We are pleased to announce the launch of a new client site.   The Dynamic website (www.dynamictools.ca) is the center piece for the launch of a new line of tools.  Dynamic is a line of professional tools specifically designed for the professional user. 

We were really excited to work on this project.   As we reflected on this project post launch, one word came to us…..quality.  We have worked on all kinds of sites with varying budgets over the years, but one thing we always stress is having quality images and solid content.  Dynamic understood this and provided us with beautiful product shots and quality 3D renderings. 

When clients take short cuts with images, content, etc, it usually shows in the end product.  We are obviously biased to the importance of a strong website, but often your website is your key marketing vehicle, so you better put your best foot forward to create a powerful and professional image.

We will be putting together a Case Study on the design and development of the Dynamic website and presentation very soon.  Check our website at www.trinitas.ca for details.

We continue to work hard on client applications as well as the FLO Project Management System.  We will be releasing FLO Version 2.0 in the coming months with new bells and whistles and an updated interface.

Check back soon for more details.

http://www.smashingmagazine.com/2009/01/21/current-web-design-trends-for-2009/

The second problem with feature creep is that the application does a lot of things but nothing really well.  We have seen this before with a lot of things in the industry.  You can just hear those brand/marketing meetings where someone says, “Let’s put a little bit of that system and a little bit of that one, and we will have the best solution.”  The problem is that it does not do any one thing really well.  You are always better off doing something really well and then slowly introduce new features and functions.  Usually the Frankenstein products eventually fade away because they are too confusing or do not really satisfy a need.

Our main objective is with FLO is to create a system that is simple, yet has enough features in it to satisfy our target market.  We also have the benefit of building a system for organizations similar to ours that manage projects.  If we don’t like a feature or don’t really get why our competitors are doing it, then we omit it. 

Whether it is a new game being developed or a piece of new software, I think a lot of developers/designers would be better off with focusing on a key idea and building a simple idea around it.  Stay focused on what you are trying to achieve and build slowly on the concept.

Now I could live with the fact that someone came up with the name first and has been using the site for sometime. That did not seem to be the case with any of the names that we came up with. Doing a quick search on the Wayback Machine made it clear that these names had never been used. What are they hoping to get out of it? Are people really paying big bucks for these names anymore? How long do you sit on them hoping to get that magical offer?

Now I don’t know how to stop it, but all I know it is definitely hurting legitimate companies from building strong brands. I guess it gives the creative people like us a more challenging task. Come up with a household name, make it memorable, easy to pronounce and spell and still get the domain name.

When we came up with FLO our first and most obvious check was FLO.com. Of course someone is just sitting on the domain. We decided not to pursue the name and get into some crazy bidding war. We followed 37Signals advice and added “hq” onto the end and away we went.

Let us know if you have ever faced this and what you did.

Crash the Super Bowl is yet another example of how times have changed. This is the YouTube generation, so I guess it only makes sense to look to the general public to dethrone a multi million dollar ad company.

More information can be found on the Doritos website at http://crashthesuperbowl.com.