Launched in April 2007, Sonopia allowed anyone to create their own mobile phone service and mobile social network. Sonopia provided all the tools necessary for individuals to large organizations the ability to start, run and market their "Sonopia" in return receiving 5% cash back from every subscribers phone bill.
On the Sonopia.com home page, we put the main offering into context by using revolving visual scenarios and examples of "Sonopias". As well, we ranked the most popular Sonopias to engage users to join one that best fit them.
To attract new subscribers, we offered a number of promotions advertised through search engine marketing, viral marketing and ad banners which always lead to informative landing pages.
The Sonopia mobile phone service featured customizable mobile interfaces. Anyone could easily customize their mobile interface through the Sonopia online design tools. For our top tier partners, such as National Wildlife Federation, we provided solutions which enabled partners to extend their brand through to the mobile experience enabling end-users to be a part of the "Sonopia's" mobile social network through mobile blogs, news items, friend lists and favorites. The brand was also extended through to the phone by offering custom skins on select phones.
This example shows the simple, easy-to-use branded mobile interface for NWF Mobile (National Wildlife Federation). The phone skins were custom designed for Audubon Mobile and Ocean Conservancy Wireless.
Leveraging the membership database of the the National Wildlife Federation, the first NWF Mobile awareness and subscription campaigns focused primarily on traditional direct mail. Through the use of variable data printing we were able to test varied cover messages and promotional offers.
Considering too that we were working with environmentally conscious partners, I researched and put into effect a "Green" design policy at Sonopia. We reduced paper waste by using Adobe Acrobat to review and comment on layouts. We printed all our materials on recycled paper and worked with the local green printer: Greenerprinter.com.
To increase awareness past the the NWF membership base, we developed an online advertising campaign for NWF Mobile which tested various visuals and messages targeting audiences which responded to tithing, saving wildlife and protecting our children's future.
At Sonopia, there were 2 major marketing goals, one to increase the number of unique Sonopia's and the other to increase subscriptions to those Sonopias. In Q3 2007, we launched our first "Create a Sonopia" campaign through interactive banner ads. These examples ran for two weeks. The unique number of Sonopias increased substantially within the live dates.
When designing these banners our initiative was to establish and extend the Sonopia brand, provide a relatable context for users to create a Sonopia and reach out to a younger demographic.
In Q4 2007, we launched a second "Create a Sonopia" online ad campaign, this time targeting a larger audience and with a new promotion to earn $50 per every subscriber you sign-up. This campaign increased our awareness by testing the inclusion of a Sonopia "bug" brand and increased the creation of new unique Sonopias.
I worked with the start-up iControl in 2005 to define and build the first iteration of their Web site. The site focused on introducing their product offering—a Web-based remote home monitoring system. I helped them define the specific goals for the site, detail the site architecture, then design and build the site within 3 months. I utilized a Flash animated intro to provide relatable scenarios for using the iControl product. I kept the navigation super simple and provided simple illustrated overviews of how easily the product was to install and operate.
The Peninsula branch of Habitat for Humanity contacted me to help them build an identity and market collateral for a year long fundraising event called "Make it Real". I developed a logo which reflected the campaigns mission to build housing for 50 families within a year. The hand tooled aspect of the design conveys the aspect that houses are built by lending a hand. I applied the logo to a simple, donation accepting Web site and a promotional flyer.
The AgileTV product was designed to enable a user to control television programming through voice commands by means of a set top box, custom interactive guide and voice enabled remote control. I worked with the design team to research then re-invent how users could interact with their televisions. The on-screen interface provided guidance as well as user feedback to speech commands. I was recently awarded 2 patents for this unique type of user interface.
I started on at EA.com in the early planning stages of Electronic Arts goal to build the largest online gaming Web site. I worked closely with the User Experience team to define the overall strategy for the site, outline the site architecture and research the ultimate user gaming experience. Once we had a map in place, I worked to build a design team of 1 writer, 3 art directors and 6 designers. Within 6 months, we built and launched the site. I implemented a design system, templates and guidelines which enabled the many game design groups of EA launch their games to the site without the need of the design team. 3-5 games a week were added to the site. The design system also made it easy for games to be added and updated to our partner sites AOL and Netscape.
While working for EURO RSCG, the SF Opera approached us to design an identity and marketing materials for their epic production of Richard Wagner's "Der Ring des Nibelungen". The goal was to reach out to the Bay Area's high tech audience to increase ticket sales, giving and introduce the magic of opera to a new generation.
I developed "The Ring" identity to reflect the story's dramatic four cycles, many sword fights and ultimate destruction by fire. Using Flash, I developed a Web site that pulled users into the story. With rich illustrations that one could navigate through the user could explore and find pop-ups and secret elements that delighted users with music snippets, character sketches and photographs of the actual opera. This Web site won a "Best Web Site" award from Communication Arts.
When Intel introduced the Pentium III processor they wanted to show users how it's power could enhance internet experiences. To showcase the power of the processor I worked on designing and developing weboutfitters.com. Through various iterations, we enabled our site with emerging technologies is streaming video, Flash and Javascript enabled interactivity. The site also featured educational content which enabled users to explore new things they could do with their PC.
click here to read an artifact article I found about this site
I worked with start-up WebPartner, to define and develop the first iteration of their product Web site. The WebPartner product was a set of online meeting and secure transaction applications enabling small businesses to work efficiently and lower operating costs.
