Cole & Denny Website Redesign
As an architectural and planning firm, Cole & Denny Inc. portrays a highly polished image that reflects the extremely high calibre of work that the firm delivers. IDEAS2IMAGE was brought in to redesign the corporate website with a clean and bright appearance that would allow the work samples of the firm to take “center stage” within the interface.
Project Synopsis
Cole & Denny, Inc. Is an established architectural and planning firm that has renovated some of the most historic buildings in the Nation’s capital. The firm gains clientele through word of mouth, and takes a very conservative approach to self promotional activities. However, the principals of the firm realized that the corporate website was underutilized. IDEAS2IMAGE was brought in to redesign the website interface, and create a secure area to help Cole & Denny staff exchange large volumes of files with clients over the course of a project.
As an architectural firm, Cole & Denny must exude the qualities of refinement and sophistication that are embodied in the firm’s work. This was no more apparent than during the planning phase of the project, when the principals began to create their own (very nice) sketches of how the website redesign might look. Although this was a departure from the normal IDEAS2IMAGE process, we love it when our clients are excited and involved in a project.
IDEAS2IMAGE worked closely with the principals of Cole & Denny to create an overall plan for the firm’s website. Throughout these conversations, the theme of minimalism returned as a topic of conversation. So, we incorporated this philosophy into all levels of the website. From a structural perspective, the site would be shallow, and allow a user to arrive at a destination with a single click. The visual design would use color sparingly, so that the user’s focus would remain on the pertinent content on the page.
Through our iterative design process, IDEAS2IMAGE created a user interface that met the exacting specifications of Cole & Denny. The final design included HTML and Flash elements. To display the firm’s work samples, we built an easily updated Flash gallery module that could be managed by non-technical staff, and created and HTML newsletter for the firm’s online communications.
IDEAS2IMAGE created a secure, user-based file transfer module to alleviate to difficulties of high-volume file transfer that Cole & Denny staff met when working with remote clients. The custom developed system allows the architect’s staff to drag-and-drop entire files systems onto a web page, and have the information securely transferred to a specific client’s “library.” The system is controlled on a per-user basis, so that many clients can interact with Cole & Denny while maintaining privacy over their files. The Architects were very happy with the web system.
Process: Learn–Solve–Deliver
IDEAS2IMAGE consistently delivers superior websites, because we place a heavy emphasis on learning about the client’s core business needs early in the project. We identify functional requirements, constructing a development plan that will result in a successful project delivery. This knowledge is captured in a detailed project planning documentation that identifies specific milestones and project expectations.
Over the course of the project, IDEAS2IMAGE performs in a consultative role to solve the communication and technical challenges of website design. We determine the proper brand presentation, visual design, and information architecture for your project. Our iterative approach to development gives us the ability to exceed our client’s expectations.
IDEAS2IMAGE employs a modular approach to development. Each discrete component (i.e. design, application module, or animation) is developed so that it can be independently modified, while continuing to function within the context of the larger project. This maximizes flexibility and allows us to deliver efficient systems that achieve the client’s objectives.
