Tuesday, September 29, 2015

AppOven

AppOven's mission is simple: empathize, educate enact. We aim to develop software that improves the quality of life of users through devices already at their disposal. To this end, if our apps and programs are not accessible on a wide range of devices, priced forgivingly, and apply to as many people as possible, we are not doing our job. It must address relevant issues to our cultural conversation, such as women's rights, freedom of information, and LGBT equality. There are many angles to these issues, and no matter our own personal beliefs, we must services all parties involved, so long as bigotry is not involved. For our reach to be all of the above, we must be resourceful. The design should be effortless, simple and devoid of extraneous detail. From letter head to interface to coding, we our work should not only be utilize up to date practices in the field, but be innovating the next step. Lastly, the design should be malleable; the brand across many platforms and media and the efforts across many content areas. 






Getting to Know Your Brand: Żyrafa Learning Co.

Mission Statement

To provide unique, free, and accessible learning materials and experiences that enhance the lives of college-level students, allowing them to learn, retain, and apply concepts and vocabulary in an engaging and memorable way. Working towards free higher-level education for students and forgiveness of student loan debt of current and former students is paramount. Education, even at the college level, should have always been free.

Background + About
The Żyrafa Learning Co. is a non-profit company founded in 2015 by a graphic design Master’s student. After years of navigating the world of higher education, the founder felt there was an easier way to learn and retain the heavy concepts that come along with an art education, specifically with graphic design. Having to be creative while still communicating a specific message has it’s own set of rules and unique challenges to work through. 

The name itself, "Żyrafa" is Polish for "giraffe". This is representative of the elegance of a giraffe that begins as a knobby-kneed calf and turns into one of the tallest, self-assured, and unique animals on the planet. This is the change that Żyrafa Learning Co. it hopes to make in design and art education: to turn design education from its infancy into a highly-skilled, sophisticated experience that provides students with the opportunity to engage and learn in ways previously neglected, in which accessibility is paramount. It provides, when possible, learning materials that are free or at severely lowered discounts. This requires donations and public support, thus helping ease the heavy financial burden that is placed on today’s college students. It is just a part of Żyrafa's commitment to loan-free student living, just like the citizens of Poland and many other European countries are privy to.

Core Values
Accessible
Engaging
Unique
Educational
Trustworthy

Design Principles
Clean
Modern
Unique
Sophisticated




Homelessness Campaign

A campaign to educate the public to make a change in the crippling housing market by joining forces and revitalizing our neighborhoods. Utilizing the core values of legibility- providing a clear and attainable goal showcasing the benefits from this campaign, education- giving facts and real life imagery that can help prevent home loss, and relocate people without homes, community- by banding together we can prove that anything is possible and goals can be reached while donating to causes that can help make a change, and finally renewability- we don’t have to let homes sit and decay while people are living on the streets. We can rehabilitate these homes and provide housing opportunities to those in need.

SOWS - Competitor and Steakholder Analysis

Save Our Wild Salmon(SOWS) don't really have an competitors considering the nature of what they do. So I found some other organizations that work in the same area as SOWS along the same lines. Northwest Steelheaders
Columbia Riverkeeper
  Earth Justice

The major stakeholders for the re-branding of SOWS are people in Washington State, local Native Americans, communities and populations surrounding the Snake river, SOWS coalition, the wild salmon and the orcas that feed on them, the watershed, the river,  and the ocean.

Monday, September 28, 2015

Soap n' Stuff by Patti Ann - Ashley Lulo

Soap n’ Stuff is a small word of mouth company run by Patti A. McBride that has been selling body products and air fresheners that are completely chemical free since 1995. Everything is homemade with all natural products that are skin safe and without harsh chemicals. Soap n’ Stuff sells soaps, bath salts, calendula salve, soy candles, and reed diffusers. Patti started this business because she wanted to make products that didn’t have chemicals in them because she wanted to remove them from her own life and help others accomplish that as well. The mission is to create soaps, bath and beauty products, candles, reed diffusers and salves that are all natural, using organic botanical or pure essential oils for scents, making them chemical free, to help people to breakaway from harmful chemicals and to educate them about what chemicals in products are dangerous. The brand really focuses on being organic, open, simple, and educational, so the identity should exemplify this along with a softness like the products give the skin, organic shapes and earthy tones to further push the organicness of the products, along with an approachable vibe that helps give the idea that the products are for everyone.

