Ante Meridiem Design

HistoryTunes.com site lauched

admin — Sun, 25 Jul 2010 22:38:07 +0000

HistoryTunes.com site lauched: a site which helps you to learn American history through 50 pop songs. Educational pop music designed to enhance the learning of US History and improve test scores. Interactive lyrics with extensive vocabulary, leveled questions and test prep enrich the listening experience to provide a full rounded US History curriculum. Sample free songs and explore supplemental materials free of charge.

The site has already been featured at:
CSS Based
CSS Design Yorkshire
CSS Cookie
CSS Discovery

Should Your Company Have a Blog?

admin — Fri, 16 Jul 2010 18:26:48 +0000

Pros:

• One in three online users read blogs at least once a month, while 18% comment on them. Blog readers as a group grew by nearly 50% over this past year. (Quoted from Forrester Research: October 20, 2008)

• Blogs influence purchases: One half (50 percent) of blog readers say they find blogs useful for purchase information.
According to the study, blogs factor into critical stages of the purchase process. (Quoted from BuzzLogic: October 28, 2008)

• Search Engine Optimization (SEO) is probably one of the biggest advantages of having a blog. Because blog content is updated frequently, blogs have some built-in search engine benefits.

• You can establish a more personal connection with your potential customers and keep them informed about your products and services.

Cons:

• Maintaining a blog is a big commitment. Make sure you can post at least 2-3 entries per week, which means you have to have someone with good writing skills available to manage the process. If your blog gets neglected, it will reflect poorly on your business. A lot of larger companies hire professional writers.

Blog options:

Free blogging platforms. Ex. Blogger - generic, no integration with your website.

Simple custom blogs. No archive, comments or social media integration, but has a unique look that is consistent with your brand. Ex. Boxerwallah.

Fully personalized blog. Ex. Stationers Guild.

How to work with a professional designer

admin — Tue, 06 Jul 2010 22:00:57 +0000

• Be specific as to what you want but don’t micromanage.
• Point to the problems rather than offering the solutions yourself. Chances are, you will end up with a better end product because a professional designer will have offered more creative solutions to your problem.
• Hire a designer who is capable of creating a unique and memorable look.
• Why design by committee never really works—watch a clip.
• Be prepared: have your texts and images ready.
• Have a realistic budget. Understand what determines the cost of a website.
• Make sure you know what type of work the designer does.
• Even if you have the right budget, do not assume that the designer will automatically take your project. There are other factors involved, such as: time line, the scope of your project, etc.
• Being nice always pays off.

E-commerce for art gallery

admin — Mon, 17 May 2010 03:26:46 +0000

We have just launched a new site for Brooklyn-based art dealer Heidi’s Gallery. The e-commerce option allows the gallery to sell their limited edition prints in a way that is easy to use and well integrated into the design of the site itself. We tried to keep it clean, playful, and user-friendly.

Current trend: The Gradual Disappearance Of Flash Websites

admin — Thu, 06 May 2010 22:09:17 +0000

The list of websites that are ditching Flash in favor of Web standards is growing every day. Even if these decisions are driven by the iPad and iPhone’s lack of Flash, they’ll soon reap the other benefits that Web standards bring.

New website launched: Animal Protection League of New Jersey

admin — Wed, 05 May 2010 22:07:31 +0000

APLNJ, established in 1983, is a community based, nonprofit, educational organization working toward a peaceful, nonviolent co-existence with our earthly companions both human and nonhuman.

Services provided: custom design, site architecture, front & back end development, cms.

CELESTEMICHELLE JEWELS site launched

admin — Tue, 13 Apr 2010 03:05:57 +0000

We have just launched celestemichelle.com, a site featuring jewelry from a New York City based studio. A clean, simple layout highlights the bold designs that draw inspiration from world travels.

Websites for nonprofit organizations

admin — Tue, 23 Mar 2010 03:26:14 +0000

There are thousands of nonprofit organizations and all of them do great things. How do you make the website of your organization stand out?

• Make it instantly clear what your charity/cause is about.
It is a good idea to place this information right on the home page. Use plain language and be concise.

• Use compelling images and graphic elements that make an emotional impact on the viewer.
Remember, a picture is worth a thousand words. Well-chosen images will help to convey your passion for your cause and will engage the user to participate by making a donation or volunteering.

• Make the donation process as simple as possible.
Do not force visitors to set up an account to donate. Other than the information required to process their credit card or e-check, don’t require the visitor to leave any other information. Place the donation button directly on the home page.

• Let people know how they can help if they are not able to donate.
Provide information about volunteering opportunities, and encourage support for your mission by getting the word out about your organization: tweeting, placing a link to your site on a personal blog, and setting up a Facebook support group all are great options.

• Set up a page where you mention your accomplishments.
Most people are generous if they see that their money or time has made a difference. Real life stories, accounts of events, and photos from locations will definitely help.

• Stay current and provide updated information.
This will give visitors a reason to visit your site again and will generate more interest.

Some links of interest:
10 Twitter Tips for Nonprofit Organizations

Strategies: Sponsorship
A 9-step guide for nonprofits on how to solicit corporate sponsors; and some advice from a seasoned observer.

Additionally check out our portfolio section of nonprofit and education.

Soldiers for the Truth website launched

admin — Fri, 19 Mar 2010 02:21:52 +0000

 It is an honor to be involved in projects that are meaningful and socially relevant such as our latest work: Soldiers for the Truth, a website for a non-profit organization that fights for better combat equipment for our troops.

Eilhys England, the Chair of the organization, writes: “Doesn’t it seem criminal that the richest nation in the world, which spends more than the rest of the world combined on defense, can’t budget responsibly enough to provide its sons and daughters with a helmet that will prevent many more of the endemic, life-altering head injuries? With the same better body armor the generals choose—and wear hidden under their uniforms?”

The website is built upon WordPress and jQuery.  Featured at: CSSCollections, CSS Count .

11 Common Web Design Mistakes (Blunders)

admin — Mon, 08 Feb 2010 01:43:02 +0000

Brujo Owoh discusses what are the elements of a good website and highlights 11 web design blunders that web developers and designers make and some suggestions how these mistakes can be easily avoided.

via Hongkiat.com