Gabriel Design

Apologies

2012-01-26T14:36:00.001Z

Apologies for any disruption caused by today's transfer between telecomms suppliers and installation of a new network hub. We are working to make this as swift and issue free as possible. We are still working on client's projects while the transfer takes place, however there may be a delay in completion or communications while this goes through. Normal service is hoped to resume later today.

Thank you for your co-operation.

New Mobile Website

2012-01-25T15:50:00.003Z

Gabriel Design are pleased to announce the launch of their new mobile website. Designed in a simple format which is accessible and legible on most mobile devices the new look mobile site contains much of the content from the main Gabriel Design website in a more streamlined environment.

If you have a QR code reader enabled on your device you will be able to load the new mobile website using the code above. Alternatively it can be located at the following link: http://www.gabrieldesign.co.uk/mobile/

In these days of mobile telecommunications it is important to maintain a presence on the 'mobile web' and if you would like to discuss your options with Gabriel Design please feel free to get in touch.

Wishing you all a prosperous 2012

2012-01-04T17:29:00.004Z

Wishing all clients, old, new and future a prosperous and happy 2012. Looking forward to working with you over the next 12 months and meeting your design, internet and marketing challenges.

Christmas & New Year Opening

2011-12-20T12:24:00.000Z

We will be closing the office at 3.30pm on Friday 23rd December 2011 and then re-opening for business at 8.30am on Tuesday 3rd January 2012. Please note that the answerphone and e-mail accounts will be monitored over this period should an urgent enquiry arise and we will be contactable in an emergency. Apologies for any inconvenience caused.

All Very Social

2011-12-14T12:25:00.004Z

Being a small business means that, at Gabriel Design, we have always be more approachable and easier to contact than larger, more cumbersome agencies. It is our aim to provide regular updates to our suppliers and clients, old and new, through as many and varied means as possible.

With this in mind we have added to our range of online 'outlets'. Alongside our websites for Gabriel Design and Website365, our two blogs (here and here), our irregular e-newsletters and our Twitter Feed, we now have our own Facebook page!

Uploaded this past week our new Facebook page will act as an outlet for our latest news and projects, while our Twitter Feed will continue to give up to the minute insights into the day to day running of Gabriel Design, and our blogs and e-newsletters will give more depth to the exciting things that are happening.

If you are a Facebook user please visit our new page and if you remember to 'Like' us you'll receive all the latest updates.

We have also created our own unique landing page for our new Facebook page. This allows us to customise the standard Facebook appearance and add our own branding and look to the page. This facility is very useful to businesses aiming to make the most of the Facebook experience and is now one offered by Gabriel Design. We can create your Facebook landing tab affordably and professionally giving you the best chance of gaining new customers through this powerful medium. If you would like to know more contact us here.

Guiding Website Success

2011-12-02T12:46:00.003Z

We are pleased to announce the launch of the redeveloped and exciting new website for the South West Region of Girl Guiding UK. The new look site is a departure from the previous design and encompasses more social media than ever before, including Twitter, Flickr, YouTube and, of course, Facebook.

Working closely with Pete White of A Motley Crew Ltd. we developed a clean new look, which can be updated, managed and maintained in house. The new design is easier to navigate than the previous site and includes a number of useful downloads plus a link through to the new Girl Guiding South West online store.

You can view the site here.

The new online store, with e-commerce facilities provided by EKM Powershop and WorldPay, offers the full range of guiding necessities and fun items and is designed to match the main site allowing for seamless movement between the two.

Officially launched at a Girl Guiding conference over the last weekend in November the new website has already received a lot of praise from Guide Units, Counties and beyond.

At Gabriel Design we are proud to have been able to provide a range of services for this project, including the redevelopment of the site itself, the graphic look and feel, activating the online store, building in the social aspects, providing support and training for the in house team and more.

Mo-Ender

2011-12-01T11:46:00.003Z

With the first of December comes the end of Movember and end of furry top lips everywhere. I am pleased to have supported this worthwhile charity, answering questions where I could (once the initial 'why are you growing a moustache' was passed) and raising nearly £90 for men's cancer charities. Many thanks to all who donated and supported me through this.

This is how I looked last night, right at the end of Movember. Well its hard work growing a Mo!

All In The Timing

2011-11-21T15:19:00.002Z

Among the services I offer at Gabriel Design is working alongside other graphic designers to provide website creation services. One regular collaborator is Pink Matter who often supply designs and files to be converted into working websites. One such website was created for SC Miller, a chartered accountants and launched earlier this year.
Since launching their new site SC Miller have grown and expanding, recently taking on a new partner. Such was the timing required for the redevelopment of the website content that a special request was put forward to launch the additions at 9.00am on Monday 21st November 2011, a additional service Gabriel Design were happy to provide.

This is not the first time I have been asked to launch web content at specific times, however in the past this was mainly for overseas clients.

Should designers code?

2011-11-04T15:32:00.003Z

The other day I came across this fascinating blog from C-21 (http://www.c-21.co.uk/blog/2011/10/should-designers-code/), which raises an interesting issue. Should designers code? Well I am, by nature and by trade, a designer first and foremost and yet I also create and manage websites. Because I am a designer first and website developer second I cannot claim to be a coder or a programmer. I simply don’t have that background.

This does, however, mean that my gut answer to this question is yes. It isn’t as straightforward as all that though. Both design and coding require detailed knowledge, skill, application and a certain amount of training. To be an expert in both would be difficult if nigh on impossible. Of course a designer doesn’t need to know all the ins and outs of all forms of coding when they prepare the look and feel of a website. In some respects this knowledge could restrict the design and hamper the designer. However, some knowledge, particularly of HTML and CSS is important, along with an understanding of what functionality and applications are available. Without this when the site comes to be coded problems arise, time runs on and costs increase.

