Mustard Design Weblog

The Kyocera Corporation has launched an innovative, colourful website, designed to educate visitors about the benefits of solar power to our environment.

According to PV Tech, the interactive web design will entice children and adults alike, giving them the experience of attending an exposition regarding solar power. Split into five different areas, named ‘pavilions’, the website covered the history of solar power and how it has, and will continue to help the environmental problems facing planet earth.

‘Saving the earth’, the first pavilion, introduces visitors to the site and gives an overview of the issues facing our world; whilst the second focuses on the sun, including its make-up.

Sun-related drawings and paintings from kids throughout the world make up pavilion three, and the fourth contains various diagrams demonstrating how solar energy can be converted into electricity. Lastly, ‘Our solution’ makes up the fifth pavilion.

This last pavilion describes how Kyocera is developing its company to help the greater good, establishing its environmental and corporate social responsibility commitments. Although the site has previously been received warmly in other areas, particularly by the Japanese audience, it is the first time an English-language version has been released.

According to Solar Industry Magazine, the comprehensive and fun-to-use website was designed with the intention of visitors taking something away from the experience – perhaps going on to investigate how they can help others achieve a better future for the earth.

Kyocera was established in 1975, with the precise aim of preserving our planet in order to benefit the greater mankind. Working since then to share its message with the world, the corporation continues to develop activities aimed at environmental protection.

by: Deborah Bates

Schools are increasingly embracing the need for young people to learn about the creative digital media industries, giving them the tools to pursue careers in areas such as design and animation.

According to the Guardian, creative industries account for just under six percent of the UK’s economy, and employment within them continues to rise, despite other areas of employment dipping. This has encouraged schools and colleges to continue adding to their creative curriculum, allowing students with a strong interest to learn skills such as imaging, 3d animations and game-making.

One college, Chalfonts in Buckinghamshire, has welcomed the age of digital media with open arms, giving key stage three students the chance to spend whole days each week learning a range of skills.

“The aim is to develop personal, learning and thinking skills, creative thinkers and team workers,” claims one of the college’s lecturers, Greg Hodgson.

“One student, with one of the lowest abilities I’ve ever taught, couldn’t really read and write properly. He flourished when I gave him control of the tools and told him that he could actually teach himself. he was coding and writing action scripts using interactive Adobe Flash animation, which is a really high-level skill.”

Hodgson’s enthusiasm for this area is echoed by MindShift, which claims: “We need to make school more relevant to the world we live in. We need to train kids to have the skills needed in the digital world. We are living in an age when digital media and new digital tools are revolutionising the world. Schools need to help students learn these skills.”

by: Deborah Bates

Cardiff Airport has updated its online presence today, using a more interactive website design to create a customised, informed user experience.

Using four different areas to help visitors find exactly what they need in the minimum amount of time, the new website is designed to be easily navigated. The sections include “meeting and greeting”, “travelling soon”, “planning a trip” and “general information”. The site is also customisable, integral for frequent visitors, allowing them to store their preferences and history to make their next visit quicker and more efficient.

“During the research and development of the website, we focused on the needs of users and have designed the new site with these needs in mind,” said the airport’s marketing and PR manager, Cassie Houghton on Breaking Travel News.

“Once completed we thoroughly tested the new website and were greatly encouraged by the positive feedback we received. We hope that frequent visitors to the site will take advantage of the customisable sections and visit the site even more regularly.”

Features on the new website allow users to book car hire, access to the executive lounge, flights, holidays, accommodation and car parking at the airport. It is also thought the website has taken the wave of social media into consideration, allowing users to ‘share’ their likes with their connections on social networking sites.

“We wanted to develop a more modern website which embraces social media channels and can be used as a platform to further develop our social media communications and mobile applications during 2011,” added Houghton on Air & Business Travel News.

by: Deborah Bates

Councillors in Leeds have given plans to undertake a £1.8 million revamp of the local council’s website and intranet the green light, reports Drum.