Thursday, September 24, 2015

Getting to Know Your Brand

Introduce us to your brand and its culture. What is the mission and purpose of your brand? What do they do? What are the core values? Identify aspirations/goals for your brand.

For those that have framed your projects as rebrands, you will need to pay close attention to the history and values already intact, thinking about goals for how to move forward in a meaningful way. For those that have framed your projects as a new brand, you will need to pay close attention to articulating a clear vision and purpose, distinct from those that already exist. Both project-types present different challenges.

Post a clear, descriptive narrative of your brand mission and culture. Include core values. Begin to identify descriptions of your design principles that will begin to bridge the gap between research phases and identity development phases.

Post your brand culture mood board as image reference.

Tuesday, September 22, 2015

Ghost River Brewing: Competition and Stakeholder Analysis

Ghost River Brewing is a local for profit company that brews hand crafted beer using the Memphis Sands Aquifer. Established in 2008, Ghost River Brewing was the first microbrewery to open in the 901 area code, and for a long time the only one. Still a small company to this day Ghost River Brewing wants to expand more into their local market that has been taken over by the influx of new microbreweries.

Competitors:

High Cotton Brewing Company

Memphis Made Brewing Company

Wiseacre Brewing Co.




Stakeholders:

Employees: Being a small company the employees are very important to the owners, even though they are trying to be more automated, Ghost River does not want to fire any of its employees. They are the essence of the brand and many of them have been there since day one.

Consumer: Since Ghost River Brewing is a local company and wants to play this up as mutes possible its local consumer is very important to it. Their interests must always be kept mind when changing anything related to Ghost River Brewing.

Bars/Restaurants: Being the people who will sell beer the most and be able to explain the type and how the beer is made, bars/restaurants are very important to the Ghost River Brewing ecosystem. They promote their local beer more than a grocery store can and have a more hands on experience with the consumer than the employees have or a grocery store would have.

Company: The company itself is a stakeholder, being already established there are some core values that will never change for them, such as the Wolf River Conservancy.

Personal Safety Competitors and Stakeholders



Competitors

1. Artemis - Wearable alert system that coordinates with apps, press button 3 times quickly to send alert. When the alert is received and help is on the way, the necklace vibrates. Comes in necklace, bra clip, and pocket clip. Notifies friends, dispatches police, records, and sends gps location. Pendants and clips cost anywhere from $49-$349, subscriptions cost $1-19/month

2. React Mobile - Device and app system, Device is $80, app is free. Calls "buddies" and authorities after a 10 second delay.

3. Cuff - Jewelry based, only have to buy jewelry, but only lasts 6-12 months and has to be replaced after that. Only notifies friends list

4. bSafe - Only available in Sweden and Norway. Limits alerts to a few friends in unpaid version.

5. StaySafe - Only alerts friends, only available in UK

6. Watch Over Me - Costs $5 a month, follows you home and only alerts friends.


Stakeholders

- Emergency Response Infrastructure
- People 16-35 worried about their safety
- Crisis Center staffs

Anxiety Awareness - Competition and Stakeholder Analysis

Competition:

Anxiety and Depression Association of America

  • Non-profit organization
  • Gives information about the different forms of anxiety and depression
  • Offers ways for those with anxiety and depression to find help or help others
  • Donation options
  • Gives people the opportunity to tell their stories about anxiety or depression
  • Examples of apps to help with anxiety or depression
  • Lack of much offline presence
  • Non-profit organization
  • Fundraising, volunteering, and donating
  • Covers a wide range of mental illnesses including anxiety
  • Offers information, support, and treatment for these illnesses
  • Offers programs or classes for a variety of groups to help those with mental illnesses
  • Offers a HelpLine for people to call
  • Holds a NAMI Convention for presenters to come talk about experiences and such
  • Non-profit mental health advocacy association
  • Gives an overview on anxiety and depression as well as information about the various forms
  • Gives ways to treat and manage anxiety and depression
  • Offers an on-site treatment center
  • Offers an internship program
Stakeholders:

Individuals with anxiety disorders (Primary)
  • A way to obtain information about anxiety and it's various forms offline
  • A comfort system for these individuals to use in daily activities
  • A form of calm and stability without the use of therapists and drugs (not all can afford these things)
  • A helpline for individuals to call when becoming overwhelmed

Żyrafa: Stakeholder and Competitors

My brand, tentatively named Żyrafa Learning Co., is a company that provides materials to engage students in the learning process while maintaining affordability. It provides students with the necessary materials to learn and retain otherwise difficult or "boring" information and terminology.

