Carousel30 Blog: Website Design Washington DC

Carousel30 CCO Greg Kihlström publishes 3 articles on Web Design and Development

2009-06-08T21:53:00.003-04:00

Carousel30 CCO Greg Kihlström has published 3 articles in the last couple months relating to Web site Design and Development. You can read them here:

Choosing the Right Content Management System
4 Tips for Successful Flash Game Design and Development
Was Your Web Design and Development Project Successful?

You can read more on Greg Kihlström's blog, "Design in Context" here >

Your Work Inspires Us

2009-05-18T13:36:00.000-04:00

Carousel30's latest demo reel featuring some of our recent Interactive and Film Work. View more at http://www.carousel30.com

Social Media: The Game Changer

2009-05-04T11:48:00.003-04:00

Viral. SMO. SEO. Web 2.0. Social Networking. Stickiness. Online marketing strategies are aflutter with buzzwords these days. Of course, this is nothing new. Marketing strategist have always touted the latest buzzwords. Ten years ago we heard a lot of “ROIs” and “globalizations.”

For those of us who've been caught up in the buzzword whirlwind, let's get back to basics for a moment. Social media is simply consumer generated content on the Internet. It's usually highly accessible and provides a platform for people to share and connect with others.

It's easy to get caught up in all the hype, and to some extent we should be. This is a really exciting time in the marketing/communications field because the onset of social media is a game changer. Gone are the days of one-way, asymmetrical marketing, where companies spew advertising at people who have no choice but to be exposed to it. Today control is in the hands of the audience. That's right. If they don't like your commercial, they'll fast-forward their TiVo through it. If they don't like your Web site, they'll click off of in a heartbeat.

Daunting as this may seem, traditional research has always told us that having a dialogue with consumers is vastly more persuasive than one-way communication. This means that social media is what marketers have been dreaming of for years. We just had to wait patiently until it caught on with the masses because it had to be driven by them to be successful. The ultimate message is that social media is great from a marketing standpoint. Embrace the times and embrace consumers. Engage them by their terms and on their chosen platforms, and this will truly be your most effective era in marketing.

International Food and Beverage Alliance Web site Launches

2009-05-01T13:33:00.000-04:00

International Food & Beverage Alliance
The International Food & Beverage Alliance (IFBA) is a group of food and nonalcoholic beverage companies that have partnered to help consumers worldwide achieve balanced diets and healthy lifestyles. Members of the Alliance include General Mills, Kellogg Company, Kraft Foods, Mars, Nestlé, PepsiCo, Inc., Grupo Bimbo, Coca-Cola Company and Unilever. The site was created to promote IFBA's five commitment initiative in accordance with it's mission. Carousel30's design emphasizes the global and the green aspect of IFBA, and the site includes a flash-based homepage and content management system.

More on the IFBA Web Design and Development >

New Don't Move Firewood Web site launches

2009-04-11T13:30:00.000-04:00

The Nature Conservancy's Don't Move Firewood initiative launched a new site in April with the help of Carousel30. This educational site seeks to spread awareness about the harmful effects of moving firewood long distances, which can transport invasive insects and diseases, destroying trees and forests across the United States. The Carousel30 design was inspired by rustic, state park posters. In fact, the site is framed by an image of a wooden post. Features of the site include a flash-based homepage, streaming YouTube videos, a gas calculator, blog and a content management system.

Meet Andrew

2009-03-16T17:04:00.007-04:00

Most visited Web sites: Gmail, Wikipedia, IMDB

Favorite drink at the moment: a mixture of raspberry ice tea, pomegranate juice and energy drink

Current obsession: Legos
He's entering a large scale model of a space station under attack at the Brickfair in August.

Interesting fact: Andrew actively maintains 11 calendars to track all aspects of his life from work, his wife, to meals and fitness.

What do you get when you mix a brilliant front end developer with a man that likes hairless cats and must have a condiment on everything he eats? Andrew Jarvis. With over 12 years of experience in the industry, Andrew is our resident “Interactive Renaissance Man.” His official title is Front End Developer Extraordinaire, to be exact. Andrew's specialties include Web design and development, 3D modeling and animation, video editing, search engine optimization and illustration work.

