Popular Content - 2011 June

Google Rolling Out New Look, Little By Little

Google has, over the last number of days, been rolling out a new look for some of their more popular Web apps beginning with a modest change to their home page. Gmail and Google Calendar appear to be getting the same treatment (at least as a preview theme for now) which leads me to wonder if this was all due to the fanfare the Google+ interface has been receiving.

Taking Cues From Apple’s Success

Back in 2005 Google hired Andy Hertzfeld, a ‘former Macintosh wizard’ and one of the original designers of the Mac interface. Word has it that despite Larry Paige’s opposition to ‘lavish’ (or imho ‘good’) interface design, Andy was given free reign as the design lead for Google+. Maybe after seeing the favorable reception (at least by initial reviews) that Google+ has seen, Larry discovered that beauty AND speed can harmonize in the cloud.

More at: Google Blog, Gmail Blog, Google Calendar, Google+ Demo, Wired

June 30th, 2011|Tags: Any Hertzfeld, Gmail, Google Blog, Google Calendar, Google+, Interface design|

The Pope Enters the Twitterverse, Sinners and Saints To Follow

It’s true, the Pope has beat us to the punch (sadly, we have not yet tweeted a single character). Pope Benedict XVI shot off his first tweet today, and from the forbidden fruit companies’ iPad no less.

Full news stories available via news.google.com.

June 28th, 2011|Tags: iPad, Pope Benedict XVI, Twitter|

Viral Video: C’motion

Viral video produced for client C’motion, Inc. in partnership with Sam Soulek of Soulseven. Services provided by Popular Content include: shooting, editing, motion graphics.

June 24th, 2011|Tags: C'motion, DDR, Exergaming, Motion Graphics, Physical Education, Viral Video|

Start-a-Cmotion.com Web Refresh

Why ‘refresh’ instead of redesign? Existing site framework was good-to-go, C’motion needed us to overhaul their content, add some CMS-based news sections, integrate robust contact forms with automated location-based forwarding, and make updates to their home page with a simple flash animation to direct visitors to relevant content. Embedded Flash piece created in collaboration with Sam Soulek of SoulSeven.

Full site available at Start-a-Cmotion.com.

June 24th, 2011|Tags: C'motion, Exergaming, Phy Ed Rental Program. K-12, Start-a-Cmotion.com|

Photography: Professional Portraiture

A sampling of executive and professional portraits from our own in-house commercial photographer. Connect with us to discuss producing your next photoshoot.

June 24th, 2011|Tags: Corporate Headshots, Executive Portraiture, Professional Portraits|

Orbit Studios Web Redesign

Before you berate us for our tongue-in-cheek space references, please remember we’ve never claimed to be stellar copywriters. Thankfully that didn’t stop us from redesigning the Orbit Studios Web site with a mid-century modern twist (maybe some eastern block sprinkled in for fun). With new photo gallery sections of each studio, transient shooters and art directors alike won’t be seeing this Web-shuttle being retired anytime soon. Oh snap!

Studio photos by Bob McNamara. Full site available at OrbitMpls.com.

June 24th, 2011|Tags: Bob McNamara, Minneapolis, Orbit Studios, Photo Studio Rental|

Olympic Granola Web Store

Popular Content established Olympic Granola as a relevant player in the natural foods and energy bar market by starting from the ground up. From branding and identity work, to PR and media kits, to packaging design and POP devices, to a search engine optimized Web site and E-commerce store (the list could go on), Popular Content had a hand in nearly every advertising, marketing and PR function of this once unheard of granola bar maker.

Popular Content developed site has since been retired. Corporate name has since changed to ‘Olmypia’ due to naming conflicts with the US Olympic Committee.

June 24th, 2011|Tags: Energy Bar Marketing, Food Packaging Design, Olympia Granola, Olympic Granola|

Identity: Logo Design

15+ years of identity design and brand building (some dating from before Popular Content’s inception – the early days you might say). These are just a few of our favorites.