2013 Trends and Classics

It’s a brand new year so let’s look back on some broad trends and some old consistencies.

Digital North is entering its 19^th year of business; we have seen a lot of changes over those years. This past year (or so) has for us really seen the turning point of the template. Word press of course has been around for years but this year we have really seen its impact on the business world. More and more businesses are jumping onto that system rather than a custom CMS. A word of caution though, some designs can be harder to program and the user interface that Wordpress isn’t as simple as our PHP CMS systems.

Going along with that template world is the preference for large blocks of graphic coloured space and loosely set design items (In my mind the two are connected). Simplicity seems to be the word of the day with clean straight lines and not a lot of design-y extras.

We have also seen the rise of the app and mobile site. If you’re not using a smart phone we are not talking to you, but for everyone else it’s have it my way, from iphone to ipad, galaxy tab, windows RT… ect, ect, ect… it’s all about the user having right looking content on the platform they are using.

In the end these trends come and go and we will continue to watch, respond and add to the greater online world but remember; the classics never change, you can’t beat a clear marketing direction, a focus on the user experience and clean navigation will get you there every time.

Oktoberfest

You say the word Oktoberfest around KW it brings to mind many images. Usually fun ones, beer, costumes, polka, parties and so on. You normally only hear the word around October, well maybe September and often with the words “are you going to”.

To us at Digital North Oktoberfest is an ongoing discussion as they are one of our clients. We work together often and are usually building some new online addition to the site for the next festival.

So when we received the email telling us of Mark Kreller’s death, we were shocked.  And to be honest I have trouble finding the words to express the loss.

Mark was a friend and colleague. We met over 18 years ago at CHYM when our offices were next door to them, we worked with him at the OAC, we built his logo for Kreller communications, kept in touch over the years and got to work together again on Oktoberfest for the last several.  Mark’s passion for the festival and for this community was remarkable, he was a joy to work with and his stamp will echo for years to come.

He made us better; he made the work we produced for Oktoberfest stand out and all I can say is he will be missed.

So much so that now, and I’m sure for years to come, when we say Oktoberfest, we will remember Mark mixed in with those images of fun and friends and polka and beer.

Thank you Mark for all the memories.

time to mobilize

So here is the simple statistic.  In 2011 manufacturers shipped 487.7 million smart phones but at the same time only shipped 414 million computers, that includes laptops, desktops and tablets combined. So here we are in the days where mobile devices have taken the lead. As you already know, these are not cheap kid devices. They are fast little processors with customized to the user applications which are cheaply purchased on the android, BB and itunes stores. These apps cover games, work related, database driven apps and a huge variety of user specific needs in pretty much any arena.

So, how do you think this is going to affect your website?

Ever taken a look at your site through your Blackberry curve?

Go ahead, I’ll wait…

Yeah, pretty tiny huh?

Even sites displayed on the giant Samsung galaxy s2 are underwhelming. Customers will have a tough time navigating websites designed to fill 20+ inch monitors laid out to fit resolution of 1024 or more across with multiple level dropdown java enabled menus, and don’t even get me started on flash, which doesn’t work on apple products.

So what are you supposed to do?

Well welcome to the mobile site world, one more marketing bit you are going to need. The mobile website can be designed to fit your companies brand and marketing approach, but is simplified to meet the devices requirements and more specifically your customer’s wants.

The good news is you don’t need additional hosting or a new domain name. The site works from your existing server and domain hosting. More important is narrowing your approach to what the customer needs  and wants are, be it your contact info, your product or distributor list is of paramount importance.  Keep in mind the site will appear a little different on each different phone platform (android, apple and blackberry). Just remember less is more.

You can see an example of a mobile site, just point your browser at our page, DNM.ca and see the difference. Give us a call and we can show how to mobilize your website.

It’s a game, it’s an app its fun. It’s foursquare.


So one of the newest bits of smart phone fluff we have been experimenting with lately is called foursquare.


Foursquare is a smart phone app that combines location GPS mapping, a bit of competition, some marketing and a whole lot of over sharing. So you know the facebook crowd will love it.


 The premise is simple. You create a profile, connect with your friend on facebook, chose to or chose not to share with your online social media points like twitter and facebook, and as you visit locations you check in with your foursquare on your phone. You earn points and badges the more places you visit, visit a location frequently and you become the mayor. Points are on a rolling scale so if you don’t check in your points vanish.  Hence the competition portion of the app.


The social point to this is you can leave tips and comments about the location your visiting. Is the waiter a bit surly at your local pub? Find a great sale item at the mall? You can mention it when you check in. The marketing side lets companies leave coupons and special offers that reward check-ins. 
It’s a great way to locate a restaurant or specific serve in your area and get reviews before you go.
The downside to this app is its GPS centered so if you’re worried about someone stalking you give this a pass and for heaven’s sake don’t check in at home.


Over all it’s worth checking out, since it’s free you can’t go to far wrong, but don’t be surprised if you find the interest level thinning out over a few weeks.

butter effect on your popcorn?

You know what advice is to anyone shooting a video? It doesn’t matter if you’re doing semi-pro stuff for weddings or your kid’s hockey game. Buy a tripod. I’ll say it again, BUY A TRIPOD.

I took the family last evening to see the movie Battle:LA. Quick aside; Not a bad man vs. alien movie, the usual fare of explosions, sacrifice and man overcoming the technologically superior ET.
About hour into the flick, my head is thick and dizzy. My teenage son is holding his head as well. The camera movements are dizzying.

