Have you ever wondered how they make those wicked web advertisements you see floating along the sides of your favorite news and social media sites? This type of moving media has been coming on strong for a while now. And although, I personally believe that print media is still alive and well (design critic Steven Heller gives two prime examples here), the creative minds at Splinter want to be able to assist with anything and everything our thriving clients need, whether those projects stand still or do a little dance on screen. Until now, we have always collaborated with exceptional web developers to meet the expectations of our clients’ online presence. However, we want to bring at least some of this web development in house so that we can control production time and quality ourselves (and also because we think it’s awesome!).

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As a designer who works mostly in static media, I’ve always wanted to delve deeper into understanding Flash and the ActionScript involved in creating dynamic visual elements. This week I began my exploration into learning basic Flash elements to improve our client’s ability to communicate in an increasingly web-centric market.

I am starting with a basic knowledge of how Flash works, but I also understand that what goes on behind the scenes is a much more complicated thing. If you’ve ever tried to learn another language as an adult, you know my frustration in learning ActionScript for the first time. I know what I want to say, now I just have to figure out how to say it in AS! My first assignment was to develop a basic Flash image gallery with scrolling thumbnails. This is an element that many companies with a web presence could find useful, from displaying examples of their own range of work to showcasing event photos, etc. You can see my work below!

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What is astounding is the amount of scripting that goes in to something that, on the surface, seems so simple. I’ve pasted below only a small portion of the language that sits behind the visually pleasing surface of this basic Flash gallery.

If you are unfamiliar with any sort of web development, this might surprise you. (If you are familiar, go easy on me, I am just starting out!) In any case, creating Flash elements is, to say the least, a time consuming endeavor. If you are in the market for something like this, be sure to expect a legitimate turn-around time if you want your message to be exceptional. One lesson to take away is that there is a lot more than what meets the eye when it comes to moving messages!

Too often, when we bring up the term environmental graphics, clients look at us with the old ‘what the hell are you talking about’ expression. Well strap on your seat belts, we’re about to take a wild ride on the large format graphics train.

Wikipedia refers to Environmental Graphic Design as, “the profession embracing many design disciplines including graphic design, architecture, industrial design and landscape architecture. Practitioners in this field are concerned with the visual aspects of wayfinding, communicating identity and brands, information design, and shaping a sense of place.”

I couldn’t have said it better myself, but of course I’ve got a few things to add using layman’s terms. Environmental graphics have the ability of transforming any setting into an informative, mind-blowing advertisement… or at least they can depending on how risqué the client wants to get. Whether you’re looking to advertise on your store front, or take an outdoor branding campaign to new heights with building size graphics, the array of materials available today gives you endless possibilities.

We recently completed a set of window graphics and building banners for the City of Tempe’s new parking garage. The new structure not only offers some much needed parking to the Mill Ave. area, it boasts 12,000 square feet of office and retail space. Our job was to create a campaign that not only met city code for exterior signage, but presented information in a clean and highly visible manner. Needless to say, we nailed it.

And window graphics are just the tip of the iceberg. Environmental graphics most commonly show their face in windows, on buildings or a variety of other outdoor applications, but most don’t realize their extensive capabilities indoor as well.

Currently the hottest trends in environmental graphics, digitally printed wall murals and floor graphics can be applied to any flat, non porous surface. Looking to cover a portion of the floor, or an entire hallway? No problem. 3M adhesive vinyls make any project feasible no matter the scope.

Probably the coolest thing about printed wall murals, besides their ability to be fully customizable, is their flexibility allowing the graphic to take on the texture of the surface to which it’s being applied. Take a look at an example we did for the City of Scottsdale (that’s not paint people).

So whether you’re looking for a new way to communicate your brand’s message, direct customers through your store, or just make a wall look absolutely killer… give environmental graphics a shot. I assure you, they won’t disappoint.

In case you haven’t already heard, Splinter Creative is pleased to announce we are among the Top 10 Advertising Agencies of 2009 in the state of Arizona.

Splinter would like to to thank everyone who took time to cast a ballot during the 2009 voting period, and ask that you help us make it to #1 spot in the 2010 issue of Ranking Arizona Magazine.

