Website design for business growth

Deshok business cards for 2011

2011-10-03T15:23:00.000+01:00

Client: Deshok.com

Project: Business cards

More info: A parcel arrived at my offices in Charminster this week, containing the new Deshok business cards.

I have to say, that I am really pleased with how they have turned out. The business cards are printed full colour, front and back, they are gloss laminated and have a custom cutter to give them round corners. The idea being, that they stay fresh in my clients wallets once I have presented them.

This time, I am going to utilise the white space on the back of the card for a QR code.

I can produce these as stickers and apply to the cards as and when I think appropriate. I can also produce different QR codes, to point at different web pages or a mobile site.

I still can't get used to how cheap it is to have items like this printed now. Around the £100 mark. I remember when cards like this could cost £500, you just wouldn’t have entertained the notion.

I don’t’ think there has ever been a better time to be running a smaller business. However small your business, you can afford to have marketing materials that are every-bit as professional as bigger companies. I guess the only problem is... Now your customers and clients kind of expect it. : )

Nurturing by Nature. Natural goodness for your pet.

2011-09-19T17:58:00.001+01:00

Client: Nurturing by Nature

Project: Splash page

More info: Nurturing by Nature have been in business for over 5 years, hand making their own version of the BARF (Bones And Raw Food) diet for dogs and cats and from humble beginnings, on a kitchen table and using the garage as a store room, quickly moved to their first shop in West Moors, Dorset. Not being a company to rest on their laurels, expansion is in the air and they have recently moved to a new larger unit in Upton nr Poole in Dorset.

A brand new eCommerce website has been commissioned by Nurturing by Nature which will allow the company to expande beyond servicing Bounrnemouth and surrounding area. But while this is being built, a quick and simple splash page has been designed and implemented, to hold the Internet fort until the main site is ready.

The splash page features all the main brand awareness devices, colours, a quick company short and contact details.

The full Nurturing by Nature ecomm site will be going live for the beginning of October.
Until then discover more at the following links.

Related Links:
www.nurturingbynature.co.uk
www.facebook.com
http://twitter.com

The GAFF An iPhone App for professional gas engineers

2011-09-16T10:24:00.000+01:00

Client: Bphs Ltd.

Project: Gas Appliance Fault Finder (GAFF)

Info: Back in May 2011 (Bphs Ltd) Bournemouth Plumbing & Heating Services approached Deshok.com with a crack-pot plan to design and create an iPhone App that provides professional gas engineers with easy and reliable access to the fault / error codes for the most popular domestic Gas boilers.

The need for a tool such as the Gas Appliance Fault Finder (GAFF) App was recognised when the engineers at Bphs ltd. found themselves working for rental companies and the general public who either had no manual, had misplaced it or simply never had one for their appliance.

Designed and built to be robust and reliable the GAFF App does not require WiFi or 3G to access the built-in database of gas appliance fault / error codes. This means that where ever the engineer is with-in the building, the cellar or the attic, they will always be able to access the GAFF App, find the diagnosis to the code presented and fix it.

A bold and simple interface was needed to make the GAFF App very easy to use in everyday working conditions. With one thumb and 2 taps, the user can easily find the boiler make and type they are working on, the fault code, followed by the faults Cause and Action, depending on the model. Allowing them to find the problem, fix it and be out of there double quick time.

Clear, simple and robust design
Very easy 2 tap operation
Covers the most popular boiler designs
No WiFi or 3G required for access
1 thumb operation
A great solution to an everyday problem
Saves time and money

Once designed and built the Gas Appliance Fault Finder (GAFF) was used and tested by Bphs Ltd engineers in real working conditions to make sure the idea worked, that it was useful and there were no problems with it. The GAFF App came out of its testing period with all thumbs up.

The GAFF App is available on the AppStore and iTunes to download?

deshok.com? it's all about the client really.

2011-07-06T17:36:00.005+01:00

Client: deshok.com
Project: A new corporate I.D. for 2011

Info: Social media has been a huge part for the Internet for years and now it is becoming an even bigger part of business on-line marketing and SEO.

Over the past year deshok has been working on an integrated programme, that starts with the company blog and then automatically feeds the company Facebook page, Twitter and linkedin accounts for the purposes of greater discoverability online and within these networks.

This post is supposed to be about a new corporate I.D. for deshok.com so how dose social networking fit in? Well this was the main reason for the redesign. Something that could be used across all networks, would be consistent and look great in all. Clean very simple, looks good when reduce and conveys an almost Puritanical attitude that the company i.e. Deshok is not important what they do for the client is or to put it another way, there is no time for their own brand other than what you see, because they are to busy designing great brands and award winning websites for their clients. So in-a-way, the client and the work is the brand, that is the I.D.

Having said all of the above - it took months, to make the logo look like it had been designed in the lunch hour, on the back of a napkin : ) The colours? Black and White the font? Deshok modified; Helvetica Neue, regular and bold.

So the design concept is; Deshok, the shock being represented by a five pointed star. An actual star in this case, was considered a bit twee so it as been reduced, refined and minimised to a single point of what was once, a 5 pointed star, in the top left hand corner of the capital void. This theme was carried through on a subliminal level, to the ascenders of the Deshok logo type.

