PixelMEDIA Inc.

Prior to the launch of the re-designed Mass Save website in 2010, a wide range of Massachusetts residential energy efficiency programs were spread out over six separate websites. The programs were sponsored by nine gas and electric utilities and energy services companies serving the state in conjunction with initiatives from the Massachusetts Department of Energy Resources (DOER). Through incentives and education, customers were encouraged to lower their overall energy consumption and, as a result, save money and reduce the demand for fossil fuels and the release of greenhouse gases into the environment.

The sponsors and DOER asked PixelMEDIA to consolidate the 6 separate websites into one site and to create a single branded user experience: Mass Save.

Success Factors

Mass Save’s strategic objective was straightforward: to encourage residents and businesses to be energy efficient through increased awareness and through direct energy-saving incentives offered by the Mass Save sponsors. PixelMEDIA identified three key project initiatives to achieve this goal: Read More…

As one of the world’s leading not-for-profit genetics research institutions, The Jackson Laboratory maintains a website dedicated to helping non-scientists and the general public understand the impact of the laboratory’s work: Genetics and Your Health. In 2011, the lab asked PixelMEDIA to develop a pilot online campaign to determine if banner advertising would be an effective medium for raising awareness and driving traffic to the website.

Success Factors

Banner advertising on websites that included AARP and WBUR (Boston) would drive traffic to landing pages that featured a series of video interviews with people who had been affected by cancer. The landing pages were Read More…

In 2010, Vermont-based PKC was in the final stages of realigning its business offering from a consumer-focused product to a business-to-business OEM solution. That required a radical change in the company’s value proposition, message architecture, and website, with a focus on the business benefits of incorporating the PKC medical informatics technology into healthcare information systems, including clinical decision support, online medical records, and patient portals. PKC asked PixelMEDIA to develop a new approach the company’s messaging and website. Read More…

Prior to the launch of the Mass Save website in 2010, customers had to visit multiple websites to learn about energy- and money-saving opportunities. The programs were sponsored by nine gas and electric utilities and energy services companies serving the state, with goals and guidelines set by the Massachusetts Department of Energy Resources (DOER). Because the design and navigation of each site was different, customers had to learn multiple ways to find information and application forms for energy-saving incentives.

Success Factors

The sponsors and DOER asked PixelMEDIA to consolidate the 6 separate websites into single Mass Save website and to create a unique brand identity. The new brand would serve as a recognizable focal point for a wide range of online and traditional marketing activities, and having a single brand would reduce the cost and complexity of maintaining multiple marks and identity systems. PixelMEDIA identified 3 key elements needed for a successful outcome: Read More…

If you have participated in taking a website in a new design direction, you may have noticed the difficulty in separating the form from the function. Here at PixelMEDIA, we employ a useful deliverable know as a mood board. In its simplest form, a mood board combines numerous elements into a collage that establishes an overall tone and creative direction. In many cases, we use it when a brand “refresh” is needed or if there is a lack of defined brand guidelines for the web channel. If you are currently working on a complete rebrand, you may consider this method as way to explore and establish typography, a color palette, or a style of a photography or illustration.

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PixelMEDIA recently launched cirrusvillage.com—an online community for Cirrus plane owners/pilots, and their families. While working on the design of the website, I was also tasked with creating the Cirrus Village identity. In this post, I would like to share the logo design process we went through.
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Exploring the “what ifs…?” of the user experience is the best way to avoid the “if onlys…” once the project is completed. And working with the client to prepare and approve an experience brief is the best opportunity to ask important questions about the fundamental underpinnings of a project, including audience, message, and purpose.

Here’s a quick look at other people’s briefs. No jokes, please.

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