It’s normally best from my experience to get someone independent to evaluate your company website for design, aesthetic appeal, functionality and its overall internet exposure. What do I mean by overall internet exposure, well for example how well your website performs in search engines, not for your company name or organisation as this will normally do quite well, but the all-important services, products or information you are trying to put out into e-world.

Websites are not like comfy slippers or wine they do not get better with age. In fact due to many changes in the way we view internet via iphones, smartphones, tablets, smart televisions and the increase in large monitors makes some websites look like they are from the Jurassic period.

I have had many clients tell me that they like the design of their website which was designed about 5 years ago. This instantly tells me that it’s time for them to invest in new website not updated or upgraded.

Yes you can upgrade a website to add new features and interactivity but if the basic foundations are no longer sound you are just putting off the inevitable and it’s never going to compete with other newer websites. For example a website of 5 years or more will probably look like a postage stamp on a large screen as it was designed at a time when average screen sizes where 19 inches or smaller and on a low resolution display compared to today’s graphic cards and monitor displays.

It sends out a branding message to your existing client base and loyalty following of an organisation which doesn’t evolve or keep up with the times.

I always say to clients when they are hesitant about investing in a new website site, how many projects or products etc will you need to secure for it to repay the cost of the website? Normally the reply is one new project or one good product order etc. This is the point, with the old website the order probably wouldn’t have happen, so it’s a very efficient and cost effective part of your marketing approach and potential good for another 5 years if designed properly.

A website is relatively cheap advertising and marketing tools which works for your company or organisation 24 hours days without going sick or taking a holiday. So when people come to browse your website better make sure you are wearing your best clothes, as you wouldn’t go to important meeting wearing your old decorating clothes which where your best 5 years ago.

I am sure like me you get Spam emails saying in the blink of an eye they can get you onto the front page of every search engine using their special software or by paying them.

Should you try their services well my advice would be a big NO anyone that says they can guarantee you this, best to show them the front door.

However it is true that if you combine all the right elements together in the right amounts you will certainly improve your position. Now I am not going to tell you what those elements are as these web pages already exist in huge numbers.

What I would say is that even when you have all the right elements together they have to be in the right amount and in the right place to achieve a search engine first page for your specific search criteria or word strings.

Putting it another way if you want a great meal or cake and you give me all the ingredients you will at best only get something mediocre. Now give the same ingredients to one of the plethora of celebrity chefs and you might (yes might) get that eureka moment when everything comes together in the right order and amounts to produce something truly extraordinary.

Now you’re probably thinking so can SMA design get my website on the front page of the major search engines?

I would instantly say there are no guarantees with SEO but we will do exactly the same as for so many SMA designs’ clients which has proven 100% successful in elevating their websites to front page status.

So if you’re thinking about SEO then lets turn mediocre into truly extraordinary.

Next time when is the right time for a new website?

This the last blog about Museum Display Cases and also my last guest blog on consultantsdesign as they are now focusing their blog only on creative design & corporate branding topics.

So now it is now time to put that final question to rest and preserve the answer in my everlasting blog case of  knowledge. Which one shall i choose  acrylic or glass ?

From all the feedbacks I have recieved whilst quest blogging this was THE question you have wanted to know since (part 3) my last guest blog.  You might have been trawling the internet since for the definitive answer to “what is the best materials to make museum display showcases from”?

Well the answer is both; it just depends on your own individual set of circumstances that will determine what’s right for your museum, exhibition or display project.

For example if you have a travelling exhibition, then you will have a completely different shopping list of requirements to a permanent museum or gallery installation.

Possibly we should make a basic pro and cons table for each that way you can see my point, however this actually can still make it a little ambiguous.  For example weight might be an advantage for one project but a disadvantage to another?

