After over a decade in development, The Evolution plan needed a fresh new look to gain new support within the community. The community presentations that LJG has created for NBCU have proven to be an important tool to not only gain support within the community, but also to build awareness of their project and its benefits to the public. Building upon the Director Presentation LJG originally created for NBCU we updated them to the latest Keynote presentation software running on the Macintosh platform. Keynote is an intuitive, easy-to-use presentation software that supports rich multimedia and robust presentation formats that far surpasses anything else that is currently on the market. When this software became available for the iPad, LJG saw its potential immediately. NBCU saw its potential as well and requested we look into it and purchase 3 iPads on their behalf. While still not perfect for large group presentations, Keynote for the iPad is best suited for small group and one-on-one presentations. It can also be a valuable tool for engaging key members of the audience during a large group presentation with its simple touch-to-follow-along interface. We’re excited to see NBCU embracing this technology and look forward to further utilizing and enhancing this format in the future.

“Wordle is a toy for generating “word clouds” from text that you provide. The clouds give greater prominence to words that appear more frequently in the source text. You can tweak your clouds with different fonts, layouts, and color schemes. The images you create with Wordle are yours to use however you like. You can print them out, or save them to the Wordle gallery to share with your friends.”

Take a look at the Wordle image created from the LJG blog:

Columbia Square is the centerpiece of an exciting mixed-use development along Sunset Boulevard. LJG has been a part of the team, working closely with architect, Johnson Fain, to bring the project to life. LJG created a hi-def video paying homage to the site’s history and future, complete with 3D animations demonstrating the development’s components, stunning visual presence and synergy with the historic site.

In addition to the historical video, LJG created highly-detailed before and after 3D photosimulations to illustrate the improvements and changes to the high profile site. The photosimulations allow interested parties to see the project in its current state and how the same view of the project will look upon completion.

LJG worked closely with CCDC to create a more intuitive interface design, utilizing existing content presented in a smarter, fresher way. The most-visited area of the site, and a major component of the site redesign, is the interactive map which illustrates all current and planned development in downtown San Diego.

The linking of the website to the existing Geographic Information Systems (GIS) database of Downtown San Diego was a major concern for CCDC. LJG seamlessly integrated the two systems to create a totally accurate and interactive mapping feature of downtown San Diego.

The redesigned site conveys the Corporation’s mission while providing the most up to date information, as well as extensive archives of information. The site also has the ability to provide streaming media including audio, video, Flash animation, and integrated Webcam video feeds from project sites. The robust Content Management System created for the CCDC website offers the creative flexibility and the database muscle of high-end systems, and an easy-to-use visual interface for the end-user.

CCDC.com provides relevant and up-to-date news and information and tools to better understand downtown redevelopment and the associated planning process.

The new CCDC website is a destination for residents and visitors to learn what it is that makes downtown San Diego an ideal place to live, work and play.

This new viewing and interactive experience is what LJG’s clients are looking to take advantage of. One exciting idea in the office is the use of the iPad as a mobile kiosk for real estate sales centers. “Imagine an automated, interactive sales agent giving you a guided tour of each floor plan in a sales center – at your own pace,” explains LJG Senior Programmer, Ben Brock. “Combine the tour application with social media synchronization and immediate priority list registration all in a hand-held kiosk application on the iPad and the homebuying experience could be completely transformed.”

Beyond the possibilities in real estate, other industries are also integrating the iPad into their marketing efforts. Retailers are no longer limited to iPhone apps – which can also be accessed on the iPad – and plans to add iPads to stores are already in the works for retailers like Puma. Possible retail applications include interactive catalogs with embedded video and e-commerce tools, to the possibilities of virtual sales assistants and cashiers.

“The iPad has provided a method for non-technical individuals to tap into the power of mobile computing,” says Brock. “By leveraging this fact, industries like entertainment, retail, and real estate can further combine their online and offline presence to create a unified brand experience.”

The iPad presents a new and exciting challenge for both designers and developers. The full potential of the device is yet to be determined and LJG is looking forward to discovering how to capitalize on the technology for its clients.

LJG has been working with public agencies since the mid-90s and has learned that the needs, challenges and approach is unique for public agencies.