Ay? oh look at the pictures : )

Related Links:
http://www.deshok.com
http://www.facebook.com
hhttp://twitter.com
http://www.linkedin.com

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Face up to the future or get out the way! Bphs is.

2011-07-05T14:59:00.005+01:00

Client: Bphs

Project: iPhone app

More info: As a graphic design company Deshok is only too aware that they must embrace change otherwise they are not going to be competitive and therefor useful to their clients. That being so, over the past couple of weeks, Deshok has been working on its very first iPhone App.

This is going to be a hardcore, database driven tool for a niche, professional market. Being very simple in its lay-out and usability the majority of the work is going into the back end functionality and database of the App. Being something of a baptism of fire, the data alone took 4 solid days to input and that is only for the first stage release. However it has been found, that the design side of the App built is an absolute pleasure. Being something between print and creating for the Internet.

Anyway progress is at a pace, the client is very pleased and the App should be finished, give or take a week, at the end of July 2011.

Related Links:
http://www.apple.com/iphone/apps-for-iphone/

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Bath. Just a test mobile post

2011-07-05T11:52:00.005+01:00

Client: Bath city
Project: A new website for the Cross Baths

Info: This is just a test post using a new mobile blogging App called "Blogpress".

I think Blogpress has some short comings but on the whole, I think it is looking good and pretty easy to use.

I think the way I might use it, is too produce a post as I am now and then, tidy up and format text etc when I get back to my desktop. I short, pleased with it though.

Related Links:
http://blogpressapp.com

- Posted using iPhone

AthenaFilms getting down and dirty

2011-07-02T10:36:00.004+01:00

Client: Athena Films

Project: Athena Video production

Info: Full story coming soon but for now, can't you just enjoy the videos?.

Related Links:

http://www.athenafilms.com

http://www.oviks.com

http://www.ovikom.com

http://www.supacat.com

http://www.cameleon-mms.com

Refreshed South Coast Stone 2011

2011-06-30T15:10:00.022+01:00

Client: South Coast Stone

Project: Website redesign for 2011

Info: South Coast Stone is one of Deshok's oldest and best loved clients. Ever since 2006 when SCS was established, it has turned it's self into one of the best companies of it's type in the area, providing professionally fitted stone for kitchens, bathrooms pubs bars shops even Jamie Oliver's chain of Italian restaurants.

The South Coast Stone website site has enjoyed a couple of up-grades over the years but is basically the same old site that Deshok built for them nearly 7 years ago, even the client has been know to say that "The old site is in desperate need of a redesign".

Work on the newly deigned site is well under way now and should be ready to launch in the next week or so. The main requirement for the new site was to improve the look and feel, to fit in with the more professional clients that South Coast Stone attracts these days and with a big emphasis on; clean, crisp precision which is what South Coast Stone is becoming known for.

Related Links:
http://www.southcoaststone.com
http://www.jamieoliver.com/italian/the-restaurants

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CVRT (Combat Vehicle Reconnaissance Tracked)

2011-06-30T15:06:00.017+01:00

Client: OVIK Group / OVIKOM

Project: Comprehensive Spares and Technical Support

Info: When you have a huge wear-house full of Scorpion Stormer and Scimitar spares and you have access to potentially one of the largest sources of spare of this type in the UK, what do you do? You set up business to supply the UK and and beyond with every conceivable CVRT (Combat Vehicle Reconnaissance Tracked) spare know to man.

OVIK approached Deshok just before Christmas 2010 to do the usual, as they called it. To design and develop a dynamic, visually inspiring information base for the new CVRT spares supply business. OVIK felt that baby steps were required in that a high end client facing design was be required and a full database driven inventory and online sales system would be 2nd and 3rd stages of the project that would follow on.

This project is in production but this first stage will launch very soon.

Related Links:

http://www.oviks.com
http://www.oikom.com

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L'Artishe Gallery & Studio, Swanage, Dorset

2011-04-28T09:30:00.008+01:00

Client: L'Artishe Gallery and; Studio

Project: Brand new website and corporate ID

Info:L'Artishe is a new galley situated in the Victorian sea-side- town of Swanage, in the Island of Purbeck but unlike other galleries, in other sea-side-towns, L'Artishe has a strong contemporary vibe with an urban twist and so, this was carried through to the new website, logo that was created by Deshok as a collaboration with the galleries owners.

The type face for the logo is custom designed and based on the owners own hand writing. This is a favourite element with-in the whole project, because of it's attachment to the client, it's sharp contrasts with the clean look and feel of the website.

Related links:
http://www.lartishe.com
http://www.lartishe.blogspot.com

Athena Films goes back to black

2011-04-27T14:17:00.007+01:00

Client: Athena Films

Project: New website design refresh for 2011

Info: The original Athena Films website, was considered to be one of Deshok's most creative projects but some times, a change is as good as a rest or indeed, a complete redesign.

The concept of the original has remained but the of the room in which the flat screen TV hangs has been redecorated to give the space a more boutique feel and of course, the new darker background now makes the televisions surround and the content with-in, more vivid and vibrant.

The opportunity for a site re-fresh was taken to up-date the sites content and up-grade the the whole website interface to include; new categories with-in the menu and full length Hi-Def videos for the Corporate sections.

