Client: Bates Smart
URL: http://www.batessmart.com.au/

Launched: 29 June 2009
Agency: Flint Interactive & Fabio Ongarato
Project: Website

Major Features:

• Unique Content Transitions
• Smart Data Load Practices
• Full-browser Page Viewer
• Deeplinking

The Story:

This was my nightmare. I don’t think I should share so much negative opinions publicly, so I won’t.

On a positive note, the client wanted to work with us directly, opening the floodgates to unfiltered communication. The outcome was a smoother, sharper, functional execution, and understanding the project’s history, the outcome was something to be proud of.

Technology Analysis:

• Flash w/ Actionscript 3
• PHP w/ MySQL for UGC and CMS
• Deeplinking

The Team:

• Designer - Fabio Ongarato
• Backend Developer - Cameron Manderson
• Flash Developer - Neil Nand

Screenshots:

Client: Mercy Breastmilk Bank
URL: http://www.mercybreastmilkbank.com.au/

Launched: 10 September 2009
Agency: Flint Interactive
Project: Website

Major Features:

• UGC
• Low Budget

The Story:

It must be hard being a charity and have the budget for the perfect website. Lucky for them, we had a clever designer and technical director on the case. Cam, the tech, devised a plan on limiting the functionality of the CMS, to cut down the budget. The result was the client had to do a bit more work, but the user wouldn’t be able to tell the difference. The freelance designer’s design allowed for simple animations and transitions, which also aided the low budget execution.

The designer and I never got to jam on the execution, but he definitely “got” the situation and played his part very well. I only have praise for him, as he must have thoroughly understood the brief. This only really comes from digital design experience.

There are still too many designers that think they “get” the brief and design something that needs double the budget to develop. This is why I’m a strong believer of solid meetings between the developers and designers involved to plan the solution together, over the current linear designer first, developer later methodology. The outcome of this meeting should be then approved by the creative director. Benefits of this include:

• better understanding of each other’s abilities
• stronger teamwork
• the CD’s involvement is strictly directional
• discussion for a combined optimum solution

Technology Analysis:

• Flash w/ Actionscript 3
• PHP w/ MySQL for UGC and CMS
• Deeplinking

The Team:

• Designer - Unknown
• Backend Developer - Cameron Manderson
• Flash Developer - Neil Nand

Screenshots:

Client: Lovable
URL: http://apps.facebook.com/confess_your_sin/

Launched: 21 September 2009
Agency: Flint Interactive & K inc
Project: Facebook Application

Major Features:

• Questionnaire
• Send to Facebook Friend List
• Appears on Newsfeed and Profile Wall

The Story:

This was my first application in Facebook’s new framework. Once you get your head around XFBML and FBJS, its easy-peasy. There were a few dramas with general PHP sessions and Facebook sessions colliding, and during that launch, Facebook were having some website problems, but it didn’t take too may days to get rectified.

It was a simple small “get out there on Facebook” project, with little thought and planning. The concept wasn’t able to take off, as it was a little offensive, and the question structure didn’t have much substance.

I am only including this, because it broke the ice for me in terms of Facebook development, which has opened doors to more ideas to flow in my head… and it’s Jen Hawkin’s lingerie label.

Technology Analysis:

• Flash w/ Actionscript 3
• PHP w/ MySQL
• FBJS
• XFBML

The Team:

• Strategy - K inc
• Designer - Sacha Jerrems
• Copy Writer - K inc
• Illustrations - Buzz Swarbrick
• Flash Developer - Neil Nand
• Backend Developer - Neil Nand
• Facebook Developer - Neil Nand

Screenshots:

Client: City of Port Phillip (CoPP)
URL: http://susmakeover.enviroehub.com.au/

Launched: 10 August 2009
Agency: Flint Interactive
Project: Microsite

Major Features:

• Lively Interaction
• Site-wide Voice Over
• Unique Section Look & Feel
• UGC Idea Submissions
• Send to Friend Feature

The Story:

This would have to have been one of my favourite projects at Flint. I played a big role in this project from start to finish.

At the quoting stage I was able to increase the scope by offering additions of user-generated-content (UGC) and other functionality. We won the quote and the additions.

The brief was to portray the lifestyles of 3 different typical City of Port Phillip stereotypes, identify where wastage is generated and offer ideas on how it can be reduced. The UGC element was brought in here, where the user can get involved and submit their own ideas to the site. Sacha and I jammed up an idea where all 3 contestants live next door to each other in the same apartment, to introduce the whole “one goal” mentality. Their living rooms act as the presentation ground for the different sections, with all overlooking the iconic CoPP suburb, St Kilda.

At the completion of the project I got involved with the CoPP team to populate the UGC with their own ideas to get the ball rolling. I thought it was a good way of raising awareness amongst the entire office of what the marketing team were up to. I came up with the minor website related copy, eg, Send to Friend copy.

I hope you enjoy using it as much as I enjoyed building it!

Technology Analysis:

• Flash w/ Actionscript 3
• Displacement Bitmap Effects
• PHP w/ MySQL for UGC and Mailing

The Team:

• Designer - Sacha Jerrems
• UGC Backend Developer - Jarrod Monk
• Mailing - Anthony Mikrou
• Flash Developer - Neil Nand

Screenshots:

New year for new beginnings

Flint Interactive has become the “go to” digital creative studio by many of Melbourne’s advertising and design agencies.

Today I became the 6th family member of this bubbling powerhouse.

Concept Development

As our agency/studio relationships grew stronger, it was time to step up and be that digital authority that we were destined to be. Digital is what we specialize in. It is our giant playground. We know that anything is possible, but what separates us is we know how to make it happen. Whether it be a full-fleshed website, microsite or even a social media Facebook application.

I became the facilitator of these creative sessions to devise the ideal digital execution for the situation at hand. Asking the right questions, spark discussions for the perfect answer. It is my second love from developing the campaign itself. When you’re passionate about something, you do well at it, no matter how hard or tricky it may be.

If information wasn’t so confidential, I’d be here showing off my clever mind maps and fancy idea spec documents.