The Emerald Planet Logo in one of it's various forms

The direction for this identity project was clear from the start; GREEN! Now, that doesn’t just refer to the color… although there is a lot of green in there… it also refers to the motifs carried throughout the identity, in particular, the leaf.

The Emerald Planet business card is full of vibrant color, while still cutting down on ink usage and helping the environment!

Whether it’s a leaf growing out of their environmentally conscious reusable bag logo, or one of the many that populate the website, or even on their letterhead and business cards, the idea that Emerald Planet is alive and growing runs throughout their identity. And I know, that’s something that every “eco-identity” these days has going for it, but with Emerald Planet it means so much more. This motif also refers to the company’s ability to help your organization flourish, but to do it in a responsible, ecologically sound fashion. You could go with any number of fundraising suppliers, but with Emerald Planet, you’re not only helping yourself, you’re helping the ENTIRE PLANET! What more could you ask for?

Now, a couple years, and several projects later, AWS Creative has built a custom Wordpress theme for the blog and podcast, from the ground up! Not only that, but this new theme now matches the great logo we created for them about a year ago.

This project was a long time coming, but now that both Geek Out Online and Geek Out Loud have launched with the new look, we’re proud to say it was worth the wait!

One challenge when creating this site was the client’s request that users be able to rate each episode of the podcast on the site, allowing new users to browse the more popular episodes. Using a pre-made plugin, we  modified it to fit in with the overall theme of the site.

The identity is simple. Bright but edgy colors, mixed with crisp, bold shapes makes for a very pleasing brand. And of course, a good helping of AWESOME, namely in the skull and headphones, makes this identity a stand out among podcasts, which for the most part, lack anything but a logo.

Social Media is a tricky thing. These days it’s not just important that you be on the internet, but also that you have a way for people to interact with that web presence. With this in mind, I’m starting a series of entries on how to use different Social Media to your advantage, starting with Twitter.

Whether you’re a business or an individual, Twitter has a lot of features to take advantage of. But before we get into the technical aspects, let’s go over what Twitter is first.

Simply put, Twitter is a Micro-Blogging Platform. More simply put, it’s a way for people to see what you’re up to, and vice versa. You can use it to keep up to date with all your favorite celebrities, as an alternative to following RSS feeds, or just simply to keep in contact with family and friends all over the world.

The brilliance of Twitter comes in it’s simplicity. The service restricts you to 140 characters per post. Some would say this makes things more difficult to convey complex ideas, but one of my favorite follows, Kevin Smith, famous writer/director, puts it best when he says that Twitter forces you to self-edit, and thereby makes you a better communicator. But really, it comes down to a matter of opinion. Love it or hate it, it’s the thing that has made Twitter catch on so fast. Well, that and the flurry of celebrity support.

So now that you what Twitter is, how can you use it to your advantage? Well, this all depends on two factors; who are you, and who is your audience. For example, are the parties involved tech-savvy or technophobes? Either way, Twitter has features and support for both audiences, but the most important one is going to take a tech-leap-of-faith for the uninitiated; Twitter Clients.

Twitter Clients or Twitter Apps are programs built specifically to feed and recieve “Tweets” to the Twitter service. You can find them in a range of styles, from complex to simple, on a variety of devices, like your PC, Mac or even your phone! The most popular of these clients is Tweetdeck, which allows you to organize the people you follow into several columns, allowing for quick filtering of Tweets. You can even sync this client across multiple platforms, including the iPhone, with a shared online login! But if you’re looking for something a little more simple, there’s lots of other clients with less functionality. Personally, I like Twhirl. It has a simple interface, and can be easily tuned to not disturb your online workflow.

Check back next week for Part 2 of our Twitter series, in which I’ll explain some of the technical terms used when discussing Twitter.