Related Links:

http://www.athenafilms.com

Cameleon-MMS Multi Mission System

2010-09-13T17:32:00.010+01:00

Client: Cameleon-mms for OVIKOM
Project: Brand new website and corporate ID

Info: Deshok.com was commissioned to come up with concepts for a Corporate ID and website for the new Cameleon Multi Mission System. A multi role combat support vehicle designed and developed by OVIK and based on the IVECO ECOdaily.

A robust look and feel was required and that the site should look like part of the vehicle, part of the instrumentation and SatNav. So elements where literally taken in the form of digital photographs from the Cameleons dash board and cabin interior and these where integrated into the site interface design. So we see military spec flicker switches for the main site navigation and a starter switch for contact us etc.

The website had to be built in time for up coming exhibitions and in true OVIKS form to a tight budget : )

The Cameleon brand, as the vehicle, had to suit a multitude of tasks; ranging from vehicle livery, bonnet badges and promotional clothing, through to stationary, leaflets and exhibitions materials.

Related links:
http://www.iveco.com
http://www.cameleon-mms.com

Trade Price bargin goes live

2010-05-20T17:54:00.008+01:00

Screen grab, Home page

Client: Trade Price UK
Project: New website design

Info: A strong presentation for Trade Price UK. Including Galleries, slide shows .pdf down loads and features for all the main services that Trade Price UK can provide. This then leading through to a comprehensive data capture and on-line quotation request.

This was a new recommendation for Deshok.com.

Visit the website: http://www.tradepriceuk.com

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PB Electrical Services

2010-05-20T17:49:00.008+01:00

Client: PB Electrical Services
Project: New website and SEO

Info: After being let down by their previous Internet company, PB Electrical asked Deshok to design and build a new website for them.

A strong design brief was provided by the client; clean ,simple, easy to navigate ready for SEO and on budget.

Visit the website: http://www.pbelectrical.co.uk

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AthenaFilms goes flat screen

2010-05-20T17:21:00.016+01:00

Client: Athena Films

Project: New website design for 2010

Info: The original Athena Films website was one of Deshok's very earliest projects so when it came for an upgrade in design and content Deshok was commissioned once more.

The concept of the original was continued i.e. Athena Films makes TV programs so why not display there Internet content with-in an interface that looks like a TV? but this time the idea was brought bang up-to-date and the previous Television was exchanged from the retro to the Plasma theme you can see now. The menu system was also updated and inspired by Windows player and mobile navigation.

This project is an excellent use of the Adobe Flash technology as it allows for show reels and demo videos to fully integrated into the sites design and structure, making the experience for the visitor more enjoable and seamless (No need for extra plug-ins or down-loads)

Visit the website: http://www.athenafilms.com

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Mo'jive is back? with new nights

2010-05-20T17:03:00.011+01:00

Client: Mo'jive

Project: Brand new Corporate IDs, for new Mo'jive nights

Info: Mo'jive is one of Deshok's oldest clients and as such it is always a pleasure to work with them.

This project, by Mo'jive standers was nice and easy. Basically the development of 4 new brands for 4 new Mo'jive nights that are to be rolled out in the very near future. All are a play on the original corporate brand i.e. Mo'retro, Mo'live, Mo'danze and Mo'luscious.

The finished items were provided to the client five formates; Photoshop layered, Full colour. jpg, Black & White.jpg, Full colour vector and Black & White vector all making the new brands very easy for the in-house design team to use accordingly.

Visit the website: http://www.mo'jive.com

Here comes the K9Kitty Crew

2010-05-20T16:40:00.009+01:00

Client: K9Kitty Crew
Project: Website, Corporate ID, Vehicle livery and company stationery

Info: A brand new company launch and a brand new client for Deshok.

K9Kitty Crew have asked Deshok to develop a new Corporate ID, for the company and to develop and carry this through to a new website, promoting services and Tariffs, vehicle livery, promotional materials and company stationary.

K9Kitty Crew as the company name, was the idea of the client and inspired a comic book, almost Superhero look to the brand. This coupled with the clients great idea to develop cartoon characters, also helped to reinforce the comic book style. This style will also been seen in the look and feel of the website and other marketing materials.

This is a new business start-up and Deshok would like to wish them the best of luck with it.

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New enquiry for Deshok - OYS

2010-05-20T12:36:00.016+01:00

Client: OYS Ocean Yacht Systems
Project: Design and development of a new website

Info: A new enquiry for Deshok.com is OYS Ocean Yacht Systems, which is one of the world's leading suppliers to the Superyacht and high performance yachting market. Over the years they have built a reputation for delivering high quality rigging and hydraulic systems for hundreds of high profile vessels.

Still in the development stage OYS have asked Deshok to approach this project from a strong designers point of view with an envisis on graphics photography and animation. This being the case, the decision has been made to build the site, primarily in Flash. It was also important to OYS that an easy to use navigation system for the site was developed to counter issues with the system on their existing site.

A new recommendation for Deshok.com

Visit the website: http://www.deshok.com/oys
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Ovik Group website launch & OVI

2010-05-20T10:03:00.015+01:00

Client: OVIK Group
Project: Design consultancy for a brand new website for Ovik Group

Info: OVIK and Deshok have been working together for almost a year now and already a Patten is forming. OVIK had a very strong idea as to what they wanted to see for there new website. Based on the visual template laid-down by the OVIKOM website, this presentation also needed to inform the visitor quickly and easily as to the OVIK mission while keeping in mind that a large proportion of OVIK visitors will be doing so from a laptop. A full screen presentation without the need to scroll was required.