The brand will compete in the market space by offering something that is non-existent (or at least, very hard to find). The brand offers interactive books and solutions where students can practice their skills within the pages of the book itself. The brand is dependent on this touchpoint and it's unique niche in the market.

Stakeholders
Primary
College-level Graphic Design Students

Secondary
 Professors
 Schools & Universities
 Design Professionals
 Student Parent

Competitors: Brand
Rockport Publishers One of the largest publishers of design and art books. This is the biggest competitor for my brand (tentatively named Blankbooks) because they have the same audience. The touchpoints for my brand could easily be created under the umbrella of Rockport.

Peachpit Publishing Publishes art, technology books, eBooks and videos. Competitor in the publishing market as well.

Tuts+ Tuts+ may not seem initially to be a competitor, but it is in the sense that it provides students with a quick way to Google what they want to do, find a tutorial, and do it. This leads a lot of students to believe they can achieve great design without learning the fundamentals or applying their knowledge to create something new.

Competitors: Major Touchpoint

The Design Student's Handbook A handbook that teaches students about graphic design
The Online Graphic Design Workbook An online solution to learning as a graphic designer.
The Design Student Handbook by Computer Arts
Student Workbook at the University of North Texas

Stakeholder and Competition analysis Victoria Sisnette





Soap n' Stuff - Ashley Lulo

Major Competitors:

Beauty.com






Major Stakeholders:
  1. Women
  2. Soap n' Stuff
  3. Patti McBride 
Brand in Current Market:
The advantages that Soap n' Stuff has over the current market are that it is all home made and from a small business that appeals to a number of people. Another advantage is that there is a large variety of scents that can be applied to most products.

Solution Benefits:

By giving my client a website and new look I believe that every stakeholder will benefit. The women will be given a large variety of natural body care products that they can enjoy. Soap n' Stuff and Patti McBride will benefit from the rise in sales caused by a new look and a more noticeable brand.

e.l.f. Market Space and Stakeholders

   

e.l.f. is need need of some design changes to help with their sales and reviews. Many of the complaints are not about the actual look of the packaging, but the materials used. Many reviewers have stated that the makeup they purchased online would arrive to them in pieces. Others have said that the makeup just falls out of the containers right after they open them. While redesigning the actual look and feel of these products, I wish to also improve the quality while staying within budget. The products have to maintain their $1-6 price range while improving the packaging and containers.


Competitors:
  • Maybelline- uses bright colors and fun fonts
  • L'Oreal-mature, clean design with toned down colors
  • Covergirl- designs vary
  • Revlon- sleek and feminine designs


Stakeholders:
  • consumers- want to have affordable but good quality makeup but aren't fully aware that e.l.f. exists or don't acknowledge it for its cheap design
  • manufacturers- packaging must work with the product and be made of a material that is easily created.
  • distributors- have to get the product safely to the stores
  • stores- need a way to attract customers to the e.l.f. section (end caps, display, etc.)
  • company- wants to say in budget so they don't lose current customers because of a price increase


  Currently, e.l.f. uses cheap plastic for their containers. This is fine considering the budget, but the actual design of the packaging could keep the product affordable and safe in transport. Thick cardboard/paper packaging is a safe and affordable alternative to using plastic and absorbs shock better. This helps to save the makeup inside if dropped. Makeup pallets that are built into their own packaging help reduce waste. If the exterior packaging is completely stripped from e.l.f.'s current design and the products are their own containers, there would be less waste. If the packaging is mostly made of thick board it will be sturdier and more aesthetically pleasing.