DO: Take Time Writing Out Your Name Tag
DON’T: Place Your Name Tag Somewhere Innappropriate

Writing out your name tag is usually one of the first things you’re going to do when you arrive at a networking event, and it’s one of the most overlooked moments. Your name tag is often one of the first things people will look at when meeting you at an event, so making sure that it’s legible, informative and well-placed are all important. Chicken scratch does not scream succes, and neither does just writing your first name. Often times, including the name of your business, and in some specific instances, things like your twitter username are helpful pieces of info that help you stand apart from the other Mike standing two feet away. And of course, if your name tag is placed on your upper thigh, there’s a good chance nobody is going to see it. And if they do, you can be sure it’s gonna be an awkward moment when you catch them glancing at your crotch!

DO: Sample The Appetizers
DON’T: Stuff Your Face With Everything You Can Get Your Mitts On

There’s nothing wrong with having a snack at a networking event. Heck, that’s why they’re serving appetizers in the first place. But if you’re just there for the free food, chances are, people notice. A good rule of thumb is to try one of everything, but refrain from going back for seconds (Unless there’s something REALLY tasty, like mini-burgers!). And if you’re like me, have something to eat beforehand, so that when you show up and someone engages you in conversation, you’re listening, and not intent on snagging that server when she comes back around with those chicken wings…

DO: Relax And Have A Drink
DON’T: Relax And Get A Little Drunk

Nobody ever said there was a problem with having a drink or too. As a matter of fact, in a situation like business networking, it can even be helpful. I’ll admit that I’m a bit more keen to socialize after I’ve got a little alcohol in me, but know where to draw the line. Nothing can be more damaging to your budding reputation as getting a little tipsy and ending up being known as “That Guy Who’s Talking Really Loud And Saying Offensive Things”. Trust me, you might think everyone is laughing with you, but that’s the alcohol talking…they’re laughing at you.

DO: Shake Hands, Make Eye Contact And Speak Up!
DON’T: Mumble And Look At Your Feet

This one might be difficult, and feel awkward at first, but trust me, it says a lot about your business. There’s nothing wrong with being shy and reserved, but you’re certainly not going to make your first million by keeping all your great ideas to yourself. So get off that chair, walk over to that person that looks interesting, grab their hand, look them in the eye and introduce yourself! This may seem like remedial networking to most people, but seriously, it’s important. As a graphic designer, I’m well aware of the difference that appearances can make, but looking professional is only half of the equation. You need to walk the walk and talk the talk. For some people, this means having a rehearsed “Elevator Pitch” for their business, for others it may be as simple as just having a good conversation starter, and that leads me into final DO/DON’T…

DO: Bring Lots Of Business Cards
DON’T: Forget Your Card At Home

I may have left this one for last, but that certainly doesn’t mean it’s the least important. In fact, it’s quite the contrary. A good business card is the key to that warm lead you’re hoping to develop at a networking event. If you forget your card, or worse yet, your card is forgettable, then you can say goodbye to that comfortable follow up call. It can be really disheartening to dial up a prospect only to have them completely forget who you are. This is where an AWESOME business card comes in handy. They work as great conversation starters, and that conversation can become something memorable. And remember, although you look at your business card every day, your prospects are seeing them for the first time, so don’t dampen the impact. If you’ve got a great business card, then you’ve got something to be proud of, and that goes a long way in attaining that heir of success we all look up to.

AWS was responsible for everything from the logo, to the website, to promotional material, and upcoming in-store signage!

*This brand is still under development*

Of course, it’s not that hard when the existing logo and wordmark work so perfectly for a company, but there’s always room for improvement. AWS updated the logo by keeping it’s simplicity intact while making the logo more unique. The key was in the addition of a new font for the workmark, and the always classy letterpress styling of the logo. These changes informed a great deal about the new direction for Altmus Pro.

The second aspect of the redesign was to make the company seem more friendly. In order to accomplish this, a mascot was introduced into the visual identity of the company. This little guy on the left makes for a much friendlier environment when browsing the website and reading brochures. Think of him as a guide to the technical world of product development!

And don’t forget to follow us on twitter, facebook, and check out our other sites in the AWS Network!