If you have ever heard the song “Allentown” by Billy Joel, then you have heard of Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, which is where Andrew was raised. He went on to study philosophy and psychology at Mansfield University, but upon graduation wanted to pursue a career building Web sites.

Andrew started out in the field with no education and no experience, only talent. Today he's a self taught computer whiz with expertise in CSS, PHP, Flash, After Effects, 3D Studio Max, Z Brush, Photoshop, social media optimization and search engine optimization (SEO). In fact, Andrew is the Carousel30 SEO expert. He began learning SEO techniques at his first internship in the field in 2004, and has been studying the subject ever since. He has helped several clients get top rankings in Google, Yahoo and other prominent search engines. Andrew jokes, "It's fun--getting to the top of Google is like seeing yourself on TV!"

Andrew started his own Web site design and development company in 2007, which he aptly named Liquid Methods. However, he found himself drawn back into life at an interactive media firm because the benefits he finds in working with others. He wanted to work alongside a team of peers who compliment his skill set and would help him to grow and continue learning professionally. This is how Andrew came to Carousel30, and he says he learns something new from the team daily.

Since joining Carousel30 in mid 2008, Andrew has become an integral part of the office. His passion for SEO and SMO tactics make him a force to be reckoned with. In fact, Andrew started his own social networking site for indie comics fans and creators while the social media craze was still in its infancy.

Monday mornings are Andrew's favorite part of the job because he sees them as full of potential and possibilities. His mantra is by remaining positive and working diligently, he can perform his best work. Andrew's proudest accomplishment? Each job he completes is his best work yet because he performs each one a little better than the last.

Home Sweet Home

2009-03-16T17:03:00.004-04:00

Carousel30 moved to a new location in January. We're now located in Old Town at 105 S. Columbus Street, Alexandria, VA 22314.

Carousel30 Goes Tweet

2009-03-16T17:01:00.006-04:00

This month Carousel30 began being followed by over 557 people on Twitter! You can keep up with us as well at http://twitter.com/carousel30.

iPhone Application and Your Business

2009-03-16T16:57:00.004-04:00

iPhone applications have been all the buzz of late. Having one serves multiple purposes including increasing awareness and revenue for your business. Embracing this new median can make people uneasy if they are not familiar with it, but that's why we're here! Click below to read Greg, our Chief Creative Officer's blog on why your company shouldn't be without an iPhone
app and learn a few pointers as well.

iPhone Applications: Why Your Company Needs to Develop One,

Design in Context: A Web Design Blog by Greg Kihlstrom

Visionary Award from the 2008 Summit Emerging Media Awards and a Silver ADDY Award from The Advertising Club of Metropolitan Washington

2009-03-16T16:55:00.006-04:00

We are proud to announce that the Carousel30 designed and developed Web site for The Nature Conservancy's Don't Move Firewood initiative won two prestigious awards this month, a Visionary Award from the 2008 Summit Emerging Media Awards and a Silver ADDY Award from The Advertising Club of Metropolitan Washington.

The site launched last summer and has been a successful centerpiece of a wide-reaching online marketing campaign to educate people about the negative consequences to trees and forests from moving firewood, which can transport invasive insects and diseases.

1,133 Friends

2009-03-16T16:51:00.006-04:00

With Carousel30's client, Don't Move Firewood, it's all about getting its message in front of as many eyes as possible. To prevent the spread of invasive insects and diseases that are destroying forests and trees, Don't Move Firewood encourages just that—not moving firewood. Research shows that 90 percent of people exposed to the message immediately adopted it. With an exposure strategy in mind, we created a MySpace page for Don't Move Firewood complete with photos, videos, recent news and a blog that now has 1,133 friends! That's about 1,019 people that will never move firewood again. We also created a presence for Don't Move Firewood on Facebook, YouTube, Jumpcut, Google Video, Blip.tv and Metacafe.

Click here to check out the Don't Move Firewood's MySpace page.

Lincoln Memorial Fans

2009-03-16T16:25:00.007-04:00

Carousel30 is behind the drive for the Trust for the National Mall's social media optimization.

Currently, we are creating a social media following for the Trust in order to build awareness of its mission to preserve the National Mall. We created a Facebook Page for the Trust, along with a Page for each memorial, monument or section of the National Mall--yes, all 10 of them!

