Archive for July, 2009

Won’t you be my neighbor?

Friday, July 31st, 2009

Bwsweep

Zoom Creates has been located at 1941 NW Quimby since May 2007. What we knew we were getting out of the move was hip new digs, more room for the dogs to make their own and a chic new space in which to make magic. What we didn’t know we were getting out of the move were fabulous neighbors all around!

To our immediate left lies the Lucky Lab, which we have affectionately coined Conference Room L. The Lab provides a reprieve from the daily grind while affording us free wireless internet. What this means to Zoomers is that at any time we can head over to the patio, laptop in hand, and get some work done in the sun while enjoying a slice of pizza or a BLT. We think this is wonderful.

To Zoom’s immediate right you’ll find the photography studio of the extremely talented Michael Jones. Michael has been an incredible neighbor to Zoom Creates! Whether he is offering up his phenomenal talents to our team for the Zoom Creates website photo shoot or dropping off a bundle of green beans fresh from his garden, he is the epitome of great neighbor goodness.

Last, but certainly not least, one door down from Michael Jones’ studio is Art4orm and it’s subsidary, Hip Printing. We rather enjoy Zachary, who is the face of Hip Printing. You can count on smiles and sunshine from Zach whether he is in our studio dropping off print jobs or bringing us proofs. Always at the ready to assist us as a colleague or friend, Zach and Hip Printing’s neighborliness does not go unnoticed or unappreciated.

As you can see, Zoom Creates has been blessed on all fronts to have neighbors we also are fortunate enough to call partners, colleagues and friends. Cheers to the people who call 19th and Quimby their home!


W3C Validation & Testing

Thursday, July 30th, 2009
W3C

W3C

Here at Zoom Creates, we’re fanatical about testing & validation of the web sites we produce. Before a web site is launched, our team performs a site-wide validation check for HTML & CSS compliance using the globally-recognized standards taken from the W3C (World Wide Web Consortium).

What the W3C does:
The World Wide Web Consortium (W3C) develops interoperable technologies (specifications, guidelines, software, and tools) to lead the Web to its full potential. W3C is a forum for information, commerce, communication, and collective understanding. It is the organization which all web standards are derived from and should adhere to.

Valid XHTML 1.0 Transitional

Top 3 reasons why validation and testing of a web site is important:

  1. Multi-browser, multi-version, multi-OS compatibility:  Ensure that the site will look the same on every web browser and operating system being used. However, there are some limitations to this (see below).
  2. Search engine indexing: A compliant web site allows search engines to more easily index the contents of a web site, making for superior organic SEO results.
  3. Maintenance and scalability: When future edits need to be made to a web site, starting off with a compliant site provides the developer with a “clean slate” to work from. Not having to go back and fix junky code saves valuable time and costs. (more…)


Sweatbands

Wednesday, July 29th, 2009

With temperatures nearing 107 today, things are getting hot, hot, hot! We’ve dedicated today’s post to keeping you uber cool. The sweatband is designed to absorb the pesky perspiration around your crown, keeping the sweat out of your eyes. Of course they have the added benefit of being super fashionable and come in a variety of colors and styles. Head over to American Apparel to grab your own. Or, if you are as cheap as we are, check out this article on how to make your own (p.s. you might need to break out an old pair of your 80′s sweatpants).

The Color of Sweatbands

7408_Sweatbands

The golden hue of 7408C is totally the color of sweatbands. It’s the color of the hot, hot sun, and always looks good in terrycloth. If you’re going to go with the sweatband, we say go bright or go home!

The Typeface of Sweatbands

Sweatband_virna

Virna is straight out of the 70′s. It’s classic curvitude complements this fun fashion throwback. And we all know sweatbands look ultra hip in stripes. Stay cool…real cool.


État de laboratoire

Tuesday, July 28th, 2009
barf

Barf. I did not see this in France.

I just flew in from France and boy, are my arms tired!

In case anyone was wondering, my wife and I had a great time in Southern France. Good bread, cheese and especially good wine. We visited Avignon, Arles, Gordes, Rousillon, Nice, Eze and Monte Carlo. And even though we knew Hoss and Pepper were well taken care of, we missed them quite a bit and thought of them each time we saw a dog. And we saw a lot of them. Most were in the 10-20 pound range, but we also saw a few German Shepherds and Rottweilers.

Many dogs were not on leashes in the crowded city markets, and just followed behind their owners without causing a ruckus. It was amazing. Even people without dogs didn’t seem to mind or think this was strange. We saw vendors’ dogs wandering in and out of their cafes, “helping” behind the counter, even mingling with guests and sniffing other dogs that walked by. No one batted an eye and there was not one dog fight to be had.

I don’t think this would ever happen in America. There would be some silly health code violation, or someone would complain because they don’t like dogs, or the dogs would get in a fight, etc. Fortunately I have the Lucky Lab next door, where dogs are welcome to sit with their owners on the patio while they enjoy a beer and a bite to eat. For me, this small pleasure has become a reminder of my European experience.


What’s a brand rollout without Pink Noise?

