FactorEblog

Is creativity genetic?

Tue, 19 Dec 2023 15:44:23 GMT

With a history of creative talent in my family, is it in our blood?

Creative talent has been in my family for generations. My mother was very skilled in traditional handicrafts, and her brother was a product designer with the accolade of being Royal Designer for Industry (RDI). Going back a generation, my mother's uncle was an accomplished artist who exhibited at the Royal Academy. In my generation, my brother is an accomplished photographer and my identical twin sister is a talented artist, known for Sussex landscapes. Lastly, my nephew is a very successful animator, having worked on several popular childrens' TV series.

For my sister and I, art was always our favourite subject at school and we were good at it. But did we like art because we were good at it, or were we good at it because we liked it?

I always felt that particularly with creative skills, if you have no natural talent there is no amount of teaching that will enable you to, for instance, draw or play an instrument with any great success.

It's not uncommon to see children following their parents career path. The question of whether creative talent is embedded in our genes or influenced by environmental factors has intrigued scientists, researchers, and thinkers for years. Current understanding suggests that both genetic and environmental factors play crucial roles in shaping creative abilities. In my family's case, where creativity seems to run in the blood, it's likely a combination of both.

Genetic predisposition to creativity is a fascinating area of study. Research has shown that certain genetic variations may contribute to creative thinking.

Studies on twins, particularly identical twins who share nearly identical genetic makeup, have provided insights into the heritability of creative traits. Twin studies suggest that there is a genetic component to creativity, although the specific genes involved are complex and not fully understood.

However, it's essential to recognise that genetics alone cannot account for the entirety of creative talent. The environment in which a person grows up and the experiences they encounter also play a significant role in nurturing and shaping creativity. A family that values and encourages creative expression can create an environment conducive to the development of creative skills.

Cultural influences, social expectations, and educational opportunities can also shape the expression of creativity. A family with a rich cultural background may encourage diverse artistic traditions, influencing their creativity. Similarly, access to quality education and extracurricular activities can provide the tools and knowledge to refine and expand creative abilities.

In my family's case, the prevalence of creativity could be a result of a combination of favourable genetic traits and a nurturing environment that values and encourages creative expression. The interplay between nature and nurture is intricate, and it's likely that both factors contribute to the creative talents seen in my family.

In conclusion, the question of whether creative talent is in our genes is not easily answered with a simple yes or no. My family's creative streak may very well be a beautiful tapestry woven from a combination of genetic predispositions and a supportive, encouraging environment that values and nourishes the creative spirit.

Whatever it is, we hope it continues in future generations.

Creating a Website That Aligns with Your Brand's Identity

Thu, 27 Apr 2023 15:11:00 GMT

Design consistency is key to creating a memorable brand

Having a website is essential for any business or organisation. A website serves as a virtual storefront, providing visitors with information about your brand, products or services. However, it’s not just enough to have a website; it’s important that it aligns with your brand’s identity. In this blog post, we’ll discuss how to create a website that effectively represents your brand.

Understand Your Brand Identity

The first step in creating a website that aligns with your brand’s identity is to understand your brand. What are your brand values, mission, and vision? What makes your brand unique? What is your target audience? By answering these questions, you can create a clear picture of your brand’s identity and develop a website that represents it effectively.

Develop a Brand Style Guide

Once you have a clear understanding of your brand identity, the next step is to develop a brand style guide. A brand style guide is a document that outlines the visual and verbal elements of your brand, such as colours, typography, tone of voice, and messaging. By creating a brand style guide, you can ensure that all elements of your website align with your brand's identity and provide a consistent user experience.

Choose the Right Design Elements

When designing your website, it's important to choose design elements that align with your brand's identity. This includes selecting a colour scheme that matches your brand's colours, choosing typography that is consistent with your brand's style, and using imagery that reflects your brand's values and messaging.

Use Consistent Branding Throughout Your Website

Consistency is key when it comes to branding. Make sure that your branding is consistent throughout your website, from the homepage to the contact page. This includes using your brand's colours, typography, and messaging consistently, and using imagery that reflects your brand's identity.

Creating a website that aligns with your brand's identity is essential for building a strong online presence. By understanding your brand identity, developing a brand style guide, choosing the right design elements, and using consistent branding throughout your website, you can effectively represent your brand online.

If you need help creating a website that aligns with your brand's identity, our web design and development services can help. Contact us today to find out how we can take your brand to the next level with a professional website design.

