There probably isn’t a web designer around who hasn’t heard of ‘the 3 click rule’, and most of us just accept it blindly and unquestioningly. I mean, it makes sense, right?

Wrong.

A number of people undertake the exruciatingly tedious task of analysing clicks and user behaviour so that the rest of us can benefit from their painstaking research and hopefully make the web a better place. Without going into too much detail (which to be quite honest, sent me to sleep the first time I tried to write about it) the conclusions point to this simple fact. Users don’t need fewer decisions (clicks), they need easier ones, so if the choices presented to a person are simple and straightforward they will be more than happy to click away to their hearts content to get what they want.

To read the original research at uie.com please click here, here or here.

We have successfully renewed our position on the East Midlands’ Business Support Service Provider Register meaning that Retrograffica achieved and upholds the East Midlands Brokerage Quality Assured standard.

The aim of this service is simple, to enable publicly-funded business support organisations such as Business Link, the Learning and Skills Council, and UK Trade and Investment find the right supplier to meet the needs of their customers.

To find out more visit the East Midlands Brokerage website.

With only 12 days left till December many business are suddenly realizing that they have nothing in place for the festive period.

We can help you with cards, hanging calendars, desk calendars, case calendars, wall-planners, promo diaries and much much more… Printing turnaround times are typically 5-7 working days so there’s still time!

E-cards (animated or static) are also hugely popular as an environmentally friendly, cost effective alternative to traditional Christmas Cards. We can handle everything from design, production, online delivery and tracking of your campaign. See our post on E-Cards for more info and costs.

Back in August we blogged about Retrograffica working on a brand identity for a new product to be launched by Nottingham based Creative Video company Fat Free Media. Well, the identity is now live and Fat Free Media are actively promoting the product – Me Me Media.

This has been a hugely exciting project for Retrograffica as we have worked with the companies management team right from product conception and have fully led the naming and creative process.

To find our more about Me Me Media visit their website

Feedback from Neil Rostance, director of Fat Free Media has been brilliant – “I love them. They look absolutely fantastic and I’m really really pleased with the final result of this brand. Thank you both SO much for your work on this”.

Watch this space for a case study – coming soon…

]]> http://retrograffica.co.uk/blog/me-me-media-brand-launched/feed/ 0 http://retrograffica.co.uk/blog/retrograffica-design-develop-website-for-braun-product-service-uk/ http://retrograffica.co.uk/blog/retrograffica-design-develop-website-for-braun-product-service-uk/#comments Tue, 13 Oct 2009 11:55:36 +0000 Lauren http://retrograffica.co.uk/blog/?p=130

Following the successful extension of the     Olympic Shaver Centre brand by Retrograffica a couple of months ago, Retrograffica were chosen by Olympic to design and develop a website for Braun Product Service UK.

The site which is under the Olympic Shaver Centre umbrella was branded ‘Olympic – Service and Repair’ but the site look and feel had to be sypathetic to the Braun brand.

The site is now live  and can be see here.

Retrograffica were recently commissioned to produce a brand identity for Innovate Wealth Management, a Nottingham based financial advice and wealth management company.

The directors at Innovate were keen to present the company as high quality, professional and trustworthy. Working with the concept of growth, Retrograffica developed a leaf theme which was stylized to form a pound sign.

The identity is now in place and Retrograffica has commenced with the production of the corporate website and marketing materials.

Send a stylish seasonal message to your clients and customers this year.

This year, choose from one of our beautifully designed, animated ecards and we will tailor it with your company name and distribute it to your database* for just £199.

At £0.19 per recipient (cheaper than the cost of a second class stamp) our ecards are cost-effective, eco-friendly and much more original than a traditonal paper card.

Want a more personal touch? We can produce bespoke animations that include your company logo and a personal message or why not include the signatures of your staff?! Whatever your requirements, we work with you on the design then produce and distribute your ecard to your marketing list.

Take your Pick

Choose one of our beautifully designed cards or have us design one just for you. The choice is yours!

