We’re Expecting!

Thursday, December 22nd, 2011

A boy? A girl? Nope. We are soon to be the proud parents of our very own in-studio game and graphics engine! I know, we're excited too.

Late last fall we began the beautiful process of creating an engine that not only suits our needs perfectly, but by default can efficiently deliver unparalleled digital experiences to our clients. Currently the engine has been codenamed Skroob, because if you were going to spend countless hours working on a project, wouldn’t you want to be picturing Mel Brooks with a smarmy mustache?

So what does this mean for you and your brand? Well, now we can free up more of our resources for thinking up art and storylines that make your projects really pop. Our creations are being used across browsers and devices so we want to be sure that your customers have access to your custom digital assets no matter where they are or how they experience media.

Here’s the lowdown on the features:

Our JavaScript based 2D engine is perfect for creating the branded experiences you are looking for that can be launched as social media applications, stand-alone games, animations or even show-stopping graphics for your new website. The engine leverages current features of all major browsers and even supports GPU accelerated canvas…say what? Yah, that means the killer looking graphics we design for your brand will look awesome, load faster and do some really cool things thanks to HTML5. Using a component-oriented game object model we can quickly try out new things and reuse stuff which means you save money. The game engine is data driven which supports rapid prototyping without changing game code. Graphics are loaded at run-time using our own resource management system and we are darn good at managing resources.

We have chosen a select group of people to try out our in-house demo that was rebuilt from the ground up (save the art and storyline) using the Skroob Engine and hope to complete the build shortly after we receive some feedback on the demo prototype. We look forward to officially announcing the arrival of this mega-multitasking tool in early 2012 but most of all we look forward to helping you engage your customers even more efficiently and effectively than before. We’ll keep you posted!

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Author: Nikki

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Why I Love What We Do

Monday, December 19th, 2011

This afternoon Matt and I got a surprise visit from the husband of our very first intern. Makiko worked at home with us on our dining room table back in the early 2000's when Plexipixel was brand spanking new.

Our families have kept in touch over the years through Facebook and email even after she moved back to Japan with her husband.

I hope that one day we can introduce our little girls to each other.

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Author: vicky

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Care For a Go Of It, Old Chap?

Thursday, December 8th, 2011

Or at least that's what we imagine one would say when playing an awesome round of indoor croquet—totally going on the wish list! This is where having green carpet really pays off; it just gives it a more realistic ambiance...Thanks 1990's!

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Author: Nikki

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Don’t Worry, Be Pentatonic

Friday, December 2nd, 2011

You should really watch this and then read some stuff afterwards.

So once we are done humming and diddlybipping along, there's a little something we can take from this and apply to the wild and wonderful world of web marketing:

If you want people to listen to you and you are not, in fact, the amazing and totally rad Bobby McFerrin you should appeal to their expectations.

You see, creativity isn't all about being the loudest, brightest and and most shocking. Often times as creatives we shy away from the familiar, aligning it with all that is dull, boring and overdone. The problem with this type of thinking is that it ignores the powerful emotions that are triggered through familiar concepts. Often times the most effective creative campaigns draw on a sense of familiarity with the audience then provide them with something new and exciting or even surprising. Speaking of which, Mr. McFerrin is pretty darn agile for 61. Just sayin'.

If you want to watch the full 105 minute lecture and demonstration from the World Science Festival, check it out here.

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Author: Nikki

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RIP Napster

Wednesday, November 30th, 2011

Today on NPR I heard the news that today marks the "official end to Napster". On this sad occasion, I wanted to share one of my favorite Flash animations Matt worked on.

Video after the jump

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Author: vicky

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Digital Makes Point of Purchase Really Pop

Tuesday, November 22nd, 2011

It sure is a good time to be a geek. From charging our electric cars to downloading e-books and video conferencing with clients across the globe while kicking back in oversized sweat pants and our favorite pair of super-hero socks, everyday is full of exciting tech-fueled experiences that fill us with wonder. The retail shopping experience is no exception, and this year retailers are really putting their propeller hats on to meet the growing expectation of an increasingly tech-savvy consumer base. This holiday season, some experts estimate a 15% growth over last year in online sales. To justify the expense of having a store with employees and boatloads of merchandise, retailers really have to think of something to get people through the doors and buying products. So how do you grab the attention of a highly-distracted consumer base that would rather sit around in their PJ’s and shop for their gifts online?

