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- About DGT
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- Getting Started
- TKC
Who
Design Good Times is the digital design branch of Tree Kangaroo Creative. It was founded by Serena Andrews, who is the principal designer & president of TKC. On projects requiring a team, Serena outsources to trusted local freelancers who specialize in PHP/MySQL programming, copy writing, PR, translation, photography and film.
Serena is a multimedia artist originally from Maine, but she has called Providence, RI home now for 12 years. In school, she studied music performance and filmmaking as well as painting and visual arts. In the last 5 years, she gained much field experience in web design through her work & projects, and whaddaya know! Design became a full-on passion.
What
Design Good Times makes brochure websites, custom blog templates, flash pieces, banner ads and small-scale ecommerce websites. A website can include other services we offer such as logo or brand development, illustration, custom music and video work.
When
Tree Kangaroo Creative was born with all ten toes and fingers on January 1, 2008. In the beginning TKC offered music, video, illustration, design and project management services, all as a part of one business. However, web design quickly became the main focus of our business, and some other services like print design and film/video fell away.
On our one year anniversary in January of 2009, we decided to create proper divisions for the remaining 3 areas of service, and give them names, love, and each a website of their own. Now TKC is comprised of Design Good Times (digital design), Dream It Illustration (digital and hand illustration services), and Custom Songs Online (songwriting and audio services). Aww! A lovely family.
Where
Design Good Times is headquartered in the Smith Hill area of Providence, RI. Satellite offices include White Electric Coffee, Blue State Coffee & Coffee Exchange. (it's funny because it's true.) Usually, the web design process is quite mobile, and meetings can take place anywhere with WiFi.
As a designer, Serena is also a proud member of AS220's Design Providence, a cottage industry for designers located in the Dreyfus Building on Washington St, down town Providence. The studio there is equipped with a meeting area and ample presentation space.
Why
Design Good Times believes that the web is a place for expression and connections. We know that there are a lot of folks out there who either don't have a the tools or in some cases the time to put together a fabulous online presence... but people know its important. Especially in this economy. Much of the internet is free, especially the networking sites, and it has become a daily part of our lives from shopping to research to entertainment.
We believe that individuals & businesses alike should have not just a website, but something that really says who they are and works well with all the tools out there. We believe in your site being accessible, beautiful and affordable, ...but most of all we want people to be empowered to join the web community through their own site.
How
As a part of Tree Kangaroo Creative, our parent company, Design Good Times is committed to green business practices, buying local, accessibility and keeping it real. We are hosted on DreamHost which is a carbon neutral hosting service, we use minimal paper and energy, and we even use public transit when possible! We are a part of a community, and that's how we would like to keep it!
We use current Mac Intel computers and Adobe Creative Suite to create, as well as hand coding to the best of our ability in standards compliant XHTML and CSS. We aim to find a balance between exciting functionality and clean, valid code. We believe in the value and importance of open source technology, web products and languages such as PHP, Wordpress and Mozilla, both in terms of functionality and community.
Our process for getting work done is totally, and we mean totally custom to your project. We have a method, but the most important part of that method is listening to our clients and we plan together with you to get your project right!
For more on how to get started with your design project, check out Getting Started in the tabs above, download our New Project Quick Start Guide or request a consultation by filling out this form: New Project Request Form!
It's not just a web presence! It's a web ATTITUDE!
Our specialty is in creating off the hook medium-sized websites for people who want more than just a online list of information.
From blogs themes to small online stores to fun, sparkly presentations, the Design Good Times goal is to make your site look awesome, and that it functions smoothly behind the scenes. We aim for clean code, green business practices and a downright neighborly relationships with our customers.
