Internet marketing and design news from Florida and around the world

Internet Marketing and Web Design News - Florida & Beyond

Monday, March 27, 2006 10:15 AM

3D Architectural Visualizations - a new frontier in home development

EyeMagination owner Brian Zajac has partnered up with Brian Smith to create 3DAS - 3D Architectural Visulizations. Well, that's nice, but what does it all mean? Well, when a land/property developer needs to sell their development, we come in and make a virtual building of what it will look like. This helps out in numerous ways:

--Reduce bidding - 3D visualizations enable contractors to understand projects better and take the guesswork out of bidding. Without the uncertainty, contractors don't have to overbid projects.
--Improve marketing - 3D visualizations enhance marketing by giving viewers an eye-catching view of a project in multiple forms of media, including television ads and website videos.
--Improve communication - 3D visualizations give viewers the ability to easily understand the most complex projects without having to know how to read architectural drawings.
--Improve curb appeal - Stunning, photo-realistic visualizations improve a project's elegance and style with the use of high-resolution billboard prints.
--Identify design flaws and poor color schemes â€“ 3D visualizations enable owners, architects, and developers to see design flaws before anything is built and money is wasted.
--Win government approval - many local governments reject buildings and developments because of an uncertainty in their final appearance. 3D visualizations take away the uncertainty and give officials more confidence in bidding in a project's favor.

So, if you are a builder or need a way to sell your development (instead of a big slab of dirt), contact 3DAS.

Monday, February 27, 2006 9:04 AM

Who's Working at Google and Why

Here's a snippet of information as to why people are flocking to get hired over at Google Inc:

From ZDNet
"The main reason for me to leave is that eBay does not absorb innovation at the pace I enjoy, and its focus is narrower than Google," Monier told blogger John Battelle, author of "The Search," a book about the search giant. "And frankly, I'm dying to peek under the hood and see the infrastructure they have created. For someone like me, it's the ultimate Christmas toy."

You see, developers aren't looking for the next big dollar. Truth be told, they want to use the philosophy of Google: change the world of communication (and consolidation) and you'll receive much more than money. A bold move in business, but it makes them very attractive for hiring the best.

So, who's working at Google anyways?

Several noteworthy international hires were Nikesh Arora, formerly chief marketing officer at T-Mobile, as vice president of European operations in November 2004, and Jimmy Chou, former president of China operations for UTStarcom, as sales and business development for greater China in October 2005.

In addition, the company has hired plenty of open-source engineers, including Sean Egan, lead developer of the GAIM instant-messaging application, who was hired in October 2005 to work on making Google Talk interoperable with other chat software; Ben Goodger, a lead engineer on Mozilla's Firefox browser, hired in January 2005; and Brian Ryner, another Mozilla software developer, hired in March 2005. Another noteworthy hire was Guido van Rossum, author of the Python programming language, who was hired in December 2005.

That's not to mention executives and employees who come from companies Google acquires, like former Apple hardware designer Andy Rubin, whose mobile start-up Android was purchased last year. Rubin also co-founded Danger, the maker of the Sidekick smart phone which Google co-founders Brin and Page were fond of.

While Google easily recruits high-profile executives, scientists and engineers, it puts most employees through a rigorous, multi-interview hiring process that can take months.

"It is hard to get in there unless you are a luminary and then they bring you right in," said Gary Stein, director of client services at consumer research and consulting firm BuzzMetrics.

More Information can be Found at the ZDNet article

Thursday, January 19, 2006 1:04 PM

Starting a Small Studio

Ready to grab destiny by the horns and start your own studio? Before you make the leap, know what you're getting into.

So, what makes you think you're ready to tackle the challenges of owning your own business? Without a clear idea of what's in store, striking out on your own can be a one-way ticket to the poor house.

First of all, there's a lot to be said for paying your dues at a major studio. You experience firsthand a streamlined production process, rub elbows with talented people, and broaden your technical and business skills. You build on the value of working as a team, and can experience a great deal of creative growth-all things you can easily carry with you to your own studio. Also realize that being a great artist with immense technical skills doesn't necessarily make you a great business manager. Talent is only a starting point in this business.

Deuce Bennet, co-founder of Creative Imagineering, a full-service video, graphics design, and production facility near Dallas, believes you need to go into business with your eyes wide open. "Not everyone is cut out for running their own studio. Doing CGI work requires one skill set-running a business, doing public relations, marketing, budgeting, and interacting with clients demands a different expertise altogether," explains Bennet. "Not everyone possesses the full group of skills required to run a studio. And, many people cannot function with the uncertainty of not having a steady paycheck." Like it or not, you probably have to relinquish the steady paycheck privilege when you launch a studio. The work flow is hardly consistent-it can be feast or famine-especially while you're getting established. And, realistically, it may take months before you get a paying gig.

And Now, the Business Plan

Whether you're creating a new entity, or starting a new division within an established company, don't do anything until you have a business plan and take the necessary steps to bring the plan to fruition. The old adage "no one plans to fail, but many fail to plan" certainly applies here.

A business plan is a document that maps a company's mission by detailing objectives and outlining budgets. It acts as a compass when determining which direction to go. "When creating a business plan, you want to build a clear focus and foundation for the company," states Ashley. "There should be real planning, and a really clear focus early on."

When writing a business plan, ask yourself: What are the skills you and your partners possess? What services do you intend to offer? How much revenue will you need each month to pay the bills? What type of workload and profitability targets are you shooting for in the coming years? What types of projects will you take on, and which ones will you turn down? Set your limits and clearly define your direction.

A business plan should describe the type of business, target market, and the services offered, and include marketing, financial, and human resources information. Also consider that once a business is under way, a business plan can quickly become outdated. Regularly revise and update your business plan as the studio evolves. If you don't understand business planning and investing, cash-flow statements, financial projections, contracts, and marketing, consider hiring a consultant to help lessen the confusion.

You will also need to determine the structure of ownership. Will your studio be a partnership, sole proprietorship, LLC, corporation, etc.? Don't jump in blindly. Find a good, local small-business consultant or tax lawyer to help determine the best solution for your needs.