Web Design
HKM Engineering, Inc.
We’re proud to announce that the new HKM Engineering, Inc. web site has gone live. SSDD worked primarily with the staff of the Helena HKM office to analyze the needs of the company, strategize appropriate solutions, then design and develop the site. We will continue to support HKM staff as they assume the maintenance duties for the site.
Note: links go to local copy of the site as it was delivered, since the client has been making changes to their site.
Women’s Leadership Network
The Women’s Leadership Network needed a site to facilitate communication between its existing members, recruit new members and make it easier for both to register and pay their dues. During the strategy phase it was decided that the blogging software WordPress with a customized theme was the most appropriate, cost effective solution. WordPress was used for the Announcements page and the Event Information page. Each member was given an account in the Announcements blog and that data was used to create the Member Directory and customize the Contact Information page. Small scripting enhancements were used to tie the site together, for example, PHP is used to grab the three newest entries in the Event Information blog and post them on the homepage. Finally, the Membership Application page was tied into Paypal allowing members to pay their dues via credit card, without creating a maintenance or administration nightmare for the client.
The target demographic for the organization is professional women in the Helena, Montana, area in the 20-50 age range. The theme uses an analogous color scheme with blues and greens, giving it a harmonious yet professional look. Rounded corners soften the sharp edges without looking too feminine.
New Zealand Journey
The focus of the New Zealand Journey project was to create a fresh new web site for their bi-annual tour for weaving enthusiasts. The target demographic is primarily women in the 40-70 age range. The design parameters focused almost solely on ease of use. The design was created with images provided and approved by the New Zealand tourism site as well as the client’s personal collection. A highly customized e-mail form used to allow online registration, and a downloadable PDF version is also available. There are also links to Paypal that allows the participants to pay the trip deposit via credit card, though at no time are the participants made to feel pressured into paying online.
JohnBedard.com
We developed a custom-from-scratch WordPress theme for the founder’s personal website. The design and color scheme are based on a planned makeover (paint and accessories) of his motorcycle. We started with a screenshot created in Photoshop to fine-tune the design, followed by a static, validated HTML page, which was then chopped up into the various files into the WordPress theme. Highlights include an animated Flash slideshow in the header of the homepage only using MonoSlideShow, and PNG graphics for transparent drop shadows (replaced with GIF versions in browsers that don’t support PNG transparency), even over the Flash slideshow.
Graphic Design
Helena Association of Realtors
The Helena Association of Realtors had a new web site in progress with another company, but they wanted a new logo to go with the new site, a service the other company could not provide. Through an iterative process with the client, SSDD was able to create an attractive logo that will be used on the new web site and all official print materials.
Debbie Whitcomb - A Realtor for All Seasons
SSDD created a series of advertisements for local Realtor, Debbie Whitcomb, after she came to us with the slogan, “A Realtor for All Seasons.” The design is clean yet eye-catching and was created to easily swap out both photos and descriptions of her featured listings, as well as seasonal photos to freshen the design up on occasion. The ad has been used in several issues of a local home finding publication, a bench ad at a local golf course and will serve to guide the development of the Realtor’s web site, currently in progress at SSDD.
Asian Arts Festival
One thing that drives us crazy is stereotypical design. There are many martial arts and Asian design themes that have been done to death: the yin-yang symbol, the Japanese flag, Chinese dragons, etc. We pride ourselves on finding a fresh take on an old concept. Clean. Simple. “Less is more.” This design, as well as the flier we designed for the event, epitomize this concept.