the big idea blog

We Heart WordPress!

Posted on 16/01/2012 by Sean Sequeira

There are so many reasons why we love WordPress, the open source CMS and publishing tool we use to develop web sites. We love the user-friendly back-end with the Karoo-flat learning curve. We love the WordPress community. We love the fact that by using it, we’re sticking it to ‘the man’.

Here’s another reason. This post has been written on my iPad with the super-slick app available on the App Store for the princely sum of $0. It’s great for that spelling mistake your boss phoned you about at 2 o’clock this morning. It’s also great for that ‘Eureka Moment’ when you’re on the beach. It’s another justification to the accounts department that your iPad/Android Tab/Blackberry, etc. is indeed a very valuable business tool.

WordPress is our chosen platform when designing and developing web sites for clients that require a little more than a ‘vanilla’ web site. It empowers our clients to take control of their own content. It allows them to log in to add and edit content from anywhere and from any platform.

If your web site is old and manky and in serious need of a make-over, let’s talk. Then go straight to the accounts department and demand an iPad.

Posted in Web Design

Africa. Just a bit newer…

Posted on 12/12/2011 by Sean Sequeira

I’m really battling to keep this project a secret. Here’s a little peak into how id is helping to shake up the tourist “curio” trade. And by “curios” we don’t mean the obligatory wooden giraffes or painted ostrich eggs (yawn).

Update real soon!

Posted in Branding, Design, Logos

Be Unique Wallpaper Freebie

Posted on 29/11/2011 by Sean Sequeira

This freebie is to celebrate a momentous occasion. A “eureka” moment, if you will.

(Warning: what follows is a little geeky.) Its been about 10 years that I’ve used Carrara for my 3D modeling and rendering and I’ve just stumbled upon the best way to give objects a smooth, round edge. A few clicks that shortens render times from overnight to about 10 minutes. (Okay, done. Sorry).

So, please, raise a glass and toast me, the old dog, that after 10 odd years, managed to learn a new trick. No, please, you’re too kind! No applause, thanks! Thanks very much!

The zip file contains wallpapers for wide and standard screens as well as iPad home and lock screens. Android tablets, you ask? Do they still make those?

→ be_unique_wallpaper.zip (1.6mb)

Be Unique Wallpaper by Sean Sequeira is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs 3.0 Unported License.

Posted in Freebies, Wallpaper

Triangles. Triangles everywhere.

Posted on 18/11/2011 by Sean Sequeira

We are involved in the complete rebrand of a company called SI Group which, when complete, we’ll feature here. Its an exciting project that we’re very proud of and are very keen to share. In the meantime, here’s a company that’s recently been acquired by SI Group called Future Force Consulting. FFC are involved in corporate psychological assessments, testing, training, etc.

Original Logo

Our brief was to update the logo and corporate identity of the company using the same or similar colours to the original logo. We quite liked the idea of keeping the triangular devices and the abbreviation “FFC” which is what they use to introduce themselves. We tweaked the colours slightly, particularly the grey, which is now the same grey used by SI Group companies.

The symbol can be used on its own and in monochrome which makes the branding of corporate gifting and other marketing items far easier. The large red triangle gives a feeling of forward momentum which the client really likes. (The old one also has that, Sean!)

As usual, click on the thumbnails to enlarge the images. If you like this design (or any others in the big idea blog) please share them with your friends/colleagues/aunties/uncles/MDs/FDs/CEOs/COOs/CFOs (?) by using the share buttons below. Thanks!

Posted in Branding, Design, Logos

Stop and sniff the flowers

Posted on 04/11/2011 by Sean Sequeira

Our brief from MSD Pharmaceuticals for this product, a clone of their very successful and effective nose spray, was to advertise to the consumer (as well as to the pharmacist) that this spray is a proven product to work through all seasons and that it’s available without a prescription.

We designed the “spray” device to mirror the symbol of the existing logo. The device was created in Carrara 3D and refined in Adobe Photoshop. Due to strict laws governing pharmaceutical advertising in South Africa, we can’t show you the logo or reveal the name of the product.

To communicate the “whatever the season” aspect of the product, we created the icons and colour palette. This gave us a tremendous amount of scope when it came to designing promotional items (think wobblers, counter-talkers, etc.). The pattern was also used to add texture and depth to the various promotional items.

Posted in Branding, Design

Starpack Website

Posted on 16/09/2011 by Sean Sequeira

We designed this site for our client Starpack. We’ve designed the site with the view to add the client’s complete product listing in the future, as well as an online ordering system. The product listing and ordering system will plug directly into Starpack’s system.

Here’s the link to the site: www.starpack.co.za.

Oh, BTW, the 3d rendered logo is our work too!

Posted in Design, Web Design

Xithali Group Logo

Posted on 15/09/2011 by Sean Sequeira

This is a logo we designed for a company with many different facets and functions. We designed the symbol in such a way as to be flexible enough to attach to any industry that the group chose to engage in without losing their association with the group. Our inspiration for the logo was the infinity symbol as well as a mobius strip. (We know, we know! The symbol is neither. It was just the starting point!) Colour is used to differentiate the different divivsions within the group. Below is an example of the symbol in different colours.

Posted in Design, Logos

Colour Caress Product Shot

Posted on 25/07/2011 by Sean Sequeira

Annique Health & Beauty have relaunched their cosmetics line as “Colour Caress” and they asked us to shoot a group shot of their product line for their relaunch campaign. Bianca and Lisa from Annique spent the morning with us in the studio to produce this shot. We produce all the pack shots of new products for Annique.

Posted in Photography, Product Photography

Intaba Indle Brochure

Posted on 24/07/2011 by Sean Sequeira

We designed a brochure for a client to sell his luxury home in the Intaba Indle estate in Bela Bela, Northern Province. Sean went on location for the weekend to take photos of the house (that’s business-talk for “free weekend away”) and he designed this brochure for estate agents in the area to distribute to interested clients. Click on the thumnail to view the brochure.

Posted in Brochures, Design

Timeless Anthems Album Artwork

Posted on 24/07/2011 by Sean Sequeira

This is id’s first album artwork design and we’re super excited to be doing them for Next Music! Musica ran a “Loud and Proud” promotion focussed on music and other entertainment titles for the gay and lesbian community. This title was compiled and produced by Next for Musica. More album designs to come soon! Click on the thumbnail to enlarge.

Posted in Album Artwork, Design