JUN 24, 2009

Outlook's Broken. Let's Fix It.

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Of the many pangs of being a web developer, one that rises to the tip-top in terms of pain-in-the-assness is backwards compatibility. Whether it means discarding cool features, scaling back designs or even creating a separate site altogether, the steps we take to ensure backwards compatibility for browsers and email clients not only hinder our creative potential, but also costs considerable amounts of time and, therefore, money.

In their latest victory over progression, Microsoft have declared war on advancements in email design. FixOutlook.org has taken a stand and is encouraging people like me and you to let Microsoft know that we're mad as hell and we're not going to take it anymore. From their site:

Microsoft have just confirmed they plan on using the crippled Word rendering engine to display HTML emails in Outlook 2010.

This means for the next 5 years your email designs will need tables for layout, have no support for CSS like float and position and no background images. Not to mention the long list of bugs and quirks that break the simplest of layouts.

Outlook 2010 is still in beta and Microsoft have confirmed they want to hear your feedback on this decision. It's time for the email marketing and design community to rally together and encourage Microsoft to embrace web standards before it's too late.

They have launched an aggressive Twitter Campaign and an impressive site to go along with it. Join the cause, fight the power, Viva La Resistance!

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JUN 17, 2009

Library of Congress

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I came across the Library of Congress Flickr account a few weeks back and thought this would be a great resource for everyone. The photos on here have no copyright restrictions so knock yourself out experimenting with old timey photos and collages. I'm looking forward to making some cool stuff soon!

Library of Congress Flickr

JUN 16, 2009

(Project Update) Flowers and Beer - Thanks Center City Partners!

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You know you're having a good week when a personal delivery of flowers and beer shows up at your door on a Tuesday afternoon. We just came out of beta today with the latest release of FindYourCenter.com, the ultimate interactive guide to Charlotte's Center City — Uptown, Midtown and Historic South End.

Thank you Charlotte Center City Partners! We love working with you guys too.

Now everybody, go Find Your Center!

JUN 10, 2009

Newsletter Design featured on Campaign Monitor Gallery

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Campaign Monitor, an online email service provider that serves as the backbone of our client newsletter system, has just featured our AAF Charlotte newsletter design in their design gallery. While it’s more likely that they are more impressed with Wray Ward's Sunbrella ad, they still had some nice things to say about the newsletter:

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MAY 14, 2009

Will Jardine Elected to AIGA Charlotte Board of Directors

AIGA Charlotte's Board is made up entirely of volunteers passionate designers that dedicate their free time to making the Chapter amazing and our local design community vibrant.

Studiobanks is proud to announce that our own Will Jardine was just elected to the AIGA Charlotte Board of Directors. He will hold the office of Internet Coordinator for the 2009-2010 term. Will joins Banks Wilson, the Board's Communication Director, as the second Studiobanks team member on the Board.

MAY 11, 2009

Congratulations Chris & Erica Goodwin!

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This past weekend, on May 9th, our good friend and co-worker Chris and his beautiful bride, Erica, were wed at the Rosa Lee Manor in Pilot Mountain, NC (just north of Winston Salem). The ceremony was truly wonderful and we would like to extend our best wishes and congratulations to the happy couple. Enjoy Hawaii!

More photos of the wedding can be seen here.

APR 15, 2009

(Project Update) ARHE Launch

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There's call for celebration over here at the Studio, ARHENETWORK.com launched at 2:05 today! Congratulations Jason & the ARHE Network, we are honored and proud to be apart of this.

ARHE Launches

On April 15, 1947 at approximately 2:05 pm opera singer Everett McCooey finished singing the national anthem. A crowd of 25,623 (mostly black) packed into Ebbets Field for Opening Day to see the Brooklyn Dodgers take on the Boston Braves. Then, Jack Roosevelt Robinson took the field as the starting first baseman and history was changed forever.

On Wednesday, April 15, 2009 at 2:05 pm history will change again.

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APR 15, 2009

Boom!

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Designers from across the state came out this past weekend to celebrate the Carolina's most creative design at AIGA Charlotte's BOOM! Gala and Exhibition. The BOOM! competition had over 440 entries of which our judges selected 96 amazing winners. All winning work was displayed at the Gala for attendees to view as they mixed and mingled with a cross-Carolinas crowd. Attendees consistently remarked on the incredibly high caliber of work that was displayed.

Studiobanks is proud to announce that we had 5 pieces selected in the show!

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APR 6, 2009

(New Media Tip) Social Media - Get in the Game

Integrating social media into your online marketing strategy should be at the top of your list right now. Social media is simply interaction between small and large groups of people via the Internet and mobile devices that involves the exchange of information instantly. This interaction has received extensive visibility and popularity worldwide, and forward-thinking companies are adapting by joining these growing online communities and their conversations.

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MAR 18, 2009

(Project Update) Andrew Roby Website Launched

Our team recently launched a new website for Andrew Roby, one of the premier residential construction firms in the Charlotte region that specializes in high-end custom home remodeling. This award-winning, civic-minded company was founded more than 60 years ago as a simple, one man remodeling firm. Today, Andrew Roby has set a high standard for home remodeling, renovations, new homes, handyman services and custom commercial projects. Check out their portfolio to see their one-of-a-kind homes that combine style, luxury and comfort!