Khristmas at Karlson

When the team at Karlson wanted a Christmas card I suggested that we do an on-line video 'jingle' instead. They were not sure, but when I showed them this they loved it...

The animation is quirky and shows just how far graphics have come in the last decade.

If you would like an animated card or ident then just let us know - 01332 291141 - we can help!

Why does my website look different?

Recently a highly respected client asked a very good question which requires a somewhat detailed wide ranging response.

The question was this:

"Please can you help me to understand why the look of our website seems to change from time to time...?"

There are actually many reasons why the same site can appear different. I will attempt to explain why this is the case. But firstly I thought I'd use an analogy which may help:

Imagine a TV program being broadcast. The signal is the same for everyone. Its the same program and its the same sound track and same picture being transmitted. Now imagine viewing this on an old mono black and white TV set and then comparing this to viewing the same broadcast on a brand new curved screen, ultra high definition, dolby stereo sound TV...

Get the idea?!!!

Now think of your website as a TV broadcast. The HTML code is the same but each 'viewer' has multiple ways of seeing it.  From device type to browser brand. Web browsers view HTML code differently dependent each brand - and then of course each browser can be set up or defaults to a different specification. For example the default text size may be set larger or smaller and this can have a dramatic effect on any site's appearance.

In addition, a site viewed on Chrome will look different from the same site viewed on Explorer. It also varies from browser version to version. So Explorer 8 is totally different from Explorer 11. This is down to modern browsers handling code in a different way at the 'client' end.

Who knows why they do not have one standard but they never have and, most likely, never will (think Apple vs Microsoft vs Google vs anyone else...) So in effect, your website can be viewed using an almost unlimited configuration of technologies and formats.

But it gets even more tricky, because now we have different sized devices, some with touch-screen some without and this can ALL affect not only the way a site looks but also the way it behaves and operates.

(Think of it this way: kids today think nothing of touching a screen to 'make things happen' but only 5 years ago nobody wanted fingerprints all over their screens!...its a complete change of culture - if your website is not configured to work with touch, swipe and tap then you are most likely missing an opportunity).

But wait, there's more!!!

If your site is built in Wordpress (WP)  most of you will have no control over the way your chosen theme 'decides' how to display a site (unless significant bespoke coding is continually reviewed and added in as browser version advance). This is one of the pitfalls of WP - if the original theme developers don't 'keep up' with new browser technology then your site will become redundant sooner rather than later.

But it gets even more muddy with Wordpress - if you imagine also that each 'plug-in' provider has their own agenda and each develop at different rates then you can get clashes very quickly and sometimes even total site failure. For example, one site we manage has 40 active plug-ins (so you can imagine the potential for clashes and things to go wrong). In fact 17 of these plug-ins actually said that there were updates available - however if one did update then its highly likely that the site would instantly fall over as the updated plug ins would clash with older ones - aargh!

So if you have a Wordpress site you have to settle for with what you get, or be prepared to pay for someone to manage and update the site for you. Unless you are an experienced coder then it highly likely you would struggle with the interface.

However, this doesn't just affect Wordpress sites - exactly the same issues apply to a bespoke coded site. The main advantage being that there is generally a more consistent code base which makes updating it less risky and usually faster ad more reliable. Of course it is all down to the developer and their ability to respond to your need.

Fact is that most clients and marketers don't really care about the reasons, all they want is a site that works and looks right, every time on everything. Which really shouldn't be too much to ask in 2015!

If you want your site to have a chance to look right on every device then why not give us a call on 01332 291141 for a chat, we will be happy to help you make the right decision when it comes to architecture and code base.

Say Hello Wave Goodbye

It's year two for the amazing RSM "wave" banner - this funky banner is very versatile as the fabric wrap can be changed to suit the current message.

RSM will be exhibiting at the Mainframe event and this is the ideal time to launch their brand new services. As you can see they will make a big impact with this graphic. These powerful banners can be used anywhere, so if your company reception could do with a lift, why not consider one of these?

