woensdag 29 juni 2011

The cloud


There are more and more companies wanting to place their data on the "cloud".
Clouding services are booming. Even Microsoft is moving to the cloud!
"Cloud computing" is the new buz word. 


For more info about this issue we leave you here this interesting article:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-13943437

Flyers: think outside the box!

Think outside the box!
Here are some tips on how to create an appealing and modern flyer:

  1. Focus always on the design (good design is always inspiring and welcoming);
  2. Focus on the message: what do you really want to say? How are you going to say it? Who's your target group(s)? Are you transmitting a good taste message to your customers? Are you passing on a good or bad corporate image?
  3. Think about your end-user or customer = think commercially!
  4. Think about originality and creativity = how can you distinguish yourself from the competition?
  5. Think about fonts, styles, images and color;
  6. Think about scaling and printing = visualize your end result! (make as many printings as possible before moving to the actual printing company);
  7. Think about usability: who's going to read your flyer or use it? Whats the best format and layout to use?
  8. Is your flyer user friendly? Are your colors appealing? Is your design delivering emotion?
  9. Think ahead of your time!
Some people ask us, what is the life cycle of a flyer?
Independently from it's size, color range, message, target group, etc, flyers have a very short life spam
This also depends from the purpose of the flyer: is it to advertise an upcoming event or to advertise a business?

Flyer's brevity issues vs. speed of creation
Flyers need to be developed with care, love and attention. The designer and the customer often think/work together to create a particular flyer. They think together about a concept and a design.
We always advise people to think carefully about their flyers, not rushing the process. Although flyers have generally speaking a short life spam/brevity, quality should always be at the heart of it's creation. Rushing things tends to ruin them.

Punctual goals
Often flyers serve to inform people about punctual services, products, events, new corporate addresses, etc. But flyers always serve a purpose!
Flyers serve punctual goals, occasions or events taking place in a particular time frame. After that, the flyer has accomplished its short-life purpose. People can get rid of it.

The exception to the rule
In some other cases, companies can re-use their flyer. This regards mainly flyers advertising a new business address, general products or services (that don't get fast outdated). 

Promotional flyers & educational flyers
Promotional flyers are often very quickly "dead" - right after the promotion is over. Their planning and preparation may have taken some month, but as soon as the promotion is over, they no longer serve a purpose (only as a reference, to be filed somewhere or to be saved as a souvenir ;-)

Educational flyers (flyers for courses and training's)
These often obey to a year/month/week schedule, and cannot be used endlessly. Their life spam is also very short, serving punctual goals.

The impact of design & fashion in flyers
Design & fashion change daily, at a fast pace. Businesses are slower!
But business needs & goals although more steady, tend to change faster than ever before. This is mainly due to the raise of new technologies and to the globalization of the world economy.
Design & fashion play an increasingly bigger role in corporate strategies, in Marketing, in Branding: in printing materials, etc.

Dynamic marketing campaigns: regular printing of new materials
We live in a dynamic world. So, it's convenient for companies to refresh their corporate marketing campaigns, by creating regularly new flyers and printing materials. 
Current customers are constantly changing their minds, are mobile, dynamic, eager to learn and often demanding. They are also well informed, computer literate, wanting to be surprised now and then, wanting new materials, products, services and experiences. Modern customers want convenience, appealing and clear messages.

What is the "worse enemy" of a flyer?
Well, its probably wanting to copy another flyer! 
Sometimes customers bring along flyers from the competition, as an example of what they want. 
This goes without saying, that sometimes they want an exact "copy" of that particular flyer, with their logo, colors and message.
Designers always prefer if a customer arrives empty-handed, with a vision or need for a flyer.
Designers don't like to copy other peoples materials. The creative "kick" is then lost.
Being a designer is wanting to be creative and original at all times, not copying other designers or other people's work.