As a designer who also codes I have had many successful collaborations with other graphic designers who, aware of their strengths and weaknesses, or simply choosing not to, avoid the development of websites. Usually I am provided with a full design created in Photoshop and supplied with all relevant layers, plus text and font formation. It is then my task to turn the design into a working website. This successful way of working has seen many well designed websites take to the web.

All this of course begs the additional question, should coders and programmers understand design? I address this question in the blog for our sister business, Website365 here.

Movember's Charity

2011-11-01T09:47:00.001Z

Since launching Gabriel Design I have always tried to keep one eye on the wider community and try to run the most community minded business that I can. With this is mind I have decided to support the 2011 Movember campaign. Every November this campaign raises awareness of men’s health issues and raises much needed funds, especially for Testicular and Prostate Cancer support and research.

The concept is simple, shave clean on the first of the month and then simply grow, nurture, groom, trim and possibly wax a moustache throughout the rest of November. The new look is designed to spread awareness of the health issues while each supporter, or Mo Bro, has their own fundraising page where their new moustache can be sponsored.

My fundraising Movember webpage is: mobro.co/stubblemonkey

I shall keep the world updated on the progress of my new moustache on my personal blog, which can be found at www.creativestubblemonkey.com, with regular photos and information on funds raised.

If you would like to support me in my Movember endeavours please feel free to pass on the information or donate at: mobro.co/stubblemonkey

Wigan Expo 2011

2011-10-20T14:10:00.005+01:00

Last Friday, the 14th October, saw the second Wigan Expo at Leigh Sports Village. A vibrant and busy local business expo it was an ideal place to check out the local business scene (and one or two of my competitors).

It has been a while since I attended anything such as this but in my experience Wigan Expo 2011 is a particularly good example of how an event like this can work. Set over two floors in the corporate area of the Sports Village the exhibitors were broken down into three distinct areas. Those displaying their wares just beyond the main entrance, a larger hall upstairs, and individual corporate boxes. Of the three areas the only criticism could be aimed at the corporate boxes. If people were stood in or around the doors it was not always inviting for guests to enter and have a look around. However, having said that, once in and discussing business with the exhibitors it is good to be away from other passing guests which may clog the aisles in the main halls.

So down to 'business', was the Expo good for Gabriel Design or Website 365? The short answer appears to be yes. Only time will tell if the business contacts made will thrive and grow, and there is no reason to suggest that they wont, but generally the feeling is positive.

I was able to introduce myself to larger, local businesses in my field and discuss with them the possibility of their 'subbing' out work to a small outfit like mine. I also spoke to a competitor regard the possibility of offering alternative services to them so that they could offer a wide range of options to their clients. As a graphic designer with long experience in preparing websites I can offer something different to others in my field and thus can be of use directly to them.

I also had a useful conversation with a local accountant, signed up for CostCo in order make use of their great savings and had a long discussion with the Greater Manchester Chamber of Commerce which I am now giving serious consideration to joining. I also had useful conversations with local photographers, printers and other companies who could make good future suppliers.

Hopefully, however, the most productive meeting of the day has already lead to an interesting follow up this week. A local and growing internet marketing business has approached me to discuss becoming a supplier of website design and other internet services to support their own efforts. I am looking forward to hopefully taking this further and building links between our two companies.

I had considered exhibiting at this years Wigan Expo and based on my experiences of Friday I shall be budgeting to exhibit at Wigan Expo 2012. Hope to see you there.

Brochure Opportunity

2011-10-14T10:00:00.006+01:00

I have recently had an opportunity to pitch for, what would have been, an exciting new project for Gabriel Design. A UK based travel agent, specialising in holidays to Portugal and the Portuguese Islands, asked me to prepare some designs and prices as competition to their incumbent print supplier. I readily agreed as it is always nice to have a 'meaty' project to get my teeth stuck into.

The brief was to prepare a front cover design, and two internal page layouts, for the brochure. The target market of which is the over 35s looking for a relaxing holiday within Portugal and its environs. Having visited the Algarve less than a year before I was filled with inspiration.

My first concept as to make use of the bright imagery offered by the Bougainvillea which seems to frame every view in Portugal. I decided to create a simple design, reflecting in part the artisan mosaics of the region, to frame each page and draw the eye in. This image would be larger and have more impact on the front cover. Use of large images wherever possible would then entice the customer and give them a sense of the country.

Having investigated artisan crafts for my first design I was inspired to create an alternative design using the Azulejo Tiles. Again this is a common image throughout Portugal and will bring back positive memories to those who have visited. I created some designs for these eye catching blue and white tiles using the photo images I was using elsewhere in the design with the plan that should the design be accepted I would have more time to choose the most suitable images for the project. Again this motif was used throughout the design.

Unfortunately the prospective client chose to keep their print and design with the current incumbent. This was mainly to do with the fact that they are closer to the travel agency and this would cut down on traveling time throughout the project. Also, it was felt in the current economic climate that they would prefer to keep the design as per previous years rather than risk changing direction.

However I have decided to display my two design options here on my blog as I am pleased with them and I think its a shame they would not otherwise see the light of day. Out of respect to the prospective client I have pixelated out their logo in these images. I hope that they are of interest to you.

NEW INTERNET SERVICES

2011-09-23T16:45:00.001+01:00

I am happy to announce an updated range of internet services, offering increased value for money and savings for the majority of existing clients. Having spent the summer reviewing the previous facilities on offer it became clear that there was a requirement for complete ‘all in packages’ to replace the former ‘shopping list’ style.

The new list of internet services offers a simple range of hosting packages, each of which include more facilities, for one set fee. The main area where existing clients have made their savings is in this area. For example the highly useful MatrixStats facility is now included in most of the hosting packages. While the standard, no frills, hosting package with no add-ons has been reduced by 25%.