In just 24 hours, the Lincoln Memorial already had 20 fans! Check out the pages, post your personal photos with the memorials, join in on a discussion (such as “You Know What They Say: Location, Location, Location” on the Ulysses S. Grant Memorial page), and most importantly become a fan! And if you are wondering, the Jefferson Memorial's current status is “The Jefferson Memorial is sinking into the Tidal Basin, literally!”

Click here to check out the Lincoln Memorial Page.

Click here to view the Lincoln Memorial's Favorite Pages in order to see the other National Mall Pages.

Don't Move Firewood Web site wins Visionary Award from the Summit Emerging Media Awards

2008-12-08T20:27:00.001-05:00

We are proud to announce that the Don't Move Firewood Web site won a Visionary Award from the 2008 Summit Emerging Media Awards. The Don't Move Firewood Web site launched last summer and has been a successful centerpiece of a wide-reaching online marketing campaign to educate people about how moving firewood long distances transports invasive insects and diseases, destroying trees and forests across the United States.
View the other Visionary Award winners on the Summit Emerging Media Awards Web site.

AirFacts Web site launches

2008-11-23T17:09:00.000-05:00

The AirFacts Web site launched this week, featuring both an English and Spanish version. Carousel30 designed and developed the Web site using our Content Management System (CMS).

View the AirFacts Web site here >

Learn more about Carousel30's Web site Design and Development >

Carousel30 creates videos for MBO Partners

2008-11-12T17:04:00.000-05:00

Carousel30 created a series of videos for MBO Partners that are available on their Web site and on the MBO Partners YouTube Channel. An example of the videos is below.

Just Vote '08: Democracy Diaries Launch

2008-10-27T09:40:00.000-04:00

To help Advancement Project's Just Vote '08 Campaign, we created the "Democracy Diaries," a way for voters to upload a photo (or take it live with their web cam) and display a message of why they are voting this year.

The project was built using Adobe Flex technology, which allowed us to create a book-like interface and also allows users to take a photo in real-time using their computer's web cam.

Take a look for yourself >

We win at the 2008 W3 Awards

2008-10-20T09:43:00.000-04:00

Carousel30 won awards for 2 Web site Design projects at this year's W3 Awards for excellence in Web Design. The Trust for the National Mall Web site, and the Klewism Web sites both won awards. This is the 3rd straight year that Carousel30 has been honored at the W3 awards.

Greg Kihlström named as a judge in the 2008 W3 Awards

2008-09-07T20:51:00.000-04:00

Greg Kihlström, Carousel30's Creative Director, has been named as a judged in the 2008 W3 Awards competition. This is his second time judging the Interactive Design competition sponsored by the International Academy of the Visual Arts.

About the W3 Awards

The W³ Awards honors creative excellence on the web, and recognizes the creative and marketing professionals behind award winning sites, videos and marketing programs. Simply put, the W³ is the first major web competition to be accessible to the biggest agencies, the smallest firms, and everyone in between. Small firms are as likely to win as Fortune 500 companies and international agencies.

The W³ is sanctioned and judged by the International Academy of the Visual Arts, an invitation-only body consisting of top-tier professionals from a “Who’s Who” of acclaimed media, interactive, advertising, and marketing firms. IAVA members include executives from organizations such as Conde Nast, Coach, Disney, The Ellen Degeneres Show, Estee Lauder, Fry Hammond Barr, HBO, Monster.com, MTV, Polo Ralph Lauren, Sotheby's Institute of Art, Victoria Secret, Wired, Yahoo! and many others.

Don't Move Firewood Web site honored by Coolhomepages.com

2008-09-03T13:22:00.000-04:00

Today, the Don't Move Firewood Web site was honored by Coolhomepages in the following categories:

Animation

Educational

Flash

Fun

Illustration

UltraHip

It is viewable here on Coolhomepages, the oldest and largest "Best Web site Designs"gallery online.

