Nola Creative - A Printeractive Design Group

Keeping with the new technology-driven aspect of TEDxSMU, a new component for the 2010 event included a web-based event program for smartphone users. This served as a companion piece to the refreshed website also designed for the event. Following a trend commonly employed in museum exhibits and special events, we built a website optimized for phone browsers that served as a valuable resource to participants. During the main event users were able to visit the mobile site and browse the day’s schedule.

As the sessions continued through the day, participants were able to read extra content about each presenter. In addition to the usual biography found in conference programs, the expanded mobile program included sections for “Favorite TED Talk,” “Favorite Idea Worth Spreading,” “Favorite Action Worth Taking,” and “Favorite Survival Tip.” Each presenter’s biography section also included a section of Related Media, directing readers to TED Talks and other websites or particular interest. This helped participants leave each session with a personal look at each presenter, and provided an additional resources to those longing for more information.

An easy to access button on the mobile program directed participants to the TEDxSMU Twitter feed, providing an additional way to encourage involvement and discussion during the sessions.

The site also included usual conference details, post-conference information, directories and additional pages for exhibitors and sponsors.

Overall the mobile program was successful at getting information to participants and encouraging involvement utilizing new technology. It also saved a few trees along the way. Check it out for yourself here: TEDxSMU Event Program

In October 2010 TEDxSMU hosted their second annual conference in Dallas. The event connected 575 participants to guest speakers from around the world, presenting on topics ranging from mountain climbing to high-tech gadgetry. TEDxSMU — a full day program hosted at the Wyly Theatre — catered to creative adults and TED fanatics, while a separate but just as important program — TEDxKids — aimed at engaging middle school students. Idea Week, which proceeded the main TEDxSMU event, included at least one free event every day around the Metroplex. During the rest of the year (after the main event is over) various forums and events are held to encourage the sharing of fresh ideas.

With all of these events, speakers and resources TEDxSMU had a wealth of content needing to be marketed to the general public. In just a year, TEDxSMU had outgrown their website and required one that was more efficient and better-navigable. We helped update their WordPress-based website by customizing a new WordPress template and filling in the pieces with consistent branding. The graphic-driven home page highlights important areas of the website, and leads visitors to clearly-organized content. Archived videos are featured for quick reference; upcoming events are easy to find; and a blog is integrated to feature the latest news. Best of all, because we utilized WordPress the future maintenance of the website became very easy; any staff member is able to add or change information, upload new content or promote an event. The redesigned site opened up new marketing opportunities and became a valuable resource to the year-round TEDxSMU experience. The branding and style of the new site also carried over to the mobile Event Program we designed as a companion piece.

NOLA Creative was brought in as design consultant for a church fundraising campaign. Recognizing the impact high-quality design has on the involvement process, Lamb of God Lutheran Church desired marketing materials that would encourage members to be involved in the donation process leading up to construction of additional worship and education facilities. The campaign featured many cross-media elements over several years of planning and execution.

Once a name and identity had been developed with participation of a committee, a color palette incorporating orange and green was created for the campaign–taking into account the Autumn launch but wanting to infuse themes “growth” in the midst of a typical brown season. Illustrative elements reflecting this growth theme were also added, creating endless combinations to identify separate marketing elements but keeping everything within a cohesive campaign.

Postcards and invitations were mailed out in anticipation of the main event. Posters were designed. Banners were hung. A member picnic celebration marked the beginning of the campaign. The large informative brochure focused on campaign details and also incorporated an interactive DVD. An accompanying 2-week Bible study booklet was distributed to all members. Campaign elements were expanded to include newsletter updates and website banner advertisements.

Our creative solution to involve members even further was through the use of branded key fobs. Each Sunday for five weeks members were given a laminated key fob and were encouraged to place this on their key ring. The front served as a reminder of the campaign while the back contained a prayer relevant to that week’s Sunday message. Over the course of the week, members were reminded to be involved in the important campaign through prayer. For those wanting an alternative to the key fobs, an index card with all five prayers was available.

Over several months members were reminded of the importance of the fundraising campaign and were encouraged to be involved. The sophistication of design reinforced a memorable message and the level of member involvement ensured this was not just any church activity.

Bastiat Capital, a growing financial investment company, came to NOLA Creative with a challenge: create a visually exciting brochure while keeping a standard size for practical mailing. While many people today abandon print for interactive online solutions, we put interactivity into the printed brochure itself.

We began with color theory. What colors, in addition to the calming signature blue, would best establish Bastiat Capital as a key player in the financial market? We chose a rich brown as the predominant color–representing strength, comfort and security. Red accents invoke strong reactions and increase excitement. Warm colors balance cool colors while giving the brochure a touch of class and established presence.

Next came they layout. Bastiat Capital wanted a brochure that would stand out from the crowd. In a sea of business brochures, what would intrigue people into picking up this brochure? We decided to use an accordian fold–simple enough to not require special printing but unique enough to command attention. Laying flat, the brochure catches the eye with dramatic colors and simple grace. As the brochure is opened, it reveals the story of Bastiat Capital. Each new opened section tells its own message, while leading into the next part of the story. Along the way colors and images change, creating an engaging and very readable marketing piece.

The brochure was a great success for Bastiat Capital’s marketing. Clients were intrigued and impressed by the unique format and studied every page. The piece won a Communicator Award Award of Distinction for printed brochure design in 2007. NOLA Creative also translated the unique brochure into a website, continuing the successful branding elements and incorporating new features.

Bastiat Capital’s name derived from Frédéric Bastiat, the famous French political economist of the 19th Century. With a clever use of vibrant stock imagery, classic patterns and elegant use of typography we created an identity that gave the company an established presence while bringing Bastiat Capital into the 21st Century.