To stay in the race with e-commerce, brick-and-mortar retailers are choosing to offer a more interactive experience to their traditional shoppers, appealing to those of us who grew up watching Star Trek and still go on a bit of a power-trip when entrusted with a super-sized touch screen. Enter the Interactive Kiosk: an immersive experience that is less invasive than an overly exuberant sales rep hopped up on Starbucks and re-filtered mall air. These installations are providing an experience that shoppers don’t get at home while still giving them the power to control the conversation.” Essentially it can be a full-time virtual salesperson” points out Ben Stagg of Digital Signage Today, which appeals to the business-end’s bottom-line. That’s not the only redeeming quality Stagg credits interactive kiosks with; they are also excellent vehicles for “enhancing relevance, fostering engagement and strengthening influence.” We couldn’t agree more.

Before you start investing in some big fancy machines with flashing lights and throw them around the story like sales stickers, there are a few things you might want to consider first:

Why Am I Doing This?

It seems like an obvious question, but it’s not a rhetorical one. Really take the time to consider why you want to provide your customers with this experience. Do you offer a product that is best explored through a digital interface? Does this better facilitate customization of your product? Are you hoping to capture data or offer discounts? How much of the shopping experience do you plan to make digital? There are many things to consider, but by keeping your desired outcome in mind you have a much better chance of making the most out of this resource.

How Can We Adapt With the Trends?

The technology changes and improves quickly so be sure when looking into an interactive experience that you chose hardware and software that allows for scalability. Be sure to build a relationship with vendors you can trust for future revisions. The key is to be creating a tailored experience for your customers that puts them in control, but gives your company the opportunity to improve their products based on consumer input and behavior, allowing for a genuine dialogue that we have come to expect in our digital world. As their needs change, so should your strategy.

How Will We Stand-out?

This is a cool new tool, but not so new that others aren’t already doing it and the number of companies jumping on board is growing fast. To stay ahead of the competition while providing some concrete added-value to your customers you will need to think fresh.

According to B. Joseph Pine II “We have shifted into an experience economy…And we need to innovate in experiences.” We know a thing or two about innovative digital experiences over here, and this statement really reflects the state of affairs in this highly competitive atmosphere. This is one of those times to let your imagination loose.

We really are very lucky to be in a day and age when our creativity and the tools we have to carry it out are almost in parallel with one another. We are able to communicate in ways we had never imagined only half a century ago. Ben Stagg hits the nail on the head again when he sums up how we can achieve this great connection: “Technology is now allowing brands and retailers to tailor marketing communication to shoppers automatically based on shopper insights and environmental factors, deepening that crucial connection to the shopper.” Now we just need the food courts to jump on board with some 3D printers and edible ink so we can finally get that ultimate geeky dining experience we have always dreamed of.

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Author: Nikki

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Google+ Pages Roll-out (As Sung by Sir David Bowie)

Tuesday, November 15th, 2011

CH-CH-CH-CHANGES

As many have heard, the latest features roll-out from Google+ means there will be some pretty intriguing additions to functionality for brands using the budding new social platform. As is the case with most household names trying to sharpen their cutting-edge image, Google+ Pages have received a variety of responses that range from geek-fan exuberance to downright disdain. While we prefer to wait until the dust settles before making any endorsements or accusations, we thought we would share with you a round-up of some of the more comprehensive opinions on the matter:

HEROES

The recent addition of Google+ Pages for business has many marketers and entrepreneurs all abuzz. For SEO whiz’s in particular, this news will have a serious impact on key search algorithms, as stated by Go ogle, which can put your brand or your clients’ brands front and center in a sea of competitors. According to Sarah Sikowitz at AdvertisingAge, Google+ Pages “will be a hub for brands to start interacting with their audience within Google's already existing network.” The ability to work with and within the powerful network of Google tools means that many digital campaigns can be launched with increased efficiency.

With the implementation of a bevy of features like easy +term searching, consumer controlled subscriptions, simple sharing of media and the compulsory real-time comment streams, Google+ is definitely trying to meet standard expectations for a social experience while putting their own stamp of style and application integration into the mix, but not everyone feels it will be enough to beat out the other behemoth of crowd sourcing.

SLOW BURN

While some of the new features are like comparing apples to oranges when going toe to toe with Facebook, others feel that in areas that run parallel, Google+ Pages fall short. Ted Samson at InfoWorld calls the internet giant out for their lack of perspective when it comes to interactivity: “…compared to Facebook, Google+ offers very little opportunity for businesses to engage with their customers, or vice versa.”

The suggestion has been made by some that Google+ may have “oversimplified” the structure of their social platform, perhaps over correcting the feedback of those that spoke out against Facebook’s seemingly complex handling of businesses through pages, groups and individual profiles. The consensus from the nay-sayers seems to be that Google just isn’t doing enough to be engaging, however it would appear that some of the features requested are already in the works. This begs the question, are they just rolling out these new features too slowly for our fast-paced tastes and could that end up creating a bigger backlash than they expect?

