Unbeknown to myself I was actually playing a very small part in the ever growing phenomenon of ecommerce. The term has come to define any kind of business or transaction which is made through the web. Internet shopping is just one example of many.

Internet banking is another big player in the world of … [Read More]

In May 2011 a law was passed stating that all websites dropping non-essential cookies on visitors’ devices have to declare it publicly and visitors should agree to let the cookies be used. The most important thing to know is that if your website doesn’t comply with the new law, you can potentially be fined up to £500,000.

Recent reports suggest that 95% of UK internet companies are yet to comply with the new law [1] with less than a month to go before the deadline. Time is running out.

If you or your business resides within the EU, you have until the 26th May 2012 to implement your solution on your website(s).

Besides from being a nice tasty snack, Cookies are the name given to a very small file that … [Read More]

Whether you resisted or embraced the change, everyone of Facebook’s 900 million users has now been moved over to the new timeline format. I’m getting used to it. I think it’s rather good actually. People moan – they always do when Facebook alters/is temporarily unavailable. Perhaps Facebook deprivation is a greater torture than tea/coffee deprivation?

Timeline does offer the user a greater control … [Read More]

What are the benefits of mobile-friendly websites?

Improved user experience – websites adapted for mobile phone screens are much easier to navigate. Simple as!

Faster download time – mobile sites are compiled for mobile download speeds. Less time waiting, more time browsing.

Specialist mobile content – mobile sites can connect users to specific features, such as location maps and click-to-call … [Read More]

Twitter is a powerful marketing tool. I have been using my personal account for about 8 months now. I do use it mainly to post bitesize snippets about my day (if anyone is interested!) but I have also used its magic networking properties to search for jobs and internships online. I have, on occasion been successful, in that Twitter has provided me with a link or a ‘heads up’ which ordinarily would have fallen under my radar. Whether you’re using your personal account or your company’s, taking time to consider the people you want to follow will really optimise your Twitter network.

There are a few specific pointers to consider when tweeting for a company or a business. The basics are a good place to begin:
1. Do your employees all understand the essence of Twitter?… [Read More]

The Flatplan

Once the editorial team have decided what articles will be going in the magazine and the sales team have booked all the adverts then we begin stage one of the design process. At this stage a flat plan is put together, specifying … [Read More]

I am a student at Nottingham Trent University, studying Product design. I have just started a 9-month placement as part of a 4-year sandwich course. During my year out I have carried out a months work experience at the studio 4, 5 months part time work in retail and I am just starting a 9 month placement back here with the studio 4.

Many university courses offer 4-year sandwich courses, which include a placement year. Placement years do help to prepare you for the world of work as long as you find a placement!

Finding a placement

This is a lot harder than what I originally thought. Universities advertise placements but you’re most likely not the only university who will be applying for the positions available. The amount of people applying for the placement on your course x how many other universities … [Read More]

He said identifying the next big thing was as much down to probability and predictability than a sixth sense. You look at current trends and how they are evolving for an insight into what might happen next.

I likened his role to BBC’s Tomorrow’s World programme, which served up a tantalising glimpse into the future that in hindsight was not always very accurate. But he shook his head and claimed to be far more conservative in his predictions than the BBC show ever was.

I was reminded of that encounter during the last few weeks as I took a look around Pinterest.

It is relatively new on my social media radar, but the site is actually two years old. Not exactly the new kid on the social media … [Read More]

On Saturday, The Studio 4 became the main focus for a photo shoot, showing off our fantastic new Faber EOS roller blinds that were installed earlier in January.

Having moved into our new third floor offices in September last year, we were in desperate need for our new blinds due to the sun coming in and glaring all our screens from lunchtime every day.

Faber’s EOS system solved our problem, as it’s flexible enough to be adapted to a wide range of styles and sizes and in our case was fitted to twenty large and four small windows. This included in our boardroom, which had to have the blackout option installed to make our presentations come alive.

Preparation started on our offices about two weeks before the shoot with the organisation of professional cleaning of the metal columns around the windows and the actual windows being cleaned inside and out … [Read More]