This re-evaluation of the products on offer and fee structure follows on from the launch of the Website365 product which also offers an all inclusive price. I believe that in providing services with a simple all inclusive price wherever possible allows for customers to accurately budget in the current climate while also offering real value for money.

Also, if more variety of choice is required, the new internet services and products can be customised to add extra facilities if needed. This allows me to meet all their clients’ needs in a cost effective manner.

If you have any queries or questions regarding the new list of internet services please feel free to get in touch.

Redevelopment Work

2011-09-15T17:30:00.003+01:00

There must be something in the air. I find myself in the middle of a large amount of website re-development work at the moment. After the successful re-development of the Wigan Tuft & Topsoil website I have recently launched another re-worked website for 'Paul Higgs Mobile Mechanic'. Paul already had a website, which he had created himself in the Google Sites facility, and wanted it to look and work a little better. With money tight the design and text had to be prepared economically and be able to fit into the restrictions of the Google Sites online templates. The new look site has been well received and was an interesting and different challenge.

In addition to these two sites there is ongoing work to create a new look for an existing client's homepage on his flagship website, a major website redevelopment for another existing client which is currently at the testing stage, another client has accepted a quote to redevelop their current website and a new, prospective customer has been in touch as they have fallen out with their current designer. There has also been an enquiry from an existing client regarding the possible updating of their online form!

Away from the field of websites I have also been working on creating a new logo for an existing client which will be used to brand a new business in their portfolio. This has meant redeveloping existing ideas and rolling them out in keeping with the current corporate ID.

Its also comforting to know that there is a totally new project on the horizon which is not a re-development at all. Its good to have variety!

Dig Deep For Success

2011-08-25T17:25:00.002+01:00

As a direct result of our recent press coverage we were contacted by local business Wigan Turf & Top Soil regarding the redevelopment of their website. Like a lot of small businesses they had taken their first steps into an internet presence by building their own website in house. However as time passed and the business grew they decided that the time for the'home spun' look was past and they needed an affordable, professionally designed replacement. Obviously in the present climate cost was a factor and keeping a sense of continuity with the old site that was to be replaced.

We worked on a straight forward replacement site, improving the design and putting together some easy to follow navigation and after approval uploaded it to the client's existing server space in order to keep costs down.

The new look website was launched last week and within hours we received an e-mail from Wigan Turf & Top Soil which said: "Thank you so much... really pleased and just taken my first order from the new look.

I'll certainly recommend you to my friends."

We are happy that the redeveloped website is working well and getting new business for our new clients.

In The News.

2011-08-09T17:47:00.003+01:00

I am very proud and pleased that our new and exciting Website365 product has received some very good local press this week.

Last night a local paper, the Wigan Post published a large article on our new product designed to help smaller, more traditional businesses.

The article is also on their news website and can be viewed here.

If you have any queries regarding Website365 please get in touch here.

The Landscaping of a new Website.

2011-08-08T17:28:00.005+01:00

It may well have been nearly two weeks ago but I am pleased to announce the relaunch of the Sherborne Landscaping website. The new look website has been redeveloped to match the visual look of the main company Sherborne Windows website relaunched earlier this year. The brief was straight forward, simply to recreate the previous website to look and feel the same as the windows one.

It was a fun project to work on and both the client and I are very happy with the end result. You can view it here. Thankfully work has been nice and full since this exciting launch and I'm sorry that its taken a while to post about it here.

BBC On The Money

2011-08-01T08:34:00.003+01:00

This past Sunday, 31st July 2011, I was lucky enough to be able to contribute a question to the 'Business Doctor' on the BBC 5 Live programme, 'On The Money'. During the week before I noticed on my Twitter feed that BBC Business has re-tweeted a tweet from the show asking if anyone required any marketing tip and hints. I replied, generally asking how a small business can market itself on a shoestring, and was surprised when a couple of days later I received a tweet back and a call from the show!

It was arranged that I was to appear live on the show and ask my question to marketing 'guru' Scott Knox. So duly tuned in and tied to my radio last night I waited for the call. There was a slight change of tack in my question as, in introducing Scott earlier in the show Declan Curry asked a general question on marketing on a budget but I think ultimately this was a bonus. The BBC called in plenty of time and I was able to listen to the show as I was on the phone, before going live on air!

You can hear my questions, and Scott's answers roughly ten minutes from the end of the show here (please note that after a week the BBC iPlayer will remove this show). For those who can't receive iPlayer I explain that as a relatively recently relocated soul trader its difficult to market a business, especially after you have had to pay regular suppliers and put food on the table. Then, if something should go wrong with the marketing you have planned, there may well be no funds left to market your business for a while. What can be done in this situation?

Scott's three main answers were the use of social media, especially LinkedIn; to try and make use of local press and local awards; and to offer free services for charities and non-profits. When I pushed him on this last point, 'if you are working to earn money how do you find time to do work for free, no matter how good the cause?' he pointed out that for any charity work there should be something in it for the business. If not payment what other benefit can be gained from completing a charitable task, which will help market the business?

Based on these answers it appears that I have much more to learn about LinkedIn and I shall be researching that soon, that I should try and find more news type stories for the local press and consider how I can achieve a 'quid pro quo' with a non-profit organisation. Plenty to consider, don't you think?

Inspiration v Plagiarism

2011-07-15T16:46:00.003+01:00

One of the more interesting and surprising things I have gained since setting up the Gabriel Design Twitter Feed is the ability to follow inspiration tweeters. These helpful folk trawl the internet and post, usually on blogs, examples and links to the latest in design. Usually listing designs all in the same theme; corporate logos or small retail websites for example. They then tweet a link and we followers can choose to have a peek at what the rest of the design world is doing.