The picture below shows the whole stand in place at the venue - Whittlebury Hall - its easy to see how even a few simple graphic devices can add to the impact of a stand.

To find out more, just give us a call on 01332 291141...

Amazing what a difference a nice menu makes...

We were asked by rapidly growing US based PSS to develop their new website (opposite top)

Working closely alongside the PSS marketing team we quickly recognised the key weakness in their old site, which had served them well but was well in need of refreshing.

Main issues of the old site (shown opposite below)
Tired looking
Deep drop down menus (often so deep they drop off the page!)
Responsive to a degree but not easy to navigate.
Key messages a little overcrowded

The new site which launches in October 2015 will have a much cleaner look and feel. It will underpin PSS's next stage of growth into the late teens.

The thing that is immediately apparent is the way we now handle the menus. Large volumes of information can be displayed in an easy to see and navigate format which easily responds to mobile and pad versions. The site is also touch screen friendly too.

Both sites have been built in Wordpress, which whilst slow and rather unwieldy to develop within does deliver a content managed solution which clients seem to love.

Visit the live site here

If your current website is looking tired or if you don't have a website (surely not) then why not give us a call on 01332 29114 and we can have a chat about how we can help you.

Its bigger than a picnic blanket

This dramatic, dynamic, exciting, fast moving, roller-coaster of a picture shows Ben examining RSM's new tablecloth.

The idea is that at various event RSM will be able to drape this bad boy over any surface thereby instantly branding up the surface.

A simple and easy solution and much better than last years rather dull table cloth.

If you'd like a really smart branded up cloth or banner just give us a call on 01332 291141 and we can help you cover up!

Oracle Preps for OpenWorld in record time...!

Oracle is one the World's largest software vendors. We have worked with them off and on for around 25 years (lordy it seems like only yesterday!). We were asked to develop a new look and feel for their Partner Network collateral. The Oracle Partner Network (OPN) is a  global community of Oracle partners with expertise in many varied vertical markets.

OPN brings together the knowledge and skills of these professionals in order to deliver only the best for their customers. By sharing information across the Partner Network, developers can easily reach out to the most knowledgeable experts in their fields. Not only that, but partners can also earn 'points' to improve their own learning and skill-base.

The brochure is aimed at Oracle's partners and explains the on-going benefits of OPN as well as underpinning Oracles goal of continual improvement and expertise. Using simple graphical imagery the brochure tells a story of how members benefit and how they can become an OPN champion.

The brochures were conceived, developed, written, art-worked, printed and delivered from the UK to California USA in less than 20 days.

If your business would like some expert advice in communication and if you need it fast, then please call us on 01332 291141 and we can discuss your needs.

Solhiem Cup Carry On

Jonny was lucky enough to go to the Solheim Cup in St Leon Rot in Germany in September.

The event, for those of you not in the know, is known as the "Ladies Ryder Cup".  Three days of superb golf played between the USA and Europe.

This year the USA won against remarkable odds, with a superb showing in the final days singles matches, overcoming a 3 point deficit.

Unlike the Ryder Cup, it is possible to get quite close to all the players, and I had the fortune to meet and speak to US golf legend Patty Hurst winner of 6 LPGA events and also a major in 1995.

Karsten Solhiem the founder and owner of Ping started the "Solhiem Cup" in 1990. As a manufacturer and main sponsor Ping also supply clubs to some of the World's greatest golfers, including the UK's Lee Westwood and 2012 Masters winner, Bubba Watson.

In fact some of Bubba's clubs were on display and I was given the chance to hold them. This was the wedge that drew a ball some 35 yards in the air and put the ball inside 10' and the putter he used for his first major win...

Take a look at the video of the shot physics - quite amazing...163 yards with a gap wedge is almost unreal, but to also shape the shot, under that presssure...well its something we can dream of!