Just in time for everyone's favorite spooktacular holiday, we've gotten our site full of Halloween spirit. If you're here and the holiday hasn't passed yet, then you've probably noticed that our traditional white and blue site has changed to orange, yellow and black.

As a part of the CareerOneStop website team, Azul 7 is proud to announce winning a 2009 Tekne Award in the IT-Software & Hardware, Communications and Infrastructure category.

Lisa Helminiak, partner at Azul 7, will present on online social media business success on November 4th at the JJ Hill Library. Helminiak will explain the shift in how people discover, read and share news, information and content caused by social media. Click here to register. 

Yes, why is that? This question was prompted after reading a Smashing Magazine blog post about usability and web design. One of the suggestions was to “follow conventions” by placing website features in similar locations or presenting them in a similar manner to enable visitors to predict and access content easier. An example given was highlighting links in blue, or at the least, displaying them in a contrasting color from the font surrounding it. This is all well and good, but returning to the main question, during one of my many wanderings on the internet, I went to see if there is indeed a story behind this internet norm.

It turns out that blue was likely first used since it was the darkest color next to black that was available on early versions of browsers…I was expecting something more significant too…

It is intriguing though to think about what motivates our daily actions and whether those actions makes sense. In this case, by default links were initially blue, and now taking into consideration usability, most—if not all—links will continue to be that color. (It could have been worse, though, like the color of mustard after it has been mixed with ketchup…)

Information on the origin of blue links can be credited to a blog post by professor Anders Fagerjord.

The Smashing Magazine blog post can be viewed here.
 

Azul 7, a Minneapolis-based branding and digital agency announce that it has signed new accounts for work totaling over $500,000.

Thanks for stopping by to see our new and improved website. We look forward to hearing from you.

We are excited for our current clients, acquaintances and partners to see our ongoing evolution. It is important to us that we remind current contacts and show potential new contacts our deep commitment and passion to continually leveraging the power of the web. We hope this new website accurately represents our dedication to expanding and improving our capabilities and offerings. As always, we thoroughly appreciate feedback from all visitors of our site, so go on already, tell us what you think!

Steven Snell, a freelance blogger and web designer, shares the potential uses and pitfalls of corporate blogs in a post for Smashing Magazine. Snell points out that the main benefit of blogs is that they can serve as a "direct line" of communication to customers and potential customers. Blogs have the added benefit of personalizing a customer's experience with a corporation, especially if their posts are responded to. Other uses for blogs include: promoting products and services, reputation management, showing corporate responsibility, and facilitating communication between employees and management.

Click here, to view Snell's post, including the section on potential pitfalls.

I'm sure everyone has reached a point where you just have nothing left. And as a designer or creative person, that's especially freaky.

I recently took a whole month off. Yes, an entire month. I had my wedding to plan and a lot of changes to prepare for. I wanted to enjoy this life change. I left feeling frazzled, overtired, thinking I would never feel a zest for the working life again. Ever.

But the refreshing outcome for me is this: After doing literally nothing design related for a month (except furniture rearranging), I am rejuvenated. Alive. Awake. Relaxed.

Sometimes it's so simple: Just stop for awhile. (Makes me think the europeans really are onto something with their extended holidays.)

Since I've been back (just on day 2) I've even been finding it easier to get inspired. During one of my hunts for inspiration I came across an inspiring quote, which subsequently led to a great blog post.



The blog: http://zenhabits.net/2009/09/how-simplicity-can-help-creativity-briefly/#more-4499

So take a look, I hope it inspires you, too. Remember to breathe, relax and enjoy your week! (And use some vacation time just for yourself).

A big "thanks" to Azul 7 for making my month off possible. It was amazingly unforgettable.

Azul 7 is looking for a Senior Account Executive with at least 5 years of account/strategy experience managing interactive projects to help us develop deeper customer relationships and grow business. Candidate must understand the interactive design and development process. Knowledge of and experience with online media and/or social media is a plus.

EnviroBate improves indoor air quality through the successful diagnosis and removal of asbestos, lead, mold, dust and other health hazards. Since its founding in 1989, EnviroBate has grown into a premier, regional environmental contractor. They serve individual homes through large-scale commercial buildings. Regardless of scale, EnviroBate applies the same degree of professional integrity, workmanship and client attention.

View the case study for Envirobate.