responsive web design

A responsive upgrade for the Columbia Business Times

Posted on 07/02/2013

The Columbia Business Times needed an evolution of their website.

At the forefront of Columbia business news, the Columbia Business Times needed to match their publication’s feel and style and bridge that experience to the web. We were eager to help create the new website.

Adding a flexible mobile experience was crucial, as readership is always on the go. With a responsive web design, reading articles and staying current is now accessible on all devices.

A choice between using a mobile site or desktop version is no longer needed. Now, it just works. We wanted to keep the design clean and simple, matching the same fonts and finishing touches of the printed magazine.

We believe your website should represent who you are and what you do, intersecting great design with user accessibility. We strive to meet the needs of each client no matter how unique. Contact us today to schedule a meeting or just to talk.

Trends

Improving Ecommerce with Website Flexibility

Posted on 06/27/2013

In a world of constant technological change, responsive web design (RWD) has become a constant when designing websites for viewers to access regardless of the size of their screen sizes. Based on flexible, fluid grids, RWD delivers a quality user experience whether the site is accessed on a large pc screen or a small smartphone one.

Why has RWD Become Such a Popular Buzzword?

In the very recent past, businesses had to decide whether or not to expand their web properties to include sites for mobile access. This generally meant two sites; one for desktop or laptop screens, and one for smaller mobile phone screens. Enter tablets, smart devices, HDMI screens and before you know it you would have to have a multitude of sites to reach every screen size and resolution on the market.

RWD allows for the creation of one site that works equally well on any screen size or mobile device. Carefully designed to be adaptive and flexible with the varying sizes and resolutions, RWD is flexible, it adapts and it just works!

Is RWD Enough for My Business?

Considering RWD is adaptable and flexible for many uses instead of creating sites for each type of screen and resolution, many people wonder if a responsive design site is “enough”. Contrary to the concept of simplification, a RWD site is NOT necessarily simplistic. It is meant to simplify and reduce costs for your web real estate only. The sophistication and design elements are up to you and your design team.

Companies of all sizes are using RWD with great success for their businesses. Perhaps the most glaring example is Microsoft, and their creation of Windows 8. Although Windows 8 is an operating system and not a web site, it gives you an idea of the flexibility behind RWD. The operating system is designed so it is easy to use and migrate from one screen type to another with very little difference in input techniques. Have you noticed the new styling of Microsoft’s website holdings recently? Their sites are also built upon RWD, and adapt well from one screen type to another.

Disney is another massive corporation that has embraced responsive web design and done so very successfully. Users can expect the same experience when they log on from their smartphones as they do when they log on from a desktop pc.

Which one, RWD or Mobile?

To build upon an earlier point, having a responsive website is a cohesive experience for your customers. When the customer visits your site on a computer, tablet or phone, the experience will always be the same. This includes updates; with your responsive site, updates to merchandise, operating hours, or the employment section will simultaneously happen across all devices. No longer will you have to update your desktop site, update your mobile site and finally update your app. We offer one change, all devices.

Make RWD Work for You

With mobile devices expected to overtake desktop and laptop usage before the end of 2014, it is time to make a move to ensure you do not lose out on valuable users. Contact us today to discuss how we can make RWD work for you.

News Web Design

Trey Bistro debuts new, image driven, website

Posted on 06/20/2013

It doesn’t take long after meeting Trey Quinlan, owner of Trey Bistro, that you become enthralled in his journey to restaurant entrepreneurship, as well with his son, Landon, whom seems to a constant fixture in and around the restaurant.

Recently having the pleasure to work with Trey and staff, we are proud to show off their website.

Trey Bistro features local farm fresh ingredients, offering a wide array of entrees and savory specials. Being frequent guest of the bistro, we loved having the opportunity to work along with them to create a modern website that captured their businesses energy and feeling.

Starting with a website he designed in his spare time, Trey wanted a website which represented the restaurant and its atmosphere. Something that would stand out, yet be polished with a modern look and feel. The new website needed to be clean, simple and match the style and brand he had established. We knew we had an open playbook to draw from, so we let our creative juices flow.

We crafted a responsive website that features large imagery of the space while being simple and easy to navigate. Being flexible and adaptable, the website can be viewed anywhere by any device. Including dynamic photos, we were able to create a refreshing and welcoming feel.

We had a great time working with an amazing group of people and we are excited to show off their website.

Trends Web Design

My Take on Web Trends

Posted on 06/04/2013

The beginning of every year prognosticators in the tech world try to predict the upcoming trends…

That’s usually a good time to start, but, I don’t dabble in witchcraft or the occult, so I prefer to aim for the middle of the year. I get a better grasp of what is actually trending and developing.

Responsive web design

Of course this is number one. It’s the biggest buzz word in web design by far. By simply googling the name the results are amazing.

So what is it?