After voting yesterday, members of Leeds Council executive board voted in favour of the redesign, which will see the existing 75 different websites amalgamated into an easier to use interface for 2011.

Stewart Golton, the local Lib Dem leader, was in favour but claimed that Leeds Council needed to do things properly, tapping into the “considerable innovative web talent” on offer, who will perhaps use a more interactive website design.

Claiming the current website provided “confusing messages for residents and made information harder to find,” the proposal outlined the negative effects the existing system had had. These included being highly costly to run, and that 35 per cent of the time, visitors were unable to find the information they sought, according to the Guardian.

The report also claimed that “the council cannot publish information in real time, which means we cannot react to emergencies or immediate changes to service information.”

“Additionally, the website is completely unavailable for 20 minutes each day, to enable site content to be updated. Failure to tackle the issues may damage the council’s reputation.”

The leader of the council, Keith Wakefield, was keen to add: “If we’re going to achieve savings, we need to make it easier for citizens to access services online, as it’s a much more cost-effective way for us to do things.”

by: Deborah Bates

Coffee chain Starbucks has unveiled a new logo, which it claims indicated its intention to expand beyond its core product.

The new logo no longer has the words “Starbucks” or “coffee” on it, just leaving the familiar image of a twin-tailed siren which is white on green.

The altered branding design is a result of Starbucks plans for the future. The firm said that in the near future “it’s possible we’ll have other products with our name on it and no coffee in it.”

However, as reported by BBC News, the decision to change the logo has come under heavy criticism by some brand experts. James Gregory, chief executive of brand consulting firm Core Brand said: “I think it’s nuts. What’s it going to be – the coffee formerly known as Starbucks?”

This is the first time the US giants have changed their logo since they floated on to the New York Stock Exchange back in 1992. The firm is already moving ahead in its plans to expand into other products and already sells ice-cream. It is also considering selling beer and wine at some US outlets.

Chief executive Howard Schultz told staff that the re-branding was a “meaningful update,” The Guardian reports.

“What is really important here is an evolutionary refinement of the logo, which is a mirror image of the strategy. This is not just, let’s wake up one day and change our logo.”

by: Hannah McLaverty-Williamson

Car manufacturer Land Rover has launched its first animated advert, shown on television screens across the world, reports Campaign Live.

Created to promote its latest Freelander model, the advert features models sculpted from clay and follows a Freelander 2 as it drives through an ever-changing backdrop. It is part of a widespread television and print media campaign, which will include a documentary exploring how the plasticine world and character animation was created.

The behind-the-scenes exclusive will follow the design team as they execute the adverts, and features an interview with the animated driver seen in the adverts, Clay Mason, who speaks of his experience driving the Freelander 2.

“We chose the animation theme for the campaign for its unique celebration of the overall versatility of the vehicle,” comments Land Rover’s global communications manager, Dorian Leroy; “while showcasing the optimistic and active lifestyles of Freelander owners.”

Previously Land Rover has stuck with true-to-life advertising, however as the automotive market continues to recover from its financial woes, manufacturers are having to step up their game in a competitive industry.

“Trying to stand out in the automotive market place is always a challenge, but to stand out and get the right messages across is even more difficult. ‘Claymation’ gave us a great way of doing both,” claims Graham Lang, the brand’s global integrated creative director.

“I love the authenticity and charm of the medium, and as a storytelling device, it gave us unlimited flexibility,” he adds in New Media Age.

by: Deborah Bates

Homeowners in Bradford can pick up a range of crime-prevention tips thanks to a new website set up by police.

The Bradford South Division Neighbourhood Policing Team have set up the new website which features a house which can be clicked and entered for a tour.

The interactive website design means site visitors can scroll around the different rooms in the property looking for any security issues. When an area of concern is clicked on, a short video is played which outlines preventative measures that homeowners can take to avoid becoming a victim of crime. Tips offered include improving door locks and removing expensive items from view.