Leave us your comments and observations here!

dinsdag 12 april 2011

Interesting article about hotel booking apps


Colorful photos & thoughts


We love color, photos, objects and all sorts of funny and tiny elements. When combined, they can make you smile and cheer up your day!


Color pigments diluted in clean water are always fascinating to observe. There is a sort of a dance of color taking place in the glass or bottle of water. It's a sort of an hypnotic dance...soon the pigments settle down in the bottom, losing their color and life...

Beautiful rainbow colors to cheer up our ice-creams!


Sharpening color pencils is a great hobby! There's nothing like a sharp pencil to start a new design or a new project!


Designers love their Pantone colors!


Even Stitch & Nail "junkies" love their colors!


Children are always fascinated by candies, by taste and color! Primary and secondary colors for the little/big ones!


Our vision of the world: like a rainbow!

LPD Team

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Bird & feather colors

If we study nature and what surround us, then we can realize many fascinating and interesting details.

Feathers can be simple or more complex...


There is a smooth transition between colors to form a feather...

LPD Team

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The importance of color

Before planning any design work (web design, logo design, housestyle materials design,  graphical design, illustrations...) we need to have a deep understanding about color.
We need to take the time to observe color and nature around us.


Flowers are often bursting with color.  



Color is all around us and often reflects human emotions and our need for communication.


Color has a deep meaning.


Color has a working.


 Colors can be combined for further enhancement.



Color says much about humans, about a company, about a vision, about an idea, about a product, about a service, about a mission, about people's values...
Color is life and has a wide impact in our lives. 
Could we imagine our world and lives colorless?

LPD Team

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Whats bubbling? Web design in 2011


QR Codes
( = bar code that can be scanned with your smart phone)
Social Media
(Blog, Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter...)
SEO
Google Ads
Online marketing
Videos
(YouTube)
Phone Apps
...

Web design's face is changing quickly and daily. Its not easy to keep up with all the changes. But you need to be on the forefront of the latest web developments. Most importantly, you cannot escape the technological bubbling!

LPD Team

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Nice website with art information


maandag 11 april 2011

People stick to brands they know and love



"People stick to brands they know and love"

Delivering a modern and professional product/service is not enough. This needs to be accompanied by a strong brand image. 
  • A strong brand image delivers often on high impact. 
  • A strong brand image generates curiosity.
  • A strong brand image generates more business and profit.
  • A strong image leads to market leaderships and to market expansion.

Solutions and possibilities

Currently, customers expect not only a certain level of brand impact, trust, low price vs. high quality, but also innovation and technological solutions.
Modern customers want companies to show them ongoing solutions and possibilities.
Modern customers want to see smart brand revivals and creative ways to deliver brand images.

Above all, modern customers want brand and image honesty, transparency and consistency.
Old fashion values like trust are still very important for modern customers and for brand management corporate teams. 
All because people stick to brands they know and they love.

Your company ideal image

Do you want to develop a new product or service? 
Do you want to develop a new brand image? 
Do you want to revamp your current brand image?

Then our advise is: 
  • Keep it simple.
  • Keep it professional.
  • Keep it reliable, trustworthy and honest.
  • Keep it attractive, unforgettable and above all modern! 
  • Be always prepared to embrace new technologies. 
  • Be a trend-setter, surprise your current and new potential customers.
  • Think out-of-the-box!
= "Reshape your business and break free from convention"



LPD Team

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Differentiating yourself from the competition



Image, credibility and trust are everything

Small/medium sized companies often suffer from poor image, low customer credibility and trust, lack of customer awareness, poor product/services attributes, low level of product and service differentiation, etc.
This often arises from their size, low budgets, lack of specific know-how and expertise. In other cases this also arises from poor quality of products and services.

Planning and more planning

Companies often need time to plan carefully their marketing and branding strategies. They also need time, budgets and manpower to develop the right image, that reflects both their business needs and goals. 
They also need to meet ongoing customers/buyers preferences, raising their credibility and trust along the way. 