APS - Competition/Stakeholder Analysis

Competition: 

Genoa Healthcare Company
- Mission and values are similar
- Offer full pharmacy in larger clinics and mail delivery services
- Have “Consumer Care Coordinators”
- Website offers compelling quotes and photos on Home page, but isn’t necessarily easy to navigate or compelling/innovative overall
- Aren’t innovating technology or processes, pharmacy only.

Humana
- Can easily order prescriptions and track prescription delivery online
- Assumes patients are functioning at a level in which they can order and manage their prescriptions themselves
- Can contact with customer service issues, but don’t provide insurance or payment options
- You can call and get one-on-one care for more complex illnesses such as Cancer, AIDS, etc. – prior authorizations, financial assistance, alternative treatment options, etc.

Burnham
- Competition in Mississippi
- Locally owned and operated with old time drug store feel
- Personalized service
- Well known and trusted, can get medicine immediately
- Loyal, long-term, often multi-generational customer base
- One-stop shopping
- Can refill prescriptions and access your profile online w/text or email alerts when prescription is ready
- Does not deal with insurance companies and financial responsibilities

Fred's Pharmacy
- Several locations to access
- “Time My Meds” program - can pick all of your medications up on the same day each month
- Can also buy other household items and goods at Fred’s and receive immunizations there
- Will not receive personalized level of care
- No insurance help or payment plans, or home delivery options.

Stakeholders:

APS Pharmacy
- APS will have a better outlet for communication and through that, customer service will be enhanced
- The brand guidelines will improve clarity and continuity in promotional material and allow APS to stand out as a professional pharmacy services company
- New visual designs will also give the pharmacies and clinics a “face lift” and feel more welcoming and less like a clinic where ou pick up drugs

Patients
- APS’ transformation will help patients contact APS in an easy way
- Patients will be able to check medications and stay on top of them
- They will gain better service, but will maintain privacy

Clinics
- Communication will be easier between the clinics and the home pharmacy
- Clinics will gain a better aesthetic that is welcoming and fresh
- New materials (informational posters, rack cards, etc.) to reach out to patients with hospitals
- Hospitals will recieve new promotional material that is consistent with the brand standards and helps APS stand out
- The updated website will allow hospitals to access APS resources quickly 

Behavorial Health Centers
- The website will allow BHC’s to get a hold of a pharmicist more immediately
- The patients within BHC’s will be able to get personalized care
- The promotional material given to BHC will have to stand out and appeal to nurses, patients, and patient’s families

Thursday, September 17, 2015

Researching Market Space and Stakeholders

Developing your research is a key component to conceptualizing and implementing a successful graphic design project in the design field and mapping is an essential technique for disseminating research findings to find viable opportunities for problem-solving.

Now that you have identified your brand in need of an identity design, begin to dig into the research investigation more intensely. Begin by identifying and defining 3-5 major competitors of your brand and 3-5 major stakeholders most influenced by your brand redesign. Look at as many characteristics of each competitor and stakeholder as possible to compare and contrast strategies, demographics, methods, tools and tactics.

Post your initial research findings to the blog and create two analysis maps: 1. Examining how your brand will compete with existing market space and 2. Examining how your solution may benefit all stakeholders, and particularly, your primary user identified in POV.

Wednesday, September 16, 2015

POV Rewrite: Soap n' Stuff

Women interested in natural body care products need a way to know what they are buying is actually natural and without harmful chemicals because they want to look and feel young for a long time and products with harsh chemicals do not allow them to accomplish this, such as, many store bought products, that are supposedly all natural, body care products.

Tuesday, September 15, 2015

POV: Abandoned homes

The public needs to be made aware of the existence of abandoned homes that go unnoticed and untouched for years.  The downfall of the economy has caused people to drop everything they own and move.  In an artistic sense, the issue of home is addressed and the importance of what home is to you.  With doing this the hopes are to educate the public of what exactly is important to them and how/if home falls into that category.

POV- EyesLipsFace: e.l.f. Cosmetics



e.l.f Cosmetics is a fairly new makeup brand, having first appeared in 2004, that can be bought for $1-6 per product on average. Reviewers rave about the quality of this brand even though it is a "drug store"* brand. What makes this product affordable is the lack of elaborate packaging. However, this brand could use something to spice it up and get it up there with the big name brands without raising the cost. Simple design changes and a boost of color could turn this brand into something even greater.


