3thought worked closely with Dr. Sasha Carr to create the character and logo for her concept of “The BreakUp Coach.” The next step towards building the online community Dr. Carr envisioned was to design a website that would be the hub of all her future initiatives. The site needed to encompass her blog which she had already started on a separate platform, an advice column, e-mail based breakup counseling programs, and e-cards – and that was just the beginning.

3thought set out to create something that married well with the original character design developed and capture the playful, “girly” spirit that Dr. Carr wanted to portray on the site. We wanted a bold statement on the homepage that guided visitors to key actions to take on the site: Send a Card, Sign-Up for E-mail and Shop for Merch. The secondary actions (reading the blog & advice columns) are displayed at the bottom of the layout with a feature article and links to recent posts. The bold “jell bean” shapes carry throughout the site and create a casual, playful feeling.

The site was coded by TG Web Development, utilizing a custom CMS they developed just for this site. This allows each function to remain distinct and easily maintained by the client herself. We were able to import the BreakUp Coach’s previous blog articles so that the blog portion of the site would be fully populated at launch. We also build an article categorization system that would automatically update a grid of “jelly bean” navigation buttons. Further, we build an e-mail system that registers users and sends them personalized messages built off of a pre-determined curriculum of breakup advice.

Perhaps our favorite feature of the site involves the e-cards.

Here, we were able to let our inner-artist loose, creating custom illustrations for each card.

As not-fun as the end of the relationships are, we are sure that the breakup-coach.com website will bring a smile to a few faces.

One of the favorite tasks we take on at 3thought is building out a brand aesthetic across all mediums. Schernecker Property Services (SPS) had begun the process of modernizing their brand elements with a corporate brochure and a series of mailers. However, their online presence was falling behind these efforts by an ever increasing margin. It was time for a redesign.

SPS has long partnered with Clarity Communications to help them keep their marketing on target. Clarity Communications contracted with 3thought to help bring the new visual and message directions of SPS’s marketing to the web.

Before

The previous site had a very dated design aesthetic that did not merge well with the new crisp white marketing materials. The new site needed to show as a best of class for SPS’s market, as well as offer more sales drivers and easier maintenance. We presented a few options and SPS selected an option that showcased a large homepage photo slider and a very open, clean template.

The design was kept honest without clutter, but did offer select details to keep things interesting. An example of this would be the testimonial style featured on most pages – a CSS treatment that creates interest without being overly “loud.” We also paid careful attention to application of red throughout the design make sure to draw appropriate attention to key messages and calls to action.

A very important marketing tool built into the site are the Expert Guides. SPS uses these highly targeted white papers to  establish their position as the experts in their field. The form to request these guides can be accessed from several points throughout the site. The check box options expose users to variety of information available and encourage them to request additional information.

The site is built on an uncomplicated CMS that allows administrators to easily add subpages and rearrange key elements. Watch for a review of this CMS by Lucas Wojciechowski coming soon.

3thought also created PDF templates and layouts to showcase the in-depth case studies (Success Stories) and Expert “Do It Right” Guides. Each need to fit within the same brand system but stand as individual categories of materials.

Thank you to Ethan at Clarity Communications for his guiding hand throughout the project and to the entire SPS team. It was a great experience to work with everyone.

December Dreams is a grass roots foundation created to support Toys for Tots in the Greater Boston Area. Although they had a site previously, they didn’t feel the design was representing their message. The directors of the foundation contacted 3thought and asked us to create a new site that would capture the spirit of their mission. The content and function of the site was not overly complex, but they wanted to be able to grow it over time. Additionally, they wanted something that would be reputable and memorable.

We began our design by creating a custom watercolor painting. We wanted something that was hand done  to make the site very personal. We also wanted a visual that would capture a little bit of the magic feeling that surrounds the Holidays. We layered that with a simple grid and architecture that would allow the site to grow easily as the foundation grew. We added some simple JavaScript photo galleries for the event pages, and connected them to PayPal to help with their fund raising efforts.

This site is definitely a case of simplicity being the best route. A few thoughtful details make a distinctive site that will serve December Dreams as they continue to grow their efforts into the future.

This project is part of a larger re-brand initiative commissioned by At Your Service. They knew they wanted a fresh new image that projected their high quality, standards and panache. We had previously created a new Logo that featured a hand-drawn, artistic style and rich purple color.

This was the first website for At Your Service, so we were starting with a completely clean slate. We worked with the management team to figure out a sitemap and develop content. As At Your Service is a small company that prides itself on a personal touch, the scope of the site was kept simple while still providing all the information one would need to contact the company for a quote.

We developed several possible visual directions with a wide range of aesthetics. Ultimately, this direction was chosen because of its “mood.” The client really liked the emotional response and sense of elegance created by the dark purple swirls and simple napkin graphic. The homepage features a simple roll over effect on key targets that creates just a touch of drama.

Overtime, as their collateral materials grow, the website will grow with the client. They will be adding to their image archive and posting more photography as it becomes available. The simple design allows the site to work visually now and as the content becomes more complex.

To learn more about At Your Service, please visit atyourservice-cater.com.
Programming and hosting provided by: Brattle Consulting Group.

Along with the homepage, we also created a logo for Black Point Sales. We presented the logos (seen here on the left) and the client was originally interested in a more illustrative version. He eventually settled on the 5th concept down with some typography adjustments. All the concepts were created in black and white, and we never did a full color study. With the name “Black” Point Sales, we thought keeping to a black and white palette would (A) Keep project costs lower and (B) Tie right in with the company name. Mission accomplished.

The next phase of the project was to build a site template that presented a friendly and approachable yet still professional image. The blue was selected for a sense of stability and the green to add energy and a feeling of progressiveness. Nautical icons were created to highlight the key services.

If you’re a small company or a non-profit, and you’re looking for a hand with your website feel free to give Shea or myself a call. We love working with start ups. We know what it’s like to be starting out and we’re always willing to work with-in a budget. We also realize that we might not always the best fit for your companies needs, and refer folks to the Helping the Hub Team or some of our other strategic partners. At the end of the day, we want what best for you. So, that’s the story of Black Point Sales and another succesfull project for Helping the Hub. Check back with us soon and we’ll post a link as soon as the site goes live.

Final Logo for Black Point Sales