When companies develop a solid marketing and branding planning and strategies, they also realize that all goes back to the same issue: image consistency issues.

Image consistency creates trust and reliability

Many companies miss out on image consistency issues. They also miss out on creativity issues in terms of marketing campaigns, product packaging, logo image, housestyle materials, publicity campaigns, etc. 

Companies that miss out on image consistency issues, often are not sure about the image they project and how customers perceive them.
They often don't explore correctly and maximize the potential of their image. By doing so, they don't deliver the desired trust and credibility.

Image planning and implementation: New Corporate Image

Big corporations often dedicate part of their yearly budgets to marketing and branding strategies. They know that competition is fierce and they cannot afford losing market share or potential new customers. 
These companies know all about new corporate images.

Big companies tend to concentrate most of their marketing/branding strategies and efforts in their products/services/brands, current and potential new customers.
When they decide to develop a new product/service/brand, they often choose for high-impact images and campaigns. They often choose for bold design and expertise.

These companies need to continuously surprise their current and potential new customers, revealing ideas like strong communication, human emotion, technological innovation, creativity, modernity and freshness.

Focusing in the horizon

When developing successful corporate strategies, big companies don't think only about the present moment. They focus mostly in the horizon: in the future (medium-long term results). They learn from the past, projecting all their energy into the future.

These companies often ask themselves:
  • How can we keep on evolving and innovating? 
  • How can we create brand differentiation with our competitors? 
  • How can we become trend-setters?
  • How can we create a high level of customer trust, making sure customers keep on purchasing our products/services and solutions?
  • How can we attract and retain potential new customers: online and traditionally?
  • How can we keep on incorporating technology into our marketing and branding strategies?
  • How can we use internal branding to engage our employees in marketing and branding strategies?
  • etc.
Read our next posting!



LPD Team

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Corporate image vision



Envision your ideal corporate image:
  1. What does your corporate image reflects?
  2. What are your present and future corporate image goals?
  3. What is your company vision, mission and values?
  4. Based in your corporate image, how do you build new levels of customer awareness?
  5. Based in your corporate image, how do you build a strong emotional attachment to your customers?
  6. How do you give an answer to your customer beliefs, needs and expectations?
  7. How do you build long-term customer trust and preferences?
  8. What are your present and future brand attributes?
  9. Are your employees involved with your corporate image and brand image?
  10. etc
Corporate image: building brand awareness is all about human emotions

Building a corporate image and brand awareness creates emotional connection and attachment to your customers.

So, consider these issues:
  1. What does your company and brand(s) deliver(s) "emotionally"? 
  2. What is the emotional link or message that customers get from your company and brand(s)?
  3. How do your customers relate emotionally to your different products and services?
  4. Does your company and brand(s) passes on an image of reputation, reliability, trust, leadership and innovation?
  5. What is the role of communication in your company and brand(s)?
  6. Does your company and brand(s) deliver a promise?
  7. Does age, gender, nationality and background matter in your corporate/brand building and development strategies?
  8. etc.
There are many questions being raised every day about new marketing and branding strategies. 
Bottom line, people link emotionally to companies, products, services and brands.
People link to brands through time and space, incorporating them unconsciously into their lives and lives of their family and children. 

Creating much wanted differentiation: maximizing your brand full potential

The market is cluttered with companies, products, services and brands. 
Many companies operate in the same country, region and market segment, having similar products and services to their competitors. They often suffer from competition, differentiation and brand awareness issues. 

So, ask yourself:
  1. How can companies presently create product/ service and brand differentiation? 
  2. How can they stand out from the crowd, attracting and retaining potential new customers?
  3. How can companies capitalize on customer and employees motivations, preferences and experiences?
  4. How can companies/brands capitalize on the use of new technologies?
  5. How can companies create highly effective marketing and branding strategies, measuring results and translating them into business opportunities?
  6. How can companies tap into their marketing and branding potential, maximizing their short, medium and long-term results?
  7. etc
Read our next posting!