Voting is as easy as 1-2-3…

1. Go to http://rankingaz.azbigmedia.com/
2. Click the toggle button that says “Search by Name”
3. Type in Splinter Creative
4. Enter your email address and click the button that says “Cast my Vote”

Okay, so maybe that was 4 steps but you get the point.  You can vote every 60 days for each different email address that you have. Voting will conclude at the end of July, so get your click on and help Splinter show the valley what “mad skills” look like on paper

What can I say, it’s nothing but the best here at Splinter Creative when we get down to celebrate… But when you’re at the office popping some bottles to make mimosas, it doesn’t really matter now does it

After grinding it out for 8 months between client projects, we officially launched our new website this morning.  I mean… you gotta do the work that pays the bills first, right?  Needless to say, we sprouted a few grey hairs and had a few disagreements, but we’re proud to announce a fully functioning site complete with eye candy, anecdotes and useful information about all the services we have to offer you in the upcoming year.

The new site features a distinctive home page (you may want to click the home button a few times and check out all the awesome images), a capabilities section packed full of info and photorealistic examples, and a ton of new portfolio pics showcasing some of our favorite work.

We also added the “request a quote” feature allowing current and future clients to submit a query with ease, a downloads section to get the goods from Splinter and various links to connect with us on our social networking sites.

If you haven’t checked it out already, what are you waiting for?!?  Click the home button up top and let us know what you think by sending an email to marketingpr at splintercreative.com

Sadly, it’s time to get back to work after a morning full of high fives, mimosas and other things we can’t mention on here We hope you enjoy all the cool aspects of our new site, and we look forward to hearing your comments.

To view the press release, click here

After only its thrid gathering, Ignite Phoenix has officially taken the valley by storm.  As I pulled in at 5 mintues to 6, I was overwhelmed with the amount of cars in the parking lot, and even more blown away by the number of people inside at the Tempe Center for the Arts (Awesome venue btw!)  Surprisingly, I was able to snag a last minute seat amidst the sea of people, and after a few brief minutes of technical difficulties, the show began.

With about 300+ peeps in the room, it was no shock the fire marshall had to put the smack down.  I guess the room technically only held 220 (which we all know gets fudged here and there) but luckily the TCA stepped up their game and made it happen.  As I walked backed in after intermission, a mysterious TV and chairs had been setup outside the hall with a live feed to accommodate the overflow… Ahhh technology, gotta love it!

While all the preso’s rocked, these made my list for “Gnarliest of the Night”

• - Austin Baker’s “20 Answers to 20 Unanswerable Questions” – Entertaining way to end the night as well as enlighten us on the mythical question of whether a tree makes a sound in the woods if no one is there.  In the words of Austin Baker, “Why’s the damn tree falling anyway?” @austinmiles

• - Chanelle Richardson’s “The Art of Enjoying Food” also intrigued me… For being a tiny woman, she knew a lot about how to enjoy food and make the best out of every meal.  Considering I hadn’t eaten dinner, her presentation had me running for the nearest food joint as soon as Ignite ended @iamchanelle

• - Dan Messer’s “Toilet Training – A Study in Connective History” was a great way to start the night.  I mean… anytime you can talk about the history of toilets and work in bacon is just flat out rad.  I give him major props for this @SonoranDragon

• - And last but certainly not least, Derek Neighbors took over the stage with, “Nothing Defines Humans Better Than Their Willingness to do Irrational Things in the Pursuit of Phenomenally Unlikely Payoffs.”  Not only did he make us all realize we are all suckers, he had the crowd hooting and hollering like he was on stage at the improv.  His energy level really took the evening to a whole new level. @dneighbors

A huge thanks goes out to the Ignite Phoenix crew for getting a hold of Splinter to help out with the event.  We look forward to helping out however we can at the next event in June.  Can’t believe we just happened to meet the Ignite guys at Twestival Phoenix, and it turned into an awesome sponsorship opportunity.  Crazy huh?  Twitter rocks!

If you just read this and are asking yourself, “What the hell is Ignite Phoenix?” Take a peak at their website here

Last but not least, if you want to check out some pics (not from a camera phone like the one above) from all the Ignite Phoenix events to date, visit their Flickr Group page here – I saw some people with pretty hardcore cameras in there, so my guess is there are some great shots floating around.