A new item developed for this site and to allow OVIK to present commercial videos it is now producing is the O.V.I. (OVIK Video Interface). Rather then the usual YouTube offering OVIK wanted something that looked robust and military based. This was achieved by integrating the video into Flash and utilising the programmes excellent HTTP streaming and progressive download system which mean large, high quality videos, streammed with little or no waiting for downloads.

View the video in action at http://www.oviks.com/clients
Then navigate to the Supacat pod and click the link to watch video. Easy :)

Realted links:
http://www.oviks.com
http://www.supacat.com
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X9dtQMqkeZ4

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OVIKOM / Plattmounts Europe launch

2010-01-25T17:46:00.009Z

Client: OVIKOM / Plattmounts

Project: Design and development of a new website for Plattmounts Europe

Info: OVIKOM had a very strong idea as to what they wanted to achieve with this Internet presentation for Plattmounts Europe.

A little bored of the usual defence Internet offering OVIKOM wanted something dynamic that may have been inspired by a computer game interface or a James Bond movie.

The result is an engaging full screen presentation for the full range of Plattmounts products. Plattmounts have been so impressed that now they require the roll-out of this interface not just for Europe but for the USA and Australia as well.

Visit the website: http://www.plattmounts.co.uk

OVIKOM A new recommendation for Deshok.com

2009-12-28T17:44:00.008Z

Client: OVIKOM.com
Project: Design and development of a new website for OVIKOM

Info: OVIKOM is the marketing and PR wing of OVIK Solutions and as such Deshok has been working along side their marketing department for many months now, providing a design consultancy service with relation to on-line marketing for their clients.

The OVIKOM project is one of many that OVIKOM and Deshok are collaborating on at the moment and the the first to go live early in the new year.

The brief here, was to inform the visitor in a quick, clean and simple manner, with a special attention being paid to the laptop visitor i.e., Where possible, all content to appear on the page with-out the need to scroll.

A new recommendation for Deshok.com

Visit the website: http://www.ovikom.com
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CmyVideoCV Video CVs for graduates

2009-12-28T17:31:00.010Z

Client: CmyVideoCV.com
Project: Design and development for a brand new website site for business start-up CmyVideoCV.com (see my video CV)

Info: CmyVideoCV.com approached Deshok in November 09 to design, develop and build a brand new website for a new, on-line business start-up. This first stage of the project is intended just as a warm-up for the main event that will roll out early in 2010. This part of the project informs the visitor of the service and invites them to register their interest early, in order to enter in a FREE prize draw and special site launch discount.

The site was up-loaded before Christmas with the intention of being a soft launch, to work out problems, if any, before the main push in the new year.

Visit the website: http://www.cmyvideocv.com
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Brand new logo design for Water Feature Design

2009-12-28T17:22:00.006Z

Client: Water Feature Design
Project: Design and development for a new corporate ID and brand for Water Feature Designs

Info: Working with WFD design is always a pleasure for Deshok as they have a very strong Idea of what they want to achieve and this new project: the development of a new corporate Identity and brand was no exception.

Deshok was happy to take client ideas and develop them into a logo device that would be used for every thing from vehicle livery, stationery and website Favicon through to business cards and team uniforms. The logo suit comes in two types. Photoshop and full colour, RGB and CMYK as you see above and vector base (Line art) the brand was also supplied in a collection of different visual formats and configurations so the client will be able to use the logo in-house for an email header, and placement with-in stationery.

Visit the website: http://www.waterfeaturedesign.co.uk
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Water Feature Design goes SEO for 2010

2009-12-28T17:10:00.004Z

Client: Water Feature Design
Project: SEO Search Engine Optimisation. Website re-structure

Info: In January 2009 Water Feature Design and Deshok got together again to see, if with the clever use of SEO an increased profile of the site, with-in Google and the big 3 search engines could be obtained.

The newly re-structure website was launched, early February 09 and achieved more than was expected. Over £22,000 worth of new work and new interest was directly related to the up-grade of the Water Features website

To follow up on this success, Earlier this month (14/12/09) Water Features design approached Deshok again with a long list of updates including five new sections, a gallery, improved page titles, descriptions, keywords and an updated and resubmitted site map. This new incarnation of the site was re-launched just before Christmas, so there are no results are thin but hopes are high that water feature can built on last years successes.

Visit the website: http://www.waterfeaturedesign.co.uk
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B.E.C Group SEO early results

2009-09-14T14:18:00.007+01:00

Client: B.E.C. Group - Plastic engineering
Project: SEO & SEM

Info: Traditionally B.E.C Group has promoted their website, using a very successful on-line marketing campaign but recently, decided to build on this success, with an SEO and SEM program Designed by Deshok.

The original creative B.E.C Group website, built by Deshok.com, has been reconfigured to allow for this. Basically a deconstruction and rebuild in an HTML format but still enjoying the creativity and scope that Flash can afford. An FlasHTML format if you like. The 1st stage of this project was launched: 6/4/09 with the 2nd being up-loaded on the 8/9/09.

First Found Search Engine Consultants were asked to provide a preliminary report on the how becgroup.com is doing. I think that it is early days but everybody is very impressed that becgroup.com has achieved a ranking of 10 out of for their chose search term, throughout the Internet.

