May 16, 2010

Hyperactivitypography from A to Z

Just came across this really awesome book from Studio3 called "Hyperactivitypography from A to Z." The book is currently sold out, but I am definitely going to order one once they are back in stock. Until then, you can flip through this awesome retro-child-inspired typography book here or check out their blog to see when copies shall be back in stock. Creative and well done!

Hyperactivitypography from A to Z,Hyperactivitypography from A to Z,Hyperactivitypography from A to Z,Hyperactivitypography from A to Z,Hyperactivitypography from A to Z,

found via Play Me Design

May 6, 2010

A Book Apart: “HTML5 for Web Designers”

I just pre-ordered this book. It should be good. I'll let you know after I get it in June!

If you're interested, read more/order it here:

http://books.alistapart.com/

or read Jason Santa Maria's post on it here:

http://jasonsantamaria.com/articles/announcing-a-book-apart/

April 6, 2010

New Website: Veranda on Highland

I just launched a new website at Scout Brand. Its for the restaurant Veranda on Highland. Check it out and the blog post I wrote about the site! -sara

March 29, 2010

Inspiration: Lustix

Over on the strange attractor, They posted up some images from Lustix. I really love them. -sara

lustix
lustix

March 14, 2010

Inspiration: MyORB

My ORB is a Design +Art studio in NYC. They did this amazing video for Hintmag in Paris after their fashion shoot. check it out.

http://www.myorangebox.com/htm2/mindtrip.html

stills from the animation:

February 11, 2010

The Daily Drop Cap

Sometimes I like to highlight inspiring people who have incredible work. I've been following typographer and illustrator Jessica Hische for a little while now. She has awesome work that I love to look at and was recently featured as the Letter Cult Person of the Year.  Check out her website is and her blog. Here is her description of the daily drop cap, a internet type project she has created. (the S to the left is one of these drop-caps!)

The Daily Drop Cap is an ongoing project by typographer and illustrator Jessica Hische. Each day (or at least each WORK day), a new hand-crafted decorative initial cap will be posted for your enjoyment and for the beautification of blog posts everywhere.

Daily Drop Cap is a project I started in September of 2009 in which I illustrate a decorative letter every day (or at least every work day). The project will continue for approximately twelve alphabets and are available for non-commercial use as drop caps on your personal blog.

http://dailydropcap.com/

February 1, 2010

Exploration of Brand Loyalty

There are not many brands I am loyal to. I can think of only a few. However, when it comes to the brands that I am - I strongly feel that way. It makes me wonder, what makes me loyal?

Modcloth.com is a good example. I found their website via a facebook add this summer. The collection of clothing is exactly my taste. But that is not the only reason I shop often with them. Their customer service is impeccable, they have a cheap flat-rate shipping, and free returns. All of those things makes the on-line shopping experience hassle-free. I have bought and returned items, even if it "just didn't fit right" and had no problems. I've spoken to them about products, their website makes it easy to post comments, and they actually get back to you timely. They have a "rating system" that customers can post up ratings and comments about products which are helpful such as "this shoe fits a bit large to size" or "this dress is not what it looks like in the pictures. the color is darker." Having an open-forum of customer reviews and comments makes the shopping experience more enjoyable and trusting.

One of the features of their website I love most is their wish-list feature. I can add products, and always come back to them. If a product in my wish-list is out of stock, it will tell me. It will also tell me if they have only a few left. That way, if I was waiting to get a friend a present, I can snag it early before they are all gone.

I think one of the most compelling reasons for brand loyalty to me is a constant strive for betterment. Modcloth is always upgrading their website - adding more features per request of their customer base. This will truly makes a great company better with much longevity.

An example of brand loyalty (that ended up not making it) was Red Mountain Market. They were the most amazing grocer in town. They had an online-inventory where you could order groceries and get it delivered for a flat rate of $5. However, their warehouse was right down the road, so I could do a pick up instead for free. I would order my groceries, and they would be there waiting for me after work to drop by on my way home. You could make recipie lists, and order ingredients at the click of a button. all their produce was local. the squash was from one of the owner's parents farm.

They also would order items I would want. I really love cheese, so I told them what cheese I like and they stocked it. I would get it every time. The same went for more vegetarian friendly products.

The sad thing here is that no one really knew how great they were. I tried to tell everyone to go there, but most people didnt want to veer off from their traditional method of going to a store. It saddens me that such an innovative and wonderful idea did not make it. They were only open for a year. But for that whole year, I had the best food-buying experience of my life. I only shopped there.. because I was committed to making them stay in business. however, apparently, I was one of their only few loyal customers and my loyalty was not enough.

Other brands I am loyal to:

 

 

Burt's Bees - high quality - all natural with no preservatives. I will always get their shampoo and skin care products.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Apple - technology I love and trust that also has aesthetic.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

WordPress - the very best blogging software available. Open-source and Free. They are always striving for excellence.

 

 

 

 

I could probably make a blog post about each one. What brands are you loyal to?
-sara cannon

January 20, 2010

Check this out: Interactive Data Visualizations for the Web

Using Web Standards to create Interactive Data Visualizations for the Web by Nicolas Garcia Belmonte:

thejit.org

The JavaScript InfoVis Toolkit provides tools for creating Interactive Data Visualizations for the Web.

View more documents from philogb.

I've been looking into things like this for a while for a certain project in mind. This is quite brilliant with it being standards-compliant and its simplicity of customization. Anyone else know of anything similar?

Enjoy and Learn.

-sara

January 9, 2010

What To Avoid in 2010 – Sara Cannon

This is from a part of my presentation "WordPress and Your Brand" at WordCamp Atlanta. Thought I would pull it out and share.

-sara

The Large Paperclip:

The Notebook:

The Office Desk:

The Notebook on the Desk:

The Ripped Notebook on the Desk with the Paperclip:

The Notebook with the Pencil:

The Pencil with the Notepad:

These things are designs of the past. Lets move on to 2010 and create unique designs that don't throw us in with a bunch of similar ones. It will be better for your brand and you!

Please comment with your own "what to avoid" and add to the list!

- sara

To See the Full Presentation go here: http://www.sara-cannon.com/2010/01/my-presentation-at-wordcamp-atlanta-wordpress-and-your-brand/

December 31, 2009

Inspiration: Vanessa Lam

I gave this info-graphic zine to a friend of mine for Christmas. I found it to be a lovely experiment with sound design and a progressive method of conveyance. Here is what she says about it and photos from her website:

Society for Scientific Inquiry of Paranormal Atmospheric and Cosmic Anomalies

An infographic zine about UFOs, inspired by scientific journals and looney ufologists alike. Full of hard data and statistics, glitches, and conspiracies. 8" x 10.5", 48 pages, printed on newsprint.

http://www.vanessalam.net/

Sara Cannon is a Web Design and Branding Specialist | Helping brands build seamless digital experiences.
She's also an Artist.


Do you have a project she can help you with? Contact Sara at sara@saracannon.com.

Skip to content