H Squared Design Studio (H2DS)

Rebecca Black - Friday (OFFICIAL VIDEO)

2011-03-14T13:48:00.000-07:00

This video had 2.2 million viewers just over the weekend! Look what video production and posting to YouTube can do!

The Purpose of Purpose: What is your website actually doing?

2011-03-12T19:08:00.000-08:00

This article, the first for H², is one of tough love and is brought about by the number one pitfall most clients fall into, the mis-belief of the almighty website. Too often I'll ask a potential client why they want a website and receive a reply such as "I want to promote myself" or "I want to make money". These goals are excellent places to start but unfortunately most stay at these starting goals and expect the designer to make these wishes come true; unfortunately designers are not genies nor live in bottles. To achieve such broad and unformed goals only the client can make them happen.
Simply put the question every person looking for a website should ask is "how will my website achieve my goals?" Just because you have a great product to sell on your website doesn't mean anyone will buy it. Just because you have produced the next great act doesn't mean agents will be calling the day after the website goes active. A website is not the end all solution to every problem but should be considered only a means to very specific ends. I often tell my clients to think of a website as only one tool in their tool box of marketing and exposure. The good news is with proper planning, a website can be a very effective tool to achieve your goals.
So you want a website because every one has a website, especially your competitors, and you want to be instantly plugged into the 21st century. So now what? Here is where I, the all knowing designer, starts asking questions that probably sound a lot like suddenly meeting an alien from outer space. What started out simple "I want a website" turns into "What do you want your website to do or achieve?" This is a very important question that is basically laying down the very foundation of your online presence. Before all the technical questions there are four basic questions that must be answered:

What are you trying to say or sell?
Who are you trying to speak or sell to?
What mediums of communication will you use?
How are you going to get people to listen?

Though deceptively simple each question opens a Pandora's box of other questions all which need to lead back to "I want to promote myself" or "I want to make money".

The next few blog articles will discuss each question in turn and will bring them back together into the designing of a website.

Until then,
Jonny at H² logging off.

Latest Video Design for Jason's Birthday.

2010-12-08T13:47:00.000-08:00

Latest video design by me and Jason at H².

Half way to Hell from Jason Holcomb on Vimeo.

Welcome to the world of H² designs.

2010-11-22T18:30:00.000-08:00

Welcome to the new H² Design Studio blog. The idea for this blog has been brewing inside my head for the better part of a year and stems from the many questions clients have asked me. My goal for this blog is to illuminate some of the nuances of the internet, the design process, and creating an online presence. Mixed in with the general articles one will find a smattering of promotions, current events for both H² as well as clients, and design freebies and templates for the designer in all of us.

Check out some of the upcoming articles:

The Importance of Purpose: What is your website trying to do?
You have a brand new website, so now what?
Why Is My Site Not #1: Search Engine Optimization and what it means for you.
So You Want a Website! Where to Start?
To Be or Not To Be: Social Networks and Online Promotions.

Please feel free to comment , email any questions, or any ideas for blog posts. For more information check out our website.

Jonny H.