Call 01623 720935 for more information or to order yours now!

* Cost includes distribution for up to 1000 recipients. For additional recipients please contact us for a quote. All prices are ex-VAT.

PR: wait… I: wait… L: wait… LD: wait… I: wait… wait… Rank: wait… Traffic: wait… Price: wait… C: wait…

While everyone’s talking doom and gloom, at Retrograffica we like to think positive. So here’s ten tips to re-invigorate your brand during lean times

1. Be true to yourself

Your unique ‘brand experience’ is  why your customers come back to you again and again. Now more than ever retaining customers is absolutely vital, so be true to yourself, deliver your brand experience like never before and keep them coming back. Also, happy customers pass on the word and positive word of mouth will attract new customers without costing you a penny.

2. Don’t cut costs, add value

Low price is the least sustainable competitive differentiator.  Unless you are absolutely the cheapest on the market and trade as such, someone else can always undercut your prices.  And lower price says “lower value” to your customers. By focusing on the value your product or service adds to your customer’s business, being sure you can deliver that value and helping your customers to see and understand what you can do for them you can increase your sales whilst also increasing your prices.

3. Don’t be scared to change

If you’re struggling to engage with your customers in this shifting economic environment, your customer base has changed or your marketing message is no longer appropriate be bold and don’t be scared of change. It may be just the right time to change your brand’s positioning to make the most of the current situation.

4. Keep positive and be confident

When things are looking miserable a friendly face and positive words are very welcome. Focus on the good things, keep smiling and be confident. Customers are currently nervous and distrustful, confidence in yourself, your business and it’s offering will transfer to your customers.

5. Build your brand and win more customers

As other businesses batten down the hatches it could be just the right time to go out and win their customers! Build your brand, promote your business and go out and be seen.

6. Rally the troops

In lean periods it is inevitable that staff become nervous, unmotivated and under-productive. Your staff are one of your most important assets and it is more important now than ever to keep them on-side, feeling secure and valued. Happy staff will go the extra mile which is exactly what it takes to weather the storm. Proactive and compelling internal marketing will motivate your team and help keep them focused.

7. Re-focus your brand strategy

In lean times it is important to remain fixed on your customers radar. Now is the perfect time to re-focus your brand strategy, re-asses you marketing materials and implement a proactive marketing plan. A clear, confident strategy, consistent message and constant communication will help keep you in your customer’s mind.

8. Aim higher

Some sectors always have money to spend, whatever the state of the economy. Maybe it’s time to re-think your target audience, branch into new sectors, introduce new higher end products or re-position your brand to make sure you get a slice of the spending.

9. Replace passion with compassion

With fear and uncertainty on the rise, the businesses that will have a competitive advantage from the downturn are those that offer their customers compassion, show that they understand their customers situation and communicate that they are adapting to help. May businesses are adapting but are failing to tell their customers meaning their efforts go unnoticed.

10. Realign your brand identity

If your market is changing, it won’t pay to stay the same. Those businesses that weather the storm and come out the strongest are the ones that adapt to the current situation and reposition themselves to accommodate the changing needs of their clients. At this time many businesses will benefit from realigning their brand identity to ensure that their new brand personality is accurately represented to their customers.

Retrograffica were recently commissioned by Olympic Shaver Centre to extend their brand to accommodate the various divisions under the Olympic umbrella.

Predominantly on online business it was imperative that the divisions were easily identifiable on screen and that the logo fitted easily into a website header. Retrograffica extended the logo horizontally to include the name of the division and introduced a complimentary font to sit alongside the existing Olympic font.

Retrograffica utilised colour to identify the various divisions and these colours will be carried through the marketing materials of each division.

Retrograffica were recently commissioned to design and produce a flash ‘meet the team‘ movie for Ad Esse Consulting, for use on their website. Having worked with Ad Esse for over a year on all of their print marketing this was the first digital project we have worked on for them but following it’s successfully delivery Retrograffica are now working on a new flash animation for their homepage.