Design | a good foundation
Good design is the foundation of everything we do at KCD. It’s not just our job. We live it, breathe it and eat it. We talk about it incessantly and we’re very, very good at it. Technically speaking, design is the visual synthesis of ideas. The careful juxtaposition of words and images to convey a message. But the ramifications of design are infinite. Design choices not only shape the image and growth of your company they also weave the fabric of our cultural experience. It’s a weighty thing, no doubt, but don’t worry; we’ve got it handled.
The role of the designer is multi-faceted. We are problem-solvers, first and foremost. Each project represents a problem and the goal is to find the best solution. Communication, analysis, research, visualization, management, organization, critical thinking; all these are skills necessary to solve your unique problem. Add to that list understanding color relationships, hierarchy, structure, typography and pacing plus a heavy dose of courage and determination and you have the basic skill-set of a good designer.
Web
We approach web the the same way we approach all our work, intelligently. First, it is imperative to determine the goals of your website. What are you hoping to accomplish with your web presence? You could be trying to directly boost revenue with the addition of eCommerce, or you may need to extend your brand’s presence or provide a forum for interaction with your target market. There are a number of different roles your site can play for your company. Often our clients come to us unaware of what they really need. When a web company fails to determine what results are needed from a site, it is unlikely that the site will produce those results. You wouldn’t go buy a car without knowing what you need and want from one, would you? If you have a family of six and live down a dirt road, you don’t need an Aston Martin. And this analogy carries over to price. We aren’t going to sell you on a $6,000 website if your needs can be met for $1,500.
Branding
People are real quick to spit this buzz-word out these days aren’t they? Branding, what does it really mean? The term encompasses everything from your company’s logo, to the look of your lobby, to the way your receptionist answers the phone, to the look of every single piece of communication that leaves your office, and even those inter-office memorandums. It is not just your logo. We will not ask you your favorite color and animal and churn out logos for you. We force you to think about your company’s core values, vision and goals and we make sure that all communication related to your company reflects these. If they aren’t, you are sending out an incoherent message and probably not achieving the level of success that you deserve.