Monday, July 27th, 2009

h21This week one of our treasured clients, Bradley Angle, is throwing a brand roll-out party to announce the complete rebranding of their organization, a process we took them through over the past several months. We’re extremely stoked to see their new brand go out into the world, and thrilled to be invited to join in the celebration. Bradley Angle, after all, is an outstanding part of our community and we’re honored to support them. It’s all very warm and fuzzy.

Kurtis, however, has taken it to the next level.

You may or may not know this, but Kurtis is a member of Pink Noise, aka “A band that will make you believe.” When he heard about the party being planned, he jumped at the chance to perform and add that certain “je ne sais quoi” to the festivities that only a new wave 80′s band can provide.

It’s sure to be a blast—we’re dusting off our Robot and White Man’s Overbite moves, practicing our Slam Dancing techniques, and pulling those tight acid-washed jeans out of the back of the closet.

Congratulations to Bradley Angle on a new brand and an exciting new chapter in their organization!


A Blog Post About Blogs

Friday, July 24th, 2009

BLOG

So, it would be safe to assume that as bloggers, we at Zoom Creates are also blog readers. And what exactly do we like to read, you may ask? Oh geez. It’s all across the board with us Zoomers. Some read for pleasure, some read for knowledge, some read for a laugh.

In today’s Etc. blog, we’re going to offer up our favorites, so you can quite possibly love them too. They’re in no particular order—we enjoy them all!

Smashing Magazine
Daily Absurdities
PostSecret
Stuff White People Like
Passive Agressive Notes
The Onion
Skate Daily
Engadget
FAIL Blog
Design*Sponge


Fun new toys!

Thursday, July 23rd, 2009

newMachinesThe developers over here at Zoom Creates got some fun new toys yesterday! In order to code and be awesome, our leaders have given us free range on newegg.com to pick out our new systems and accessories. I will admit that they love us so much that a few items came from other places on the interwebs, but for the most part it was one big bulk order. Instead of giving you the full itinerary of our order, I’ll just let you know the coolest parts of this oh-so-happy of days.

Kris got:
HP Pavilion DV7-1270. This machine is a powerful beast! 17-inch monitor on this bad boy, with the full keyboard including the num pad on the right. He’s moving right ahead and getting rid of that “OS” Vista and installing Windows 7 RC 1. When it comes out this fall, I’m sure we’ll get him all up to date.

Kurtis got:
Lenovo IdeaPad Y650. First things first, I wiped the proprietary off that thing and installed Sidux! Soon to be dual boot with Chakra! To make my Linux workstation complete, they even bought me this rad keyboard from ZaReason without the dirty logos on the meta keys. I love it here!

Justin got:
Toshiba NB205. Cute little netbook that’s light and has a huge battery life, so Justin can run around the office and go to all those meetings.

Overall, this was one of the best Christmas-In-July events ever! Woo Hoo!


Umbrella Drinks

Wednesday, July 22nd, 2009

This hot weather makes us dream of sitting poolside, sipping fancy, fruity umbrella drinks. Whether it’s a Mai Tai, the classic umbrella drink, or a Mojito, Margarita or Rinitini, an umbrella just adds that much more summertime fun.

The Color of Umbrella Drinks

213C_Umbrella_Drinks

Pantone 213 is the perfect vivid pink to add color to any fun cocktail you may be sipping.

The Typeface of Umbrella Drinks

Umbrella_Drinks_Tiki_Hut_0721

In honor of the cocktail umbrella’s pacific rim origins we’ve chosen Tiki Hut by House Industries as the official typeface of Umbrella Drinks.

Cheers!


Zoom Creates a radio campaign!

Tuesday, July 21st, 2009

Sunset_Radio_Web_Banner_0716

We’ve been having a heckofagoodtime here at Zoom Creates. In addition to the typical fun and festivities surrounding our projects, we’ve been working on a radio ad for one of our long term clients, Sunset Bingo. Over the last year, Sunset Bingo has undergone a plethora of changes, both internal (remodel) and external (brand/identity). Zoom Creates has been fortunate enough to play a major role in both, and then some.

This radio ad is meant to convey to the world, rightly so, that bingo is a fun, inexpensive and often lucrative form of entertainment that can be enjoyed with friends or family. Our process for creating the ad consisted of brainstorming sessions, copy writing,  and rounds of revisions, production and editing, as well as the team effort of fine-tuning the ad second by second to get the final result we were looking for.

Please take a listen and let us know what you think. Better yet, head down to Sunset Bingo for a night of fun and let them know you heard the good word from Zoom Creates!

This radio ad is currently being aired on K103fm. Click below to listen:

Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.


A Different Lab Report

Tuesday, July 21st, 2009

luckyLabOur normal Lab Report author just rolled back into town today, so I’m stepping in to offer up a different sort of Lab Report. Today we will talk about the Lucky Lab.

What is the Lucky Lab, you ask? Just one of the finest restaurants/beer halls/neighbors an office of creative people could ask for. Located right next door to our office is the NW location, and it’s fantastic. All of us here at Zoom Creates enjoy the benefits of our friendly neighborhood Labrador, whether it be pizza, soup, sandwiches, or a pint of one of their delicious locally brewed beers (better make that two pints).

And because our dogs are still out of the office, I know that I’ll be spending some time very soon with my other favorite Labrador.