13thirtyone Design LLP Donates Just Under $500 to the World Wildlife Federation’s Gulf Oil Spill Restoration Fund
During the month of June, I was very frustrated by the oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico. Being so far away, I wasn’t sure how I could help, but I knew I wanted to do something. I researched volunteering online, but found that they were asking folks to stay put; they were already inundated with helping hands. I decided I’d do the next best thing and decided that I’d donate 5% of 13thirtyone Design LLP’s profits earned between the months of July and August 2010.
As of this afternoon, I’m proud to say 13thirtyone donated just under $500 to the Gulf Oil Spill Restoration Fund. According the website, they’re “tracking and reporting on the impacts of the oil spill, and our extensive network of volunteers is on-the-ground, supporting wildlife rescue and rehabilitation efforts and restoring the damaged coastal ecosystem in the Gulf of Mexico.” Being an eco-friendly design business owner, I’m happy to do what I can to help.
If you’d like to donate directly to the cause, you can find the WWF’s donation page here.
Letterpess Printing
I’ve always loved letterpress printing for its quality and eco-friendly benefits. For those unfamiliar, I came across a great short and informative video on this particular printing method.
Website Launch: Tunheim Law
A few months ago, the owner of Denver-based Tunheim Law LLC gave me a call regarding her website. She currently had one online but as it was built from a template system, she didn’t feel the site captured the brand of her business. She explained that she had a logo and some stationery materials designed already but was looking for a more personal approach to the way her site looked.
After learning about Annie’s business and how she liked to portray herself to clients and prospects, I was able to gather a good idea of what the client was looking for. Furthermore, we discussed her love of nature, texture, earth tones and other visual elements she was drawn to. Taking this information and combining it with my knowledge of Tunheim Law’s target market, we were able to create a professional looking website that also boasted some of the business’ personality.
One thing that set the client’s business apart from others is that the owner is really drawn to the old, house-call style approach doctors used to have to operating their businesses. We decided to run with this friendly and approachable feel and the theme for the site was born; an earthy and old prescription-pad style layout combined with visuals that showed the thought she puts into each client. Tunheim Law specializes in Intellectual Property services–helping clients to protect their ideas, names, logos, etc. This is where the idea for an old phrenology illustration came in. Of course, we had to be sure the new website design worked with the current branding system the client had in place. Here’s a look at the homepage design:
We worked to keep the links and the phrenology illustration on every page as a standard menu system for the website. Here are a couple of other page examples:
Not only was the look of the site important to the owner, but being able to edit the content later on was essential to her as well. This website is integrated with a content management system so the client can easily log in and edit her text and images.
For more information on Tunheim Law and their services, please visit the website. The website design featured on this page is the property of Tunheim Law.
©2010, Tunheim Law LLC. All rights reserved.
HELP the Gulf
As an eco-friendly business, it would be irresponsible to ignore the oil disaster happening right now in the Gulf. According to the National Wildlife Federation, “some estimates calculate the oil flow to be over 60,000 barrels of oil per day. Oil has officially hit land and numerous sea turtles, dolphins and migratory birds have all been reported dead or dying on gulf beaches.”
It’s going to be a long journey to restore these conditions and I feel there’s no time like the present to help. Starting July 1st, 2010, five percent (5%) of each project’s total cost will be donated to helping the National Wildlife Federation. These donations will help protect the 400 animal species and habitats that have been affected by this tragedy.
If you’d like to donate directly, 13thirtyone Design LLP certainly encourages you to do so. Simply click the turtle badge below or you can visit The National Wildlife Federation’s donation page here.
Thank you in advance for your support.
The National Wildlife Federation is an approved charity by the Better Business Bureau. Visit here for more information. Hosting and domain name services are exempt from this donation campaign. Campaign ends August 31st, 2010.
Editable Newsletter Templates
The last few weeks I’ve been working with Meals on Wheels here in the Twin Cities. This organization is very familiar with marketing themselves when it comes to newsletters and e-mail campaigns, however, they desired a layout that was more cohesive with their established branding system.
After helping them to create an editable e-mail newsletter in Constant Contact (you can see the finished piece here), we moved onto our next project; creating a paper newsletter template. The objectives for the project were:
a. The templates had to be built in Microsoft Word.
b. There needed to be three templates; one in black and white, one in full color and another two-color piece. This was so the user could print as they wished.
c. The template needed to be VERY EASY to edit.
