Xtrend Website Goes Live!
March 20, 2009
The Xtrend Garage Conversion just went live at www.xtrend.co.uk.
We have been working with M.A.C.E Construction for a while and they have been doing garage conversions for many moons. They decided in the current economic climate it would be good to set up a separate sub-company to solely deal with the garage conversion side of the business and to push it as a separate entity so they once again enlisted our services to create this vibrant, dynamic website.
As with any site (and I would like to use an analogy, what is the point in having a great shop with a great window display and sticking it down a dark alley where nobody will find it?), Search Engine Optimisation is a powerful tool. Xtrend are also using us for the Search Engine work on a monthly basis to get the site visible. We have only just started on this project (obviously, since the site only just went live) but we’ll keep you posted on the progress.
For the live site visit: www.xtrend.co.uk
For more work for the same client: click here
Wedding Site Goes Live!
March 4, 2009
The website we created for Helen Carter Weddings in Essex went live earlier today.
Its funny how things work out. We were originally hired by Helen Carter Weddings to simply do some business card layouts, this then progressed to us re-designing their logo and taking the reins on their whole brand.
Our business relationship led to us then creating their website, from the original design concepts we knew this site was going to be special – it is the perfect marriage (no pun intended… ahh ok it was kinda intended…) between our design skills (the way the site looks and feels) and the way the site works (the way things slide/animate/interact). What resulted is a site which is elegant, eye-catching and professional, and we’re happy to say the client is over the moon with it 
To visit the live site: www.helencarterweddings.co.uk
To see other work for this client: Portfolio » Helen Carter Weddings
Should I Have A Blog On My Site?
January 26, 2009
This is a question we get asked all the time, and has been quite a hot topic of the past couple of years so lets address the reasons why you would, or maybe would not have a blog on your site…
Reasons to consider a blog…
Time To Stop Developing For IE6?
January 20, 2009
Internet Explorer 6 (or IE6) was released over 7 years ago, and with the advent of Internet Explorer 8 I think it is finally time to stop developing for IE6.
What difference does it make?
The problem with IE6 (from a developer’s point of view) is the hurdles that need to be jumped over and workarounds that need to be created to make a simple website, one that looks almost identical on all other browsers, look right in IE6. It is a thorn in all the side of all developers and one (I’m pretty sure I’m talking for whole web development community) that needs to be removed.
Broadstaff Site Goes Live
The final piece of the initial phase of the corporate image has just slotted into place, the website has gone live.
The logo was designed (one of our favourites by the way), the stationery sent to print and now the website is up and running. Our work is now moving to some of the auxiliary printed media such as A-Frames for site work and some promotional material.
One of the challenges for us with this website was due to the fact we created such a subtle and understated logo. This meant we had to take care that the imagery we used on the site did not steal the thunder of the brand itself. As it turned out, it would seem that although subtle, the logo has quite a powerful presence at the size we decided to use it and visually it can actually hold its own against some quite vibrant website graphics – a pleasant surprise!
The site is fully CMS driven, which gives the client complete control over the content on the site. It is also sporting a custom Google Map and some nice JQuery effects for the gallery and dropdown menus.
To view the live site, please visit: www.broadstaff.co.uk
To see other work for this client: Portfolio » Broadstaff Construction
Design Quarterly 31
January 15, 2009
We have just received our copy of Design Quarterly issue 31 which is sporting our full page advert for Light Culture on page 40.
For those who don’t know (and there’s no reason why you would if you’re in the UK) DQ Magazine is a quarterly magazine aimed at designers, architects and other creative types in Australia & New Zealand.
Take a look at the official DQ website for more info on the publication: www.designquarterly.com.au
This is our third DQ advert for Light Culture and they have commissioned us to design their marketing and promotional material for the foreseeable future, so watch this space for future publications!
Brushed Metal Effect in Photoshop
January 4, 2009
Here is the texture we will be creating, it’s quite a cool effect but even if you don’t require the specific end result the techniques that get you there are definitely worth having in the toolbox 
SSS Welcomes Will Vousden
December 5, 2008
We have a new addition to the team! Mr. Will Vousden is now our resident development-guru specialising in PHP, jQuery, and a host of other languages ripe for utilisation on our websites…
He hails originally from Bristol but is now a Birmingham lad. He has a passion for photography and spending all his wages on camera lenses, and also knows a thing or two about theoretical physics (not kidding!). He has slotted perfectly into the SSS workflow and is brilliant at bringing our more lavish design ideas to life with his excellent development skills.
He is most welcome to the team.
SSS Incorporates EPMedia
November 19, 2008
SSS Corporate Image Services recently completed a buy-out deal with EPMedia. All of EPMedia’s clients have been transferred into the capable hands of our designers and developers and we have taken over all responsibilities.
EPMedia was a small web development company based in Lincoln and ran by David Burgess. David has since moved on to use his skill set elsewhere and as such closed EPMedia’s doors. We wish him the best of luck in his new endeavours.