However, one of the things I have noticed when occasionally following these inspiring links is that the design world is sometimes unoriginal and prone to plagiarism. Obviously there are only so many new ways to design a website, or a brochure, or a logo, or what have you; also with the prevalence of template driven CMS sites layouts are going to start to look similar. However it sometimes looks as if a company has taken the design, colour scheme, concept of a another and either lifted directly from it, or taken it to a design agency and persuaded them to do the same.

Now there is nothing wrong is asking a client to provide some samples and examples of what they like for inspiration. In my time I have been asked to design a logo in the colour of a cigarette packet or to use certain type faces and fonts to match CDs covers of favourite bands. Such use of inspiration involves the client in the design process and helps give the designer (in this case me) an even better idea of what they require.

This doesn't excuse, however, two rival websites for two rival companies apparently using the same fonts, the same colour palette, similar navigation and logos which could have been drawn up to the same design brief.

Sadly, in addition to this, it appears that a few (and again like the designers I mention above only a few) students in design college who, either when short of time, or bereft of ideas, find a little too much inspiration in a favourite film, band or tv show. Yes, The Simpsons are massively popular, but creating a self caricature with yellow skin is not cutting edge or original, sorry.

Having said all this it is worth noting that it is the minority who seem to use the wonder that is the internet to plagiarise and by far the majority who use it to gain inspiration.

One of the core ethics I have set up with Gabriel Design is that each new job and each new client are completely individual. Everyone gets a unique, bespoke service. I will meet with a client, old or new, and discuss their requirements, their likes and dislikes, their ideas, in some detail. Then, and only then, put together a design proposal that is unique and tailored to fit their needs only. It is not the 'Gabriel Design way' to offer 'off the peg' solutions or to show a selection of possible designs before even discussing what is required.

If you think that we can meet your design, print and internet requirements, please feel free to contact us.

New photography news

2011-07-08T17:14:00.004+01:00

We are looking forward to possibly appearing in our local paper, The Wigan Observer, either next week or the week after. They will be running a story about our new and exciting product, Website365, and tying it in with our recent wedding too. We were asked for a new photograph to accompany the story and I present it here as a sneaky peak.

Uploading Issues

2011-06-22T12:13:00.004+01:00

UPDATE: 14.20, the issue has now been fixed and a number of client's website updates have now been uploaded already today.

Note to all clients regarding website updates. We are currently experiencing FTP/upload issues on most websites hosted by Gabriel Design. The technical support team are working to urgently fix this problem. Work will continue on the updates to websites but will only be uploaded once the error is rectified. Watch this space for updates.

Many apologies

Gabriel Design

Fast and Furious - Meeting Deadlines.

2011-06-10T17:50:00.004+01:00

Monday morning (6th June) bought and exciting and exhilarating challenge for the early part of this week. With time already set aside for the launch of the Sherborne Windows website we were also challenged to find the time to create some urgently required artwork. Our clients, International Travel Guide, have a 'spin off' business, Equity Abroad, who are exhibiting at the India Homes Fair over the weekend of 11th and 12th June and they needed artwork for A5 leaflets fast!

There was also a requirement to enlarge the A5 leaflets to 3m wide to be used as graphic panels, and also to the amending of existing artwork also to be used for graphic panels. This, of course, meant working fast and to very tight deadlines. Neither of which is scary or unusual and the deadlines were made, even allowing for unfortunate last minute changes required by third parties!

Not only was all the correct artwork design and prepared on time but we also found time to source alternative and highly competitive printing prices should the incumbent printers be unable to make the turnaround.

It was a good and exciting challenge and we wish Equity Abroad all the best for their exhibition over the weekend.

A Window on a to Website Update

2011-06-09T12:43:00.004+01:00

This week saw the much anticipated re-launch of the Sherborne Windows website. The project was put together in collaboration with Pete White of A Motley Crew Co. Ltd and Aidan Phippard of Pink Matter. The three of us each added our own talents and skills to the redesign of an already website to create a visually appealing, functional, detailed website which will work as a useful selling aid for the Sherborne range of windows, doors, conservatories, orangeries and related products.

There are other websites in the Sherborne portfolio and I am looking forward to getting my teeth into them later this year. In the meantime you can visit the new look website here: www.sherbornewindows.co.uk

NEW PRODUCT LAUNCH: Website365 – Unique, bespoke websites from just £1 per day!

2011-06-02T18:25:00.002+01:00

We are proud to announce our latest innovation, Website365 – the perfect, cost effective website solution for small businesses.

The internet has become increasingly important in all our lives and it is now almost second nature for prospective customers to refer to the web before sourcing a growing range of products and services.

Landscape gardeners, builders, mechanics, plumbers, driving instructors and many more businesses may not find their natural home on the ‘net, yet maybe surprised to find that their customers look for them there.

It is increasingly common for members of the public to ‘check out’ a business on the internet if only to confirm the contact details or to look through background information. Yet many of these businesses believe a website to be an expensive luxury, however this need not be the case.

At Website365 we can design, create and build a unique, bespoke website for as little as just £1 per day. The basic package provides everything a small business needs to start making an impression on the web; a website address, e-mail accounts and four pages of information and images designed to meet the client’s needs and not to fit an existing, boring template.

Businesses which may require more information online or something a little larger would benefit from the Website365 standard or growth packages, while the more computer literate may be interested in the customer management system packages which are also available.

If you would like to learn more about Website365 and the packages we offer you can either email info@website365.co.uk, visit the website www.website365.co.uk or phone 01942 894451

Back and happily married.

2011-05-23T18:22:00.002+01:00

Having just completed my first day back after having been away getting married to my lovely new wife I wanted to thank all Gabriel Design clients for their past support, their additional support in the office closure for my wedding and honeymoon and also for the kind words of congratulations both before and throughout today.

We have already hinted at new products from Gabriel Design and shall be revealing more on this in the near future.

