Zoltun Sponsors Pittsburgh Business Times’ 2011 Manufacturer of the Year Awards

By Zoltun | Published: July 15, 2011

Zoltun Design will once again sponsor the Pittsburgh Business Times’ 2011 Manufacturer of the Year Awards, to be presented on December 1.

The Pittsburgh Business Times’  Manufacturer of the Year Awards honor the best manufacturing companies in the Pittsburgh region. The categories are as follows:

  • Small Companies
  • Medium Companies
  • Large Companies
  • Mega Companies
  • Sustainable Manufacturing

“The ‘Sustainable Manufacturing’ category honors the creation of sustainable products, processes, or methods. This category covers anything a manufacturer might do to expand sustainability, from an energy-efficient building to a breakthrough product.” (from The Pittsburgh Business Times’ website)

Other sponsors include SMC Business Councils, Tucker Arensberg, and Desmone & Associates Architects, and the presenting sponsor of the Manufacturer of the Year Award is Alpern Rosenthal.

 

Posted in Announcements, Awards | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

The ZONE 2011
A Zoltun Design Online Magazine

By Zoltun | Published: June 13, 2011

It’s been business as usual at 10 Bedford Square, with some exceptions — we’re proud to announce that Zoltun recently received two Platinum and two Gold awards of recognition from the prestigious Hermes Creative Awards! We submitted three unique marketing pieces to the competition. Read more about the work that received the accolades in the Zoltun Profile section of this newsletter.

We also recently added Writing and Translations to our areas of expertise. With these additions, we are able to expand the services we offer, especially to clients who do business internationally. Who knows… we may open a European office of our own one of these days!

Be sure to check out our latest work on our website and follow us on Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, and LinkedIn for updates, contests, and other interesting goings-on in and around Zoltun.

 

Posted in Articles, The Zone Newsletter | Leave a comment

The ZONE
DID YOU KNOW?
Pantone’s Color of the Year 2011

By Zoltun | Published: June 13, 2011

Honeysuckle emboldens us to face everyday troubles with verve and vigor.

Every year, PANTONE® picks a “Color of the Year” that influences product development and purchasing decisions in several industries, including fashion, home, and industrial design.

2011’s winner is… Honeysuckle!

“While the 2010 color of the year, PANTONE 15-5519 Turquoise, served as an escape for many, Honeysuckle emboldens us to face everyday troubles with verve and vigor,” explains Leatrice Eiseman, executive director of the Pantone Color Institute®.

“A dynamic reddish pink, Honeysuckle is encouraging and uplifting. It elevates our psyche beyond escape, instilling the confidence, courage, and spirit to meet the exhaustive challenges that have become part of everyday life.”

“In times of stress, we need something to lift our spirits,” Eiseman continues. “Honeysuckle is a captivating, stimulating color that gets the adrenaline going — perfect to ward off the blues. It derives its positive qualities from a powerful bond to its mother color red, the most physical, viscerally alive hue in the spectrum.” (pantone.com)

Honeysuckle is guaranteed to produce a healthy glow when worn by men and women. It’s an eye-catching option for men’s shirts, ties, and sportswear, and for women’s apparel and accessories. And it can be a “dynamic burst of energy” when used to add flair in interior design.

In addition to 2010’s  Turquoise, recent past colors of the year include:

  • 14-0848 Mimosa (2009)
  • 18-3943 Blue Iris (2008)
  • 19-1557 Chili Pepper (2007)
  • 13-1106 Sand Dollar (2006)
  • 15-5217 Blue Turquoise (2005)
  • 17-1456 Tigerlily (2004)
  • 14-4811 Aqua Sky (2003)
  • 19-1664 True Red (2002)
  • 17-2031 Fuchsia Rose (2001)
  • 15-4020 Cerulean (2000)
Posted in Articles, The Zone Newsletter | Leave a comment

The ZONE
CLIENT PROFILE: Fischione Instruments

By Zoltun | Published: June 13, 2011

FischioneHeadquartered in Pittsburgh, Fischione Instruments uses state-of-the-art technology to provide its clients with the highest quality, most innovative instrumentation.

Today in the microscopy community, Fischione Instruments’ products are found in more than 500 research laboratories worldwide.

The worldwide client base served by Fischione Instruments includes much of the scientific community, such as microscopists, physical and life scientists working at universities, nuclear and medical materials research firms, and companies within the biotechnology, semiconductor, nanotechnology, communication, steel, automotive, and aerospace industries. Branches of the United States Department of Energy and Department of Defense also rely on the expertise of the company and the superior quality of its products.

To learn more about Zoltun’s work with Fischione, visit the Project Profile section of this newsletter.