Public agency websites not only have to be attractive and intuitive in design and functionality, they also need to follow specific guidelines, rules and requirements. “Being required to have massive amounts of information available to the public means public agencies can really take advantage of the Web,” commented Gina Von der Kret, Creative Director at LJG. “Creating portals for the public to login and easily access pertinent, real-time content and using social media to share time-sensitive information, alerts and meeting notices is a great way to capitalize on that medium.” Organization and flowcharting play a key role in creating a defined navigation that ensures the site looks clean and the public can find what they are looking for quickly.

While the benefits of technologies like streaming video, downloadable PDFs and GIS based interactive maps are clear, transitioning from the way things have been done for years can be a challenge. Presenting considerable amounts of technical and general information to a broad based audience can also be tricky. The key is finding the right way to present this varied information to everyone from local customers to highly trained engineering professionals and public officials, to a nearby business owner.

The most significant benefit of adopting more online communications programs is increased two-way communications. Through online inquiries, email, and social media it is now easier and more timely for customers to get the necessary information they need and communicate with agency staff. Online efforts also increase the ability for public agencies to reach a wider audience base both locally and internationally. In addition, there is a significant cost savings with the reduction or elimination of many printed materials, which is icing on the cake!

The web offers the platform for real-time knowledge sharing, collaboration and conversation that traditional publications can’t. Add to that the recent launch of the iPad with its digital viewing app that instantly allows publishers to export their magazines to readers’ iPads and it is clear that the time for change has come.

LJG’s newest project, ArchitypeReview will be the most powerful online architectural design publication in the world.  The  project combines the editorial eZine (ArchitypeReview), with the networking capabilities needed for architects, consultants and vendors to collaborate (ArchitypeSource), along with a place for employers and job seekers to connect and catch up on the latest architectural news (ArchitypeConnect). The three  Architype sites will offer a comprehensive way for designers to look at the best architectural work in the world while connecting, sharing and learning with tens of thousands of registered members.

Senior partners of ArchitypeReview, RSM Design, bring a wealth of architectural design and academic prowess to the venture. “ArchitypeReview is advancing the discussion of design, and that is the future of the eZine,” noted LJG President, John Greer.

While the experience of physically flipping through the pages of a magazine is fading away, the idea is to use technology and interface design to create an improved reading experience. “We studied this user experience for weeks and kept coming back to the logic of the format of a typical design magazine,” said Greer. “It’s the best of both worlds – large, glossy photos plus editorial content with video interviews and user generated content, all realtime.”

LJG Senior Programmer, Ben Brock says the key to a successful eZine is, “Understanding and capitalizing on the benefits of web technology.”

If we have learned anything, we know that this is only the beginning. How the emergence of the eZine will ultimately affect the publishing industry is still unknown. Combining the high quality editorial content readers have come to expect with interactive features, and membership interaction will be the determining factor of whether the eZine will succeed or fail.

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Featured architects include Craig Dykers, AIA, LEED AP of Snøhetta, Ben van Berkel of UN Studio, Craig Hodgetts of Hodgetts + Fung, Gilles Saucier of Saucier + Perrotte Architectes, Bernard Tschumi of Bernard Tschumi Architects.

Read the interviews today for a look inside these inspiring minds and to learn what it took to create their impressive projects.

Of the over 8000 entries submitted to the 14th Annual Webby Awards, fewer than 15% were distinguished as an Official Honoree.

LJG compiled Sony Pictures Entertainment history into a vibrant, one-of-a-kind site with a dynamic, database enabled back end that allows SPE to make hourly updates quickly, easily and from anywhere around the world. This unique, engaging online portal put historical assets from the studio’s article history at the fingertips of any film buff with Internet access.

The Webby Awards is the leading international award honoring excellence on the Internet. Established in 1996 during the Web’s infancy, the Webbys are presented by The International Academy of Digital Arts and Sciences, which includes an Executive 750-member body of leading Web experts, business figures, luminaries, visionaries and creative celebrities, and Associate Members who are former Webby Award Winners and Nominees and other Internet professionals.

The Academy is an intellectually diverse organization that includes members such as musicians Beck and David Bowie, Internet inventor Vint Cerf, political columnist Arianna Huffington, Real Networks CEO Rob Glaser, “The Simpsons” creator Matt Groening, R/GA Founder and Chairman Robert Greenberg, Virgin Atlantic Chairman and Founder Richard Branson, and The Weinstein Company Co-Founder Harvey Weinstein. Members also include writers and editors from publications such as The New York Times, Wired, Details, Fast Company, Elle, The Los Angeles Times, Vibe, and WallPaper.