(616) 356-2545 15 Ionia Ave. SW, Suite 220 - Grand Rapids, MI 49503

Does Color Matter?

November 15th, 2017 by Ima Admin

Of course color matters! But I’m not talking about polarizing protest slogans. I’m talking about color and design.

Back in the day, designing in color was simpler – from 1905 to 1935 Crayola only gave us eight (8) colors. Now just look at all the choices in your crayon box. Lawrence Herbert saw how difficult it was for designers to communicate the language of color, so he bought the printing company, Pantone, and set things in motion to change that. Even Pantone started with just 10 colors in the early 60’s, but today has just short of 1,900 colors defined. X-Rite bought Pantone in 2007 for $180 million, so I’m safe to say that color is important!

Dorothy opened her eyes and followed a Yellow Brick Road to arrive at the Emerald City, then clicked her Ruby Red slippers to go home. Color can be used to create a sense of urgency, move us along in a direction, and provide us with information.

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Site Redesign: Imagination Factory

January 30th, 2017 by Ima Admin

jugglingIt’s finally here! The new IFI site. During 2016, Team IFI launched ~20 new client sites (several quite large with an extensive list of features); We ghost blogged through the year for six clients; We managed SOCS, our Suite Online Catering System, for a dozen minor league baseball ballclubs around the country; We handled the tradeshow support needs (design of trinkets, handouts, posters, banners, A/V shows, even tailgate flags) for several clients; We designed / produced numerous direct mail campaigns for several clients totaling over 200,000 postcards (mail merged and EDDM); we handled Adwords campaigns for a couple retained clients; we designed a variety of new logos, business cards, and newsletters for several clients; and we managed site (and server) updates/upgrades for over 50 managed client sites.

Whew!
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Tradeshows: Brides and Tattoos

September 30th, 2016 by Ima Admin

One of our clients, CTMAX, has been expanding their practice to include non-invasive cosmetics. After much research, CTMAX acquired a highly specific (pico-second) laser for reducing blemishes, scars and spots in a shorter time with less pain. They also discovered that the same device excelled at also removing tattoos with the same benefits.

As a result, they have found themselves taking booth space at bridal shows and tattoo conventions such as Tommy’s with the need for various tradeshow and promotional item materials.

Naturally they called on their long-time designer, IFI (since ’95). We rose to the challenge by designing/producing these large scale posters and banners for their shows along with promotional items including engraved bottle openers, can koozies, etc.


Site Launch: Andy Mast Greenhouses

September 19th, 2016 by Ima Admin

Andy Mast Greenhouses grow a wide range of high-quality bulbs, spring plants, mums and poinsettias to help homeowners beautify their homes and gardens year-round. Not available directly to the consumer, the product of their tender loving care can be found in Kroger supermarkets throughout the United States.

That said, when thinking about developing their first online presence, they wanted to serve two distinct audiences – their retailers as well as the consumers – both with different reasons for visiting their site. The retailers want merchandising assistance while the end user can benefit from care and feeding information.

Andy Mast came to the Imagination Factory for a creative online way to meet the needs of both groups PLUS allow their staff to tell a climate-conscious planet their ‘green’ story. We designed an easily managed site w/ a searchable and categorized seasonal product catalog and blog categories of direct interest to both groups.

Take a minute to STOP and smell the mums at the fresh new Andy Mast Greenhouse site.


Site Redesign: Kawasaki Precision Machinery

August 22nd, 2016 by Ima Admin

IFI_Blog_KPM_552x587Kawasaki is a leading manufacturer of hydraulic systems and components. Kawasaki’s technological leadership and customer-centered philosophy is well-known around the world.

Originally designed back in late 2009/2010, the KPM-USA site had served this client well, BUT was showing its age a bit. Built before tablets & smartphones became a predominate method for surfing the web, this site needed both a facelift and some structural changes to make it more mobile responsive as well as reflect Kawasaki’s industry leadership. Besides mobile-responsiveness, the new site adds an interactive distributor locator for North & Central America as well as a private distributor only area.

To see the new look and capabilities, visit the NEW KAWASAKI USA site.


Site Launch: Haisma Design

July 11th, 2016 by Ima Admin

IFIblog_HDC_smFor nearly two decades Haisma Design Co. has been creating stunning luxury homes, as well as, designing extraordinary living, commercial, and recreational spaces for our extremely satisfied clients.

Sadly, their website wasn’t doing them and their work justice. They went looking for a web & marketing company that ‘got them’ and worked as diligently to satisfy their clients as they did. They found the Imagination Factory.

Like IFI, their award-winning work can be seen across North America, from Key West to Minnesota, and across the state of Michigan. And now, your can see it too, right from your desktop, tablet or smartphone.

Come see their extraordinary solutions at HAISMA


Marketing: Keeping the USPS Busy

June 20th, 2016 by Ima Admin

IFIblog_FMB_PCs-282x300Another of our long-time web clients in a different part of the country, has over the years, been very successful with an old school method of marketing. Florida has different plumbing and backflow requirements than many of the other US States. Many of the properties that they service have owners that reside in other states.

While email marketing might be quicker, they’re more easily missed and are harder to pin to your cork board or refrigerator than a 4-color printed postcard. We designed these four postcards, one for each primary service Flamingo Plumbing and Backflow offers – general plumbing, drain & sewer cleaning, grease trap cleaning & lift station / backflow service.

Approximately each quarter, we have up to 40,000 postcards printed, address-merged, pre-sorted and drop shipped to our client for sending out.


Branding: Athletic Mentors

May 11th, 2016 by Ima Admin

AMM_SIGN-300x225As you may have noticed, many of these blogs are a mix of new client projects and those from long-time clients that trust us with numerous opportunities to assist them with their continuing marketing needs as they grow.

One such client is Athletic Mentors, for whom we’ve designed & developed their brand logo, several concurrent mobile responsive & ecommerce websites as well as many tradeshow collateral pieces, event banners, sales brochures & flyers, and stationery and business cards.

In addition to banners, posters and tent cards, we recently designed this backlit sign for their new coaching facility. The fabrication, municipal permits and zoning issues and installation were all handled by our good friends at Sign-a-rama which allowed us to provide a total solution to the client alleviating many of the headaches associated in getting this accomplished.


Site Launch: Facilities Resource Group

April 23rd, 2016 by Ima Admin

IFIblog_FRG_smIf you’ve been following our site blogs over the past couple years, you may recognize this continuing story.

Michigan LED lighting manufacturer first came to us to revamp the site of one of their business units and then update some of their tradeshow collateral handouts. A bit later, the parent company’s expansion led them into a merger with another similar firm in Texas which, in turn, led to a substantial re-branding effort and a call for the Imagination Factory to handle the online re-branding efforts.

Now that much of the dust has settled on the re-branding, we come full circle, and we’re pleased to announce the launch the newly re-designed, mobile-responsive web presence for the parent, Facilities Resource Group, complete with interactive client location map and case study portfolio.

See their bright solutions at FRG


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