With those three objectives in mind, I got to work laying out the design. The piece also needed to include several required content areas the client provided me with. After all was said and done, I presented the following design (in the three requested color formats):
As you can see from above, the layout is very clean and very simple. This not only ties in with the branding the organization already has, but it will also help the user to edit the document without difficulty. The following is a close-up of the front and back side:
And now for the project breakdown; here’s why we did what we did:
1. The client had asked that each Metro Meals on Wheels Chapter be able to insert their own region here. By creating a clearly defined space for this on top of the newsletter title bar, the text can be changed without changing the header’s other elements.
2. As a fun and interesting statistic, Meals on Wheels wants the ability to display how many meals have been delivered. The volunteers who send out these newsletters for each chapter, however, will be sending them out as they please. This could be daily, weekly, monthly, etc. That said, the number of meals is not only editable but the “THIS MONTH” text is as well.
3. There are organization-wide events but should the particular chapter want to host and announce their own potluck, they can certainly do so here. By keeping the Upcoming Events section editable, the user can notify readers of newsworthy dates that pertain to them specifically.
4. Each volunteer sending out the newsletter has the opportunity to post their contact information. This keeps things more personal; readers aren’t calling the main offices for questions volunteer’s may be able to answer themselves.
5. The Samples From Our Menu section allows volunteers to edit sample meals as they see fit. They could change them based on the week, season or maybe a menu that might speak more to their region’s demographic.
6. Metro Meals on Wheels asked that there be a location within the newsletter for volunteers to insert a photo. Here, the newsletter template users can easily insert an image from a recent event, a volunteer profile, etc. This helps to add some visual interest to the layout as well.
Of course, we can’t forget that all article text and titles are editable by the volunteers typing these newsletters also.
Once the design was approved I was able to break down the design of each of the three color-coded newsletters and create a Microsoft Word-friendly template. The user can now go in and easily see where they’re to type and insert their information:
These Word templates will be sent out to the volunteers along with corresponding PDF samples of how the layout is meant to look when filled in with information. These PDFs will serve as guides for article length, image size, etc.
So far the templates have been very well received. I’m anxious to hear how the volunteers sending the newsletters feel about working within the template. Surely this is an easy and effective way to keep the Metro Meals on Wheels identity unified while adaptable to users.
The designs displayed above are the sole property of Metro Meals on Wheels.
©2010, Metro Meals on Wheels. All rights reserved.
Meals on Wheels is Already Seeing Results
As noted in the past couple of posts, I’ve been working with Metro Meals on Wheels to better brand their email campaigns. You can take a look at the changes we made and why they work here.
The first official e-mail newsletter was sent yesterday, and already, within 5 hours, staff members and volunteers saw what a branded and well-designed email could do for their organization. Take a look at the lovely testimonial I was forwarded today:
Graphic design really works! By drawing attention to the volunteer sign-up button right underneath the logo, it’s gaining more reader visibility and a little click-action too!
Stay tuned for more projects like this one for Meals on Wheels yet to come.
Meals on Wheels Email Development
As mentioned in my last post, I’ve been working with Metro Meals on Wheels here in the Twin Cities area. In working with the marketing director, we’ve been working to build a stronger template for their email campaigns. The previous template used colors similar to that of the website, however, the branding wasn’t as consistent as it could be nor was it as attention getting as they desired. Meals on Wheels wanted an email that was sure to grab attention and gain readership when sent to a contact’s email box.
MoW already has a branded website that they wanted the email newsletter template to resemble. Their looks is very clean and simple while their designated color scheme is approachable and friendly.
I worked with Meals on Wheels to create an email template to be programmed into Constant Contact. The email needed to look sophisticated and professional. The marketing department will continue to edit and send their own email newsletters so it’s important that the graphics don’t interfere with the ease and functionality of the piece. Here’s what we’ve implemented:
Here’s a breakdown of why we did what we did:
1. The top of the email is the first thing most people will see when looking through their inbox. That said, the email header needed to be attractive and attention-getting. I’ve inserted an image similar to that of the website and have called out their tagline and subtext right away.