An excellent start.

Related Links:
http://www.becgroup.com
http://www.firstfound.co.uk
First Found Report
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The snoons

2009-09-10T11:27:00.011+01:00

Client: Lorna Dutch – Illustrator
Project: The snooons

Info: Lorna is a creative illustrator, who is currently developing a collection of product based characters called the snooons. Lorna has asked Deshok to reproduce her original concepts, as clean graphic images that can, eventually be reproduced as finished artwork for screen and litho print.

This is a new venture for Lorna and I would like to wish her the best of luck with it.

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Ovik Solutions | Plattmounts

2009-09-10T09:42:00.012+01:00

Client: Ovik Solutions Ltd – Global defence consultancy
Project: Brand new creative, on-line presentation for Plattmounts and Bronco

Info: Ovil Solutions is a brand new, recommendation and client for Deshok.com and as such, they thought is would be very funny, to throw me in at the deep end and immediately commission Deshok to design 2 new websites for them.

The first being for Plattmounts, an Australian company that designs, innovates and produces gun mountings, or Ring and Swing mounts for military vehicles such as the Bronco.
The second project is indeed a new on-line presentation for Bronco. The All Terrain Tracked Carrier, that is currently being deployed in Afghanistan, by the British army and other NATO forces.

The mission here is to sell more units and Ovik felt that the unique Deshok design style, would more then help to achieve this goal.

The new Plattmounts website is in production now and the Bronco site will be started in about a week. 14/9/09

Related Links:
http://www.oviks.com
http://www.plattmounts.com
http://www.stengg.com

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Ruroc goes F1

2009-09-09T09:24:00.041+01:00

Ruroc is not not a client of Deshok but they are a client of B.E.C Group and I first became aware of Ruroc when I was visiting B.E. Group about 2 years ago.

The Ruroc helmet was in it’s early days of design and development then and as I am a very keen snowboarder, Jeff Elvy, managing director of B.E.C and the man I was meeting with that day, asked me what I thought of it? The prototype he offer me was not much to look at, so I was diplomatic with my answer but even then, you could see the Ruroc helmet was going to be very very cool one day but who would have though, F1 cool.

Click here to visit the Ruroc website to find out more.

Excellent chrome finish achieved by B.E.C gives the the pit crew important flash protection.

Force India F1 pit crew.

I don’t have the absolute details here but I think the RedBull F1 pit crew were the first to adopt the Ruroc helmet, closely followed by other teams, such as Vodafone McLaren and Force Inida. Ruroc decided to embrace this and have developed a helmet especially for F1.

I think this is an excellent example of adapting to the demands of the client and turning it to your advantage.

EMMA WIMHURST SAYS "Bake me a book as fast as you can"

2009-07-15T16:53:00.007+01:00

Client: Emma Wimhurst - EMpwr
Project: Book - Cover and page design, Page lay-up, finished artwork, 224 page book.

Info: Emma Wimhust has asked Deshok.com to design and provide finished artwork for her up-coming book. Desk-top-publishing was a main staple for Deshok in the past so this will be a nostalgic project.

The cover design is all but finalised, concepts and design for content pages started last week, with final tweaks this. And then it’s all hands to the pumps next week for actual content, all 224 pages of it.

Related Link:
http://www.empwr.co.uk
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Neil Stevens Creative Consultancy

2009-07-13T17:21:00.006+01:00

Creative consultancy has always been a service that Neil Stevens @ Deshok has provided, as part of the whole design process. Over the past few years it has grown to become potential, a business in its own right.

What is Creative Consultancy?
Creative consultancy is the deliberate application of creative ideas, in a graphic, idealistic and administrative form, for the direct pursuit of better business success. The plan is usually presented to the client as a Bible, an instruction manual that the client and their team can refer back to as the project gets underway. The Bible is backed up and reinforces with regular face-to-face meetings, where ideas may be tweaked and honed to achieve the best possible performance.

A resent and successful project was for Water Feature designs, who achieved over £22,000 worth of new leads, based on the ideas for website, search engine, optimisation and search engine marketing that came about from just such a consultancy process.

So-far, everyone concerned, is very pleased with the new attention that Water Feature Designs is attracting and as part of the ongoing project, the next step for Water Feature Designs is to find and analyse, weaknesses in their conversion approach and how to professionally convert these new leads that are coming from larger corporate construction companies and developers.

Related links:
http://www.waterfeaturedesign.co.uk

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The Recession is over. Lets get to work!

2009-06-27T16:27:00.020+01:00

The recession is over, according The National Institute of Economic and Social Research (NIESR) estimates that Britain’s gross domestic product returned to growth in April and May. Official GDP figures will be published in July, but the institute thinks that the recession bottomed out in March. Read more here...

I don’t feel qualified to comment on the state of the recession in Dorset or England let alone the rest of the world but for Deshok.com in Bournemouth, the recession is all but over. Several major projects were confirmed this week, so we decided to to seize the moment to celebrate with as much style as we possibly could. Thank to all at the Print Room restaurant in Bournemouth for looking after us.

Now lets get to work:
Emma Wimhursts’ Business mentoring project continues to gain momentum and she has placed a substantial commission with Deshok which will keep me busy for the next couple of months and one that I am really looking forward to starting early in July 09.