Here's a complete list of our services:
..::! DESIGN !::.. |
..::! WORKFLOW !::.. |
Web Design
I think of web design as the creation of anything from a simple ad or graphic, which I call a “web element,” to a complex webpage with any or all of the following:
- links to other sites
- static and interactive content including photos, art,
- downloadable forms, and text layout
- media such as audio, video, and animated clips
- a purposeful flow of information
The process of creating web design is part science and part art. It requires creative vision extending to both code and visual layout design. Good web design expediently delivers your message, style, and pertinent information to the folks browsing your site. It should be accessible to all viewers, searchable, and "sticky," meaning that people who visit once keep coming back for more.
Print Design
This may seem self-explanatory, but the world of print design is surprisingly vast! You can reach your customer via fliers, menus, business stationery suites, billboards, vehicle wraps, brochures, catalogs, stickers, tickets, programs, periodical advertisements, and about a thousand other printed materials.
Print design often leads to copywriting (text written to perfectly represent your product) and brand development (logos, color palettes, font choices that create your company’s visual identity). All of the print design I create is customized to your specific needs.
back to top menu
Multimedia Design
Multimedia design is the creation of a final media product that integrates more than one form of source material. It’s intended for use across a range of media playback devices. In plain English, some examples of multimedia design are:
- CD Roms
- keynote presentations
- DVD menus
- training videos
- display clips for lobby television screens, festivals,
- seminars, and conventions
We see multimedia design every day, but many people don’t recognize it as a design genre. If you are seeking this kind of marketing tool, I can make your ideas a reality!
Packaging Design
Packaging lands somewhere between print design and brand development. Say you have a widget with a name and possibly a logo, and you want to bring this widget to market. I help you realize the concept, then create the design of the look of the bag, box, label, and/or delivery method.
Please note that I do not design actual bags/boxes/labels; I design what gets printed on them and I assist you in finding a printer and supplier that fit your needs. If you are looking to develop a design for the physical package itself, I can recommend some fantastic industrial designers to you, and as a team we’ll make your custom packaging a smash hit!
My specialty in this area is in creative music merchandising. CD packaging and the suite of print materials surrounding band promotion is something I'm very familiar with, and I absolutely love doing it. Bands: call today for pricing!
Flash Animation / Flash Design
Flash animation, especially for the web, is all the rage right now—and rightfully so, as it’s both fun and aesthetically pleasing. When you see smooth transitions, slideshows, fancy menus or buttons, or smooth movement of a webpage online, it’s usually Flash. Flash is an application by Macromedia, now merged with Adobe (Photoshop, InDesign, and Illustrator). It’s very stable on the Web, although it’s not inherently searchable and it’s not always visible to folks who don’t have the free Flash player installed.
It is possible to achieve nice animation without Flash and searchability within Flash, but whether or not Flash is for you is a decision you'll have to make based on what you like and what you need. My consultations are always free, so contact me and find out if a Flash piece is the right fit for you!
Project Management
Project management is the process of orchestrating all the players in your "design team." It’s usually necessary on larger projects such as DVDs, websites or big book-style print jobs. If you’re feeling overwhelmed by all the moving parts in a big project, I offer my services as project manager. I become the liaison for programmers, photographers, copy writers, videographers, and other suppliers and services. I handle research and development, watch out for deadlines, and ensure quality control. You breathe a sigh of relief because you get to be "the idea person.” Whew!
In my opinion, it takes gumption and trust to let go of a project and entrust it to a professional. The payoff for you is a clear mind, more time for other pursuits, and a degree of objectivity in approving the project along the way.
Every design project that comes through TKC is billed for a tiny bit of project management, usually one to two hours worth. That covers phone calls, emails, long discussions and brainstorming. The big projects are another can of worms. Let's just say that you'll know if you need to hire me for project management. Trust me.
Copy Writing
Brilliant copywriting is the basis of all fabulous marketing—even more so, at times, than the design itself. Shoddy grammar, unclear copy (ad text) or poor wording can really turn off a reader who is potentially interested in what you have to say. The trick is making your copy actually say what you're trying to say in a concise and snappy way. I can help you get on the right track, and for truly juicy copy writing I work with some outstanding & talented writers.
