Skybox Creative Blog

It’s awards season and while most of you are thinking about the Academy Awards and those fabulous or maybe not-so fabulous red carpet wears, awards season isn’t just for Hollywood, it’s also for the creative design and advertising community. So, without further ado, let’s roll out the red carpet for the 2012 International Creativity Awards! Ok – so maybe there isn’t an actual red carpet but hey, we’re leading-edge designers, and awards fabulousness can exist sans the Dolce & Gabana gown or form-fitting Gucci tux.

The International Creativity Awards is a prestigious competition that has been handing out awards in print, web, and advertising design for over 40 years. First established in 1970 as a traveling exhibit in conjunction with Art Direction Magazine, this independent annual awards competition grew in scope and size very quickly into a showcase for the most innovative and talented artists around the globe. Top works in each category are reproduced into what is now known as the 400-page Creativity Awards Annual – the leading book on where the future of design is headed. And the future of design is not only an arena for the professional aesthetic, students are also encouraged to submit their work – because as we know, creativity knows no limits…it just needs to get a nod by an esteemed panel of judges.

Not unlike the Academy voters, the Creativity Awards judges have a very difficult job of reviewing a multitude of submissions in various categories. But what’s refreshing about the judges chosen is that each design professional volunteers their time with the hopes of finding “the next new thing” — without bias or personal agenda. Every year new judges are selected for fresh perspectives and we’re excited to announce that this year Skybox Creative’s Angelina Sereno will be joining the international panel to judge the Media and Interactive Competition. Applause! Sereno has over 12 years of experience with web technology and emerging media. For the competition, her focus is in the interactive division where categories such as Email Design, Online Advertising, Web Gaming, and Website Design (whether Consumer, Catalog, or for Self-Promotion) will all be judged by her award-winning sensibility. It’s effective communication, creativity, and innovation that Sereno hopes to find in the submissions she reviews – so make sure you refine that work to the next level! And, the good news is, you still have time to do it. The 42^nd Annual Media & Interactive Deadline is April 6, 2012. So, sleek up that logo, streamline that game, simplify that website. It’s awards season. Let the Creativity Awards start buzzing about YOU.

For eligibility, fees, and other must-knows please visit: Creativity Awards Eligibility

Skybox Creative is now located in Hillcrest:

Skybox Creative
449 University Ave. Suite 24
San Diego, CA 92103

Get Directions

View our photos below!

When Applied Fiber, the world’s leading provider of terminated fiber tension systems, noticed Skybox Creative’s online portfolio, they knew they’d found a fit for the re-branding and web design they’d been looking for. San Diego-based Skybox began work on the rebrand in April, 2011.

The client was looking to develop a more modern, masculine look. New products and growth in the Florida-based company prompted them to reconsider the message they were sending with their old color palette – soft blue, light gray and a thin font.

Applied Fiber Logo - Before + After

Skybox jumped in to give the company the look and feel they aspired to. Keeping the icon on the left of the logo was important to Applied Fiber — it’s the universal symbol for fiber. But we identified darker tones of blue and gray to give the design a more modern feel. The darker shades really hit on the growing company’s maturation and expanding business. It also adds gravity, masculinity and sophistication to the look and feel of the brand. We also designed new typography for the brand. Slightly thicker, it has a more substantial feel and really fits an established company that is growing its brand along with its business.

For the website design, multiple layout, design and color options were explored. A few of the initial design comps are shown below.

Web Design Study - Multiple design directions and color options were explored.

Web Design Study - Multiple design directions and color options were explored.

For the final website design, the client chose a simple, clean design direction focusing on the products and expertise.

Applied Fiber Final Web Design

Part of delivering that sleek, modern feel, too, was simplifying the design. Each web page now features simple, clean design and easy-to-navigate web pages. The photography we chose is sleek and the close-up product shots foreground the technology without losing the visual appeal.

Our design choices were in-step with the company’s goals for growth and their forward-looking philosophy. For Applied Fiber, reaching out to a San Diego-based company for rebranding and redesign turned out to be a good move – and we’re proud to be working with them!

Skybox Creative is a San Diego based Branding Agency with an emphasis on Web Design and SEO. Get in touch for a free quote on your next design project or search engine marketing campaign! info@skyboxcreative.com or call us at 619.381.3825

Understanding SEO can be quite a task, and making it work is even more challenging. We’ve compiled a list of the top 10 best free SEO tools to help you understand your site, how it ranks against competitors, and the power of keywords, anchor text and back links. Watch this quick video and start crafting a strategy to boost your rankings on search engines!

SEO Tool #1 Google Keyword Tool
www.adwords.google.com/select/KeywordToolExternal

Research is key, this step requires a bit of time, but it’s worth it’s weight in gold. Provided by Google, this tool allows you to research your industry keywords to learn about local and global traffic statistics.

Now, what does your site look like to search engines in terms of SEO?

