Posted above are the homepage and lower-level page for my website. After months of work and much trial and error I am finished and satisfied with my final product.
I feel that the my website re-design fulfilled the required task of appealing to a younger generation. The light colors and modern images reflect a contemporary style which is much more desirable than the previous website which was visually bland and uninteresting. Below is a screen shot of the previous website to refresh your memory and remind you of its desperate need of a re-design.
The next step in designing my website is to find an image relating to the company and animate it. In the case of Puritan Furniture I choose to animate a rocking chair. Below you will find three modern rockingchair images I am debating between:
Although after discussing my objectives with Professor Klinkostein both him and I agreed that a more traditional style rocking chair would better accompany my webstite as well as provide a more recognizable image. The rocking chair I chose to animate is posted below:
Among countless advertising firms and various agencies, one can oftentimes find themselves at a standstill when faced with making a decision on which company to choose. What sets one company aside and distinguishes them from another? In a world full of upcoming products and evolving companies, advertisements and designs readily loose value and become a part of the enormous amount of clutter. To refrain from this common occurrence and instead create memorable, eye-catching advertisements and designs that stick, it is imperative that a company contain a clear vision with the ability to adapt and fulfill the unique needs of consumers. One agency which evidently understands these concepts is Robert Greenberg Associates, also known as RGA.
Robert Greenberg Associates is a prime example of an agency that fully comprehends the needs of consumers and in turn, developed an appropriate means of satisfying these needs in the 21st century. “RGA is a full-service agency for the digital age. We work by asking “what do the consumers want?” and then following wherever the answer leads. (www.rga.com)” This multiplatform design studio has worked with a number of established companies such as: Nike, Nokia, Verizon, Barnes & Noble, IBM, Sunglass Hut, Smithsonian, Avaya, and many more that accompany this company’s credentials. The video below gives examples of R/GA's work and better describes the company's successes:
Unlike traditional firms, Robert Greenberg Associates utilizes an exclusive vision that enforces “planning, creativity, engagement, integration, and accountability. (www.rga.com )” RGA accommodates its customers by evaluating the sought out target market for the product, and with much thought and effort decipher the most impactful methods of attracting these markets. Also adding to this company’s success, RGA seeks to develop appealing advertisements and striking images that consumers will enjoy rather than ignore. Along with ingenious ides to set themselves aside, RGA also makes every effort to engage their consumers through advertisements that are so well thought out they may as well be labeled “customized” for each company and their individual characteristics. This in-house agency is composed of individuals specializing in accounts, planning, production, media, creativity and digital productions; which all work as one team in providing solutions for every customer regardless of the choice of medium. RGA believes that “accountability begins at the beginning. Our analysts develop business cases and scenario tolls and they forecast results as part of our upfront planning process. (www.rga.com )” This established company skillfully recognizes that no amount of talent, ideas, or professionals can achieve success, unless a company understands the importance of research and the fact that it stands as the initial step to accomplishing success because of the insight into consumers that it provides. Below is an example of how R/GA collected insight, learned about the target market at hand, and developed a customized solution to improve business and attract customers for TARGET. "R/GA transformed a somewhat cluttered and complex site into an engaging, stylish shopping experience that reflects Target's hip and savvy image."
In Conclusion, despite the countless advertising firms, various agencies, and clutter; the decision of choosing one design or advertising firm over another is not as problematic and tedious as people may think. The solution is in understanding what sets one company aside and makes then uniquely distinct. In a world that is constantly reinventing itself along with its products and technology, the fields of advertising and design have become extremely competitive. In order to abstain from being overlooked or not recognized, companies are forced to create unforgettable, attention-grabbing advertisements and designs in order to survive. Robert Greenberg Associates, also known as RGA is an agency that profitably established a vision that creatively focused on the consumers and their individual needs, while simultaneously providing company’s with the ability to adapt and manipulate their image as necessary.
Good news! I finally finished successfully slicing my homepage redesign without it seperating after testing the file in the browser. This step only took two full classes along with loads of frustration... until I finished. The next step in the completion of my homepage redesign is finding a video which will appear in the pop-up. So far, I want a video with a relaxing setting that depicts young people lounging and just hanging out. I want the video to exemplify the company's youthful and trendy appearance.
“Meant to last” is a phrase that is no longer as familiar to people today as it once was. In a world focused on technological advancements and a fast paced life style, the idea of anything being everlasting has practically diminished. Stovetop ovens evolved into microwaves, television sets into flat screens, and mainframe computers into iPhones. Shockingly, all these drastic transformations occurred in a span of 20 years. With an awe-inspiring flow of renovation and technological advances, it’s likely to state that anything is possible. Conventional methods of life and traditional means of operation are evolving into a “ubiquitous” realm filled with endless possibilities and mind-blowing inventions. To further explain this “ubiquitous” future, is designer and architect named, Dr. Leonardo Bonanni. On March 27th, 2008, Hofstra’s Graphic Design students were met with the extraordinary opportunity and experience of meeting an ingenious man who shared both his ideas on “smart objects/ smart spaces” as well as the future.
As an overachieving individual with a concentration in Architecture and design, Leonardo Bonanni found tradition dull and uninspiring. Bonanni had a desire to create and design for the future, leading him to invent objects within the categories of “ubiquitous computing; tangible interfaces, ambient displays, augmented reality, and wearable computers.” Within these four categories, Bonanni provided images and evidence proving the unbelievable inventions he refers to as “smart objects/smart spaces” to be reality. These technological advances include gadgets such as: a flexible computer screen, glass bottles and an rabbit robot which both play music, human Pac man, and computerized clothing and accessories.
In conclusion, Dr. Leonardo Bonanni views life as a constant evolution with endless possibilities. It is evident that Bonanni firmly believes anything in regards to technology is probable and achievable; urging individuals to strive for the future get lost in thoughts and pursue ideas. Living in a now “ubiquitous” world, communication is readily attained in many aspects, technology is soaring, and focus is on the future. Dr. Leonardo Bonanni effectively describes and strives to instill the philosophy of ever changing rather than everlasting.
Let me just say that slicing an image and applyig rollovers is extremely aggravatnig. I am now working on my third attempt at slicing an image, which is supposedly the simplest step in designing a web page. It's ironic that this step has taken me three tries, 30 mninutes, and my computer freezing. Unfortunately I did not save my work before the computer froze, so I have had to redo my progress three times.
Below is what the screen looked like up until the freeze, I managed to take a screen shot.
