Quote of the Week

Image Source: www.quotes.prowritingaid.com

Reflections on Mother’s Day

With mother’s day around the corner, today I’m reflecting on some people in my life to whom I owe much.
 
First, my own mother, that industrious and creative Norwegian woman who lived life large and always let us know that family was first. She was what Martha Stewart would be without a staff. Her home, table and yard were her palette and she wove a lifetime of beauty and memories from everyday moments, recognizing that a pretty dish on a table wasn’t about pretentiousness but about caring. To this day she rarely serves from a kettle, because a pretty table is a welcoming table, and it’s worth the effort. Her garden is a reflection of her—colorful, immaculate, varied and magical. Mother loved creating a home but was also a beloved grade-school teacher who never met a kid she didn’t see promise in. As a teen I couldn’t share her perspective, but today it swells in me as well, inspiring me to love all kinds of kids in ways I never imagined. My mother worked ridiculously hard—sewing, canning, cooking, going to school, working full time—and our family was the richer for it. And today, in retirement, she redefines the word by her tireless devotion to the comforts and caring of her family and community.
 
Secondly, my sons who welcomed me to the world of motherhood. When I held my first born son I had the same doubts every mother has: how can I possibly live up to this thing called motherhood? And how on earth can I love someone I’ve only known for hours this much? My sons introduced me to the remarkable world of boys and men in ways I could never have known without them. I now stand in the shade of their 6-foot-plus frames and marvel at the men they’ve become—as my friend says, both because of me and in spite of me.
 
And so today we celebrate the gifts of motherhood that we receive from our mothers, sisters, aunts and girlfriends—and all of the women in our lives who have made our lives richer. We wish you a Mother’s Day weekend filled with all the things you love most.

Client Showcase: Centennial Motion Graphic

There’s no room for healthcare-speak in this short Centennial motion graphic video we developed for White Memorial Medical Center in Los Angeles. Illustrated with vibrant custom and stock images, it speaks to the deeply personal side of health care—and the story of how a community and a hospital partner to create a better future. As the “kick-off” piece for the Centennial celebration, it sets the stage for their deeper story to be told throughout the year.
 
We love the way the richness of the images pairs with music and words to create a sampler of the White Memorial experience.
 
You can see the rest of the video package here.

Quote of the Week

How to Get Your News Release Picked Up

Want to increase the chances of your news release being used? Add images, graphics and video—which will not only make hungry journalists happy, but can help increase views by as much as 77 percent.

This infographic also shows that what PR professionals think journalists want and what journalists actually want aren’t always the same thing. For example, while 75 percent of journalists want access to video, only 43 percent of PR professionals think they’re important to journalists.

As the need for video grows, start making the case now for resources to produce them—and see your news coverage and Web activity grow.

Image Source: www.proactivereport.com

Quote of the Week

Image Source: www.naperdesign.com

Four Simple Ways to Improve Your Web Writing

In a world of too little time and too much information, tight,
well-written Web copy can be a true competitive advantage. Consider these four tips for making your Web content work harder.

1. Think “Apple”—and simplify, simplify, simplify. Less really is more, so strive to cut paragraphs in half, reducing them to the most important idea.
2. Make all your key points in headlines, subheads, captions and sidebars. Because they are both directional signs pointing the readers to the messages they care about and easy-access content, write these last—after you decide what are the most important points to convey.
3. Connect the dots. Don’t assume that a reader will take something to its logical end if it’s not obvious.
4. Never use a long word when a shorter one will do. Enough said.

Image Source: www.realsimple.com, Photo by James Baigrie

Quote of the Week

Seven Ways Almost Any Business Can Use QR Codes

With mobile smartphones being the wave of the future, QR codes continue to offer intriguing new ways to connect with your customer. If you haven’t yet used these, here are just a few ideas:

1. Register for an event
2. Invite customers to take a survey
3. Take consumers to visually-driven collections on Pinterest—recipes, popular baby names, recommended books
4. Offer deals
5. Connect to a video that targets their interest
6. Link to your business card information
7. Link to an information-rich relevant page on your website

What unusual applications for a QR code have you seen?

2013 Web Trend Inspiration

Web trends are always evolving, but here are a few we liked that were highlighted by HongKiat.com.

White space and minimalism
White space has always evoked focus, dignity and calm. Perhaps that’s why people are drawn to it. The restraint required to pare back content to just a few focused messages allows those messages greater impact than when the viewer has to sort through a onslaught of text and images. It’s like entering an oasis of calm in a world of visual clutter. Here are some examples.

Big photography
A picture is worth 1,000 words—especially for products that are visually arresting. We see this technique often used for designers, restaurants, architecture, fashion and photography. Imagine the words it would take to depict the image shown on this site? But don’t try this unless your photos are really worthy.

Infinite scrolling
We’re seeing more of this effect that Pinterest has made so popular. We'd be interested to know what you think about this.

Detailed illustrations
Illustrations can be used to bring about different moods in your website. Look around the Internet, and you’ll find different website galleries and showcases using digital illustrations ranging from whimsical to serious. For more inspiration, click here.

Big typography
Typography can be high impact, if it’s done properly. In these examples, you can see typography taking the lead role on the home page—in place of a photo.

Circular Design Elements
The use of circles within website layouts is gaining popularity. Designers like circles because they are clean, neat and fit into any layout—and they offer a fresh break from the typical rectangular grid we’re used to seeing. For more inspiration on this trend, click here.

Which trends do you like best?

Image Sources: www.diehlgroup.com, www.pinterest.com