*Drug-store brand- makeup from stores like walmart, target, walgreens, cvs and stores like that basically "drugstore" makeup is where other products are sold besides makeup and its cheaper makeup than your higher end makeup not necessarily cheap quality but cheap in price :]

Drugstore Makeup brands: Loreal, Maybelline, Revlon, Covergirl, Hard Candy etc.

Non-drugstore makeup brands(Prestige) : Mac, Urban Decay, Nars, Chanel, etc.
(source: https://answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20110416020106AATd6vz)

POV: Soap N' Stuff

Women of all ages  

need a way to find and purchase natural body care and air freshener products that are not harmful for their body 

because most products found in stores, even the supposedly organic and all natural ones usually still have chemicals in them that are harmful to their bodies.

POV: Tech Non-Profit

The _younger generations who's phones are an added extremity_need a way to _put that available mobile technology to a less frivolous use_ because _there are plenty of apps focused on safety, education, and better health but do not reach their full and intended audience because there is not an existing organization which brands and markets these assets as a toolkit_.

POV: Anxiety Awareness

Anxiety disorders lack a certain amount of awareness with the general public. Many people go throughout their lives, struggling with these disorders and having to deal with the unbearable amounts of pressure applied not only by themselves but by those who are ignorant to any information about anxiety. The fact is that there isn't much information provided for the general public to have the knowledge to treat those living with anxiety disorders with the respect, tone, and patience that is needed. As well as little to no form of comfort aid for those with anxiety besides drugs or therapy.

POV: Ghost River Brewing

Ghost River Brewing needs a way to update their branding and marketing strategy and reach the millennial generation. They need this because, with new competitors coming into the market, it is vital for Ghost River Brewing to stay on top of their clientele and their needs and wants. While Ghost River Brewing was the only Brewery in Memphis for a long time, the new micro breweries that have opened are threatening a long loved and solid Memphis company.

POV: APS Pharmacy

APS Pharmacy needs a way to individualize themselves in the Tennessee market. Moving from Mississippi, they are facing challenges such as; name change (since there is already an APS in Tennessee), a fresh look (appeal to a new client base), and having a substantial online presence (because of their immense growth over multiple state lines). They are beginning to grow out of their own skin and need a parent company that follows their core values and stays up to date with their growing client base. They need a system that reaches out to their clients, clinics and colleagues in an easy, recognizable way as they make the transition from pharmacy/drug product company to a pharmacy services and outcomes based company.

POV: Realtasy Cube

The audiences, who are mostly escapist in 21st century, need a way to wake up and get back to the realities, because there is no institute or organization that set up systems or making products to help those addicts preventing fantasy from continuing to ruin their lives.

Monday, September 14, 2015

P.O.V. - The Save Our Wild Salmon Organization

The Save Our Wild Salmon non-profit organization needs a way to reach a broad audience of Americans because they have been trying to get the government to eliminate the 4 environmentally hazardous dams on the Snake River for over 15 years.

POV: Kcon USA

CJ Networks needs to connect with festival and conference goers and promote business. Because attendees can't narrow down stage and booth locations at ether festival location.  Which would allow for listings of who will be at said station of the conference.  This would also allow businesses to better integrate with the music festival providing merchandise and services.  While creating an estimated attendance count for staff and security.

Kcon USA is both a Korean Music festival and business conference that has be held in LA since 2012.

Thursday, September 10, 2015

POV: Żyrafa Learning Co.


A college-level graphic design student 

needs a way to learn complicated design ideas or “boring” terminology quickly, easily, and in a fun and memorable way 

because graphic design and technology is a world of terminology, systems, and structures that a designer or design student must learn to recognize and utilize. A company that provides materials to engage students in the learning process while maintaining affordability would be hot in the market and provide students with the necessary materials to learn and retain otherwise difficult or "boring" information and terminology.


(Touchpoint: A workbook that is cost-effective and professor- and student-friendly would provide a fun, creative and stimulating environment for the student to learn and practice. The key to learning is repetition and engaging the student visually, verbally and physically. Having a book that not only explains the subjects but asks students to actively participate in them will create a much more solid learning environment. After a student completes a workbook, it can also serve as a reference for each year of the design student’s education and beyond.)