 

Posted in Articles, The Zone Newsletter | Leave a comment

The ZONE
PROJECT PROFILE: Fischione Instruments

By Zoltun | Published: June 13, 2011
Fischione Rebranding

Zoltun and Fischione are working together to build a new corporate identity.

Fischione Instruments has a strong presence in the scientific community, and their brand needed to be able to convey and promote that strength. Together, Zoltun and Fischione are working to rebuild and breathe fresh life into the brand.

Zoltun started working with Fischione Instruments to create trade show panels, and then expanded the project to renovating the brand. Zoltun and Fischione are now working together to rebuild the company’s corporate identity from the ground up.

Selecting the right color palette is immensely important in the development of a brand. We built a corporate color palette and selected fonts that will give the Fischione brand consistency.

The color range all works as a unit: each secondary swatch is chosen to work well with the primary swatches in almost any application. The accent color is used as a catalyst at various tints. The fonts are reflective of the client’s industry, plus they work well when used together in an application.

Zoltun also created a standard presentation design, using the primary colors and textures relative to Fischione’s identity. Learn more about Fischione Instruments in the Client Profile section of this newsletter.

 

Posted in Articles, The Zone Newsletter | Leave a comment

The ZONE
LINGO LOUNGE

By Zoltun | Published: June 13, 2011

Doughnut HickeyHickey

Yes, this is an actual term in the world of graphic design! A “hickey” is a spot on a printed sheet caused by an imperfection or a speck on the printing plate.

Posted in Articles, The Zone Newsletter | Leave a comment

The ZONE
EMPLOYEE PROFILE: Jen Brown

By JenBrown | Published: June 13, 2011

The newest addition to Zoltun’s team, graphic designer Jen Brown brings her unique perspective and vivacious personality to every project she’s involved in.

Who’s your favorite artist?

My favorite artist… my thoughts and feelings about that fluctuate all the time. Past favorites have included Georgia O’Keefe, Thomas Cole, and M. C. Escher. Right now, my favorite is Shepard Fairey — he did the famous Obama “Hope” portrait. Graphically, I love the patterns and textures he uses in the work. He’s not afraid to do pieces that depict touchy political or social issues. A year or so ago, Pittsburgh was blessed with about 20 Shepard Fairey murals in conjunction with an exhibit at the Warhol. There are six in the Southside alone, and I see several of them on my way to work every day. They provide a bright splash of color against many dreary walls and buildings.

What’s your favorite part of graphic design?

I like the problem-solving aspect. The fun and rewarding part is to dissect a project and understand the needs of the client, and also the needs of their clients. I like to come up with a solution that solves the problem and conveys the message in a creative and effective manner.

To do this involves drawing, playing with toys, reading magazines, making origami, etc. Great ideas don’t happen by just sitting in front of a screen. They happen when you’re engaged, interacting, dialoguing, and just having fun.

Sometimes we don’t pick the ideas that you (as the client) like. We’ll pick what we think is the BEST solution, what we think will lead to the best outcome, and that’s where the problem-solving comes in. There’re many ways to achieve your goal, but what’s the most efficient way to get there?

I think a big misconception about this field is that designers just move text around or make pretty pictures. Yes, designers do those things, but there’s a lot of thought that goes into that arrangement or creation. I enjoy exploring, studying, brainstorming, drawing on whiteboards, and scribbling in my sketchbook. When working with a team, I ask questions and enjoy the discussion, the debate, the exchange of thoughts — and playing with all of that.

You’re very outdoorsy. What’s your favorite sport?

Wow, that’s tough. Right now I’m going to say biking. If you ask me in six months, I will probably say downhill skiing. I also love to hike and kayak. And I run all year round… but is running a sport? I like watching football, and, contrary to my “outdoorsyness,” I thoroughly enjoy being on my couch to watch the games.

What are a few interesting facts that people wouldn’t know about you?

I hate cilantro, but I’m trying to like it. After 15 years, still no success.

I spent a month hiking in the wilderness areas of Olympic National Park in Washington state. No running water, no electricity, no cars. Just a tent, a pair of boots, and a lot of rice.

I volunteer at the Animal Rescue League Wildlife Rehabilitation Center in Verona about once a week.

 

Posted in Articles, The Zone Newsletter | Leave a comment

The ZONE
HELPFUL HINTS: Web Content Management Systems

By Zoltun | Published: June 13, 2011

CMS LogosWhat kind of website is right for your company? Do you know that you have options? What’s the difference between a static (aka, hard coded) website, an open source content management system, and a custom content management system?

There are three primary types of websites widely used by corporate and business environments. Where static websites used to be prevalent, content management systems have sidled in and are becoming the primary go-to way to establish and manage your company’s website.