UNDER PRESSURE

At least it seems as if Google is listening. Christine Erickson over at Mashable compiled a list of 10 features that businesses really want to see out of the new Pages. Of particular note on this list is the ability for Pages, or the person behind the page, to join hangouts. The implications for humanizing a brand, at least from the consumer perspective, are huge. According to Google, they do in fact allow Pages to join hangouts and essentially function similarly to individual profiles aside from some key differences that are intended to protect the privacy of the consumer. A feature they have not yet included in Pages is the ability to have multiple administrators for a single Page which is absolutely imperative for allowing marketing departments and companies to work collaboratively on their social media campaigns.

LET’S DANCE

Ultimately, Google will have to make it a point to continue listening to the needs of their users but they may have to step up the pace in their roll-out schedule. Rather than a case of “if you build it, they will come” it seems rather “if you build it right and within a reasonable time frame, they will consider coming if it suits them.” If their intention is to support the two-way communication of brands and consumers, they had better practice what they preach; giving their users the efficiency and functionality they desire in order to keep Google+ a strong contender in the social media battle-dome.

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Author: Nikki

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A Quick Shtick About SIC

Monday, November 14th, 2011

Early last week we had the opportunity to attend the first annual Seattle Interactive Conference at the Washington State Convention Center. There was a great turn-out, filling the space with creative and ambitious individuals from a variety of web-related industries. There was a diverse line-up of speakers that spanned an equally diverse selection of topics which catered to nearly any industry interested in the applications of interactive design.

Though the speaking events were very informative, and who can resist a good after party, I found myself the most satisfied, motivated and inspired after having a handful of in-depth conversations with a few individuals. It was nice to put networking aside for a moment, really connecting and having a genuine dialogue with like-minded individuals. Talking one-on-one with entrepreneur Libby Tucker and epic UX designer Kevin Gask of Citizen were some of the more stimulating experiences I had at the event, and the topics weren’t all about business.

In these conversations, we were able to break-through a lot of the industry-standard market-speak and discuss the things that really make us human: creativity, communication, relationships and even spirituality. In my mind, this is where the essence of interaction resides and something we must truly understand in order to provide realistic and relevant interaction to our clients and their markets.

While it’s good to have the excitement and collective experience of a conference—we certainly had an awesome time with all the fun activities—being able to sit down and have conversations that really address the human condition in smaller, more intimate meet-ups can increase our integration of the human factor into the digital world. It would be great to bring something back like the old fashioned salon to share ideas, discuss important topics and connect on a deeper intellectual level with others. Ironically, I had a great chat with Ross Reynolds, moderator of the SIC panel Music in the Digital Age and host of KUOW’s “The Conversation”, who noted that the show was almost dubbed “Seattle Salon.” It’s also a reminder of what we live everyday and why we started Plexipixel—to work with thoughtful, empathetic, creative people who are forced to speak with me on a daily basis (sucks to be you, Plexipixel-ite).

I took away a lot of great ideas to bring to our clients, but the main thing I really took away from the event was a desire to continue engaging on that intimate and productive level with like-minded people. Being able to effectively create interactive experiences online means you have to know and understand what is so desirable about interacting in real life.

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Author: vicky

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That’s It–Game On!

Thursday, November 10th, 2011

There appears to be a serious uprising amidst the ranks of Plexipeeps and a definite line has been drawn between the demiurgic Designers and detail-driven Developers. The cause of all this kerfuffle? Meat Muffins. Oh, the great divider of nations the muffins of meat have been said to be the pastry that has launched a thousand ships ^{[citation needed]}. But alas, a great division took place today when the Designers here at Plexipixel held what they term to be a "baller a** potluck" that contained the meat muffins of mention and neglected to invite the Developers to partake. Whether this was a strategic maneuver on their part to exhibit their dominance over the coffee machine is anyone's guess.

Then....the video came....note the provocative sound track.

GAME ON, DESIGNERS!! GAME ON!

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Author: Nikki

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Can We Do This Again Next Week?

Thursday, November 3rd, 2011

We're ready for a Halloween replay and we've barely had time to recover! This year's annual Plexipixel costume competition was sure a close race. Choosing between Bernsie's nostalgia-inducing teased hair, the sonic screwdriver wielding Doctor Joel and a Bean in sheep's clothing was no easy task. Ultimately, David walked away with the coveted title and an extremely tasteful "pimp" cup for sporting the most realistic depiction of a Sriracha bottle we had ever seen this side of Phuket.

But let's face it; the true winner of the entire spooky spectacle was the cutest little Pikachu in the land, who may or may not have been slipped a little nibble of Halloween candy. If you know your Pokemon, you know that Pikachu always wins.

Who would you pick to win? And no, the photo bombing paper squirrels were not in the running....

Hope You Had a Happy Halloween!