LPD Team

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Your corporate image



"Image is everything in corporate life nowadays"

Companies are increasingly more aware about the importance of developing and keeping a fresh and modern image. 
This doesn't regard only the overall corporate image, but also the image of their products and services. 

"Companies that understand well image issues and human perception often take the lead in their market segments"

But image is not related only to customer perception. 
  • Hows does the company sees itself? 
  • Whats the image the company projects internally and externally? 
  • Are the company employees involved with corporate image and branding strategies?
  • Whats the image of the company products and services? Updated or outdated?
  • Whats the future "ideal" image that the company wants to have vs. what is the image that the company doesn't want to have?
  • Whats the role of new technologies and Social Media in building this ideal image?
  • etc

When companies have a clear idea about their image needs and requirements, they often have a clear business vision, mission and values. They have a strong and solid base, which allows them to project a strong and solid image internally and externally.

Read our next posting!


LPD Team

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The impact of new technologies in your business



The impact of new technologies in your marketing and branding strategies


We live in a fast pace society, where technology is increasingly getting more in sink with marketing and branding strategies. Technology challenges companies to develop faster and further. 


With the help of new technologies, companies manage to attract and retain new customers. 
With the help of new technologies companies create increasingly more customers interactivity. 
Social Media and online shops are a good example of this! They deliver convenience, being available 24/7, independently from one's location.


New technologies open up new communication channels/doors between companies and customers. 


In this perspective, "New Marketing Strategies" rely increasingly more in new technologies. These technologies evolve daily, faster and effectively than ever before.
Many times they are costly strategies to attract new customers and other times they rely in creative solutions like Social Media. 



But technology is not everything. 
Attracting new customers online is not synonymous of retaining loyal and future customers


Big corporations often have big teams of people working in both fronts: technological and traditional.
But what happens to smaller companies? 

  • How do they do their New Marketing and Branding Strategies
  • How do they cope with the fast development of new technologies? Are they receptive or fearful?
  • How do these technologies impact their businesses?
  • How do they incorporate these new technologies into their businesses? 
  • Do they effectively incorporate new technologies into their businesses?
  • etc
Read our next posting!



LPD Team

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dinsdag 15 maart 2011

Online solutions: are you a self-starter or a follower?


Do you like to find your way alone in the big ocean of online solutions?
Or are you a self-starter, willing to learn, to try and apply new ideas and solutions?
Either way, the sea is vast an you might need some help along the way!

LPD Team

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Choosing well your web design company


Why should you choose well your web design company?

Well, there are many reasons why you should choose well your web design company. One of the best reasons is related to the quality and quantity of the services provided.

Ask yourself the following questions:
  • Does your current web design company supplies you with high quality professional services? 
  • Do they keep you updated and informed about the latest online widgets and technologies?
  • Do they give you regular professional advise? 
  • Do they give you a good level of support and maintenance services?
  • Do they come to the rescue when you call?
  • Can they implement the features that you want, need or desire?
Web design companies are not only specialized in web design and web development solutions.
They often have knowledge about coding/programing languages (HTML, XHTML, PHP, CSS, JAVA), SEO, Google Ads, Social Media, e-Commerce, etc.
Web design companies are often updated about new technologies, knowing what's happening in the online world!

Furthermore, web design companies have a thorough knowledge about CMS's and other systems that you can use to update your information, to generate your newsletters, to conduct your invoicing or online payments, etc.
Web design companies can give your website not only the necessary look & feel, but also increased interactivity, modern and appealing features and functionality. They are you technological gurus!

Getting regular assistance

Imagine that you have a new website. Then you might want to add up regular information, images, videos, etc to your website.
You may rely on a good CMS to make your updates, but it can also happen that you don't have time or patience to sit behind your computer a few hours a day to make these updates.
It can also happen, that you want or have a website, but you are not computer literate or a computer savy.
Then its almost certain, that you rely on the services of a good web design company or "webmaster".