Wedding Closure

2011-05-09T20:38:00.004+01:00

As all my clients, and many of suppliers know, I am currently away from my desk getting happily married in Scotland and therefore the office is now closed until 8.30am on Monday 23rd May 2011.

I would like to take this opportunity to thank all my clients for their support in this break from work and look forward to working with them again on my return. Also, many thanks to all those clients and suppliers who have sent their best wishes and congratulations.

I'd also like to give a sneaky piece of advance notice that we are planning on launching a new product and gaining a whole new feather in our caps on our return, as well as re-launching our existing internet products in a more cost effective way. Watch this space for more news!

Happy Easter from Gabriel Design

2011-04-21T14:25:00.003+01:00

A very Happy Easter to you all.

Certificate of Website Launch!

2011-03-11T15:46:00.004Z

Its always exciting when another small business branches out into something new. A long term client of mine, Master Tech Autos, has had a brilliant idea and launched a new, online project. We may well have all considered what happens if we lose or destroy our MOT certificate? Well, now a replacement can be ordered online from Lost MOT Certificate, the new business from MTA.

The new website design has been an interesting and exciting project, involving logo design, website design, hosting, e-mail provision, secure online forms and more. This new site is currently making its way up the search engine rankings despite only being launched, as one of the big three launches, on Monday!

Moving Design.

2011-03-11T14:52:00.005Z

Long term clients, JMC Removals & Storage have mainly used Gabriel Design services for graphic design work. In fact I designed their current logo and corporate identity a few years ago now. It was therefore a pleasure to receive the brief to redevelop their website. They required a fresher and brighter website to replace the one they had been using for several years and I went right back to the original thoughts and designs for their corporate identity to create an attractive new website concept for them.

www.jmcremovals.com

Using new text supplied by a third party copywriter the design works well, informing the visitor on all the services provided by JMC Removals & Storage, and gives a professional and attractive image to the business. The new website was the second of three launched on a very busy Monday...

Chartered Collaboration

2011-03-11T13:39:00.004Z

Over the years I have been pleased to work with Aidan, a West Country based graphic designer, and his company Pink Matter. We have collaborated on a number of projects, the bulk of which have seen Gabriel Design converting Aidan's excellent designs into working, impactive websites. The most notable of these include Musicians South West, Chesterblade Hills and SC Miller Ltd. The latter of these, a chartered accountants based in Hampshire, approached us late last year to give their website a new design and a new direction. Working together Aidan and I created and prepared an eye-catching solution to their problem and after liaising with the IOCA we launched the site on Monday.

www.scmiller.co.uk

This was the first of three key website launches on the same day, the conclusion of many weeks exciting, interesting and hard work...

Assisting with a GCSE

2011-03-01T17:29:00.004Z

In a surprising twist today I received an enquiry form off of the Gabriel Design website from a GCSE student based in Herefordshire. He politely requested using an image of mine for his coursework. Obviously I have some examples on my websites where the copyright has passed onto the client and I therefore had to double check that the image was mine to release. Intellectual property is an important issue for me and my clients and I was impressed that a student would take the time to seek me out and ask.

Having asked what image he had in mind, and for what purpos

e, I got reply later in the day explaining that he wanted to use my alternative London 2012 Olympics logo for a piece of coursework on healthy eating and fitness for his ICT work. This was of course not a problem and I was happy to say yes, especially on the day when Iran make new claims about the unappealing official logo. I'm sorry to say that the official logo has still to 'grow on me' but even I don't think its part of any Zionist conspiracy!

Variety is the Spice of Life

2011-02-18T15:56:00.002Z

It is not my policy to reveal client's projects to the world until they have received full approval, although having said that we are living in exciting times here at Gabriel Design. A lot of this excitement comes not only from having exciting projects to work on but also from the diversity of client's currently providing work.

It was exciting last week to put together an urgent press advert for one of my tourism clients, while also completing the latest run of e-newsletter designs for another client in the tourism field, with a third tourism client providing interesting regular work as well.

However well away from the tourism field I have also been putting together a new website project for an existing client which will allow them to diversify from their core business; I have been designing a replacement website for a client from the past; working on a collaborative website project with another graphic designer; and putting together a CMS website project for yet another client. None of these are in the tourism field and, in no particular order, cover the areas of window & conservatory installation, removals & deliveries, accountancy, and auto-mechanics.

In addition to this I have also been able to get some work done for the AAIR Charity (an asthma and allergy research charity) and Girl Guiding South West; all in all give a varied and exciting work life. In fact, it is a beauty of working in the field of graphic and website design which allows for such variety in the working life and long may it continue.

NOTICE.

2011-02-03T12:38:00.004Z

To all e-mail customers. Please note that e-mail is currently experiencing problems and is being 'fixed' at present. Gabriel Design will keep monitoring the system and advise of an ETA on the repair ASAP. Sorry for any inconvenience.

UPDATE

The main problem is now fixed, this is being followed by intermittent problems as the backlog of mails are distributed. Well on the way to a full fix. Again, many apologies.

FINAL UPDATE

The e-mail fix is now filtering through and the e-mails are catching up. All back to normal. Please note that no e-mails will be lost through this outage, they will just be backed up and all get through in the end. Sorry, once more, for any inconvenience.

Double Edged Sword.

2011-01-17T17:37:00.004Z

I am lucky enough to have been in the wonderful field of graphic design since before 'the coming of computers!'. I remember with fondness the first Apple Macs (note the added Macs?) as they arrived with black and white monitors, low quality printers and Aldus PageMaker. Yes, that's right, way back then not only was it not yet InDesign but it wasn't even made my Adobe!