SEO Tool #2 SEO Website Grader
www.websitegrader.com

SEO Tool #3 SEO Blog Grader
blog.grader.com

SEO Tool #4 Check Backlinks & Anchor Text
www.bluebacklinks.com

SEO Tool #5 Search Engine Spider Simulator
www.webconfs.com/search-engine-spider-simulator.php

SEO Tool #6 Alexa Ranking (Worldwide Rank, Search Analytics, Audience Stats, Etc.)
www.alexa.com

SEO Tool #7 SEO Book – Free SEO Tools (These SEO tools can be used for ongoing website analysis and stats.)
www.tools.seobook.com

Next, it’s a good idea to asses what your competition looks like. (You can use the tools above as well as the tools below for this purpose)

SEO Tool #8 Spy on Your Competitors (Learn About Competitor Keywords & AdWords)
www.spyfu.com

SEO Tool #9 Search Engine & Directory Submission Tool
www.ubl.org

Once your ready to move forward with an SEO strategy, these tools will hep you with search engine & directory submission as well as PR article distribution.

SEO Tool #10 Press Release Article Distribution
www.prnewswire.com

Knowledge is only half the battle! Once you understand the status of your current site and have a better understanding of what you need to do, it’s time to hire experts to handle the workload so you can get back to business.

Overwhelmed with information? We’re here to help. Contact us today for a free SEO quote.info@skyboxseo.com or call 619.865.8881

Skybox Creative recently revamped its website by making a few key changes that substantially improve the overall impact of the site. Although the general feel of the website remains the same, the new adjustments undoubtedly optimize user navigation, maximize compatibility and SEO, and really shine the spotlight on their clients and recent projects.

The most evident difference is the switch from the main flash image area to javascript. Although Flash is great for creating impressive design elements, problems arise with compatibility and SEO interference issues. With the jQuery slider, viewers can be assured that all elements will always be accessible from any device. This prominent section features new work for clients such as PETCO, Iaomai Medical Ministries, Michaela Moryskova, and OfficePlanIt. Additionally a series of logos are showcased under the slider, placing an emphasis on some of the more prominent clients Skybox is working with.

Another smart and quick addition to the new site is the full-color social media icons now featured in the upper right of the header. Also placed in the footer, these icons create an easy segway for viewers into the other great outlets Skybox has to offer.

Skybox Creative is a brand consultancy with an emphasis on web development and technology solutions. Get in touch today! info@skyboxcreative.com or call us at 619.381.3825

Check out the photos from Skybox Creative’s 5 Year Anniversary Mixer at Bar Basic in the Gaslamp, San Diego!

Skybox Creative is a San Diego based Brand Consultancy with an emphasis on Web Design and SEO. Get in touch for a free quote on your next design project or search engine marketing campaign! info@skyboxcreative.com or call us at 619.381.3825.

San Diego may have beautiful beaches, great weather and a reputation for fun, but almost everybody here — just like almost anybody anywhere — is searching for something. A recent study on Search Engine Optimization (SEO) reports that outside of e-mail, the number-one activity people perform online is search. In fact, 72 percent of all Americans use the internet for search, with 60 percent doing it every day, primarily with Google, but also with Yahoo and Bing. If you think about your own online behavior, that’s probably not surprising. These behaviors are habitual, almost knee-jerk activities we perform as soon as we open our laptops or check our mobile phones. And with usage on mobile devices increasing — checking email on the commute home or looking for nearby restaurants — you can see that the findings make sense. So what does that mean for business?

SEO = Seriously Excellent Opportunity

This data means that Search Engine Optimization is as important as ever. And the good news is that the search engines want to help searchers — all of us, in San Diego and otherwise — find what we’re looking for. They are constantly updating their algorithms to root out sites that are simply trying to game the system and provide little real value. Which means that SEO can be less about percentage of keywords and tags and more about providing real content that customers want. For example, much was made of Google’s Panda update which helped users avoid “content farms” where content that was rich in SEO search terms but shallow on real information and could waylay users. Constantly changing to yield more valuable results, search engines are providing a perfect opportunity for businesses that want to provide substantive information to their customers online.

You can get a glimpse of this “only the real deal” strategy behind the algorithm adjustments at SEOmoz. They recently published a report that attempts to track all of Google’s algorithm changes since 2000. The approach is complex, but the objective is simple. Since almost everyone is looking for something, it’s just good customer service on the part of the search engines to help them find it. That’s something we can all understand.

And since we’re on the topic, we here at Skybox Creative have launched an SEO division serving our local San Diego clients as well as those from around the world.

Skybox Creative is a Brand Consultancy with an emphasis on Web Design and SEO. Get a free quote for your next project! info@skyboxcreative.com or call us at 619.381.3825

It’s that time again!! Skybox Creative, San Diego’s premier Web Design, SEO and Branding Firm is celebrating it’s 5th year in business with a FREE Networking Mixer at Bar Basic in the Gaslamp, San Diego!! This year we’re collaborating with Thumbprint Gallery to bring you an exciting evening with filled with Art, Music and Pizza!

What: 5 Year Anniversary Networking Mixer + Art Show

Cost: FREE

Where: Bar Basic, Gaslamp San Diego
410 10th Ave, CA 92101 (619) 531-8869

When: Tuesday, August 23rd from 7-10pm

RSVP with number of Guests Here, or email us at info@skyboxcreative.com

Call for Sponsors! Interested in getting exposure to hundreds of people in a fun filled environment? Sponsorship opportunities include company logo or mention in one or more of the following: eBlast announcement, video projection on large wall at Bar Basic, table top space, raffle mention, etc. For cash or raffle sponsorship or to learn more, click here!

