We love hearing cries for iPad apps from unexpected places. Fairmont inquired about the possibility of providing guests at their Ghirardelli Square location with an iPad app to help navigate the neighborhood and more importantly, learn about the Private Residence Club. How many apps enable you to find a second home or find dinner?

The iPad app was designed as a tool that would provide hotel guests with lots of choices – from viewing videos, amenity galleries and interactive floor plans, to perusing curated content for food and wine, shopping, parks, entertainment and culture. Integration with Google Maps made it easy to access up to date information on all the destinations. If users are interested in fractional ownership, they may also choose the type of contact they prefer – make an appointment with a sales agent, ask a question, or just email information to a friend. It can all be done while lying in a plush hotel bed. Not a bad idea.

Control your new Proto Home from an iPhone, iPad or computer. We were intrigued by the idea when a Los Angeles builder contacted us to help with the launch of their new company, Proto Homes. With a patent pending and international interest, they had essentially shifted the building paradigm with a more efficient process that enables cost-effective modern design. New concepts include the “Proto Core” – a prefabricated centralized infrastructure that houses all utilities, in addition to serving as structural support. “Hyperspace Core” allows an open and flexible plan, rather than restrictive rooms. This enables homes to be easily reconfigured for changing family needs.

Our branding project included design of the Proto Homes corporate identity and a content-rich website. The theme of “Home as Product” is apparent throughout the website, as our approach was more akin to a retail offering than a traditional home sales website. The products were separated into two sections: “Proto-to-Go” featuring already constructed homes and “Proto-on-Demand” offering custom home design services. The website also includes unique features like a user poll, allowing viewers to vote on the location of the next Proto Home. Visit the website to cast your vote:www.ProtoHomes.com

Adding a strategy component can alter a project’s outcome entirely. Fulcrum Property had an ambitious plan to redevelop the waterfront in West Sacramento and create an wholly new district. The existing industrial and largely bare landscape was envisioned as a mixed-use destination for the area’s residents and visitors, with extensive residential, office and retail developments. The client came to us for the requisite marketing materials, however, it was apparent to us that the project required a full strategy component to bring structure and clarity to their vision.

The strategy phase included a Positioning Workshop, Summary Report, and Brand Tool Kit (Messaging Deck, Persona Cards and Brand Stories). Once everything was in focus, we produced a strategy book – a tangible expression of the overall The Bridge District brand vision. This strategy phase altered the course of the project in three key ways. First, the Positioning Workshop brought together all of the key stakeholders and played a critical role in aligning their thinking. Second, it created a solid roadmap for the key project messaging. Third, it provided an essential communications tool to outline for the public and the press the core project attributes, assets and overall vision.

We delivered the final strategy product as a custom hardcover printed book, encased in a linen box. Who said strategy isn’t tangible?

The Piers sought a new website to infuse fresh energy into the waterfront redevelopment. While the old website included compelling historic facts, it conveyed none of the vibrant and urbane feel that the three superb restaurants bring to the location. Our new website threw some bold colors and photography into the mix, with a more upbeat and promotional feel. A Web 2.0 interactive environment was developed and a branded UI was designed to reflect the impressive dining and office destination this redevelopment has become.

We applied a robust content management system to enable the administrators to update the site with timely information. The website features a full WordPress-based CMS, allowing our client to self publish news and events, update leasing content and make micro-adjustments to page content.

Visit the new site and drop by the piers on your next visit to San Francisco’s waterfront. It’s located at Pier 1 1/2, 3 and 5. Yes, that’s right, Pier 1 and one half!

Visit: www.ThePiersSF.com

Small changes are challenging; big changes are invigorating.

Some of our clients are quite happy with their old websites. Typically, there is one person in the organization who delicately points out that they need to revamp their website and a long debate ensues, followed by an even longer website development process. These are some of our most satisfying engagements, as the results are such a dramatic departure. This was the case with Shorenstein, and the client couldn’t be happier.

The revamped website showcases Shorenstein’s unique portfolio and is functional for multiple audiences. Investors, tenants, both current and prospective, property managers, and the public can find all they need in one robust website. Even better, we built a sitewide content management system to allow the client to update property information and leasing availabilities. The website has increased the client’s efficiency and continuity – a great reward for embracing change.

Visit: www.Shorenstein.com

Key to the success of the website was the layering of storytelling to personalize the experience, accompanied by old photos provided by the client from their personal albums. And yes, we even added some of our own, including naked bathtub photos (as children, of course).

We created a very process-oriented website, which enabled users to easily follow key steps from upload to delivery. Charts and diagrams helped create a simple navigation path and provided a light and friendly feel for the site.

We enjoy working with startups – the shared ideas, energy and enthusiasm are all thrown into a cauldron of creativity.

Visit: www.GoPhoto.com

If you’d like to use GoPhoto’s excellent service, you can visit www.gophoto.com/photo-scanning-service.

Ultimately, technology is all about people. As a leader in middleware software infrastructure, TIBCO recognized that in spite of their success in solving highly complex customer issues, this message was not reaching potential customers. TIBCO approached us to develop a content-rich Customer sectionfor their website, in order to better communicate their intense focus on solving customers’ enterprise challenges. It was more about having a consumer-oriented focus and it was a new approach.

We shifted the discussion from technology to benefits and from software to people. The benefits-driven approach resulted in a content-rich customer section, including 109 Customer Success Stories, 70 videos and approximately 150 content pages from customers worldwide. Our approach utilized the customer’s end user to tell the TIBCO story and create an engaging user experience. And engagement is what it’s all about.

Rolling with the times, we sway with our clients when the market changes. Real estate sector booming? We help clients market luxury condominiums. Real estate sector slowing down? We help them switch the project to apartments. Once things begin to turn around, we can take the same product and alter the marketing plan to sell the property as condominiums again. Such was the case with Artani. From condominiums to apartments and back again, we worked with the client to shift the marketing thrust, while maintaining the original positioning.

Designed with the aesthetic of a boutique New York condominium, we positioned the project as the new urban ideal that has not been widely available to San Franciscans to date – luxury homes close to our cultural center. Blocks from the Opera, Symphony, Ballet, Museums. And of course, close to something near and dear to us – renowned restaurants. The paradigm for city living has shifted in San Francisco and The Artani was positioned to reflect that ideal. It’s about time.

Visit: www.theartanisf.com

The master developer, Wilson Meany Sullivan approached us to market the first part of the project – five Class A office buildings, care of international architects, SOM. Our positioning for the project focused on “Smart Design,” communicating the fusion of innovative design and environmental consciousness. The messaging is all about creating balance in our world. Seems pretty smart to us.

We regret that we cannot show any of our Microsoft solutions, but we can report that Microsoft was very pleased with the outcome.