You tell us what you want to say...and we'll make it say what people want to hear!
Video to Web Integration
So you have a video, but it's on one of those tiny DV tapes and you want it on your website. But you don't want it to open in a big white page with a little bitty movie in the middle! You want it to be embedded right in your website. Not to fear. We do that.
Brand Development
Brand Development is arguably the most important aspect of marketing. Your brand essentially sums up the attitude, style, and ideas that represent your business, group or organization. It's the experience people have when they see your materials or product, whether it's a salon ad in the paper, a band flier on a telephone pole, or an enormous LED billboard. By developing a unified brand that reflects you, you create recognition and a lasting relationship with consumers. Needless to say, everyone dreams of a cohesive, strong message that embodies the very essence of their efforts.
Unfortunately, that's harder than it sounds, right? Right. Not to worry: I can help you tie it all together, from your stationery to your phone menu to your newsletter print ad. Let your customers know who you really are by making a great and memorable impression. After all, if it's not awesome, what's the point?
Web Development
Not to be confused with web design. Web development is the strategic organization of all of the information you need to include in a website. This is the land where programming languages rule all. Web development determines the flow, structure, speed, size, expandability, security and manageability of your site. Sounds important, huh? It is.
Generally, I work with other local and regional developers to handle sites where information is paramount. Whenever I design a site, there is always some web development going on. I code the majority of my work myself, but some sites require more complicated coding. The design I do, in conjunction with programming, is commonly called the "front end", while the application that runs it is called the "back end".
I will help you determine the extent of programming that you need to make your site serve your business’s and your customers’ needs, and work directly with a programmer to make your site’s front end and back end snap together like Legos.
2009
Davis Research
Web concepting and PowerPoint Presentation design
Eagle Breath Healing
Logo and print branding collateral design, CD design
Jake Haller
CD Art & print design for digipak
Keith Munslow
Children's CD Art & booklet for digipak
Kate Lohman
In Progress: portfolio site design with video / audio
Pat Hastings
In Progress: site redesign w/ Wordpress+PayPal integration
The Colonel's Super Dooper Guitar Party:: view
In Progress: website with PayPal Integration
The Liberty Elm Diner
In Progress: website with Wordpress
A Day At The Beach:: view
PayPal e-commerce store w/Wordpress as CMS
Pamela Murray
In Progress: Portfolio website in XHTML / CSS & Flash
Context Translations:: view
XHTML / CSS web design w/Flash header
Sandra Negron :: view
XHTML / CSS web design w/Flash Intro
FNH Guitars
In Progress: Searchable web store & gallery
Your Dog is My Guest :: view
XHTML / CSS web design, and fit to Wordpress blog
Alloy Electric :: view
Web Re-design & fit to Wordpress blog
Kerrilyn Rousseau
Print design: Business Card
2008
Superchief Trio
Print design: Set of playing card style business cards
Kerrilyn & Mike Rousseau
Print design: Wedding invitations, thank you cards & "movie poster"
Davis Research LLC
Web Survey Template design, Series
Bill Harley / Round River Records :: view
Website design & web assets design
Trimed Media
Site Maintenance and Flash design
Carl Querfurth, Bluesbone Productions
Package design for the Spit-tune Trombone accessory
Albion Pub, Block Island
Spokescharacter illustration
Juice & Java
Teeshirt designs and logo reconstruction
Neo Nouveau
Package Design & Illustration for CD
Keith Munslow :: view
Print Collateral Brochure & Business Card
Can Do Talks :: view
XHTML/CSS website, flash banners, stationery suite & print collateral, videography & editing
The Empire Revue :: view
posters and handbills, stop animation, video work , Flash CS3 splash page
FnH Guitars:: view
Flash CS3 website, Wordpress blog integration, print collateral, search engine optimization
Ginny-B Campground :: view
XHTML/CSS website with PHP back-end content management, project management
Authors, Depetrillo & Mazzenga:: view
XHTML/CSS website, custom audio, Wordpress customization for blog integration
RE/Max Premier
print ads, web banners, signage, flyers, menus, display art, mural
Previous Years
Sisters of Mercy: The Warde-robelogo and business card design (pro-bono)
Auction Junky
print, illustration, art direction, web development, packaging, videography and video-web optimization, display design, vehicle wrapping
The Happy Dumpling
print, web images, marketing strategy, ad copy
It's normal to feel overwhelmed when you or your business begins the process of building a website. It's a huge endeavor to get organized, and decide not only what you want and need to communicate to the world.... but also how it should look.
