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.

I mustn’t dwell on this; rather take advantage of the situation. It’s given me time to redevelop half arsed versions of my website to something I’m really happy with. This also forces me to explore the digital advertising industry in Melbourne. I’ve worked with Brisbane based Cru and Sydney based White, but never a Melbourne based agency.

Website

This new website will provide me with the infrastructure to provide something back to the online digital community and industry that has given so much to me; as well as provide an online presence that will showcase my work to peers and potential employers.

In the near future you’ll be expecting; tutorials and start up files to the way I approach website and banner projects and why; and cutting edge Flash and web concepts I’ve been dabbling in.

Where to now?

This week I’ll be contacting advertising and recruitment agencies for full-time employment. Understanding that it is so close to the holiday season, employers may hold back on recruitment decisions, I will be happy to freelance and upskill/provide Flash training to occupy my time.

It was a pretty crazy day. Tomi got us to go for a run to get our engines started before the main event.

Michael Klim and some AFL dude broke in the event by starting their run up Mount Eureka.

We were off, Henry and Charles from our team .. Team Finland (to support Tomi’s home) did the first lap. Sanny and I were the 4th pair to take on the climb. By the time we got down we realised its not over, there’s a few more hours left on the clock, and Tomi gave us the teamwork speech to do a second lap. I had to calm down, so I visited the on hand masseur.

The second lap was so much more rewarding and so was the second massage. I’m glad I did it, and supported our team. It called for extra partying that nite!

Here are the official results:

• Results by Team
• Results by Team Member

(Photos courtesy of Tomi Kokko)

Details

Event: Victorian Government Meets Web
Organisers: Web Standards Group

Date: Monday 17 November 2008
Location: Horse Bazaar, 397 Little Lonsdale St, Melbourne
Cost: Free
Website: http://webstandardsgroup.org/event/160

On Monday, November 17, Chris Sampson (Parisfirst Partners) and Ian Stewart (Office of the Premier of Victoria) will be talking about the current Premier of Victoria’s website.

Chris will discuss why Joomla! and YouTube were chosen and how other design and build issues were solved. And Ian will talk about improvements to the original site including implementing Flickr and the first live webcast as well as some insight into where Victorian Government is heading online.

Note this is a Monday night. Please RSVP for catering purposes.

I’ll be attending.

Details

Event: Interactive Advertising: Present Trends
Organisers: AIMIA

Date: Wednesday 29 October 2008
Location: Sensis Theatrette, Melbourne
Cost: Free
Website: http://www.aimia.com.au/i-cms?page=5180

Want to understand what is working in today’s online advertising environment? What clients are demanding from their agencies and in turn what they expect website publishers to deliver by way of tracking and results? Want to find out what website publishers are doing to address their demands and what changes are on the cards in the next 12 months?

AIMIA Victoria presents a session on online and cross-platform advertising that is relevant to today’s markets and issues. Come along to this free event to hear from three fantastic speakers and have the opportunity to throw some questions into the ring.

The event will include a presentation by Mark Armstrong, head of Local and Classified Advertising at Google, who will talk about the basic mechanics and value of paid search advertising and the need to combine SEO & SEM. Mark will also talk about shifts in the market and trends to look out for over the next year.

Andrea Cartwright, GM of Strategy for Sensis Digital (Sensis’ digital display business, which includes Media Smart) will use observations and case studies to discuss the opportunities and challenges in today’s digital display advertising market. Integration is critical, while personalisation, accountability and great content will sort the winners from the losers.

Finally Alan Long, Asia Pacific Research Director from Hitwise, will explore the topic of behavioural patterns online: what are people doing online; what sites do they visit and why; and what are people looking for in a website?

So come along and get up to speed, have a glass of wine and mingle with those in the know.

I’ll be attending.

Details

Event: Eureka Tower Charity Challenge
Organisers: King Performance Marketing and Events

Date: Friday 24 October 2008
Location: Eureka Tower, South Bank, Melbourne
Website: http://www.eurekatowerchallenge.com.au/

EUREKA TOWER CHARITY CHALLENGE

The Eureka Tower Charity Challenge is a unique fundraising all day event whereby corporate teams walk or run up the stairs of the world’s tallest residential tower and raise money for disadvantaged young people both at home and abroad through the charity groups: Whitelion and Interplast Australia and New Zealand.

The challenge is for corporate teams to participate in a relay style event. In pairs, team members take turns climbing the 1,958 steps to level 89. When your team members reach the top the next pair from the team is ready to start. This is an event for people of all ages and levels of fitness, you can choose to walk, run, climb or crawl your way to the top.

Tomi has signed himself and 9 other clients - including me - representing his home country, Team Finland, to climb Mount Eureka. The personal training sessions during the week have been targeted towards this event, and Tomi has planned some crazy w/e training - EEEEP!

Stair Training - La Trobe St, Melbourne

11 October 2008

Deborah from Team Finland’s apartment block has 25 Levels. About a quarter of the way to Mount Eureka. This was intense - and a good reminder not to drink and party the day before the event!

1000 Steps - Mount Dandenong

18 October 2008

This isn’t like what it sounds - it’s much much worse. Tomi organised a day trip to Mt Dandenong, a few K’s outside of Melbourne City. First was the trek from the carpark to 1000 steps. 1000 steps isn’t your typical stairwell, with nice even steps. Far from it actually. There were little steps, jumbled steps and towards the top - monster steps. The part that made me weak at the knees was when Tomi announced we’re doing it 3 times.

The first lap was the hardest - you didn’t know what to expect and your engine was still cold. The second lap was just as painful, but the third one - you just go nutty and you just want it done and over with. The third lap was a pure endorphin rush. I could have done a forth lap - but ofcourse I would die.

It was an unreal experience - even better as no one in the team is from Melbourne. Thank you Tomi! We’ll have to have more in the future.

(Photos courtesy of Tomi Kokko)