The website forms part of the West Yorkshire Police campaign The Usual Suspects, which focuses on three main types of burglary with three characters created to represent each of the offences.

Bradford South Detective Chief Inspector Mark McManus told The Telegraph and Argus that the website will provide local residents with useful tips on how best to protect their properties.

“It underlines the importance of having the correct locks, how considering your lighting can have an impact on deterring burglars and why you should not leave expensive items on display. Other points include marking your property with ultra violent pens, not leaving your door insecure or leaving your keys and mobile where they can be easily taken,” he said.

“In most cases, the measures which need to be taken are at little or no expense to the homeowner, but can save a lot of potential heartache,” he added.

by: Hannah McLaverty-Williamson

BMI has unveiled their new logo which reintroduces its British Midland International name, alongside the acronym.

The new logo and visual identity now features the full name in addition to the abbreviation BMI, which is how the airline is most commonly known. The new branding design is set to be used on all corporate communications and advertising, with the new brand following on after the company joined aviation group Lufthansa in October 2008.

According to The Drum, BMI’s low cost carrier bmi Baby brand will remain the same and will continue as a separate brand within the group, as it is a separate airline to BMI. The airline operates short-haul flights to UK and European destinations, whereas BMI is a full service that operates short, medium and long haul flights, as well as both business and economy classes.

Joerg Hennemann chief commercial officer at BMI told Marketing Magazine: “In British Midland International we are building a clearly-defined, well positioned and easily understood brand.”

“Our customers around the world associate themselves with a British airline and our refreshing, new visual identity will help us to communicate in an even clearer way with our customers and staff alike. Our new logo shows our customers that we are an international airline with a strong British heritage,” he added.

by: Hannah McLaverty-Williamson

Web designers across the UK are turning to more creative methods to get the most out of their client’s money, as small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) increasingly want more for less from their designers, reports Communicate Magazine.

Results of a new survey published by an independent internet provider show that SMEs have been forced increasingly to slash their investment in web design, due to economic challenges, but that web designers have been very helpful in adapting their ways, and supporting clients through their rough patches.

The demand for more interactive web design has also risen, however 73 percent of designers feel that their clients underestimate the work involved in keeping websites fresh and active.

The survey, which spoke to 300 web design companies, showed that one in three design professionals are expected to work out of hours more, and to provide free work in order to keep clients satisfied with the quality of work, reports Science 2.0. Additionally, 56 percent of web designers believe that their professional advice has significantly contributed to improvements their clients have seen in business.

Industry expert and leader of the survey, Steve Holford, claims “For many small firms, using external web professionals is a very sensible and rewarding option. It’s clear that in recent years, web designers have worked hard to adapt to the needs of clients, and demonstrate the value they can deliver.”

“With the right approach from both small businesses and the web design community, online revenues can be successfully built and so help the UK economy in its return to growth.”

by: Deborah Bates

Electronics retailer Dixons Retail is set to open a new high-end store as part of a concept called Black.

The new shop, which is on Birmingham’s High Street is aimed at gadget enthusiasts and women and will stock brands with an emphasis on performance and design. It is hoped that Black’s unique format will attract the type of customer that would not usually shop at the more traditional Dixons store.

The three floor shop interior design will differ to that of the usual Dixons store. The 15,000 square foot shop will contain products that will be linked by a topical theme and themed areas will be given names such as Objects of Desire and Driving home for Christmas.

As reported by The Telegraph, products to be stocked at Black include a variety of consumer electronics, computers, TVs and accessories. The store will also sell tablet computers like the iPad in addition to laptops, MacBooks, MP3 players and iPods. However, it is expected that the store will attract some brands which are not available in other Dixons shops.

The new store was described as “the ultimate place to get up close with the most wanted gadgets around,” by a Dixons spokesman. The branding design of the shop will be a black logo with a small “Currys” and “PC World” in the corner, and if successful, the concept could be rolled out across the country.

by: Hannah McLaverty-Williamson