Why the change?
The web is a constantly changing entity, with new technologies and devices appearing every day. Correspondingly, the way we build websites is also changing.
With the advent of HTML5 and CSS3, we see the introduction of a new set of rules, which in turn sees a new ability for modern browsers to display web content in ways previously unavailable. These browsers provide the support for a richer, more immersive experience for the viewer.
“ This knowledge arms us to create better websites, and provide greater experiences for our clients' visitors.”
As a predominantly web-focused agency, we wanted to stay on top of these technologies as they develop. We needed to learn how best to utilise features, and where to stay clear of those which are not yet supported adequately. This knowledge arms us to create better websites, and provide greater experiences for our clients' visitors.
What better way to demonstrate the use of these newly developed skills than on our own site?
So what's changed?
On the surface, not a lot has changed. We liked the style and structure of the old site, so we kept it, tweaking here and there to add improvements. The big changes lie in the user's experience.
If you're viewing this site on Internet Explorer, you'll see a well thought out structure of a site, which looks quite nice, if we do say so ourselves. However, if you're using something like Firefox, you'll notice a few differences.
We've implimented text shadows to enhance readability, box shadows to provide glows around highlighted objects, and if you're using a webkit browser (Safari, Chrome) you'll see these items transition as you hover over them.
These are just a few of the enhanced features we've scattered throughout the site, but don't worry, it won't make an ounce of difference to the content, so those on Internet Explorer aren't missing out on anything too important.
We've learned from our mistakes.
You don't often hear agencies admitting they got it wrong, but we believe honesty is an integral part of our work ethic, so we will hold up our hands and say we haven't been serving our clients as well as we could have.
“ We can focus on doing what we do best, and becoming better at it as we go, passing on the benefits to you, our clients.”
Our real love lies in website design and branding, so when we confidently declared we would take on all types of print work on our last site, we weren't doing our clients any favours. Because print work is not our passion, we don't stay on top of learning new skills and techniques in the same way we do with web. Therefore the products we offered for print fell below our own high standards, and time was taken away from developing better online experiences.
We know plenty of great folk who can do print work much better than us, so from now on we'll be sending you to them. This way, we can focus on doing what we do best, and becoming better at it as we go, passing on the benefits to you, our clients.
A fresh approach
We're starting to do things a little differently now, and we believe it'll lead to more effective, successful website designs and a greater experience for everyone. Our new website symbolises this change with a fresh look as we refocus our objectives and work towards producing better results for our clients.
If you'd like to find out more about our approach to design, drop us a note at info@wearesolid.com or say hello at +44 (0)28 9002 2361.
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