Webmaster vs. Web design companies

A Webmaster is not necessarily a web designer. Often, webmasters have the technical and technological know-how and skills, but not the necessary design skills.
We see many websites developed by good webmasters (programmers), but lacking on creativity, showing a poor or outdated design.

In the past, "webmaster" was the word used to describe an expert in the field of websites.
Currently, we prefer to call them web developers. Why do we call them this way? Because, they are good in developing the technical part of websites, but not necessarily the design part.

A web design company on the other hand, has a broader scope of action. They often offer services provided by individuals with good design and programing skills.
Both web designers and web developers work together under the same umbrella, delivering exceptional good looking and functional websites.

So, lets face it, some individuals have very good design skills, but not the right technical skills and the other way around. But together, both web designers and web developers can deliver amazing websites.

Buy cheap, pay a high price

Many companies and individuals buy cheap online websites and solutions. Yet, they forget that buying online solutions doesn't mean that they are getting the right expertise, know-how and regular support.
When technical problems arise, individuals buying online solutions are often left alone.
What was suppose to be a "cheap" solution for a simple problem, often becomes an "expensive" one.

Moreover, buying online solutions doesn't necessarily mean that you buy a full package of services and products. Often people have to "dig" further to learn more about online solutions.
In the end of the day they spend more time, effort and energy!

Trust and reliability

A trustworthy and reliable web design company is there when you need them.
They have the right level of competency and know-how to make a difference in your business, helping you to become increasingly more competitive and visible.
They can also help you to rank higher with the different search engines, promoting your business easier, better and faster.
A reliable and professional web design company helps you to generate profit along the way. They are always good and reliable partners.

Contact us today:

If you need professional support for the design and development of your new website or to revamp your current website, feel free to contact us at: info@luckypeachdesign.nl


LPD Team

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Websites require constant updates and regular changes


LPD Team

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Do you really need and want social media?


Social media is all about choices!

Sometimes people want to join social media, but they don't know much about social media.
Sometimes people want social media, simply because others have it. They might want to incorporate it into a website, just to look updated, trendy and sophisticated.
Others feel "pressured" to join social media, afraid of missing the boat.
In other cases, people realize that social media increases their networking possibilities, but they don't know which type of social media best fits their interests and needs.

Consider well if social media is something for you

Often we advise people/customers to consider well, if they really need and want social media.
Social media requires regular updates, it takes much of your time and some of your energy. You need to be "continuously" connected, behind a computer, carrying your smart phone, etc.

Let's face it, social media is not for everybody. Social media is not a "must have".
Some people don't have time for social media. Others don't have much to say or are not that good with words. Social media needs to serve a purpose (s).

No one can "force" you to join social media as well. This should be a personal decision, based in your own needs and interests.

Filtering your social media

Do you join all social media networks?
You don't have to!

You can always decide what you join or not, filtering what you receive. In case you follow some social media but this doesn't do much for you, simply stop doing it.

In case you follow too many people, blogs, tweets, etc simultaneously, then you need more time to check and to read things.
You can also be selective and follow only those people or companies closer to your heart and interests.
But in the end of the day, you need to create some balance between how much time you spend behind your computer and how much time you live and do other fun and important things.

Time management for social media

How many hours/days do you want to spend?

In case social media is really something for you, then create a sort of a daily/weekly/monthly calendar for your follow-ups and updates. Learn how to manage well your time.

Social media can be an effective tool and quite productive. Yet, it consumes a lot of time. And if you join social media simply because you want to be part of something "broader", then forget about it.
Make social media work for you! See its potential and added value to your life and work!


LPD Team

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Social Media widgets


Where to start?

Twitter
Facebook
Linkedin
Blog
Skype
Delicious
You Tube
Digg
Flickr
...