2022 Highlights

barbara@eazi-apps.co.uk (Barbara Pilgrim) — Thu, 22 Dec 2022 17:58:46 GMT

Top design projects from 2022

As 2022 draws to a close, I have enjoyed working on a variety of projects throughout the year and I have picked out the highlights of my mobile app, website and graphic design projects. A huge thanks to all my clients and I look forward to working with you again in 2023!

Next year I will be here to continue to help businesses to grow and become smarter through design.

Mobile App Highlight

My New Home

My New Home is a Progressive Web App (PWA), which provides help and support for new home owners from their mobile phone. The app is installed on to mobile devices via a weblink and then operates offline. Depending on your requirements, this type of app can be the perfect solution rather than publishing to the App Stores.

This app was designed and built on the Eazi-Apps platform and published as a PWA in May 2022. The app is exclusively for BOKLOK UK homeowners. The Occupant Portal is provided by After Build Ltd .

Website Highlight

John T Leonard

A highlight of the year is definitely working with crime writer, John T Leonard, to create this showcase website for his novels. The Novel List includes all his latest novels along with his many 5 star Amazon Reviews. Definitely worth investigating!

The website was designed and built on the Eazi-Sites platform.

"Barbara took me through the process step-by-step, showing me my options, and clearly explaining what was possible, and in the end produced for me a website I can be proud of."

John T Leonard

Graphic Design Highlight

MagiKats Calendar 2023

I have been working with MagiKats for several years, designing their branding and creating a library of advertising and promotional materials for both head office and their franchisees.

My favourite this year has to be this calendar for 2023. It will provide useful information and motivation for their staff and franchisees for the whole year ahead!

"Barbara and I have worked together for years and she is a great person to have on my team..."

Sarah Marsh, MagiKats

How can I help your business?

Please give me a call, send me an email or schedule a time with m e at a time to suit you...

Barbara Pilgrim

FactorEstudio

Retirement is looming for Type 1 Fonts

Thu, 15 Dec 2022 15:12:53 GMT

Support for Type 1 fonts ends in January 2023

Since 2021 designers have been preparing for the retirement of Type 1 fonts, when Adobe announced that they would pull support for Type 1 fonts in Photoshop and end support across all Adobe products in January 2023.

What is a Type 1 font?

Type 1 fonts are an early format created by Adobe in 1984 when desktop publishing was in its infancy. Apple started supporting the technology, along with Aldus PageMaker in 1985.

Throughout the 90’s Type 1 fonts continued to be designed and developed by individuals and companies, but by the end of the decade, creative software developer Adobe, stopped developing Type 1 fonts and in 2000 introduced its own OpenType fonts, a format developed by Adobe and Microsoft. Many developers then started converting old Type 1 fonts to more widely supported formats. By 2005, it was difficult to find Type 1 fonts.

What will happen when Type 1 fonts retire?

You may not be affected by the retirement of Type 1 fonts, but It depends where and why these fonts are being used. Most major software applications, open-source libraries, and mobile platforms already do not support Type 1 fonts.

However, if you use Adobe Creative Suite programs like Photoshop, InDesign, and Illustrator, the fonts will become unavailable to use upon retirement and will not appear in the in-program font list. Plus, any file that contains a Type 1 font will trigger Adobe's "Missing Font" error when opened within an Adobe program.

File formats such as EPS and PDF files, will be unaffected by the change, provided that they are being placed for display or printing as a graphic element. This means old PDF documents can be viewed and printed but not edited in applications like Photoshop or Illustrator.

What do you need to do?

If your corporate style has not changed for many years, you may still have Type1 fonts in use in your branding and printed marketing. Marketing materials will need to be updated by substituting new fonts, which will require the entire document to be proofread, checked for spacing, line breaks and any layout changes. This provides a great opportunity to ask your designer or agency to review and refresh your branding both on and off line.

For more information see Adobe is ending Type 1 Font Support - a guide to finding and replacing Type 1 fonts

How can your small independent business compete against high street chains?

barbara@eazi-apps.co.uk (Barbara Pilgrim) — Wed, 29 Jun 2022 12:23:15 GMT

Are your products and services better than theirs?

As small business owners you put so much care and attention into your work, long hours striving for perfection and customer satisfaction. Your secret weapon to stand up to your competitors and build your own loyal customer base and bring them back to buy from you again and again, is your own branded mobile app.

Mobile apps are not just for larger businesses, it has now become essential for a business of any size to implement an app into their marketing strategy. Without a mobile app a customer may find a better experience with your competitor.