Everything was revolutionised, and I reiterate that I am lucky to have worked both before and after this advent as it gives me a perspective of the previous way of designing things, of paper, pens, letraset and more. Especially I remember the pain that was known as 'casting off'. Back then we would give a rough character count of any text to be used on a brochure or other project, trace out a layout on tracing paper, roughly guestimate how many characters per line by cross referencing in a type book so that we could work out the type size and font. Then it was sent to typesetters to work their dark arts before returning.

Aldus PageMaker changed all that with Lorum Ipsum. It was a god send for the whole studio. We could now design what everproject we liked and fit the text in as we went, even if it wasn't written yet! Design visuals, still prepared by hand from the rough black and white (and eventually colour) could now accurately show text in the correct size and font. It was, and still is, a very useful tool to this effect.

In fact, nowadays, we can use it for more than showing text in prospective print items, it can be used for trial e-mailshots, e-newsletters and websites. Test webpages can be created with the magic that is Lorum Ipsum to give the client an idea of how much text is required and how the final project will look. This can be provided either as a PDF or on a test server well away from the viewing public thus avoiding any chance of looking unprofessional or incomplete.

That is of course the big danger here. It amazes me when I visit websites that have Under Construction notices on them in the first place. In most cases these pages are not temporary and will remain on the site perhaps while the design company and their client iron out some difference or ther, or perhaps until the client realises that the page is not even required at all. However at least an Under Construction notice could give the impression of progress to a website visitor, a page (or two, or in some cases whole sections) filled with Lorum Ipsum must seem bewildering and pointless. I'm sure that this loses websites some visitors and maybe even business.

At Gabriel Design we strive to ensure that any website, or any other internet project, doesn't go live with any form of Under Construction notice, and especially not any Lorum Ipsum. No matter how useful it has been in the original design work.

New Year's Vision

2011-01-12T17:28:00.003Z

A slightly belated wish for a happy and prosperous 2011 to you all. Despite the doom and gloom peddled by some politicians, certain areas of a media and some business leaders I believe that 2011 has a lot of potential and could be far, far better than they would have us believe.

Of course, as a sole trader, my views wont hold that much sway but I am optimistic for the future and am looking forward to the forthcoming year. I shall be restructuring my collection of internet services; offering more varied options to existing and new customers, making the services more economical and cost effective, and saving all clients money.

I shall also be expanding the new field of advertising and offering advert booking services to all clients old and new branching out from the mainly tourism field from where I launched this branch of my business.

Most importantly, however, I shall be launching a new product which will be an advantage to small businesses and with which I hope to increase my customer base. I shall reveal more on this exciting new product as I near launch date and look forward to sharing it with you.

There are even further plans for 2011 which for now I shall keep under my hat!

Christmas/New Year Hours

2010-12-22T12:29:00.004Z

Please note that Gabriel Design will be closing for the Christmas/New Year period at 1.00pm on Friday 24th December (Christmas Eve) and will re-open for business at 8.30am on Tuesday 4th January. During the this period e-mails and answerphone messages will remain monitored and in an emergency clients can make contact via the mobile number.

A very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to you all.

Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year

2010-12-22T12:22:00.002Z

I would like to wish all clients and suppliers a very Merry Christmas and a Happy and Prosperous 2011. It has been an eventful and exciting 2010 and I am looking forward to seeing Gabriel Design grow throughout the coming year. I would like to take this opportunity to thank you all for your support and look forward to dealing with you all well into the future.

Winking at Girls in the Dark

2010-10-29T17:15:00.000+01:00

My previous employer, for whom I worked prior to launching Gabriel Design 12 years ago, was experienced in the fields of marketing, PR and advertising. I have kept my hand in all three areas over the past dozen years while focussing on my core skills in graphic design, print and website designing. Particularly I have worked a lot in the advertising sphere; dealing with the local press, preparing adverts for Gujarati publications and working alongside regional directories for example. However most of my work has been in the design of websites and marketing material, as well as corporate ID. Therefore it is with great pleasure that I have recently taken on the advertising business from another agency and now am able to offer a more rounded advertising service.

When I first started Gabriel Design I was asked to speak a little about graphic design and advertising at a training seminar I was attending. As part of my research, in order to add gravitas to my youthful knowledge of the field I found an amusing quote from the New York Herald Tribune (1956): Doing business without advertising is like winking at a girl in the dark. You know what you are doing, but nobody else does. With the new strings to the Gabriel Design bow I'm hoping that more winking shall be seen!

I am currently planning the advertisng campaign for a toursim business across the national press for the forthcoming year and look to add more advertising clients as my contacts in the media grow. With my core skills in graphic design I am able to provide design and artwork of adverts, advise on campaign schedules, and the booking of space across all media and publications.

If you feel that you could benefit from this, or any other Gabriel Design services please get in touch.

Wake

2010-09-15T18:03:00.002+01:00

I think it was the fantasy (and fantastic) author Neil Gaiman who wrote that Wake is a wonderful word. It has three over lapping meanings. A wake is what we hold when someone has died, it is what we do after sleeping and it marks the passing of a ship.

What has this to do with graphic or web design though? Well, directly, not a lot, but indirectly I believe a great deal.

It has been two years since the big banking crash and the credit crunch. In my experience SMEs (small and medium enterprises) didn't suffer as badly then as the big businesses, the multi-nationals, the banks. Small business kept its nose down and clean, simply getting on with it.

However, when big business trashes about, like the passing of a huge ship, the wake effects the smaller vessels. It doesn't hit right away, it surges, sometimes slowly towards them and then tosses them around through no fault of their own. Big business, especially the banks, were hit hard two years ago, and now as they try and stabilise and save themselves they thrash around catching the rest of us up in their wake.

This all has had an adverse affect on small businesses at the end of the chain. The banks wont lend bigger businesses money, who in turn can't invest, and thus can't sub-contract to not such large businesses, and they in turn can't subcontract or buy from small businesses. The same small businesses who were doing fine and getting along fine before.

