Welcome, Jacksonville Ballet Theatre!
Studio Orange Design is thrilled to partner with the Jacksonville Ballet Theatre as they celebrate their 40th anniversary under the artistic direction of Dulce Anaya. We are excited to help expose this hidden gem in Jacksonville, Florida, as we establish their new visual identity and design standards.
Images are from the Jacksonville Ballet Theatre archives:
Top Left: Dulce Anaya as Princess Odette in Swan Lake
Top Right: Dulce Anaya in Michael Maule’s Dance Variations
Bottom: Dulce Anaya in Giselle Buffonesk
The Power of Opposites
Clients often fall into one of two categories:
1. Those that know exactly what they want.
2. Those that don’t.
Either way, I like to show multiple design solutions to every problem. Think of it as a visual sounding board.
When we analyze opposites, we can compare and contrast ideas. Should the solution be quite or loud? Black or white? Funny or serious? Literal or abstract?
We can also explore which options are most effective. What speaks to your target audience? What has room for growth and flexibility?
By investing more time in the initial creative exploration, we speed up the rest of the creative process. You can make a decision with confidence, which reduces the rounds of revisions. This ultimately saves you time and money.
That is the power of opposites.
The Process of a Web Solution: L’Arche Harbor House
Studio Orange recently partnered with L’Arche Harbor House to redesign their existing web site. L’Arche provides family-like homes for people with and without disabilities to live together in wonderment, spirituality and friendship.
1. Define the Project and Objectives
After meeting with the L’Arche team, we discovered that their original web site was not achieving their goals. They needed to make it user-friendly, engage their donors and implement a content management system (CMS) for future updates.
By reorganizing the site architecture, we were able to make the site more intuitive and logical for the user.
2. Explore Opposite Creative Directions
We then looked at multiple solutions to engage a conversation and inspire collaboration. The chosen design was a combination of two directions. Unlike other design firms, we’re not afraid of combo platters. When executed seamlessly, they can make the final solution stronger.
3. Analyze and Refine the Design
Once the general look and feel was established, we fine-tuned the layout and design. This is when we dive into the details and make it pixel perfect.
4. Implement and Produce
Upon final approval of the design, the programming phase began. We worked with Subtle Technology to make the site function smoothly. A CMS was implemented so L’Arche could easily manage their content into the future.
5. Evaluate and Measure Success
In the end, we exceeded L’Arche’s established goals:
– Design engages their target audience
– Navigation is better organized and intuitive
– Donations can be made online
– Content can be updated through CMS
– Site is search engine optimized
Feel free to visit Larche’s new site so you can experience it!
Introducing the EE Calendar
Studio Orange Design recently partnered with Fred Boyle at Subtle Technology to design the EE Calendar. The goal was to provide a quick and easy-to-use resource for ExpressionEngine events. The project was inspired by Fred’s involvement in the EE Community, “We found that while there were some varied resources for this type of information, something was missing. We’re hoping that the ExpressionEngine community will help make this a great resource.”
Check out the new site at www.ee-calendar.com.
Identity Design: Happy Feet
Happy Feet Dance wanted a visual identity that was fun, energizing and bold. We thought that a pictogram solution was the perfect way to go. It’s simple, clever and memorable. More to come as we continue to develop their new brand!
New Grant Program Donates 75K of Creative Services
I have always believed that it is important to get involved with your community. I have served on the Board of Directors for the YWCA, volunteered for Hugh O’Brian Youth Leadership (HOBY) and raised breast cancer awareness for Gilda’s Club by sewing over 1,000 donated bras into birds.
With my passion for the community, nonprofits often ask me to donate pro-bono design. Yet the problem with doing a one-off piece is that it really doesn’t address the business challenges of an organization. For design to be effective, it must be well-planned and consistent.
So how do we solve this pro-bono dilemma without cutting back on community giving?
This is where Tiffany Manning and Fred Boyle come into the picture. Tiffany is an incredible commercial photographer at Tiffany Manning Photography and Fred is a highly talented web developer at Subtle Technology.
Together, we have developed an annual grant program called We Inspire. We are donating a full year of creative services to one nonprofit organization, located anywhere in the United States, valued up to $75,000. Providing a yearlong partnership will enable us to develop a strategic and integrated approach to a nonprofit’s marketing.
The We Inspire Grant Program is founded upon three principles:
1. We believe that all nonprofits should have access to good design.
2. We believe that good design is a powerful tool of communication.
3. We believe that communication can be a catalyst for change.
It is with these beliefs, and our commitment to community, that we inspire through design.
What does your organization inspire?
Applications for the 2010 We Inspire Grant Program are due Friday, January 15, 2010 by 5pm.
Learn more and apply at www.we-inspire.org.
Emily Rawitsch is a Panelist at AIGA’s Design After Dark Lecture Series
This Thursday, October 22nd at 6:30pm, is AIGA’s Design After Dark Lecture Series. I’m excited to be a part of the panel as we discuss The Fundamentals of Small Design Businesses.
This would be a great opportunity for small business owners, freelance designers or any other creative professionals who owns, or wants to own, a small business.
Learn more and register for this event at the AIGA Jacksonville web site.
I hope to see you there!
EVENT DETAILS
What: The Fundamentals of Small Design Businesses
When: Thursday, October 22 at 6:30pm
Where: Art Institute of Jacksonville directions
Cost: $5 AIGA Members, $15 Non-members
How Design Can Benefit Your Business
Since the time of the Lascaux Caves, design has been a powerful tool of communication. Whether your vehicle is a print advertisement, annual report or web site—your message must be clear and concise. Good design can attract, inspire, entertain and motivate people to respond to your messages. It can also retain customers and position your business for a move into new markets.
Successful businesses include design as part of their strategy from the very beginning. The Design Council of the United Kingdom has found that over a third of the fastest-growing businesses see design as significant. When used strategically and consistently, design can bring a range business benefits:
- – increased sales of your products or services
- – improved market position relative to your competitors
- – greater customer loyalty and fewer customer complaints
- – stronger identity for your business
- – reduced time to market for new products and services
Establishing a design plan early on will enable you to develop an integrated approach to your marketing, and in return, a better experience for your customers. Good design truly is good business.
For more information about how design can benefit your business, please visit the Design Council’s website.