It’s not a surprise, technology has made us a mobile society. Constantly on the go, users of all mobile devices want ability to have access to their favorite websites anytime and anywhere. There was a short time when mobile sites or desktop versions of websites were acceptable. Not anymore.

Todays websites need to adapt and be flexible. Have the content of the full website with the versatility of a mobile site. With responsive web design, one site for every screen and device is the solution. Whether the device is an iPhone, iPad, Android or desktop, the website works. No more pinching to zoom or being redirected to another page. With responsive, it just works.

Infographics

What is the best way to share an idea, data or knowledge? The answer is through infographics.

An infographic is a visual tool used to display information by means of pictures and words. What is great about infographics are how easily they can be spread throughout the web and how clearly information can be read. With the use of colors, graphics, icons, statistics and facts anything can be made into one.

Infographics can be done about anything. News, sports, food and even infographics on infographics (yes, they’re out there). The possibilities are limitless. Providing easily accessible knowledge at a glance is perfect for us, the I need it now consumer.

Infinite Scrolling

The name easily explains the use. Scrolling to the bottom of the pages are non existent. When approaching the bottom of a website more content will continually load forever, or until you get bored or your head starts to hurt from the information overload.

Social media loves the infinite scroll. Twitter, Facebook, PInterest, Behance, YouTube and even Tumblr, all use infinite scrolling. For content rich sites like these, it makes perfect sense. This isn’t always the best choice for consumer or service based websites. But it’s certainly getting used by some big names.

While a few advantages of infinite scrolling exist, never having to click next page, faster browsing and greater exposure to content, it is not the best choice for some website design.

Parallax Scrolling

Even though parallax scrolling has been around since the early 1980’s, with the popularity of videos games, for website design it has taken a few years for the public to accept. The rise in popularity has lead to some very unique designs and some that fail to reach the mark.

The how is quite intriguing. The paralax effect is created by a the background and foreground images moving at different speeds; creating an illusion of depth.

I love the look of parallax scrolling. The added dimension brings an unique feature to the typical scrolling web page. Allowing for added elements which enhance a website, I look forward to seeing what some creative minds can improve upon it or design with it.

Social Integration

This is not much of trend as it is more of a requirement. How many websites can you name that don’t have social badges? Every business wants to have the social presence and marketing capability which these bring.

Social integration has many perks; free marketing, controlled content, easy interaction with customers and many more. Even though there are many positive aspects with social media integration, there are some drawbacks. No guaranteed revenue and constant updating can be a hassle and hard to see return on effort.

With popularity not slowing down, this part of website building is inevitable on any website. If privacy is reintroduced into society or something comes along to bring all into one, I will look forward to this trend taking a backseat, until then it will be everywhere.

Honorable mentions

Some others worth mentioning, fixed headers, single page design and content first, are trending as well. While being used quite frequently, I am holding off labeling them trends. The more I see on CSS awards or Awwwards, I’ll give in and consider them full fledge trends.

Lastly, I did not include a trend, simple or clean design, for one reason. Unlike like all the others, this should be a requirement for all websites. A proper website design should not be cluttered or look like the site was thrown together in 15 minutes from a teenager in a basement somewhere. This is just my opinion, I could be wrong.

News Trends Web Design

Responsive: A Buzzword or Something I Need?

Posted on 05/17/2013

Why has RWD Become Such a Popular Buzzword?

In the very recent past, businesses had to decide whether or not to expand their web properties to include sites for mobile access. This generally meant two sites; one for desktop or laptop screens, and one for smaller mobile phone screens. Enter tablets, smart devices, HD screens and before you know it you would have to have a multitude of sites to reach every screen size and resolution on the market.

Is RWD Enough for My Business?

Make RWD Work for You

With mobile devices expected to overtake desktop and laptop usage before the end of 2014, it is time to make a move to ensure you do not lose out on valuable users. Call or contact us to discuss how we can make RWD work for you.

News Web Design

Visually Columbia

Posted on 05/07/2013

We are proud to show off our latest project which debuted earlier this week: Visually Columbia.

A conference focusing on new and expanding technology, Visually Columbia is a round table discussion on what’s trending and where the industry is headed in the world of visual communication and visual marketing.

Featuring a question and answer portion, individuals will be able to ask the pertinent questions which might be facing them or their business as visual communications, web video and responsive web design enter the forefront of communications.

Featuring some of the brightest minds in Columbia, Visually Columbia’s power panel is helping businesses better understand how they can grow with visual marketing and communication.

Hub & Spoke built a complex HTML5/CSS3 single page website to showcase the event. Parallax scrolling, a clean minimal design, the ability to RSVP and a custom Google Map integration give Visually Columbia a top-notch event website design.

Visually Columbia is May 21 from 2-5 PM at The Tiger Hotel with free drinks afterword. Our creative director, Dak Dillon, will be part of the panel. All are welcome to come experience, listen and learn about the industry and where it’s headed at no cost. We hope to see you there!

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