Here are 8 reasons for a business to have a mobile app:

Instantly generate sales and bookings – when you send out push messages at the click of a button and immediately increase foot traffic and sales.
Encourage repeat business - Reward clients for multiple visits, run your own offers and deals and keep your customers coming back to buy again and again..
Engage with your customers – For businesses in any industry, both client attraction and customer engagement are important. A mobile app is a powerful way to communicate with your clients, to update them with important announcements, or to create excitement and greater interest in your products and services.
Visibility - An effective mobile presence will help your business attract more attention and increase growth. If your business is visible in mobile search engines and app stores, your customers will find alternatives in your competitors.
Increase revenue streams - The role of mobile apps for a business is to motivate customers to buy your products and services. Your app will generate more bookings, enquiries, consultations, and mobile purchases.
Wider audience base - In addition to helping a business build brand awareness, apps also allow connectivity with a broader audience. A business can greatly benefit from apps when it comes to growing and promoting their brand. By reaching out to diverse audiences and creating curiosity about products, services, and special offers, you can reach out to more customers
Customer Experience – A business can impress their customers with an exceptional user interface, a well-designed UX, and numerous features. Apps are a direct channel of communication; they help your business elevate the level of user-friendliness and customer service you provide.
Marketing – Open up a whole new mobile marketing channel for your business. Customise your app with exclusive offers, direct marketing, in-app messaging, and more. Mobile apps have proven to be far superior to other marketing techniques and technologies in terms of customer retention and brand loyalty. Using mobile apps for marketing purposes can help a business improve customer engagement, generate repeat orders, build and retain a loyal customer base.

Eazi-Apps can help local entrepreneurs achieve high levels of revenue with an app designed and built on their online platform. Businesses can update their own content and create their own mobile marketing campaigns through their Eazi-Apps dashboard.

It has never been more important for businesses to have an effective strategy in order to survive and make sales.

Please contact me to discover the potential for a mobile app for your business.

Find out more...

Book a 30 minute chat and a demonstration…

#smallbusinessowners #mobileapps #mobilemarketing #customerloyalty #repeatbusiness #mobileapp

What is the difference between PUSH and SMS Messages?

barbara@eazi-apps.co.uk (Barbara Pilgrim) — Tue, 12 Apr 2022 16:11:53 GMT

What should you use for your mobile marketing?

PUSH notifications and SMS text messages are a very effective way to communicate important information to your customers. Sending a personalised message that offers something of value to customers is a powerful marketing tool.

With the latest smartphones, customers will see the messages right from the phone's lock screen. Most messages are opened within the first few minutes of receipt. So what is the difference between PUSH notifications and SMS? And which is more effective?

PUSH Notifications

PUSH notifications are alerts triggered by an app that a customer has downloaded to their mobile device .

PUSH notifications work by sending a message to the app inbox or displaying on the main screen of a customer's smartphone, similar to a pop-up ad in a browser. The message could contain an offer, a greeting, an update, or an invitation to an event – all designed to focus the consumer’s attention to the app that they downloaded.

The app doesn't have to be open for the alert to appear. If they do not open it immediately, the app icon will display a red dot to indicate that a message or messages have been received. The user can open the app and find the message in their notifications.

PUSH notifications can contain hyperlinks to websites, landing pages, or internal links to content within the app.

SMS Text Messages

An SMS text message is delivered straight to the user's Messages inbox on their mobile device.

SMS (or short messaging services) allows you to send text messages of up to 160 characters in length to your customers.
Recipients don't need to download any special application in order to access these messages. Recipients can access these messages at any time.

PUSH Notifications vs. SMS: which is better?

While PUSH notifications and SMS messaging are two highly effective tools in your marketing toolkit, they are two completely separate tactics. There are pros and cons to both.

For instance, SMS delivery is reliable, and customers are practically guaranteed to see your message. But in order to receive an SMS, recipients must have given permission on the company website when they set their preferences and officially opted in to the business' text marketing campaigns and promotions. In mass text messaging, this is an extremely powerful tool when it comes to building a high-value text marketing list. In fact, with a 98% open rate , SMS messages get read more than email.

With SMS, recipients must provide express written consent and opt in before your business can send them SMS messages. That can be a barrier to entry.