Big business often has a lot of excess fat that can be trimmed. By shaving and saving they can stay afloat. Especially as by their size their cashflow often allows for more manoeuvring with payment. Small businesses do not have this advantage, less to shave and save, and less cash flow manoeuvrability. This has meant that some small businesses have been unable to survive and many mourn their passing.

For example I ran a small local marketing campaign earlier this year, targeting only small businesses, and of the qualified leads I put together 20% had gone under! As they were small, family businesses their passing leaves less of a ripple than the collapse of a big business.

However, as the wake fades to ripples; or indeed a loss becomes a memory, we may find that small business wakes up and looks forward. At this point there will be new marketing strategies, new product ideas, new directions. All of which may well require new design, new graphics, new websites and more.

All the effects described above have been felt here at Gabriel Design and I am looking forward to the future, working with clients old and new and hoping to work on new graphic and web design projects. If you feel your business is waking up perhaps we can 'do breakfast'?

DESIGNS ON TRAVEL

2010-08-13T16:56:00.006+01:00

I am proud to have a long and fruitful working relationship with the travel and tourism industry. Before launching Gabriel Design my previous employer worked with, among others, Weymouth Tourism and Winchester Tourism, including many projects I worked on myself. Since establishing Gabriel Design I have continued the theme and include in my portfolio such successful clients as Air Travel Corporation, New Forest Cottages, Arabian Tour Co and Wessex Heritage Tours.

Following these successes, I am pleased to add two new clients to this portfolio; BM Travel Centre and International Travel Guide.

The BM Travel Centre, based in Luton, offer a full travel agency and Visa service and approached me to create a new, simple website for them. The new site was to be based on a design supplied by a third party and be simple for the client to update themselves using in-house software. The project has successfully been completed and uploaded to the web.

The International Travel Guide, based in central London, provide a high class, high end travel service for luxury resort and deluxe hotels. They already had a website developer lined up but preferred to use a bespoke graphic design agency to create a visual look and some graphic design elements to enhance the site. I was delighted to create a flash animation to go along with my visual design for the home page and internal templates. The site is currently being populated with new content.

First t-shirt delivery

2010-07-29T15:54:00.005+01:00

This morning the postman bought the package with the first t-shirts from my own online store which I opened last week and can be visited here. Am very impressed with the quality and the speed of turnaround from Spreadshirt. Quickly had a product shoot so I can share here on the Gabriel Design blog images of the new shirts.

If you think your business could benefit from some uniquely designed shirts, or other marketing gifts just get in touch to learn more. Contact us here.

DESIGNER T-SHIRTS

2010-07-22T17:09:00.005+01:00

Once a graphic artist, always a graphic artist it seems. Not only do I run my own graphic design business, where I spend all day working on the design for websites, brochures, mailshots and more, I spend a lot of my free time in creative pursuits as well.

As well as writing fiction, drawing cartoons and illustrations and self-publishing three webcomics every week (see here) I have now opened an online t-shirt store. I have created and prepared all the designs in the new store here and will be expanding the range in both numbers of designs and products offered. There are a number of different designs on offer in a number of colour combinations and are at present based on Nerd/Geek humour and Lancashire/Manchester identity.

If your business could benefit from corporate wear, or perhaps team building t-shirts I will be able to use the store’s private design function to create and produce bespoke t-shirts (or other casual wear) just for you.

stubblemonkey.spreadshirt.co.uk

WALLPAPER* DELIVERY

2010-07-13T13:23:00.005+01:00

Since the last post on this Blog Gabriel Design has been a hive of activity, although sadly with little headline grabbing news. There is much in the pipeline to reveal at a later date, but unlike BP this pipeline doesn't leak! However the last Gabriel Design post was regarding the fantastic experiment from Wallpaper* Magazine which allowed you design your own cover for the August 'Handmade' issue. You can read more about the design process I took in putting my design together here.
Last week saw the release of the August issue and the letterboxes of designers and the design aware were hit will hundreds of different designs, inlcuing mine here at Gabriel Design HQ.

There was, on first inspection, a subtle difference to my original design as my name and address now appeared on the front cover (to aid the delivery). However in keeping with the 'handmade' theme Wallpaper* had already considered this and supplied each recipient with a handy sticker to place over the address and create the final finished design.

Once affixed the design was complete and I was satisfied with the look and feel of the magazine, especially in that it was in keeping with the new look design of Gabriel Design itself. Sadly I didn't make the inside back page list of Wallpaper's* favoutite designs, but I for one am very pleased.

WALLAPER* MAGAZINE COVER

2010-06-04T12:38:00.004+01:00

For its August issue the design magazine, Wallpaper*, is offering a unique opportunity for its readers to design their very own, bespoke cover. If ordered before 08 June 2010 you can use their online design facility to design the cover for your own issue which will be delivered to your door, and be unlike all the other issues published.

Bespoke design is core at Gabriel Design and thus this was too good an opportunity to miss out on. The online cover design facility provided a limited selection of graphic shapes, abstract photography, text, colours, patterns and textures, and allowed full positioning, rotational and scale control to the user.

I set myself the brief of designing a cover which would sit comfortably alongside the other items in the Gabriel Design brand, trying to mirror the feel of the new logo, stationery, website design, twitter image and this blog. Obviously in order to have a certain amount of control during the experiment Wallpaper* have limited the number of images and icons that can be used and ensured that all text, images and design elements match their own house style. With this in mind my own Gabriel Designed cover was completed and submitted to Wallpaper* last night and I now eagerly await the August issue in due course.

For those unaware of Wallpaper* the publication is described as follows: Truly international and hugely influential, Wallpaper* is the world’s most important design and style magazine. Our subscribers are the first to see the latest and greatest in modern design from around the globe.