Glass Advantages

• Longevity
• Security
• Structural strength
• Flexibility
• Weight
• Non- Reflective (optional at additional cost)
• Accessibility
• Durability (doesn’t scratch or mar easily)
• Unlimited Options
• Unlimited design possibilities
• Conservation Options
• Lighting Options

Glass Disadvantages

• Weight – specialist equipment required
• Production / Installation Costs
• Clarity
• Colour
• Breakages (especially in transit)
• Long lead times
• Manufacturing time
• Transport costs
• Installation time
• Storage (when not in service)

Obviously I can’t list them all but it gives you some of the most useful comparisons and now for acrylic.

Acrylic Advantages

• Low cost
• Impact strength
• Flexibility
• Approx 50% lighter than glass
• Non- Reflective (optional at additional cost)
• Clarity
• Short Lead times
• Less Breakages than glass
• Safer handling than glass
• Short Manufacturing time
• Installation time
• Storage (when not in service demountable)
• No specialist equipment required
• Reduced Transport costs
• Unlimited Options / Shapes
• Unlimited design possibilities

Acrylic Disadvantages

• Reduced Weight – (can make for security issues)
• Security
• Reduced security options
• Options for interiors
• Lighting options
• Scratching / marring
• Static build-up problems
• Higher maintenance
• Shorter life expectancy
• Joint deterioration
• Physical size possible in one piece

Of course these vary from manufacturer to manufacturer and also various companies might have one of their display cases which won’t have these issues but in the main they are a good standard to compare the two materials by.

Now you will see that acrylic provides more advantages than glass if you look at the list but some times the small disadvantages of acrylic really make them a none-starter for some projects.

For me I have always seen glass as the permanent museum solution if you have a large enough budget and the acrylic variants as the perfect temporary or travelling exhibition.

You might think differently but again it just comes down to your own projects requirements and can the budget support your wish list?

OK readers, it’s bye bye from me and I hope you have enjoyed your journey along side me. Hopefully I have helped you to {somewhat} understand the world of museum display cases better.

Guest Blogger: Fario

• Can’t Touch This – Part 1
• Can’t Touch This – Part 2
• Can’t Touch This – Part 3

Striking branding, company slogan & website design for three related display showcase product lines.

A great strap line can really make a huge impact on any marketing campaign elevating your brand above your competitors and keep your company’s name in their minds for far greater length of time.

However there is no point making for example a performance statement that your company can’t deliver on. This will just work in a negative way and you will rule the day you ever went with any strap line.

Now producing a strap line might seem easy enough thing to do but it’s far from easy especially if you are to close to the subject. It normally requires someone impartial to look at your company or product etc to see its strengths and differences, combining these positives into a one line message that is memorable and instantly hits home.

There are many different types of strap line including “performance”, “straight talking” or “enlightenment” etc which one is best depends significantly on the specific company, product or service you are promoting.

I normally formulate around twenty strap lines for the client, generally there will be one or two they love which sums up everything they wanted to express themselves but were not able to articulate into one short memorable statement.

At the end of the day you want to produce a strap line that people and your competitors will comment on in a positive manner.

So should I have a strap line the answer is a definite yes but with reservations!

Simple effective logo design for startup specialist holiday company.

After a three month wait our designers were delighted to hear this week that we have been awarded the branding for an international investment bank based in New York, Singapore, Frankfurt & London – Work will include evolution of logo design, website and all corporate stationery, guidelines & marketing materials.

From initial concept through to implementation, our passion and attention to detail generate engaging exhibition graphic design solutions that reflect the ethos and goals of your exhibition or organisation.

We successfully deliver bespoke graphic design solutions that look eye-catching with maximum impact and value.

Whether designing the interior of a hotel, corporate brochure, commercial exhibition or a simple company logo design,  it is no longer enough for designers to produce wonderful designs to capture our attention; they have a responsibility to ensure their designs are both Eco-friendly and environmentally compliant.

Some design consultancies are only just waking up to the idea of repositioning themselves to embrace and deliver these green initiatives.

smadesign’s own Eco evolution started over 7 years ago, which leaves our consultancy uniquely positioned to support the client.

Our designers have researched and adopted the most advantageous and principles from around the world into our various designs.