For new and old companies this often presents an opportunity to explore color, style, design aesthetic, and to brainstorm concepts and ideas for marketing and "making that first impression."
Below is a quick rundown of some things you'll need to do to make your experience a good one. Get ready to unlock your full web marketing potential.
Daydream & Brainstorm
Think as openly as possible about how you want to represent yourself or your business to the world. Use broad terms and emotions...."I am a happy sunny person" ...or "Our cafe is like a second home to people". Make a list of descriptive words for yourself or your company, and a separate list of descriptive words about the way you imagine people feeling when they see the site. Make one more descriptive list for how the site will look.
If you have a logo or identity already, start brainstorming on what it means, what color it is and how it could be worked into a multimedia presentation to represent you.
Get a binder, folder or box and start collecting any and all information, photos, articles, text, inspirations etc. that you can find. Don't worry about organizing it too much... just get it together in one spot.
Organize Your Thoughts & Materials
Think about what you really need your site to do for you and for those you're trying to reach. Is the site going to provide mostly information? Will the information change frequently? Is it a presentation or portfolio? Is it a tool or community? Is it more like a journal or magazine? Are you selling anything? What is absolutely essential on the site? Will there be videos, photos or music?
Make an outline or two of how you would naturally organize what you're trying to present. Don't think in terms of websites yet, just think in terms of categories.
Start writing the paragraph that welcomes people to the site (even if you won't use it in the end). This will tell you a lot about the site. You may also want to jot down an absolute musts list.
Study Up!
Get online for an afternoon, or 15 minutes a day, and start bookmarking or copying into a list, sites that you love... preferably similar in purpose or industry to yours. Look up all your competitors, and idols in your field. Write a note or two about what you like/dislike and try to think of why. You'll want to bring this list to your professional as a reference for them to understand your tastes and preferences.
Get a Professional Consult
You probably have a ton of questions at this point, and may be wondering how much all this will cost, how long could it take, and which of the many styles of website should I have.
It's consultation time! Try to set up a free consult with the professional of your choice, and maybe a few, if you're not totally sure who you want to go with.
Ask questions... any question you can think of about how the site will benefit you, how it will work, what it will cost etc. Ask for samples of successful past work. Be wary if the professional doesn't have questions for you. You don't want to be 'told' what you want... you want to discover it together.
Maybe we're biased because we believe in the art of being self-taught.... but its advisable to base your assesment of a professional on the quality of their work. Worry less about pedigree, and more about results. The web is like the wild west, and talent can be found from the most unusual sources.
Set A Budget
Rule #1 is be honest. Review all the notes and information you have gathered so far and the rates quoted to you by the professionals you have spoken with. Try to quantify how long you think the project would take to create, and consider other costs involved such as internal copy writing, research, photographer, hosting and domain. Your professional of choice will guide you in these things, but it's a great idea to start thinking about them early.
Caution: don't try to squeeze everything into a tiny budget. One of the biggest causes for a bad web development experience is rushing. Rushing includes both time and money - trying to make something happen when it's not ready yet. You can be at ease because the web is a "living" thing. That is, it's not a hard copy...so you can add things later if they aren't doable or affordable now.
