When designing for mobile phones, space is always at a premium.

This has led to a rising use of icons, pictograms that represent something on the site visually instead of using text.

For the last year there has been a lot of talk about developing a universal menu navicon (navigation icon), something that when you see it on any site you would automatically think menu. There have been a few contenders, but based on what I’ve seen in the last few months the clear winner is three stacked, horizontal lines. Here are just a few examples I’ve picked up in the last week:

Clockwise from Top Left: Nola.com/Saints, Dribbble, Redbox, and Facebook

Personally, I don’t feel this is the most intuitive visual representation of menu, but it looks like it’s here to stay. Keep an eye out for this and other navicons the next time you’re browsing on your smart phone.

The following article was featured in the Chamber Connection published by the Ruston-Lincoln Chamber of Commerce. Special thanks to my former co-worker, the fabulous Nancy Bergeron, for writing the article!

The folks at Spring Media can go to work in their oldest cutoff shorts and most comfy T-shirt. That’s because the folks at Spring Media work in a virtual environment. “We have created a business that gives people room to be creative,” Elizabeth Drewett, Spring’s managing partner said.

Spring Media specializes in brand management, blog-based web design, and social media management. ”We spend time making sure your on-line presence is what you want it to be,” Drewett said. Spring has a variety of clients nationwide and is “really good” at health-care related projects.

Though Spring’s award-winning staff work from their homes, they stay connected via a virtual office. It’s a work design that Drewett thinks is the way of future. “I’m getting the best people by giving them the best work environment,” she said. “We have created a business that gives creative people room to be creative.”

I love the holidays. I don’t think that I’m alone on this one. I love the smells, I love the decorations, I love the hype. It just makes me happy.

Marketing greatness happens around the holidays; sneak peeks, product launches, anything to captivate your attention and arouse your senses. Even though I KNOW marketing, I’m still a sucker for it.

The other day, I went in to Bath and Body Works because of a sale on these candles that my friend, Kate, told me about. They were 1/2 off….well, of course I bought 2. I mean, it’s a good buy, right? Well, while I’m in there, the precious sales clerk introduces me to Forever Red, their new eau de parfum, coming out November 4th. It smelled amazing. Although all they had was just a ‘taste’ – a beautiful little 3.3 ounce red glass bottle available prior to the official product launch – they had my attention. They captivated my attention by just giving me a sense of what Forever Red was like.

Of course, I have it marked on my calendar to go back and purchase all of the additional products in this scent. But, in case I forgot when the launch is, they have created an excellent webpage, as a ‘teaser’ with a countdown and fun YouTube videos about the scent, how it was developed and the exquisite ingredients that it is made of.

Again, I love the holidays. I love the scents, the sights, the sounds, and the SALES! Holiday Hype is worth every penny this marketing girl gets sucked into spending. And, NO, it’s not just December….it begins in October and last thru Valentine’s Day. If you don’t join in, you’re truly missing out!

Happy Christmas! Merry Halloween! And have a Joyful Thanksgiving!

At Spring Media, we’re always busy working on something that we’re excited to show off to the internet.

Depending on the project, though, it might be a while before the printed piece is final or a website goes live. Design Sneak Peeks give our loyal blog readers a little 620 pixel x 300 pixel of what’s being created behind the scenes. Check back soon for the full reveal!

The temporary website Spring Media has created for Fuqua Property Maintenance is now live.

CLICK ON THE TABLET BELOW TO VISIT FUQUAPM.COM »