Check out our photos from past event below!

Skybox Creative is a San Diego based Brand Consultancy with an emphasis on Web Design and SEO. Get in touch for a free quote on your next design project or search engine marketing campaign! info@skyboxcreative.com or call us at 619.381.3825

New Dental Choice is a membership-based program that simplifies the search for an affordable dental plan, and they have just launched their new and easy-to-use website designed by Skybox Creative, San Diego’s premier web design and branding firm. Take a look at the site here!

The need for a dental plan that suits a specific set of needs is what has drawn thousands of people to New Dental Choice’s unique membership plan. Users can choose an individual, family, or group plan, and they can rest assured that the network of dentists allied with NDC’s program are the same as the ones offered by major insurance carriers and Fortune 500 companies. An affordable alternative to dental insurance, New Dental Choice boasts plans that are void of annual premiums, deductibles, and waiting periods.

In line with New Dental Choice’s philosophy of keeping it straightforward yet specially tailored, Skybox has set up a web 2.0 navigation menu that allows users to search for a suitable dental plan using three different approaches. The site’s color palette is now consistent with their new branding – it is illuminated by fresh, modern, cool blue gradients, and the introduction of vibrant pops of lime green modules and buttons on each page present straightforward searching and sign-up features.

A site map is easily accessible on the foot of each page, and includes the useful links found in the navigation bar, as well as ways to find out more about the company and connect with it via various branches of social media. Skybox Creative is excited to match New Dental Choice’s convenient services with this fittingly user-friendly website design.

Questions? Email us at info@skyboxcreative.com

Skybox Creative, Inc. – Elevate your business with Web 2.0 web design.

The Art Institute InSite Interviews Skybox Creative on how designers can effectively use social media to promote themselves. Read the Q&A below.

1.   Why do you use social media platforms?

We utilize social media to build relationships online that we further strengthen offline and vice versa. Say we go to a networking event and meet a few people, we usually try to add them as a friend on our company Facebook or LinkedIn, this allows us to stay in front of them and open up ongoing dialogue. We also search social media sites for companies/people with similar interests, for example being eco-friendly. We will add them as a friend and then post specials for our green printing company, this way the message is more targeted.

2.   What is the best way for an artist or designer to use these outlets?

Well, a lot of the sites are interwoven now, so it’s important to do a little research and make a list of things to do/profiles to set up/link together. For example, Behance.net allows you to display your portfolio on LinkedIn.com, that’s huge. LinkedIn is still the top Professional social media site, so to be able to have your portfolio displayed on your profile is huge. LinkedIn also offers the option to share your updates on Twitter, we linked this feature, now we primarily use LinkedIn and it will automatically keep our Twitter up-to-date. There are a ton of portfolio sites, like CarbonMade.com, Behance.net, Coroflot.com, etc. I think a designer looking for work should be on all of the top portfolio sites and actively add friends, get involved in discussions, join groups, etc.

Another smart thing to remember is that “to give is to receive”, its a good idea to give recommendations to people you know on LinkedIn, then you can ask for the same in return. Or help a friend get introduced to someone via LinkedIn, these kind of selfless actions can really help in building relationships and helping you get more recognition for yourself. Also when posting updates and links on Facebook for example, try to offer an idea or resource that will help others instead of only being focused on your work.

3.   How has Facebook and other social media outlets affected your business?

It has helped keep us in the forefront of people’s minds. Whether they are a potential client or not, if they are thinking about us, they tend to refer their friends and clients to us when they mention “web design” or “cost effective printing”. We host a lot of networking mixers and this has been a great way to promote the events as well.

4.   Are there certain social media musts for artists and designers or does it depend on the individual?

I think you should pick a few and focus on them. It’s very easy to become overwhelmed with social media because it can really be a full time job. As technology moves, more and more sites will pop up too, so it’s important to try to watch the trends. Sites like Mashable.com help keep you up on the latest trends. There are sites like Ping.fm that allow you to update several profiles at once and other applications like Tweetdeck.com that allow you to streamline the Twitter process, schedule tweets and sort your contacts into groups. One thing we’ve done several times is submit our designs to the Designer Spotlight on iStock. If you used an image from their site in a design, you can submit the artwork. If they accept the design, you get free iStock credit, but more importantly it is a form of recognition you can use to help promote yourself (as profile updates, blog posts, etc.)

5.   Any tips and tricks for successfully using social media for art/design work?

Networking is key to success online and offline. Sites like Meetup.com have great niche groups like “Web Design San Diego”, I would recommend finding groups that have similar interests and attend an event or two each month. Even if you are surrounded by your peers, you might be surprised by how many clients you can get from it. We’ve gotten quite a few clients from web design meetups. Not only can you learn from your peers but since people typically have a specialty, they often need good referral sources for everything they don’t do (and are asked for all the time).

Hope you found this information helpful! Feel free to add us on Facebook, Twitter or LinkedIn!