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.

The 16th Annual Communicator Awards have awarded Nola Creative with two prestigious honors. We are proud to announce two Silver “Awards of Distinction”  given to interactive projects completed in 2009.

Our design work for Backbeat Music Instruction led to a win in the Website: Education division. The creative design and organized layout of backbeatmusic.net welcomed new students to the growing music school in Chicago. Throughout 2009 Nola Creative teamed up with Backbeat to provide effective marketing through online and social media forums; a holiday campaign even included custom Facebook badges and E-gift cards! In the Website: Self Promotion category our design for Stay Frank took home the prize. Stayfrank.com was designed to promote the internet marketing company in an approachable, unique format.

These awards speak to the talent, creativity and dedication of Nola Creative’s team and partners. The 2010 awards were the first interactive design awards received by our design firm, a result of the high-caliber work achieved in 2009. The “printeractive” paradigm of Nola Creative stresses the merging of both print and interactive work for a world of ever-changing media; we are excited to now have interactive design awards next to our print design award (won in 2007)!

Each year, the Communicator Awards receive thousands of entries from companies and agencies of all sizes, making it one of the largest award programs of its kind. The competition honors the best in advertising, corporate communications, public relations and identity work for print, video, interactive and audio. Visit www.communicatorawards.com for more information about the awards.

Twitter has become one of the foremost social media tools in use today. A custom Twitter background can help your own brand (personal or business) stand out in a sea of social media applications. Instead of using a design template shared by thousands of other users, a custom background can provide your followers contact information, photos, and valuable insight into who and what you represent. The clear layout of content should capture the interest of online browsers — much the same way the home page of your website does; treating it as an extension of your online marketing creates a unified brand. Because no complicated coding is involved, the custom image is easily uploaded to Twitter and can be changed at any time — making it particularly useful for rotating promotional purposes.

Social media users are more likely to follow a company that is open and engaging. A custom Twitter background can give your published thoughts a personal touch and point new opportunities in your direction.

Here are a few we’ve finished recently, including a set for AmerisourceBergen Specialty Group. Don’t forget to follow us!

Carnival Cruise Lines has been advertising in Dallas with several non-traditional methods. In November, they created the “world’s largest beach ball” and bounced it down Elm Street for a national television commercial. This time, across from our studio farther down Elm Street, Carnival transformed the windows of a vacant building into an interactive aquarium where anyone can “create a fish.”

Here’s how it works: participants dial a toll-free number and follow voice instructions. A fish in a bubble then appears on the screen with the last 4 digits of your phone number. By talking or making noises into the phone (the louder and crazier the better, they say) the fish changes into different shapes, sizes and colors until you are satisfied. When you like your creation, you can swim your fish around using the number keys on a phone. The fish responds by moving up, down, right or left with a surprisingly fast reaction. Swimming into different color bubbles produces different sounds effects and video reactions. Up to 20 fish (from different participants) can be swimming around at one time.

Being located on a busy corner of downtown Dallas, several people pass by this location every day but pay little notice on their way to the office. Its location next to a popular theater and night club create constant traffic. When we walked by there were several other people playing with the aquarium. The interactive experience encourages people to stop their busy schedule and take a moment to enjoy some fun.