdf application form and information packet which can either be completed on a computer and emailed in or printed out, handwritten and mailed in.
Pitch work for Mullen (created as part of a team while employed full-time by Mullen Advertising). The client wanted an agency to brand and launch a new computer leasing and support business. The web site home page concept was one element of the creative presented to the client.
(Created while employed full-time by Mullen Advertising.) Mullen needed a web site that could be used for showcasing work by client, both for the client as a record and also for award show entries. The challenge was to design a layout that would be flexible enough to show any combination of TV spots, radio, print campaigns, web sites and other digital media. Also, as an in-house project it needed to be lightweight on development and maintenance time to ensure an efficient use of resources.
(Created while employed full-time by Mullen Advertising.) Web site design for Identity Protection Plan, one of the HSBC group of companies. One challenge was organizing the page layout such that all the information could be presented in a user-friendly way. Another was that the web site was required to use the HSBC global navigation style and color palette so it could integrate with the group without being branded as an HSBC product.
(Created as part of a team while employed full-time by Mullen Advertising.) Flash web site to which Mullen interviewees were sent in a thank you email. Through a series of animations (that show up when key words in the letter are clicked) the user learns something of the unique personality of the agency.
Awards: 2007 MITX Awards finalist and 2008 NEDMA Bronze