PUSH notifications are easier to manage from an opt-in standpoint. App users will be asked to 'Allow' PUSH Notifications when they download your app and you can encourage them to do so by offering benefits and/or rewards. Once opted in, recipients manage app permissions from their mobile devices, and they’re less likely to take the time to go into their settings to tweak the frequency and type of notifications. However, it is important to ensure that your messages are relevant and valuable to your customers to avoid them opting out.

With customers so invested in downloading and using mobile apps, PUSH notifications are a relatively easy way to start getting your message out and engage with your customers. As soon as a customer has downloaded your app and allowed PUSH Notifications, you can automate or schedule your messages to them.

As with all marketing tools, both have advantages and are powerful, effective means of driving engagement and communicating with your customers.

Is the war in Ukraine affecting your business?

barbara@eazi-apps.co.uk (Barbara Pilgrim) — Fri, 01 Apr 2022 16:40:37 GMT

Do you have suppliers in Ukraine?

On 28th February I was surprised to receive an email from a supplier based in Ukraine. Until then I didn't know that MacPaw was founded and operated primarily in Kyiv, Ukraine. I have been using MacPaw 'Clean My Mac' software for a couple of years, as they say, to 'awesomize' my Mac.

The email linked to their latest Blog ' MacPaw's Operations amidst the Russian Aggression in Ukrain e '. I realised that this is a brilliant team of extraordinary, hard working people, bravely living through terrifying devastation, determined to continue working in unimaginable circumstances to keep their business operating 'normally'.

In recent years, the tech sector has been a bright spot in the Ukrainian economy, creating high-paying jobs and attracting hundreds of millions of dollars in foreign investment. For many in the country's bustling tech hubs of Kyiv, Lviv, Kharkiv and Dnipro business was booming. The country's rapidly growing IT industry saw exports grow by 20.4 percent in 2020 crossing $5 billion for the first time, according to figures from the National Bank of Ukraine.

With over 200,000 techies, Ukrainians have become a force in both the tech and startup world and have been on a path of tremendous growth. Ukrainian techies have consistently been rated as among the best in Europe, but since the war with Russia many have fled the country and may never return to Ukraine. Hopefully their companies will survive and thrive and we will continue to benefit from their hard work and expertise, wherever they may be based.

How can a mobile app help your business in 2022?

barbara@eazi-apps.co.uk (Barbara Pilgrim) — Thu, 17 Mar 2022 10:55:16 GMT

Are you missing a trick to increase your sales?

We are all striving for business in overcrowded, competitive markets. We put every effort into attracting new customers and we want to keep our customers on board and coming back for more.

It goes without saying that good products and services are essential to any successful business, but in today's digital world, engagement with our customers is key to building a strong and loyal customer base.

You may think mobile apps are just for larger businesses. But your own branded mobile app is a powerful tool that can help your small business stand up against your competitors and win your own valuable share of the market.

Find out more in the Eazi-Apps Blog ' 5 Ways that a mobile app can help businesses in 2022 .'

How to run your own PR to promote your app

Wed, 14 Apr 2021 16:04:00 GMT

Your input is an essential aspect of app success

You may have chosen to have your business app created by professional developers who understand the best ways to produce a usable, functional, and attractive mobile solution tailored specifically for your customer base. But make no mistake… this is still your app, and it’s still your opportunity to build your client base and engage with your audience on a deeper level. Your input is an essential aspect of app success, and one of the most effective ways to promote your app is through your own PR campaign.

After all… who understands your business better than you do?

Be Your Own Publicist

Before the days of social media networks and blogs, important changes to operations and announcements of major company news were largely done through PR agencies that already had a ready-made network of media sources to share the story. Today, however, we’re in the social era; an era where we’re all connected through the internet.

This makes it easier than ever before to share your brand’s story with those that want to hear it. But it can still be daunting for businesses that have never ventured into the world of PR before, and who aren’t quite sure where to get started.

That’s why we’ve created this checklist for running your own PR to promote your app:

● Create Your Story

Before reaching out, it’s important that you have a story to share. The angle of your story should be flexible, being able to be easily adapted to match the various sources that you’re planning to target, but the overall message should be consistent, interesting, and relevant. More than anything, though, you should be able to offer great quality.

● Perfect Your Pitch

The truth is that there’s no such thing as a ‘perfect pitch’; what one publication wants to see will differ from what another is looking for. The perfect pitch is one that can be personalised to match each recipient. It’s important to do some research first, and try to gain a more thorough understanding of what sort of firms each chooses to work with.