How do we perceive social media?
  • Social media is all about connectivity.
  • Social media creates increased visibility and trust.
  • Social media is all about innovation, flexibility and dynamics.
  • With social media you can read, listen, see and follow others: you learn more.
  • People can easily find you, learning more about your company, services or products.
  • Social media creates increased credibility and raises your competitiveness.
  • By making use of social media you are viewed as a "pioneer".
  • Social media is all about change and how well you adapt to change.
  • Social media offers a dialog platform both to companies and private individuals.
  • Social media is a professional way to communicate to your current and potential new customers.
  • Social media is fun, easy to use, to join, to follow and to update.
  • Social media is cheap.
  • You can use social media 24/7.
  • You incorporate social media into your current website, being easily reachable across several channels.
  • Social media is global.
  • Social media is all about creativity.
  • Social media is part of your online and marketing strategy.
There are many reasons why people like social media! Do you like social media?


LPD Team

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Why do you need a website?

There are many reasons why people and companies need a website. We have gathered next a few reasons why a website is so convenient:
  1. With a website, companies and individuals get increased visibility;
  2. A website brings companies and individuals closer together to their current and potential customers;
  3. Potential customers can easily find what they are looking for;
  4. Companies and individuals can better promote their businesses, reaching out to a global audience;
  5. Websites are 24/7 available;
  6. Potential customers can easily fill in contact forms or send out emails requesting for more information;
  7. Because websites are increasingly more interactive, companies and individuals can get easily and faster feedback from their potential customers;
  8. Social Media helps websites to diversify their communication channels;
  9. A website is often easy to update, relying on a good CMS. This way companies and individuals can change regularly the content of their websites, keeping their customer interested;
  10. Websites offer increased flexibility to companies and individuals; 
  11. With a website, companies and individuals can easily create a closer relation to their customers;
  12. A website, helps companies and individuals to improve their networking;
  13. A website is a cheaper way to promote a business, this if compared with traditional marketing tools ex: tv ads, radio ads, newspaper ads. 
  14. With a website, companies and individuals invest often in one-go. With a CMS they can keep their websites easily updated, changing regularly it's content;
  15. A website is often informative and educational. Companies and individuals can shape their websites the way they want or according to their purposes and objectives;
  16. With a website, small companies or freelancers don't need to rent out an office. They can easily work from home;
  17. A website is always a professional way to reach out for customers. Its an open window to the world;
  18. With a website companies and individuals come across as serious, creating increased customer loyalty and trust;
  19. A professional website increases competitiveness, reinforcing both marketing and branding strategies;
  20. A website up and running helps companies and individuals to better identify target groups and market segments;
  21. A website is cost effective;
  22. Companies and individuals can commercialize services and products nationally and internationally;
  23. A website can offer free of charge documents to be downloaded, brochures, coupons, free information and advise, quick courses, etc
  24. A website helps to boost companies and individuals image, creating a market presence;
  25. A website helps companies and individuals to gather useful information about other markets and customers;
  26. A website reaches out to all sorts of people with different ages, genders, nationalities, backgrounds, languages, cultures;
  27. With a website handycaped people can easily reach for information;
  28. A website improves companies and individuals CRM;
  29. A website is often functional, effective and user-friendly. People can access it from anywhere in the world, at home or in the office;
  30. A website with an online shop brings convenience to people. They dont need to waste time visiting shops to buy their articles;
  31. With a website companies and individuals can speak to a broad audience and in several languages;
  32. A website brings people closer together: company owners, employees and customers;
  33. A website is "environmentally-friendly". Companies and individuals don't have to print so much as before;
  34. A website saves time and money;
  35. A website is often easy to update and can take as much information as companies and individuals want!
There are surely many other reasons why companies and individuals should have a website. 
One thing is for sure, currently companies and individuals going to business cannot go without having a website. This is often the first question that suppliers and customers ask: "Whats your website or URL?"


LPD Team

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