Instead, be creative in how your budget could work. Will you need a payment plan? Do you have a credit card that could help spread payments out. Maybe you could offer a trade, or break the project up into smaller chunks and put it in phases.
Choose Your Professional Based on Their Proposal
A proposal from a professional can range greatly in style and content depending on how that individual or company works.
Key things to look for are knowledge, organization, flexibility and honesty. Does it seem that the professional has your best interest in mind? Does it include all the information you need like price, time to complete the project, what's included in the site, terms and guarantees if applicable? Does it feel like a sales pitch, does it seem feasible, dashed off, well thought out?
Don't be afraid to request changes or edits to the proposal if you don't like what you see.
Delegate & Let Go
You've done all the research, found your creative professional, set a price and a timeframe... It's time to let the magic happen. A common mistake here is micromanagement. To really make the process work, you it's best to let the designer design and guide the development so that you can be the "big picture person". There's usually a method to the madness, and though it's normal to be anxious, refusing to let go can be disasterous.
Tell your designer that you're trusting them to make you proud... after all you are paying them to make you look good. Don't worry... you'll be involved soon enough, and at this phase you probably already have a list of homework and needed materials from your professional!
Be a Decision Maker
OK. Your project is in progress and you are presented with a series of rough mockups for what the site could look like ...usually with some placement text and photos. It's natural to launch into a completely new brainstorm and series of ideas right now...it's exciting. You can see some direction taking shape! Try to avoid re-inventing at this point. Stay focused and committed to all the work you and your professional have done so far.
Breathe deeply. Get out the proposal and your original notes, and look to see what mockups are is meeting your needs and requests. Go with your gut, too. Which one feels best. Can you see anything missing or off? Caution: now is not the time to worry about spelling and little nit picky things... you should note them to the designer, but remember, these are mockups only. There will be plenty of time to get into specifics as the project develops.
Make sure that every single decision maker for the project has seen and weighed in on the designs and developments at this stage and every stage. Not doing so is costly and tiring for everyone. When signing off, try to strike a balance between timeliness and maturation... by this I mean how long it takes you to get back to the designer with changes or approvals versus "sleeping on" the designs a bit to make sure that you aren't making hasty decisions right away. The sooner and cleaner your decisions reach the designer, the smoother the project will run.
Check Against Proposal for Quality
You've been working hand in hand with your design professional now. You've delivered all your materials, and they've delivered and built out your designs to your specifications. You've proofread all the text, and signed off on all the pages. Hopefully you are on schedule and under budget. The site is almost done. It's time to bring out the original notes and proposals one more time.
Do your own creative review, if the professional doesn't have one prepared for you already. You'll want to go through your initial objectives and goals, requirements and wishes, and check them against what has been created. If there were modifications, do you feel comfortable with the results? Does it look and function well? Was it worth the money?
Launch Your New Site!
When you are sure you have what you want, it is time to launch! This is a fantastic accomplishment! Your site is up and running.
Make sure to tell everyone about it. If you have profiles on networking sites, include the link. Create a link to the site in the signature of your emails. Include the address on any other marketing materials you will be handing out. This might be a great opportunity to email your clients and friends, or write a letter. After all...you've been meaning to stay in touch anyway, right?
Don't expect to be instantly visible on search engines; it can take a couple of months for the engines to "crawl" and record your site. You may want to talk to an SEO professional about how to get high rankings, if that is important to you.
Celebrate! You're on the web!
TKC is our parent company, a multimedia umbrella for Design Good Times & our "siblings" Dream It! Illustration and Custom Songs Online. Our family also includes our blog, the Design Good Times, and our social group Providence Idea Exchange.
TKC is owned and operated by Serena Andrews, in Providence, RI.
Visit the official TKC site if you desire to uncover a veritable world of information about our humble operation! Go ahead... try it!
Wanna have even more fun? Spelunk on our fun splash page! It's a tree! (click photo)
