ENV Creative Blog

We recently launched a Flash/HTML hybrid microsite to promote our automated cell counting device, called the Scepter.  The site is built in AS2 (Some of our sales regions overseas don’t have a high propogation rate for the latest Flash player).  The data is all handled via XML to aid in translations, since we plan on launching versions of the site in French, Italian, German, and Spanish soon.  There will also be a Japanese version but the process to create that is a bit different that the standard Euro translations.

I worked closely with our lead MIS programmer, since our server structure requires some extra scripting to pass in dynamic data (such as the XML, or even the FLV videos in the site.)  All in all this site took about 3-4 weeks of work including several rounds of content revisions.

It’s exciting to be a part of a creative project that deviates from the run-of-the-mill.  Here at Millipore we recently installed solar panel systems at two of our facilities, to help generate power.  As part of the system a Flash-driven monitoring system can be tied in, which gives us the option to display stats such as power generation, emissions reduction, and kilowatt hours.

There is an existing, standard interface, but as part of the creative services team it was my responsibility to rebrand and redesign this interface into something suitable for display on both the Millipore website, and on displays in the lobbies of both buildings. The launch of these systems was a big step towards our dedication to find solutions which reduce our corporate energy use, and the actual launch ceremony was attended by the Governor of Massachusetts, who spoke along with other local leaders about the impact that this installation (the 2nd largest in Mass) will have on energy consumption.

The design for the interface is posted below.

Of course it’s been way too long since I’ve updated last.  The latest: I’m now a Senior Interactive Designer at Millipore - a large Biotech manufacturing company in the Bedford area.  I’ll be posting some new exciting projects I’ve done there soon, so stay tuned.-Seth

So, it’s about time I updated. My wife and I relocated to Boston in August of 2008, and as a designer at Maark Interactive, I was able to provide design for some pretty interesting B2B projects, like an Eco-calculator for Alcatel-Lucent.  I also worked on Microsites for both Alcatel-Lucent and Honeywell, as well as some concepting for Intuit.  Due to the state of the economy, I’m currently looking for Freelance opportunities, as well as select full-time positions.  I’ve attached some of my latest work below, and updated my portfolio site as well, so feel free to check out my work, and contact me if you’d like to know more.

I’m currently building a career survey tool for UBS (Swiss Bank) in Flash (Actionscript 3, Class-based) with a static XML backend.  Working for clients with stringent server requirements is especially challenging.  Originally this site was to be derived from a large content matrix that would have been a single, 2-3000 line XML file to be hand-edited by the client.  They do not allow any modules except SWFs with static XML due to security requirements.  We were able to steer the client away from this approach as it would have been clunky, slow to load, and bug prone.

Instead, we are building multiple XML files to provide job applicants with a career placement survey, which won’t require such a heavy load for the Flash player.  The site is all AS3 using custom classes.  The timeline is fairly short, 4 weeks, and that includes the time necessary to implement an external callback class in order to store information in a session cookie, to create a ‘history’ of sorts, which will prevent users from having specific URLs recommended more than one time.

www.whatwouldredhookdo.com launched finally.  I was the designer on the site and I worked closely with Jared Darr on the transitions & gallery animations.  This site is all Flash, coded in AS3 using Tweener and Pv3D.  In total this site took about 6-8 weeks including design & Flash production.  I’m very proud of the end result and it’s exciting to see such and advanced site come to fruition over time.

We pushed the aforementioned credit union site live:  http://changeisbeautiful.net/.  Actionscript 2 with a .net backend for sending emails.  There was a little bit of tricky form validation done in flash but this was a fairly straightforward project.  Took about a week total, including the time to load in all the videos with a small XML doc just for easier updating in the future.

Things are gearing up quickly for summer season. 14Four, the agency I work at is currently finishing things up with one microbrewery and we’re in talks with another brewer to add Content Management functionality to their existing Flash/HTML hybrid site. In addition we’re working with a banking firm to produce several Flash/XML based tools for potential employees. A newly formed Seattle agency has also asked us to provide some design services for them, and we’ll also be providing light design & heavy Flash duties for a PDX-based agency in the very near future. A Flash-based video site will be launching soon. I did all Flash production for the site, and also provided several rough-draft comps that the parent agency used to flesh out their final, approved design. The links for several of these sites will be posted within the next week or two as these sites roll live.

Designs are out to our investment capital firm client. In addition, I’ve been talking with a local commercial developer about doing a site design + implementation into a content management system.  Spokane is kind of interesting when it comes to design; with the right agency here a designer can work on national level clients. Corporations like Microsoft, Cingular/ATT, Motorola, (to name a few) all look to Spokane agencies for design & development. Most of this work is web based although the occasional print job runs through here as well. This is good for local clients though, it gives them the opportunity to work with designer/developers who have national level experience, which carries over to every job they do.

Just finished up a comp for a certain west-coast microbrewery. Actually both Derek and I pitched comps and the final site will feature Derek’s intro but my layout. We’re aiming to use some Papervision3d in this site for a bit of added depth. In addition we’re also pitching comps to an investment/venture capital firm but they haven’t actually gone out to the client yet. The HTML version of the ENV portfolio is in the works as well; the Flash version of the site will take a fair amount of work so my goal is to have an HTML version up within the next couple weeks, to hold over until the Flash version is done. I’ve also been working with a local programmer to get an RFP response out to the Spokane Chiefs for a site redesign/revamp. I did work on the last redesign of the Chiefs site, but this new project, if accepted, will be a redesign from the ground up. Being a hockey fan makes doing these kind of projects pretty exciting, especially doing design work, or Flash games like the slapshot game at coyoteshockeyhq.