Carousel30 creates video for the Trust for the National Mall

2008-08-31T11:24:00.000-04:00

We created a video for the Trust for the National Mall that is meant for viral distribution on YouTube, Facebook and other outlets. The video features a speech by chairman Chip Akridge, and it outlines the Trust's mission to help the National Park Service restore "America's front yard"

Boulevard Audio featured in August 08 Issue of Electronic House

2008-08-05T21:15:00.001-04:00

Boulevard Audio was featured in the July/August 2008 issue of Electronic House magazine. Carousel30 took the photographs that got the Alexandria, VA-based audio/video design and installation firm featured for their work on a 5-screen home office.

This is the second time Boulevard Audio has been featured in the publication, and the second time our photographs have been featured in the magazine as well.

MBO Partners Identity wins 2008 Design Firms Graphic Design Award

2008-07-29T15:29:00.000-04:00

The MBO Partners Identity, created by Carousel30, won a 2008 Design Firms Award for excellence in Graphic Design. The identity was the first phase of a full company re-branding project that started last fall.

In addition to the Logo / Identity Design, Carousel30 also completed a new Web site design, Stationary Design and is working on some other projects.

MBO Partners Web site wins 2008 Design Firms Award for Excellence in Web Design

2008-07-29T13:31:00.001-04:00

The MBO Partners Web site (www.mbopartners.com) just received a 2008 Design Firms Award for excellence in Web Design. The Web site features a CMS and several Flash components. Carousel30 designed and developed the Web site as part of a re-branding process for the company that started last fall.

Learn more about the MBO Partners Web site project >

View the MBO Partners Web site >

Don't Move Firewood Web site launches

2008-07-03T21:37:00.000-04:00

The Don't Move Firewood Web site launched today, featuring Web Design and Development by Carousel30. We created several illustrations that evoke the Forest Service posters of the 40's and 50's and updated them for the current age. These are randomly rotated throughout the site.

The Web site is based on Carousel30's own Content Management System and features moderated blogging, a calculator that tells you how much money you save if you don't bring your firewood with you, and also features several streaming videos created specifically for the project.

View the Web site here >

More about the site:

The ‘Don’t Move Firewood’ website was developed building on conversations under the auspices of the Continental Dialogue on Non-Native Forest Insects and Diseases. The Continental Dialogue is a group of organizations and individuals that cultivates and catalyzes collaborative action among diverse interests to abate the threat to North American forests from non-native insects and diseases. The website is owned by The Nature Conservancy as part of its efforts to support the actions of the Continental Dialogue.

For more information on the Dialogue please go to: http://www.continentalforestdialogue.org/

The Dialogue’s mission, vision, and agenda were developed by a group of leaders in diverse industries, universities, non-profit groups, and government agencies. The ‘Don’t Move Firewood’ website has developed through the work of a Dialogue subgroup focused on the objective: “Communicate and Market Key Ideas about Protecting Forests.”

2008 Capital Fringe Festival Web site launches

2008-06-29T12:57:00.001-04:00

The 2008 Capital Fringe Festival, Washington DC's premier performing arts festival, launched its Web site this week. Carousel30 worked with Capital Fringe to create a Web site based on a Content Management System that both adequately conveys the spirit of the organization and allows them to easily update the content on the site themselves.

The Content Management System helps Capital Fringe Festival manage the following:

Banner ad serving
An artist login section, where performers can log in to see specific information.
All content on the Web site

Launch the Capital Fringe Festival Web site >

About Capital Fringe

The mission of Capital Fringe, a 501(c)3 non-profit organization, is to connect exploratory artists with adventurous audiences by creating outlets and spaces for creative, cutting-edge, and contemporary performance in the District.

Fringe consists of a small and dedicated staff, a committed 9-member board, 30 venue owner/operators, more than 200 artists groups, hundreds of volunteers, and more than 20,000 audience members. It takes all of these to create the July explosion that is the Capital Fringe Festival. The uniqueness, variety, and accessibility of Fringe Festival performances challenge existing arts audiences and attracts non-traditional audiences to the performing arts. By connecting these audiences and artists in a dynamic and exciting way over a relatively short period of time each year, the Fringe encourages the economic growth and social well-being of the city and is a major contributor to the cultural life and character of District of Columbia. Capital Fringe was awarded the Mayors Arts Award for Innovation in the Arts in 2007. Also, the Momentum Award from the Downtown DC BID.