B.EC. Group plastic engineering:
I had another very encouraging meeting with Mark Elvy of B.EC. Group plastic engineering fame. We are discussing the new incarnation of the B.E.C. Group website. Work for that should start in September 09. Until then I have quotes to prepare for current website up-grades, HTML Email e-drops, and a brochure. What’s with all these off-the-page projects that are coming out of the woodwork at the moment?

More X factor for Glass Exchange:
Glass Exchanges the double glazing maintenance franchise, are taking their first steps to up-date their company brand. Advertising is first, closely followed by branding and van coach work. To be phase-in with newer franchise first.

Along with other smaller projects we should be busy until the new year... a relief.
Long may those green shoots keep growing.

Related links:
http://www.business.timesonline.co.uk
http://www.theprintroom-bournemouth.co.uk
http://www.empwr.co.uk
http://www.becgroup.com
http://www.glassexchange.co.uk
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Deshoks' new stationery

2009-06-23T15:05:00.007+01:00

Click on picture to enlarge +

Client: Deshok.com
Project: Stationery & business cards, marketing materials

Info: A couple of parcels arrived at my offices in Christchurch this week. One containing my new Deshok stationery and the other my business cards.

I have to say, that I am really pleased with how the have turned out. The business cards are printed full colour, front and back, they are gloss laminated and have a custom cutter to give them round corners. The idea being, that they stay fresh in my wallet and in my clients wallets once I have presented them.

Click on picture to enlarge +

I still can't get used to how cheep it is to have items like this printed now. Around the £100 mark. I remember when cards like this could cost £500, you just wouldn’t have entertained the notion.

I don’t’ think there has even been such a great time to be running a smaller business. How ever small your business, you can afford to have marketing materials that are every-bits as professional looking as bigger companies. I guess the only problem is... Now your customers and clients kind of expect it. : )
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With thanks from chsCREATIVE

2009-06-19T16:54:00.013+01:00

Click on picture to enlarge +

A couple of weeks ago I received a phone call from Ben Rayner, Creative director
at chsCREATIVE. “We’ve got a little problem with a Flash project we’re working on, can you come and have a look at it”?. “I’ll come right now, let’s get it done”!

chsCREATIVE is a multi purpose design agency and conveniently, with-in walking distance of my office. On arrival I was introduced to the team involved and sat down to look at the problem. The project was a website for Dominos Pizza the main sponsors for this years (2009) Britain's Got Talent TV show on ITV1. In the end it was a relatively easy fix, that just needed a fresh pair of eyes to see. It only took me a few minutes and was really just an idea. For me, it was great to be able to help even at a very small leave so I declined Ben’s offer of payment. As I walked out the door, I probably said something corny like, “I always wanted to be a Super Hero but I guess that will have to do”

Anyway the next day there was a little knock on my office door, it was a rather pretty girl holdings a bottle of Rioja reserve 2004. She said it was from CHS to thank me for my work the day before. Funny, I’m not really a big drinker but I really appreciated the gesture. I was totally surprised and just didn’t know what to say. But thanks to chsCREATIVE and please do call anytime, it was a pleasure to meet you all.

Click on picture to enlarge +

The chsCREATIVE website that coincided with Britain's Got Talent 2009.

Related links:
http://www.chscreative.com
http://www.dominos-bgt.com
http://talent.itv.com
http://www.itv.com
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Deshok grabbed by the Googles

2009-06-14T17:08:00.007+01:00

What do the following have in common?

web designers in bournemouth
website design house bournemouth
marketing and graphic design christchurch
illustration animation jobs dorset
illustration work dorset
website design dorset
photoshop work dorset
And so on?

They are all search terms, that people have used to find Deshok.com using Google.com search engines, between the 13th may and the 14th June 09.

I’m really pleased with the progress of our SEO work. It has been long and hard work
but now it really seems to be paying off.

There is definite wisdom in not trying to compete with your competitors.
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Neil@deshok gets Twittered

2009-06-14T12:57:00.007+01:00

I have decided to sign-up to Twitter,
I've been Twittered!

I have been following Twitter for more than a year and couldn’t get my head around it.
None of my friends or clients are on Twitter so I couldn’t see it working for me. And then I realised that, for want of a better term, it is an open source, i.e. everybody can read your Tweets. So unlike FaceBook someone who wants to see what you have been up to doesn’t need to be a friend or part of my network. So I can point people at my Twitter and let them get on with it.

As yet I’m not sure how I’m going to use Twitter, how useful it will be to me or whether it will fit into my life very well, for now, to be honest I just like signing up to these things : )

Visit my Twitter at: http://twitter.com/deshok

Related links:
http://www.twitter.com
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GT Motor Services new website Launch.

2009-06-12T12:23:00.005+01:00

Click on picture to enlarge +

Client: GT Motor Services Ltd
Project: Brand new website re-design Launch

Info: The GT Motor Services ethos has always been; “All the service of a main dealer and at realistic prices” So with this, the 3rd incarnation of GTs website, Deshok has really taken this on board and created this new website, to position GTs where they deserve to be and to help them compete, on a level playing field, with the main dealers.

Visit the new site and when your car needs a Service or MOT... Call them : ).

Visit the website: http://www.gtmotors.com
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ShokBot! Back by popular demand?