● Know Where Your Audience is

The secret to success? Start small. While promoting your app through major online publications sounds like the ultimate goal, it can actually be more beneficial in terms of reaching the right audiences to start small and grow as you continue to promote your app.

The original article H ow to run your own PR to promote your app first appeared on the Eazi-Apps blog.

FactorEstudio is a licensed mobile app developer for Eazi-Apps.

Is your business ready for Cyber Weekend?

Wed, 28 Oct 2020 15:05:00 GMT

The biggest shopping event apart from Christmas

Cyber weekend starts with Black Friday and ends with Cyber Monday, and has become probably the biggest shopping event in the retail calendar, apart from perhaps Christmas. And while much of 2020 has been cancelled, it's looks like Black Friday and Cyber Monday are expected to be bigger than ever this year. Shoppers are switching to more online shopping rather than venturing out to the shops.

With a mass of research confirming that this year’s Christmas shopping season will take place primarily online, ensuring you’re clear on promotions and have compelling reasons to buy now is critical. Your entire marketing team will need to be on the same page here so that your omnichannel presence is consistent. This means the same messaging and offers across your app, website, social media and email campaigns.

Businesses big and small should embrace this as an opportunity to drive online sales in the run up to Christmas.

When is Cyber Weekend 2020?

Black Friday falls on 27th November this year. The event began as a US tradition and therefore always falls on the Friday after Thanksgiving, which is always the last Thursday in November.

Cyber Monday follows on the first Monday after Black Friday every year, so this year it’s on 30th November.

The two events used to be markedly different in that shoppers would rush to the high streets for Black Friday, whereas Cyber Monday was exclusively reserved for online deals. Black Friday has always tended to lean more towards tech products while Cyber Monday was more about lifestyle and a wider array of products, though this is no longer the case.

However, as so much of Black Friday is now about online shopping, the two events are often simply branded as Black Friday weekend, or Cyber Weekend.

Prepping your app for Cyber Weekend

How to get sales ready for the year’s most important shopping weekend

Discover four top tips that you’ll need to do to get your mobile app sales ready. Read more...

When should you start marketing your app?

Wed, 21 Aug 2019 16:55:00 GMT

Start with a mobile marketing plan

So you’ve decided that you need a business app. Great. It is essential that you get your customers onboard with your new app, and marketing your app is key to achieving this… but when should you start marketing your app? Mobile apps will have the ‘ most impact on business success by 2020’ according to research company Gartner, but it’s important to remember that app development is only the first stage of implementing the technology into your core business. After all, what’s an app without a user?

When should you start marketing your app? Earlier than you think… but not in the way that you think!

Create a Mobile Marketing Plan

One of the biggest mistakes that businesses make is that they leave their marketing team on the outside of app development, bringing them in only once the app is almost ready to be launched. In order to promote your app in the best possible way, it is imperative that your marketers are involved from the start, staying up-to-date with features and functions so that they know the product inside and out, and are able to use this knowledge to begin identifying keywords and generating optimised content for landing pages, press releases, and the app stores. However, during the early stages it is best to focus on a mobile marketing plan, rather than a full on advertising campaign.

Why?

Quite simply, things change. App features often change during development in response to feedback, and this is especially true if you’re choosing to launch in beta with selected users before rolling out your app across the board. Specific marketing during the very early stages of app development could result in reputational damage if some features and functions fail to make it through to the finished product, so app marketing during development should be more about focusing on your mobile plan.

A good mobile marketing plan will prioritise market research, taking a look at what your competitors are doing that makes them stand out from the 1 million other apps in the app store. Is it the price? Compatibility? Features? It’s essential to understand your app’s strengths and weaknesses in comparison to other products, and find your niche.

How to Market a Pre-Launch App

Pre-launch strategies are all about generating excitement and awareness without really going into the ins and outs of the app’s features. This ensures you’re giving yourself room to make changes throughout the development process as needed while still gently introducing the idea to your audience. Right now is the time to start extending your network and building your online presence in preparation for your app launch, ensuring that you have everything you need to go full steam ahead once your app is ready.

Are you ready to start marketing your mobile app?

Do you already have an app for your business? Get in touch and discover how we can help promote it.

Are you a marketing consultant who would like to add mobile marketing to their services? Get in touch and let's explore how we can work together.

For cost effective app development, we design and build mobile apps for business using the Eazi-Apps online platform. The online dashboard gives you access to manage your own mobile marketing and create your own mobile promotions.

The article When should you start marketing your app? appeared first on Eazi-Apps blog.