XJ CREATIVE

06/05/2014

Does your business need a logo? No idea what to budget?

This ancient questionnaire is still pretty spot-on with regard to the general cost-of-entry for logo design based on objectives.

Keep in mind, a logo is just a portion of your visual identity, which is only one component of your overall brand.

BRAND: The overall perceived image of your company or organization.
IDENTITY: The visual aspects that represent the overall brand.
LOGO: Identifies a business in its simplest form via the use of a mark or icon

Calculate how much your logo will cost with this interactive calculator. Post your project and compare 8 free proposals.

06/04/2014

“I remember a time at Yale when my work was being critiqued by Paul Rand. Mr Rand told me only to use Helvetica as a display face, never in text. Then he squinted, leaned in, and whispered in my ear, “because Helvetica looks like dogsh*t in text”.”

-Kyle Cooper (Hollywood motion picture title-sequence veteran)

Star typeface designer Tobias Frere-Jones explains the challenges of using Helvetica Neue as an operating system font.

06/04/2014

Some call it the Oakland uniform.

Evolve EVR. Stagnate NVR.

We conspired with RAP g-ds/afficionados Stay Hatin' to send a very clear message to the makers of sh*tty rap and hip hop. We don't need you. The release party exploded. LEAVE & ALONE are glossy black on black and Rap is in white with a Stay Hatin' sticker logo at the bottom.

02/27/2014

XJCREATIVE built the original LLA site in 2008. Needless to say, we're all THRILLED to launch this shiny new one!

The Life Learning Academy is committed to creating a nonviolent community for students who have not been successful in traditional school settings. LLA welcomes students into an ‘extended family’ which motivates everyone to give and receive support, develop responsibility and judgment, and build the...

02/05/2013

Regardless of budget, precision STRATEGY reigns supreme when it comes to marketing impact.

See these killer social media stabs from Oreo, Tide & Audi during the SuperBowl blackout.

Real-time marketing has truly become the next big thing in marketing. Rather than spending $4 million dollars on a 30-second ad, if you have the right material at the right time, it can go viral br...

02/04/2013

Business owners: have you used a DIY approach to the web? Are you satisfied with the results?

We want to hear your story!

01/11/2013

New site for Francis Chiser (pka DJ Franchise)

While you click around, check out his brand new indie dance mix entitled "Tom's Summer"

»»» http://www.francischiser.com/toms-summer/

01/07/2013

Happy New Year from XJCREATIVE!

Do your New Year's resolutions include investing in a new business idea, but you're not sure where to start?

We can help you decide where to focus your precious resources.

And we love chatting over coffee! Don't be shy.

01/07/2013

You are what you tweet.

Are your social media marketing efforts full of empty calories?

You ARE counting, right?

Last week, we came across Go-Gulf’s social media team infographic (above) and found some of the numbers on it pretty interesting. (The infographic was based on a 2012 survey of more than 2,700 social media professionals conducted by Ragan/NASDAQ OMX Corporate Solutions.) Here is what jumped out at u...

12/13/2012

Futureproof Web: Why 'Responsive' Design?

The iPhone display is 640px wide, while the MacBook Pro 15" (Retina) sports a width of 2880px. That's a factor of 4.5x - quite a range!

Of course you want your site to look and feel great on both platforms (and everything in between). Thus: RESPONSIVE design, meaning adaptability to different display environments.

Don't just take my word for it! See an excellent breakdown from Mashable »

Mashable's new design is responsive, and that's something you're going to see a lot more of soon.

12/12/2012

One of the most gorgeously flexible brand identity designs we've seen. Props to Landor Associates for an incredible job!

Melbourne, the brand, has been given a $240,000 facelift and the result is a big M.

12/09/2012

#1 can't be emphasized enough. Mobile devices account for more than 20% of web access in the US and Canada.

Is YOUR website mobile-friendly?

Don't bother to have a website if you're making these obvious, fundamental errors.