2009-06-06T11:26:00.006+01:00

After along beach holiday by the looks of it, ShokBot is back and by popular demand.

ShokBot was a device that we created at Deshok to embody the friendly and approachable face of technology. In this case computers the internet and websites.

ShokBot was used in advertising campaigns and website promotions back in 2004 –2005ish and we believe played a big part in helping us win the website awards for the site, he was featured in www.deshok.com/archive/shokbot. and not to mention, new clients from over seas.

Clients have rallied to his cause and have asked

Where is he?
Why don’t you use him any more?
And,
“Don’t you know that it was the robot that made us want to call Deshok”!

So he is back and featured on the new Deshok Work / Portfolio site. Lets just see how he performs?

Related Links:
http://www.deshok.com/archive/shokbot

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Anthony Sanders Fine Jewellery

2009-06-04T16:55:00.009+01:00

Client: Anthony Sanders Fine Jewellery
Project: Brand new website to promote and sell a collection of Jewellery

Info: Anthony Sanders, jewellery, designer and manufacture commissioned Deshok.com to design, a brand new website presentation for his new line of, nautically inspired bracelets and cufflinks.

Anthony’s service has always been personal bespoke and he didn’t want to change this ethos because of the website. Therefore, this website informs the visitor, in a clean and classically stylish manor of who Anthony is, his inspiration for the collection and of cause the collection it’s self. Leavening the visitor inspired to contact Anthony Sanders for a commission.

Visit the website: http://www.anthonysandersfinejewellery.com
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Emma Wimhurst goes for a re-design

2009-06-04T16:52:00.002+01:00

Client: Emma Wimhurst EMpwr - Business Mentor
Project: New Home page and website re-design for the EMpwr website

Info: Deshok.com designed the originally website for Emma Wimhurst, almost a year ago and since then, things have changed dramatically for Emma and also the direction of her company.

Therefore, Emma commissioned Deshok.com to design a new home page and website that better suites her new business course, of television work and public speaking. The new site is content and feature rich, including dynamically streaming videos, with the option of quick and easy content management. The main goal here, is to keep visitors aspersed of Emma Wimhurst's busy schedule and also to help place her, along side other TV presenters, personalities and entrepreneurs.

Visit the website: http://www.EMpwr.co.uk
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London Marathon 2009? Done!

2009-05-04T11:32:00.009+01:00

On the 26th of April 2009 I ran the London Marathon and I actually enjoyed most of it.
In training I could only manage 16 miles so I didn't expect to be-able to run all of it but thanks to “Jelly Babies”, I ran the lot in 5hrs ish, I am very chuffed.

I am going to write a decent account of my experience, for those who are interested and sponsored me.

But until then, here are the stats:

I finished 20,101th
I was 2,478 for my age group “45”
I ran it in a time of 5.10.24 secs
My average pace was 11:50 per mile
I only lost one toe nail
And so-far I’ve raised £1,154,21 for my charities which I'm relieved about.

If I had known all this information, was going to a be available for people to see, I would have tried harder : )

Thank you once again to everybody for your support.

For more information, Related Links:
Neil's official Marathon results
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A first for Deshok from Google

2009-04-30T17:54:00.012+01:00

SEO Finally working for Flash websites:
Deshok.com acquired their first, tangible enquire via Google this week.
I ironically the project is for print and is currently being quoted for. This coincides with Deshok reaching Google page 2, under the search terms, "website design Bournemouth".

This in it's self, doesn't sound much like news but the above has been achived, by a single Flash page and, according to some, is impossible. : )

Visit the website: http://www.deshok.com
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£18,000 worth of new work for Water Feature Designs.

2009-04-30T16:52:00.006+01:00

Client: Water Feature Designs
Project: SEO Search Engine Optimisation . Website re-structure

Info: In January 2009 Water Feature Design and Deshok got together to see, if with the clever use of SEO an increased profile of the site, with-in Google and the big 3 search engines could be obtained.

The newly re-structure website was launched, early February 09 and has already achieved more than was expected. To-date Water Feature Design has attracted over £18,000 worth of new work and are now, looking to take on new staff to cope with this new increase in demand.

It is felt by the client, that this is as a direct result of this SEO work and they are planning a website re-design, in the summer, to better suit the more professional clients that they are attracting, nation wide.

Visit the website: http://www.waterfeaturedesign.co.uk
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London Marathon, This Sunday 26th

2009-04-24T09:45:00.013+01:00

Ready to go:
I am running the London Marathon this Sunday, the 26th. The training is done, the carbs are being loaded and I ma ready to go.

A big thanks:
Donations for the good causes are going really well and I have raised over a £1000. There
is a little way to go to reach the target, so if you haven't sponsored me yet, get in there! : )
A big thank you to all who have supported me, especially in the last couple of months and thanks to everybody for your sponsorship. The Stroke Association and Ward5 Bournemouth hospital are two good causes that need all the help you can give.

15.5 seconds of fame:
Look out for me on telly, on Sunday morning. My number is: 48373 and I think I’m going to be the only one, dressed as a runner.

If you would like to make a donation, just click the link below.
Thank you once again for your help.