It’s the shaky cam effect.

The latest addition to the director’s style arsenal is the idea that the camera is part of the shot. Breaking through that third wall to try to bring the audience into the scene with the actors. It was pioneered as early as 1925 made mainstream on TV shows and really taken to the edge on the Blair Witch. A few years ago while watching Cloverfield I had the same ill feeling. The whole film shot from a handheld camera. I would have happily swallowed the idea that the character broke into a camera store and used a tripod the whole movie. The effect, for me didn’t help the story, it got in the way.

I appreciate the idea that the director is looking to bring to the audience the immersive effect of being right in the action. Both movies did that, the camera jerked and swayed as the marines ran, flew violently when explosions happened, and the effect covered the short comings in the set when it needed to.

But as a technical way to cover mistakes or a vehicle to depict the scenes it doesn’t add to the story.
Legendary cinematographer Conrad Hall, (American Beauty, Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid) worked wonders turning mistake like lens flares into cinema art. The “mistakes” turned into the effects and built upon the story. Some were happy accidents, some not. But the shots told the story.

And that’s the important thing. If it doesn’t add to your story, it takes away from it. This is true for video, web or print.

Regardless of the effect, the popcorn was delicious. You can catch a video discussion with Conrad Hall on the below link.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mas4zNdBhzo

Another round of attack ads barkeep!

You know, for a country not in election mode the big boys sure are busy.

Last week the Harper Conservatives launched their attack ads. Not really a surprise. What bugs me about these ads is that they are simply attack ads on the liberal leader’s credibility. He lived abroad; he worked for the Americans and so on. Nowhere in the ads is any content as to what the Conservatives will do, how their policies are better. In the case of ad attacking the Liberal almost Coalition the Conservatives slam the Liberals for daring to think about forming a government this way, forgetting the fact the Harper tried some years ago.

You can view the ads here.

http://www.youtube.com/user/cpcpcc

Now the Liberals are not much better but I’ll give them the credit, their ads at least focus on what the Harper Conservatives have done wrong. But having just heard Michael Ignatieff speak at a town hall meeting indicating they would focus on the issues and leave the attack ads to the other guys it leaves me to wonder now that they are using them

Fair enough, the Liberal ads aren’t personal attack ads, but they do use fear as a motivator to not vote Harper.

The Liberal ads are here.

http://www.youtube.com/user/liberalvideo

The issue is one of how to use the media. Ads that attack or use fear as a goad work all too well, and they shouldn’t. George Bush in his 2004 campaign against John Kerry used fear to turn public opinion against a decorated war vet (something that usually resonates with the middle class voter) making Kerry having served a negative. George himself didn’t serve in the military actively, but through the use of attack ads made this not only a non issue but a problem for Kerry.

The Conservatives have learned well at the heels of their republican look a likes. It’s what turned the election against Martin and Dion, and it looks like we will see more of the same this time around. Issue is that this style of mudslinging serves no one and is in part one of the reasons for the decline in voter turnout. But as long as the people continue to be swayed by these ads we will keep seeing them.

And that’s a shame.

it IS NOT just business.

it's just business.

you know, if there are three words I hate when strung together those would be them.

I've heard then used to me and I've heard them used in regards to a future discussion someone else has planned.

When I've heard them addressed to me, I usually find myself holding the short end of the stick. That's ok, it IS business, and sometimes business decisions have to happen. So I'm not whining that i didn't win the quote or the other kid got to the swings first.

Perhaps it comes from what I've found in many business management books. The authors preach an adversarial warlike approach to business.That any action I take to crush my completion is ok, even lying to get inside info, because... wait for it.. it's just business. I don't agree with that principle.

No, what I dislike is the lie that the people using those words tell themselves to justify whatever act underlies those words.

And it is a lie.

When you hide behind the statement its just business, you surrender your morality and forgive yourself the action that on some level you suspect is wrong. The words are a salve to your own actions and a way to excuse your conscience from owning the fact you had to do something not in the best interest of someone else.

And again, these actions happen, it's ok. Just own the fact and make the tough call.

You and whoever is holding that short end of the stick will be better people for it.

Tis a new year

OK... I surrender.
I give in and beg forgiveness.
I promised a while back to write more and with that I have failed.
It's very difficult to find the time or the spark of an idea that's worthy to share.

But .. it's a new year
let's try again shall we?

There is lots on the go here at the world headquarters of Digital North and lots of new things to share.
you will hear more about them in the upcoming weeks.
In the mean time, I wish you all the best for a fun, safe and prosperous 2011.

talk soon

Busy, busy times

They say that, on their deathbed, no one wishes they spent more time at the office.
When I ponder that statement I imagine I'll recall this summer. It has been such a busy time with a number of projects all coming to a head at the same time. Armtec, a long time client had us redo their website, Bessey Tools, a newer client is just launching their North American site to followed by Quebec, Germany, the International and other European sites. We just launched the UA’s training site, while prepping for the world skills show in Calgary. We took best of show for our short film GOYA at the Ed Video 2009 24 hour film festival. And of course all the other regular work our awesome clients send us.

So it’s been busy, and that’s why no blogging of late.

But I have no complaints, I love what I do, the people I work with and the clients we do it for. So while a little time off would be welcome you have to make hey while the sun shines.

More blogging is in the works, I promise.