Today’s trends are moving to custom-built content management solutions and open source content management solutions. Here’s what you need to know.

Open Source CMS

“Open source” means “computer software that is distributed under a licensing arrangement and that allows the computer code to be shared, viewed, and modified by other users and organizations,” says Zoltun’s web director, Sam Menchyk.

Simply put, anyone can update his or her own content. This is a HUGE advantage to the customer as well as to the developer. The most popular content management packages are WordPress, Joomla!, and Drupal. They provide state-of-the-art open source framework with a focus on aesthetics, web standards, SEO friendliness, and usability.

By employing these development tools, we can decrease development time and cost while maintaining high-level performance, function, and design. This is advantageous to our clients because they are able to update and maintain content, events, images, documents, and any other relevant information in “real time” on their own, without having to contact the developer. And because it is open source, this option typically costs less than a static site to develop.

While an open source software package is less expensive, there are, however, some trade-offs. When building a website in a pre-built framework, the design is constricted by what this framework will allow. While it is more affordable and possible to have a very attractive and creative website with great functionality, the design must be kept within the realm of what is technically possible.

Custom CMS

“Custom CMS websites are the Cadillacs of web development,” says Menchyk. “These are built to be fully customizable to meet your company’s exact specifications and needs.” To develop a custom CMS, we meet with our client to discuss needs and expectations, and how we can provide an all-inclusive solution. Based on those established goals, we design and program all aspects of the site from the ground up. Custom CMS solutions can be built in several different programming languages to suit the specifics that a business may require. The creative freedom is restricted only by your imagination.

Which is Right For You?

Basically, the choice is this: A custom site is great for some companies, but it’s not the only option available anymore. A content management system allows for faster and easier self-management of content, can still have the right look and feel for your business, and is much more affordable to maintain. We encourage you to talk to one of the gurus on our web team. For more information about the pros and cons of custom vs. open source web content management systems, check out this blog post where we really break it down, and check out some of our work in website development.

Posted in Articles, The Zone Newsletter | Leave a comment

The ZONE
PHOTO OF THE MONTH

By Zoltun | Published: June 13, 2011

 

Here’s Kylie Michalski, daughter of art director John Michalski,
sporting the Zoltun “Z” while hanging out with her bear, Mister B.

Posted in Articles, The Zone Newsletter | Leave a comment

The ZONE
RANTS AND RAVES: Monitor Calibration

By JenBrown | Published: June 13, 2011
Monitor Calibration

A Monitor Calibrator and Pantone Color Book

Have you noticed that the color of the document on your screen never matches what comes out of your printer? Or how your neighbor’s screen colors look drastically different from yours?

It’s always bothered me how much care goes into matching colors for print, and how difficult it is to match colors on the web. This has nothing to do with “print designers vs. web designers.” It’s simply a result of our medium: the monitor. No two monitors are calibrated the same way, and, almost inevitably, the colors that I see on my monitor will be different from the colors you see on yours. And it’s almost guaranteed that what prints out of a printer will be different from what can be seen on anyone’s monitor.

I will always remember going on a certain press check and bringing the client along. “Oh, wow!” she exclaimed. “I never knew that text was orange. It always looked brown on my screen.” Fortunately, her exclamation was one of delight — she liked the orange. But it had come as a surprise to her because her monitor wasn’t calibrated, so it displayed distorted, muddied colors.

There are many tools that aid designers when it’s time to go to print, helping to ensure that the colors we get on paper are exactly what we intended. There are Pantone® books, press checks, and even online paper simulators for non-white and off-white papers. All of these are essential to achieving just the right color. After all, if you’re using a corporate color or printing multiple pieces, you want them all to match each other.

Even though all monitors are calibrated out of the box, they’re all drastically different from one another. How do we know whose is correct? Are there standards for monitor calibration? Fortunately, there are monitor calibrators (they look a bit like mice) that hang over your monitor and detect the colors that it emits. The calibrator can tell you how far off your monitor is and how to adjust it. There are also quizzes and checks online that you can use to guide your calibration. These tools are useful in improving the state of your monitor — but, as anyone with dual monitors knows, you’ll never get two monitors to be exactly the same.

My hope is that both designers and our clients will acknowledge that what we see on a monitor will not be exactly what prints. Also, my hope is that there will be a wider effort by all computer users to calibrate their monitors… even just a little bit. The latter is only wishful thinking; I know that not everyone is aware that they can do that, let alone how to go about it. I can just hope that when I’m on a press check in the future, it’s not with a client who has been working with a severely color-distorted monitor.

Posted in Articles, The Zone Newsletter | Leave a comment