Related Links:
www.stroke.org.uk
www.justgiving.com
www.london-marathon.co.uk
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New website for GT Motors

2009-04-17T13:54:00.009+01:00

Client: GT Motor Services

Project: Brand new website re-design 09

Info: After a long and expensive lunch : ) GT Motors finally agreed to commission Deshok.com, to design and implement the 3rd incarnation of their GT Motors.com website.

Visit the website: Coming soon
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Neil's London Marathon 09

2009-04-10T20:49:00.014+01:00

Why the London Marathon:

I've wanted to run the London Marathon for a long time and now it has become something that I want to do, to achieve then tick it off my list. I’m not in for a race or competing, I just want to take part, run the whole thing with no walking and raise as much money as I can for my chosen charities.

The Stroke Association:
I approached the The Stroke Association, they seemed fun and friendly, they accepted my application and so here we are. I also wanted to run for a more local good-cause and one night at a BBQ at a friends I got chatting to another friend called Ali and she told me that she was a sister on Ward 5 Bournemouth Hospital and that no one ever donated any money to them and that they were quite forgotten. “OK” I said “I’ll run for you then” To find out more about the great work The Stroke Association do, visit there website: http://www.stroke.org.uk

Ward 5 Bournemouth Hospital:
Ward 5 doesn't have a website, so I will have to tell you that I think they are an under funded and over looked and hard working ward, that looks after elderly and psychologically vulnerable patients.

Give them your support:
The way I like to look at both of these good-causes is that there is an outside chance that we might need their services one day. I know its not a very cool thing to think about but I see supporting them, almost like insurance, so get behind them and donate as much as you can.

Do you want to give? Here’s how:
I'm still thinking of clever and out of the box ways to raise money. Below is my list so far:

Donate money Using JustGiving Gift Aid Click here
Donate using the widget in the side bar
Sponsor space on my running shirt (More info on that coming soon)
Just sponsor me in the usually way, by filling in a form

Remember, the goal is to raise £2500 so please do give generously and thank you for your support.

Related Links:
www.justgiving.com
www.london-marathon.co.uk
www.stroke.org.uk
www.upandrunning.co.uk
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Deshok 09 Portfolio

2009-04-10T17:18:00.008+01:00

Client: Deshok.com Wesite Design & Marketing
Project: Clean, simple, easy to use portfolio site.

Info: Over the last couple of months, Deshok.com has been developing and building the new Deshok client, portfolio website. It is a very simple presentation with one mission. To show off your website and Deshok projects, in the best possible way.

Deshok.com now enjoys over 300 page views everyday, from all over the world and is seeing that traffic goes to your sites, via perspectives clients, wanting to see samples of Deshok work.
This information, been followed up on to give the Deshok visitor exactly what they want. Basically a big fat portfolio, right there on the home page. Easy to find, easy to navigate.

The goal here is this, If we are going to beat this crunchy feeling and work our way out of this recession, working together and scratching backs is the way forward.

Simple put, anything Deshok can do to improve your traffic, is going to be beneficial to us all.

Visit the website: http://www.deshok.com
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Trade Price gets a bargin

2009-04-10T15:31:00.017+01:00

Client: Trade Price UK
Project: New website

Info: Trade Price UK, is a very close professional and working partner of Glass Exchange and as such, was recommended to Deshok.com for a website make-over. The new website for Trade Price, will include project galleries, on-line quotation form and lots of information about the new services Trade Price will be able to offer.

Visit the website: http://www.tradepriceuk.com
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Glass X gets Deshok factor

2009-04-10T12:38:00.018+01:00

Client: Glass Exchange - Double glazing repairs & maintenance
Project: Brand new creative, on-line presentation

Info: Glass Exchange is an up-and-coming franchiser, based on the south coast, servicing the Double Glazing, maintenance needs of; businesses, public building, hospitals, landlords, and owner-occupiers.

Glass Exchange has asked Deshok.com to design and implement a new dynamic and multimedia rich, internet presentation to promote the Glass Exchange franchise and services.

Visit the website: http://www.deshok.com/glx
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Emma Wimhurst, New home page.

2009-04-10T11:56:00.015+01:00

Client: Emma Wimhurst EMpwr - Business Mentor
Project: New Home page and website design for the EMpwr website

Info: Deshok.com designed the originally website for Emma wimhurst ,almost a year ago and since then, things have changed for Emma and also the direction of her company.

Therefore, Emma has commissioned Deshok to product ideas, for a new home page and website that better suites her new course, of television work and public speaking. The new site will need to be; new content and feature rich with the option of being content managed. And also to help place Emma, along side other TV presenters and personalities.

Visit the website: http://www.EMpwr.co.uk
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Clucking Bell B.E.C Goes for HTML.

2009-04-05T20:51:00.017+01:00

Client: B.E.C. Group - Plastic engineering
Project: Restructuring The B.E.C. website / Flash HTML hybrid, ready for SEO & SEM.

Info: Traditionally B.E.C Group has promoted their website, using a very successful on-line marketing campaign but recently, decided to build on this success, with an SEO and SEM program.

The original creative B.E.C Group website, built by Deshok.com, has been reconfigured to allow for this. Basically a deconstruction and rebuild in an HTML format but still enjoying the creativity and scope that Flash can afford. An FlasHTML format if you like. The new site was launched: 6/4/09 and Google search ability is already showing improvement on what ware already great results.

Visit the website: http://www.becgroup.com
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