Project Summary
Two months ago Model Technology solutions approached me to design a logo and landing page for their new software suite Objur. Objur is a suite designed for IT managers and network administrators to “hydrate” their Windows computers, servers, and other endpoints easily and without hassle. The suite allows administrators to keep their networks in compliance with Windows patching standards easily and efficiently.
Process
We began with several meetings discussing both the project and the product Objur. Whenever I start a project, I like to get to know the product very well before I start designing. I don’t like entering into any media project without a solid knowledge of the product I’m designing for.
To do this for Objur, I met with Steve, the marketing manager at Model, and Jesse, the product architect. I spent several meetings picking both of their brains and reading the copy they’d already produced to get myself familiar with suite, it’s process, elements, and benefits.
After getting to know the product, we laid out a process. The media design would have two stages:
- Logo design
- Landing page design
The copy for the landing page had already been written by another contractor. I decided to bring on board Katie Pendell, one of the designers I work with, to design the Objur logo. After the logo was nearly complete, I would design the landing page based on a synthesis of the other Model Technology pages, styles, and the new Objur logo.
Problem: Quick Turnaround
Model approached me with the project in mid-June. They wanted to go live July 1st. Their deadline wasn’t absolutely set, but two weeks is still a short time to turnover both a logo and a landing page.
Each design I complete includes initial design and two revision sessions. And in order to complete this process for both of those, we needed to start working quickly and it only gave us three our four days to design the initial logo comps.
Solution: A Tight Schedule and Adaptability
I wanted to respect Model’s desire for a quick turnover and release in early July if we could. So, Katie and I made a schedule and (mostly) stuck to it.
Ultimately we started the project on the 12th or 13th of June, delivered the four comps of the logo on the 19th of June, and send the landing page initial design on the 27th of June.
The final project completion date ended up being the middle of July, but that was mostly because Model had changes they wanted to be made before going live. Model ultimately adapted their schedule slightly to make sure we got it all right before release.
Problem: Foreign Website Builder
As a designer, one of the challenges in designing for different companies is that each of them uses their own particular WordPress builder to design their pages. Model’s site was built using the Fusion Builder, a builder that I’d never used before.
Solution: Experimentation and Learning
As a media specialist, you have to be very adaptable. The internet is built with a million types of hammers. There are quite literally millions of different products, builders, languages, software, freeware, platforms, hosting sites, etc, that different companies use to host their online presence.
And so in Media the creature that survives is not the strongest, it’s the most adaptable. The ability of a media specialist to quickly pick up skills and software is essential to him being able to provide value to his customers (unless he/she wants to be a one-product pony, which is a viable option).
Personally, I’ve learned most of the media skills that I know from experimentation: just jumping in there, dinking around, and figuring it out. The Fusion Builder was no different, and after a day or so of working with it, I was able to figure it out pretty easily and design a clean, professional landing page in-congruence with the brand style of Model and their new product Objur.
Project Conclusion
Model liked the logo and loved the landing page. The landing page is now live and available to take orders for Objur. Here’s the link to it:
And here’s the logo design:
Ultimately we were able to deliver high-quality media at a quick turnaround so that Model could begin to sell their software suite to their customers. Model continues to be one of our cornerstone clients and we continue to be committed to delivering professional, cost-effective media to them so that they can continue to provide the services that they do.