This Friday, we get to head to Hot Doug’s for lunch with dear friends Grant & @jumhauer. The two of them have had nothing but amazing things to say about the place, so my expectations are high. I’m hoping this is a good thing.

The combinations on the Hot Doug’s web site sound unbelievable. ‘Teriyaki and Mandarin Orange Chicken Sausage with Spicy Peanut Sauce, Caraway Havarti Cheese and Toasted Coconut’… yes! Perhaps I’d enjoy ‘Bacon and Jalapeno Duck Sausage with Bacon-Garlic Mayonnaise and Smoked Gouda Cheese’… double yes!! Seriously, who ever thought to do all of this to a hot dog!?!

I think the tipping point into drooling for me came today in my Google Reader. Chicago Bites posted a french fry photo worthy of my salivation.

The duck fat fries look irresistible and I don’t even think much about french fries. Suffice to say… I cannot wait for Friday!!

Location:

Project: Web Site Design & Programming, SEO

Web Site: www.square1carpentry.com

Goals: Who says a web site needs to be more than 1 page? Although the benefits of a multi-page web site greatly outweigh a single page design, what if you don’t have enough content to support multiple pages? That’s exactly what happened with Square 1 Carpentry. Being a successful carpentry company in the greater Milwaukee area, Square 1 Carpentry recognized the importance of having a web presence. They knew that in this market, a web site often validates a business from a client’s perspective. However, Square 1 Carpentry didn’t have a lot of content for a web site. Instead of trying to stretch what they did have into a multi-page site, we used it to creatively fill out a single page design. While creating the design, we wanted to make sure that the page didn’t lack personality along with it’s lack of content. We added a photo slideshow to showcase recent, featured work from Square 1 Carpentry. We also organized the page to portray the talents and personality of the business.

Their current destination features Seoul, South Korea. Unfortunately, I am not familiar with food from this region, so I can’t say if it was true to proper tastes and culture. I can say it was delicious. It was interesting to combine the flavors of Thai Coconut Crab Cakes, Hoisin with Pineapple Chutney Meatloaf Sliders, Moroccan Spiced Apricot-Mint Lamb Lollipops, Kimchi, and much more within a few hours. My taste buds were beyond satisfied, and slightly overwhelmed, by the time I left for the night.

Some of my favorites included the variety of Lamb Lollipops and Green Tea Ice Cream. A bigger highlight included a personal tour that owners Jim and Stefanie Ringo took us on through the restaurant. It was amazing to not only hear about the passion behind the concept of the restaurant, but to hear about the decor choices when designing the restaurant. I am excited to make it back to Ringo for next month’s featured region. I feel like there should be a sneak peak on their web site for me to salivate over.

Jim and Stefanie Ringo’s other restaurant, Forum, opened last week as well. I was busy for their soft opening, but I am curious to see the differences between Ringo and Forum. The menu there lacks in over ambition, but I bet the tastes are right on.

Now, if only someone could help them with their web sites… wink wink. I’m disappointed in the underwhelming nature of the sites compared to all the thought and effort that went into the restaurants. My fingers are crossed for some improvement there.

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Project: Identity Design, Tagline Revision, Print Collateral, Web Site Design & Programming, SEO

Web Site: www.primedeploy.com

Goals: Prime Deployment Technology Solutions is a new services company on the rise. With over 50 years of combined experience, their goal is to provide on-demand technology services to companies and individuals that do not have their own technology department. PDTS is also proudly minority and veteran owned. In order to get the new company off the ground, they recognized the need for some design work. PDTS approached us to design their logo, print collateral and web site. For their logo, we circled around the ideas of technology and the mentality of a small footprint from the owner’s time in the Air Force. Although each brings different visuals to mind, the two have the ultimate goal of streamlining the process. With this in mind, we put together an abstract, yet recognizable, representation of all the services that Prime Deployment offers their clients. We then took these ideas and created a cohesive print collateral package and web site to expand the brand. The web site is built to continuously grow as Prime Deployment grows.

Unfortunately, their modular home site is in Spanish and my knowledge of the language has slipped like a rock down a mountain side over the past few years. In spite of that, I was still able to appreciate the striking nature of the combination of black and white with angular lines.

In design, it is easy to muddy work up with colors and movement. It is often harder to trim the glossy fat off our designs to really focus on the message we want to share with viewers. I think I might make it a personal goal to try to design a site using only two colors. I already like to design sites with only two typefaces. Somehow, I feel like this challenge might be a bit more difficult. Wish me luck.

Location:

Project: Web Site Design & Programming, SEO

Web Site: www.allmetroglass.com

Goals: All Metro Glass wanted a web site redesign and they had a general feel in mind. They wanted users to be able to find more information about their company and their projects in an easy fashion. They also loved how images can pop on dark background colors. We took all of this into consideration. We slimmed down their navigation into five main categories and really focused what each category was sharing with users. We added a slideshow feature to the home and contact pages so that users can see multiple projects all in one area. We also added a photo gallery to share images and details about the variety of glass work that All Metro Glass has created. Now, they have a site that is able to grow with them as their project list grows.

Location:

Project: Web Site Programming, SEO

Web Site: www.privateissuebycyberhair.com

Goals: International Hairgoods launched a new line of hair products and solutions called Private Issue by Cyberhair®. For this new launch, they needed a new web site. We helped make their vision a reality. The main focus of this site was on the different styles that are offered under the brand. In order to really captivate viewers, we turned the home page into a slightly interactive slideshow to capture interest in those styles from the start. We also added a lightbox feature to the individual galleries so that users can see the styles up close without leaving the web site.

Project: Logo Design

Web Site: www.schustersmusic.com

Goals: Schuster’s Music approached us for a logo design for their new music store. Andy, owner of Schuster’s Music, wanted to make sure the logo could fit the range of services that his store offers. He also wanted to portray a throwback to 30′s Jazz. In order to try to convey those feelings, but with an updated facade, we focused on using a balance of modern and retro typefaces. We also brought the idea of music back down to its most basic form – the note. The end logo embraces everything music and translates well into print, web, and outdoor awning. Up next… we are building their web site/e-commerce store.

Project: Web Site Design & Programming, SEO, Content Management System

Web Site: www.hopelakephotos.com

Goals: Hope Lake Photos was desperately in need of a portfolio web site redesign earlier this year. The photographer needed her web site to better focus on the images themselves rather than the design surrounding the images. After discussing ways we could achieve this, we also decided it was important for her to be able to update and manage the images that appear on her site. Taking both of those major needs into account, we created a minimalist design that offers a lot of functionality to the client. She now has full reign of her portfolio and potential customers have a very clear view of her images.