This month our article in Axis Magazine looked at the future of the web and a little bit about where it all started.

Download your copy of our July article from Axis Magazine (1MB) >

The web is constantly evolving. New technology and innovation does not come in generations, it comes as a continual drip over time. To keep ahead of the game, companies, organisations and individuals need to continually re-evaluate their web presence and update things accordingly. Just because you have a good web presence now, doesn't mean your web presence is sorted forever.

Key to success in the changing world and on the web is to watch how your customers interact with you and adapt as their needs change.

What are you talking about?

Here are some explanations of different terms and the sources which are referred to in the article:

Facebook: Statistics on the usage of Facebook >
Google Maps: Content is being added by everyday people >
YouTube: This broadcasting is even being used by the government >
Mozilla Foundation: See the quote in the article? Find out who they are >

‘RSS’: what it means and how it is used by the BBC >
Semantic Web: What is this? Watch a intro video to this concept >
Linked Data: Video of Tim Berners-Lee on his idea for ‘Linked Data’ >
Cloud Computing: Watch this very brief overview on the concept >

Predicting the future...

Here are a couple of articles which are well worth a read if you are interested in more information about the (possible) future of the web:

Sir Tim Berners-Lee: “the future web will rock the boat" >
Gordon Brown: "The internet is as vital as water" >
iPhone 3G S: A new mobile phone which is taking full of advantage of the web >

As part of our service to market research for some of our client’s products, Beaver Design provides packaging for various kinds of products.

This month Beaver Design provided over 4000 printed boxes to test three different products in four different countries and each project involved the design, layout and finished artwork for each product. The boxes were then printed and shipped ready for filling in Poland, Switzerland, Turkey and the UK.

The results of this market research will go on to help well known brands deliver better products for consumers around the world.

When Essex based South Eastern Electrical decided to create a facilities management division of the company, they contacted Beaver Design. The new venture ‘Tudor Facilities Management’ asked us to create a corporate brand image, with a new design and the print of their general stationery and a quality brochure.

After consultation with the directors we came up with the simple, clean look they required starting with the company logo (above). From this, we further designed letterheads, compliment slips and business cards. With some careful consideration, we also sourced all of the relevant images to create a company brochure which is clean, to the point and reflects Tudor’s ethos – quality.

In only a short time, Beaver Design has provided Tudor Facilities Management with everything, including delivery of all printed items, days before their deadline.

Beaver Design is now working on finalising the new website for Tudor, which will go online in a few days. Watch this space!

This month, we looked at how important it is to recognise and use your brand when creating a web presence.

Download your copy of our article from Axis Magazine (1MB) >

A website should be an extension of your brand, not a separate part of it. It should fit with your other company material and create a complete picture for your customers and prospects.

A logo and a slogan are usually a good way to encapsulate a company and what they stand for. From there you should think about the design of the brand; what are you trying to say? Your company isn’t just a purveyor of goods and services. You are different from the competition and you should make that distinction clear.

Where is the brand?

The brand is an intangible thing and exists in the minds of your customers. How it gets into their mind is through your marketing material and website. This means your brand can be seen in your business cards, brochures, letterhead paper, website, posters and so on. Your marketing material and website isn’t just trying to sell, it’s got to build the brand.

South Eastern Electrical saw the need to have a solid brand identity and called on us to design logos, brochures and a website for them. Take a look at our short case-study on South Eastern Electrical >

What can a brand do?

A strong brand adds value to what you sell. It’s doubtful that Nike trainers really cost £100 to make. Nike can charge that price in part because of the brand they have. People are willing to pay more for a brand.

Successful and established brands also have the flexibility to engage with their audience in different ways. Masterfoods renamed their Mars bars to “Believe” for a few months during the 2006 World Cup. They could do this because the Mars brand is so established, that even with a new name the product was easily recognised.

With a solid and well designed brand, you can give all your marketing a unified, complimentary and memorable identity.

View more of our articles for Axis Magazine >

If you work in the Hertfordshire area, then there's one event you don't want to miss. It's the Hertfordshire Business Independent, Business Expo. Here you'll be able to meet local businesses, see new products and innovations, as well as talk to people about your own needs.

Beaver Design will be there again this year giving visitors an opportunity to see our work and talk to us about what we can do for you.

It's being held at the Galleria, Hatfield on the 24th June 2009 and doors open at 10:00am. It's really not an event you want to miss, so come on down and we'll see you there!