GABRIEL TWEETS

2010-05-21T17:39:00.000+01:00

As a progression from their new Blog, Gabriel Design have expanded their WWW 2.0 presence by launching their own Twitter Feed. The plan is to give clients, suppliers and other interested parties an insight into the workings of Gabriel Design. This will also allow clients immediate contact regarding work in progress, if required, and give an idea of how their particular project is progressing.

The all new Gabriel Design Twitter Page can be viewed here: http://twitter.com/GabrielDesignUK

MOTORING ON

2010-05-21T17:34:00.002+01:00

Regluar website and print client, Master Tech Autos of Eastleigh, have recently expanded their business to cover the provision of MOTs. As they have seen their business expand it was agreed that their “Gabriel Designed” website should grow too.

This week saw we launched of the newly enlarged site, with new MOT section, MOT booking form and special website offer.

OUT & ABOUT

2010-05-05T13:30:00.002+01:00

With the advancement of modern technology a growing number of people are 'taking it all with them'. New mobile handsets are more than just a 'phone. They can include music players, cameras and website access.
Although many websites can be viewed on a mobile handset the smaller, narrower screen can make them hard to navigate with large amounts of scrolling required. Large business are countering this with mobile only content as part of their internet presence. However with thought and planning smaller enterprises can also achieve a mobile presence much more economically.To this end, Gabriel Design have adapted their own website for mobile use. The site has been simplified and reduced in size giving a taster of the business rather than the full information given on the main website. To remain economical the page size has been reduced to the width of the narrowest popular internet ready mobile phone and most images have been removed. This does mean that it is quick to download while on the move, easy to navigate and gives a quick impression of Gabriel Design services via this new exciting medium.
If you would like to view the Gabriel Design mobile site log into your mobile browser and visit the URL: www.gabrieldesign.co.uk/mobile

Touch of Class

2010-04-26T12:35:00.004+01:00

When I started Gabriel Design, was back last century, my main focus was on design for print. However shortly after launching the company; I would be delivering a brochure or a leaflet and a client would ask "could this be used as a website?" After saying "yes I expect so" two or three times I realised that I could offer a better service to my customers if I said "yes" and provided the website too.

Thus it is always gratifying to work on a project where there is both a print and online element. Such as the updating and redeveloping of the brochure, leaflets and website for Class Developments.

The latest project included artwork for a new leaflet to promote 'Pod' living areas, newly updated artwork for the main eight page colour brochure and a small overhaul on the company website.

Direct to clients.

2010-04-09T16:19:00.003+01:00

As you may be aware Gabriel Design have recently joined the ranks of businesses using e-newsletters or e-marketing. Recent trends both in the market place, and within the Gabriel Design client base, have proven the use of such marketing to be of great benefit. The relatively low cost of such online mailshots and their quick turnaround (as opposed to the production of printed mailers for example) are of particular interest at this time. Obviously the benefits of this form of marketing have meant that in boxes regularly fill with well meaning offers and deals from whole ranges of businesses, which means in planning an e-marketing campaign one simple rule must be kept in mind. It is important to keep the mailshot database up to date and not allow unwanted and unnecessary addresses to be used. At Gabriel Design we only send our e-newsletter to businesses we have done business with, and should anyone request being removed from the database we act on this immediately. Hopefully this means that when we send out ours, or our client's, e-newsletters, they are of worth to the recipient and are read with interest. If you are interested in exploring the benefits of e-marketing further please feel free to get in touch and discuss your needs.

Happy Easter

2010-04-01T16:48:00.003+01:00

A happy, relaxed and chocolate filled Easter from Gabriel Design to you all.

NEW LOOK WEB SITE

2010-03-26T15:31:00.003Z

We have just relaunched our company website. Along with the bold new logo design, the updated site is a strong departure from our previous web presence.
The site still maintains our easy to navigate ethos, with all information available within two clicks or less, but is also designed to fit seemlessly into the wider internet world (with this blog for example).The new design also allows for larger examples of our work in the portfolio section without making the site too slow, too confusing or too graphics heavy. We hope to regularly add to, and refresh, this particular section with both up to the minute projects and designs from the archives.
If you have any views on the new design please feel free to get in touch or comment below.

NEW CORPORATE ID

2010-03-26T11:05:00.006Z

After 12 years of using the same logo, and five years of the same website design, we are redeveloping our corporate image. To tie in with our exciting move to Greater Manchester the Gabriel Design ‘look’ has been given a complete overhaul. The new, dynamic and exciting logo can be seen below, on our new website and branding this, our new blog. We look forward to your views and feedback on both and look forward to expanding the new design across all Gabriel Design marketing materials.

If you feel that your business could benefit from a new logo, or a complete corporate image redevelopment, maybe a bit like ours, please get in touch and we will discuss your requirements with you in detail and hopefully put together right ‘look’ for you.

RELOCATION

2010-03-25T16:38:00.000Z

We are delighted to confirm our move to a new permanent address in the north west of England, and are looking forward to the exciting new challenges this relocation will bring. Our new contact details are:

t: 01942 894451
f: 0870 762 5375
m: 07747 624 994
e: creativity@gabrieldesign.co.uk
a: 35 Alma Street, Atherton, Manchester M46 0DY.

This relocation to the Greater Manchester region will not affect the excellent working relationships we have built up with our clients across the country and the world, nor will it have any impact on the high quality of work and service we provide to all existing customers. If you have any queries regarding the relocation of Gabriel Design please feel free to get in touch.

WELCOME TO THE GABRIEL DESIGN BLOG

2010-03-25T16:00:00.000Z

Welcome to the first post on the all new Gabriel Design blog. Through our new blog we will bring you the very latest from Gabriel Design covering all aspects of our products and services; including artwork, graphic design, print, website design, internet services, illustrations, cartoons, and more…

Feel free to post your thoughts and views through the comments facility.