Each year TCU publishes a report of the research being done by it’s faculty. I was lucky enough to design this year’s issue for my alma mater and worked with TCU’s talented publications department to develop this issue. The feature article focused on How Harris College’s Center for Evidence Based Practice and Research is driving a culture change in health care. The full issue can be seen on the Endeavors website.
With the rise in internet content there has also been a rise in the devices we use to access that content. A few years ago designers only had to consider a small number of screen sizes and one or two internet browsers. Fast-forward to today and we have a myriad of computers, tablets, and mobile devices to contend with. How does one narrow down the multitude of screen sizes and browser choices and still deliver a consistent and viable design?
Step One: How are people accessing your content?
Even though there are thousands of devices from multiple vendors, the software that drives those devices boils down to three main vendors Apple, Google, and Microsoft. Those three companies constitute over 85 percent of the web traffic across desktops, laptops, tablets, and mobile phones. Designing and adhering to their software standards is crucial to providing easy readability and display across any device that a user would access your content with.
Depending on the device a web page may be viewed on one of several popular browsers. It is important to test a website design for each of these browsers and make allowances for those individuals who may be using outdated technology. By making use of the data available from Google Analytics you can determine what devices and browsers your audience is using and cater to these specific platforms.
Step Two: Design with mobile in mind.
Designing with the smallest available screen allows for your web developer to easily display your content to the greatest amount of users. By starting with the smallest screen size the website can easily be scaled to meet the larger surface areas of tablets and traditional desktops. In the recent past the most common way to accomplish this has been to create separate mobile websites. The site would detect if the customer is viewing the page through a mobile device or a personal computer, and then display different webpages to optimize their viewing experience. If a user would browse to www.yourcompany.com on a desktop or laptop they would be taken directly to the homepage. That same user though accessing your website via a mobile phone would be redirected to www.m.yourcompany.com which would display the same content optimized for both the smaller screen size as well as touch and swipe controls that these devices come equipped with.
Step Three: Make your content flexible.
Responsive Web Design had become more popular recently, allowing a site to fluidly change based on the screen size and device. These types of design element increase not only visual appeal of your website but also the usability as well.
Making sure that your most important content and design details come across on screens as small as 4 inches and as large as 30 inches is crucial to your websites effectiveness. The most important aspect of any website is the content and presentation. From the text and descriptions to the photos of products or services, your content separates great websites from the rest of the pack. With responsive design element websites are able to detect the users screen width and reactively scale the content for optimal viewing.
Why does it matter?
As the internet continues to expand the ways in which users will access it will as well, making the smart choices up front will allow you and your website to grow right along with it. Making sure your website design is assessable across devices will put you ahead of your competition. Paper Patina can help walk you through the process of creating a site that will engage customers on any device.
Are you looking for the secret to getting your website to the top of search engine results instantly? Well, there isn’t one. However, there are some search engine optimization (SEO) best practices you should be following and you just may be on your way to the top. I will focus on Bing and Google since they are the two primary search engines out there.
First of all, search engine optimization only covers the organic search results (versus the ad or paid results).
Following my dream and starting my own business has given me a greater appreciation of the rewards of taking chances. It was a big step to leave a full time job and steady paycheck but I have been rewarded with many new adventures. I love that every day is full of surprises, new clients, new brands, and new opportunities. Thanks to all my friends and family who have encouraged me along the way!
This month’s quote echoes my recent experience and I hope it will inspire you to live with no regrets!
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Paper Patina was recently featured in the Allen American newspaper! The company was spotlighted in the “Five on Three” column, which highlights local businesses and showcases what makes them unique. The article included a question and answer session with owner Corrie Demmler.
Click here to read the article: Allen American
Paper Patina can help launch your small businesses, providing a professional look and valuable brand expertise. Our small business start up package is the first step on the path to building a recognizable brand, whether you are just launching a business or want to strengthen your existing brand.
The package includes: a unique custom logo, business card design and brand board.
LOGO
Your logo design is the most important piece of the small business start up package. It will represent your company and provide instant and powerful brand recognition of your business and the services or products that you offer. Paper Patina will work with you to determine the best way to represent your business with a unique custom logo. We offer a variety of design styles to fit any business.
BRAND BOARD
A brand board visually defines your brand with specified colors, typefaces, and an overall look and feel. As you build your company and develop other print and web collateral, the brand board helps keep all of your marketing material consistent. In the competition for brand recognition, a strong consistent brand is invaluable.
Business Card Design
Of course the first thing you need as a small business owner is a business card to distribute as you build your network. A unique, professional design will set you apart from the competition and make a memorable impression on your customers. From design, the shape, to paper and quality, we will make sure your card reflects the right image for you and your business.
The small business package can be customized to suit you specific business needs and budget. Your brand is the foundation of your marketing strategy so don’t ignore this important step.
Contact Paper Patina today to get started on the road to success.
I have a passion for beautiful typography and inspirational quotes. I’ll be putting the two together every month to bring you a quote of the month desktop wallpaper. Hopefully it will inspire you whether you are pursuing your dream, surfing the net, or just counting down till 5 o’clock! Comment with your favorite quote and it might be next month’s quote.
Click the link below to download the image to your device:
Widescreen Monitor
iPhone 5/5c
Facebook Cover Image
Whether you are starting a small business or running a large one, choosing the right graphic designer to work with can be critical. Your logo, marketing materials, and website provide your clients with a first impression, and you want it to be a good one.
Paper Patina has streamlined the design process, to make it as easy as possible for our clients to collaborate with us and get the results they are looking for.
MEET: I always enjoy meeting clients face to face, and I am happy to meet you at your office; but if time or distance does not allow for an in person meeting, we can also meet over the phone. Be prepared with your marketing needs and some examples of design styles you like. If the project will include extensive copy, such as a brochure, it is best to have a draft to provide as well. We’ll also discuss your budget and timeline. Two different pricing models are available, by project, or hourly. We can discuss which will work best for you and create an estimate and contract if needed.
RESEARCH & DESIGN: Once I have an understanding of your design needs I’ll do some research into your industry, what others are doing, and how I can make your business stand out from the competition. Then I go to the drawing board to develop the best visual solution possible.
When the new director took over the Texas International pageant franchise, she was tasked with rebuilding the brand. The pageant needed an updated look and uniform design elements to tie the marketing and event collateral together.
To update the look, Paper Patina came up with the idea of using the pageants’ signature crown sitting on an empty throne, just waiting to have the new reining queens announced. The clean, refined design really set the pageant apart as a leader in the industry in style, beauty, and integrity.
Paper Patina is proud to sponsor the 2014 Texas International Pageants, which showcases the accomplishments of women in their communities. Good luck to the contestant’s at the 2014 pageant on March 16th at the Granville Arts Center!
Well Hello! I’m so glad you are here! If you have been wondering what I have been up to lately, I can only say… living the dream! I left my job at Baylor Healthcare in December to pursue my passion for graphic design and start my own business – Paper Patina. Since then, along with busily filing fun paperwork and deciphering cryptic small business forms I have been preparing to launch my website… and the day is finally here!
Help me spread the word by liking or sharing Paper Patina on Facebook. Sign up to receive special offers and freebies at www.paperpatina.com/blog!
Paper Patina offers corporate design services as well as working with individuals to create beautiful and unique social and wedding invitations. Check out my portfolio to see more examples of my work.
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Paper Patina is a unique fusion of creativity and artistic communication fueled with passion and inspiration. The small design studio based in Dallas, Texas is owned by Corrie Demmler who has over 15 years of experience in corporate design. Our goal is to use effective design to meet your companies needs whether you are just getting started or already at the top of the market.
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