2. Because the logo is of vertical orientation, it’s a little tricky to work into a layout. The marketing director requested that the logo not be in the header but because it’s important to keep it visible for branding purposes, I’ve placed the logo right at the top of the page. It sets the tone for the column on the left-hand side as well.
3. The right side of the email will consist of articles of varying length. As of right now, Constant Contact’s default email text and image blocks have been inserted. When the client’s copy and photographs are entered in, the length of the text will increase, thus filling the space nicely. There’s also room for another article at the bottom of the email, towards the footer, if needed.
4. The marketing director wanted to make donating and volunteering easy for readers of this newsletter. Therefore, separate call-out boxes have been created on the left-hand side. These buttons link directly to their respective web pages. Keeping the links simple to spot and uncluttered by graphics keeps the information attractive, but still incredibly user-friendly.
5. Meals on Wheels does a great job of utilizing social media to promote their organization. Therefore, we’ve made sure to include links to all of their pages here.
6. Currently, Meals on Wheels runs a WordPress blog where volunteers share their stories and insights from their meal deliveries. In an effort to increase story submissions, a banner has been created here directing users to the experience entry page.
7. Finally, a blue footer helps to anchor the email template’s layout while bringing in another color swatch used on the website.
Meals on Wheels is running through the final phases of testing and approval for this email template. We’ve currently got another project underway, so stay tuned for more of this organization’s work samples later on!
Pro-Bono Project: Meals on Wheels
As part of my business model, I try to always keep one pro-bono project on-hand at all times. I think it’s a great way to give my work visibility while giving back to the community. Just recently, I’ve started working with the Twin Cities’ Meals on Wheels organization.
For those of you unfamiliar, as stated on their website, “Metro Meals on Wheels is the association of 40 Meals on Wheels programs in the 7-county Twin Cities metro. With our program partners, we lead the effort to make sure people in our community receive the nutritious meals and the human connection they need to help them live independently.”
Meals on Wheels already has a brand in place and a professionally designed website. However, they’re looking to freshen up their email marketing system. I’ll be jumping in to create a branded email campaign that speaks to donors, community partners, volunteers, members and the general public.
As we start to put the new e-newseltter look into place, I’ll be sure to keep you updated on the process of this project. Keep your eyes peeled!
Business Card Re-Design
Just recently I decided it was time to update the design of my business cards. I really liked the overall design of the card, but there were just a few items I wanted to tweak. Here’s a look at the original:
I still wanted to keep the overall design as I like that a person can hold it, place their thumb over it and not cover any information. I also liked the slightly vintage feel and the cleanliness of the layout. However, here’s a list of changes I thought would better the design:
- I don’t think my business name was as pronounced as it should be. More emphasis was on my own name than anything else.
- Also, there’s no room on this card for my tagline, “graphic and website design in an eco-friendly fashion.”
- Having the mailing address on my card makes me a little nervous. Don’t get me wrong, I’m not moving anywhere any time soon, but a box of business cards can last sometimes for years. I like the idea of not having to re-print cards down the road should I ever move my office.
I got to work not only updating the information, but I incorporated my most recent font crush, Archer, as well. Here’s the new design (pardon the bad lighting in the photo):
I’m much happier with the overall layout and really like that the card is still consistent with my last one. The letterpress printing really plays up the design, I think, as well.
Cook in the Kitchen Website Launch
There’s been lots of website work rolling out of 13thirtyone lately and this week is no exception. Without further ado, I’m really excited to present the launch of the Cook in the Kitchen website. Take a look at a few screen-shots below:
When Chef Maureen Brandt (a.k.a. “Molly”) and I sat down to discuss her website goals, she expressed she wanted a website that was clean and simple. It needed to portray high-end food, but also speak to those with income brackets of all types. She needed pages to discuss the catering side of her business alongside the personal chef services she offered. She also wanted a published calendar system and a gallery of her food imagery.
We set to work creating a site that was very simply organized. Should someone need info on Molly’s catering services, they can find all of her information (including pricing, process, etc.) on that one page. Same goes for the Personal Chef section. Her images are displayed with an easy-to-find thumbnail navigation system on the gallery page, while her calendar is embedded and made public courtesy of the free Google calendar system.
After all is said and done, Molly’s website was officially launched yesterday afternoon. Since then, we’ve also entered the piece into a website design competition. Wish us luck!
