News from vh-crossmedia
Completed projects and news from my work
Tips & Tricks No. 7
In the "neunmalklug" section, I publish tips, tricks and technical information about graphic and web design at irregular intervals. Today:
How to turn your website graphics into an eye-catcher
Here are 9 tips for successful graphics on a website:
- Appropriate size: The size of the graphics should be adapted to the website to ensure that they do not appear distorted or stretched.
- High quality: High resolution and quality graphics are important to ensure that they are displayed clearly on different screen sizes and resolutions.
- Consistency: All graphics on the website should be kept in a uniform style to create a consistent visual experience.
- Colour scheme: The graphics should be kept in a colour scheme that matches the colour palette of the website.
- Simplicity: Avoid overloaded or overly complex graphics to convey a clear and understandable message.
- Contrast: Use contrast to emphasise important elements and make sure they stand out.
- Balance: The graphics should create a balanced mix of text and images on the website.
- Usability: Use graphics that improve the navigation and usability of the website instead of hindering it.
- Accessibility: When using graphics, take people with visual impairments into account by using alternative texts (alt tags) and descriptions to describe the content of the graphics.
Making it big with impressive formats
Expertly designed poster advertising offers you the opportunity to reach target groups that are difficult to address in their individual media consumption. A successful poster quietly and patiently courts the favour of passers-by and becomes more familiar with every encounter. I get the most important elements right for you so that everything essential is captured at first glance and attention is quickly and specifically drawn to your product, event or motif.
Fit4Kids
What does a healthy breakfast look like? How do I behave in an emergency? How do I become more self-confident? The FREYwillig & mit Herz initiative, the Protestant Hospital Dierdorf/Selters and the medical care centres of the KHDS jointly provided answers to these questions and many other interesting facts about health and strong, courageous children at a health day for schools under the motto "Fit4Kids" summarised.
I am pleased to be able to help this project with various advertising measures.
Focus on humanity and sustainability
The AWO Siegen consistently pursues the idea of inclusion and solidarity with its facilities. Hotel Fünf10, Restaurant Fünf10 and the Academy Nine10 around. In this way, the vision of equal participation and sustainable integration of people with disabilities into the world of work is pursued. The employees with and without disabilities are a well-rehearsed team and work hand in hand - in such a way that everyone can contribute their individual potential. In addition, the projects have a natural, resource- and climate-friendly concept.
I am very pleased to be able to support these organisations with various advertising measures.
Fresh on the net: Frey Group of Companies
The Frey Group brings together what belongs together: service, product quality and social commitment. With its two established commercial enterprises and a charitable organisation, the members of the group feel connected to the region and live customer proximity out of conviction.
Cornelia Bauer: Focus on selling
Sales is more than just selling products or services, the customer needs a holistic strategy. Cornelia Bauer works face to face or in small groups with comparable target groups in her sales training and analyses where the relevant customers can be found, how to look after them perfectly, retain them and turn them into enthusiastic regular customers, because professional training is necessary and essential for success in sales. I am happy to support you with the appropriate advertising materials.
Tips & Tricks No.6
In the "neunmalklug" section, I publish tips, tricks and technical information about graphic and web design at irregular intervals. Today:
Graphic design basics: Balance
Here is 9 x expertise on the topic of "balance" in graphic design:
- Symmetry and asymmetry: The use of symmetrical or asymmetrical arrangements of visual elements to create a balanced and harmonious overall picture.
- Proportions and proportions: The use of proportions and proportions to create a balanced and harmonious overall picture.
- Colour contrasts: The use of colours to distinguish visual elements from one another or to highlight certain areas.
- Negative space or white space: The use of empty space or white space around visual elements to draw focus to certain areas or achieve a desired effect.
- Hierarchy: The use of space to create a hierarchy of visual elements and help the viewer quickly grasp the most important information on a page.
- Spacing: The placement of visual elements at a certain distance from each other to create a balanced overall picture and facilitate the perception of content.
- Text and image distribution: The distribution of text and image elements in space to create a balanced and more legible composition.
- Contrast: The use of contrasts in size, shape or colour to create a balanced overall picture and highlight visual elements.
- Structure: The use of space to create a clear structure and organisation of visual elements and to achieve a balanced overall picture.
Fresh on the net: Blitz Blank Peterhoff GmbH
As a further member of the Peterhoff Group, the subsidiary Blitz Blank Peterhoff GmbH was also given a new look on the Internet. Founded in 1912 as a pure building cleaning company, Blitz Blank is now a professional in infrastructural building management in Berlin and the surrounding area:
Fresh on the net: DENTCARE
As part of a wide range of services in the field of vehicle preparation, DENTCARE's core competence lies in dent removal using paintless dent removal technology. It was time to give the young entrepreneurs and their modern processes a suitable website:
Fresh on the net: WWS Schutz und Sicherheit GmbH
The subsidiary of the Peterhoff Group, WWS Schutz und Sicherheit GmbH, is an experienced specialist for security and safety services - and has been since 1966. Following the relaunch of peterhoff.de, the WWS website was also completely overhauled in the interests of uniformity, so that all of the Group's services can shine as if from a single mould:
Fresh on the net: Dorfgemeinschaft-Sinzenich e.V.
A little local patriotism once again: for the active members of the Sinzenich village community association, the promotion of local history is a priority alongside the protection of nature and the countryside and the promotion of art and culture. After our first joint project on the Mühlenbach path it was time to develop an appealing website for the association, on which the numerous projects and awards could be presented in an appealing way:
New logo for Ideen-Schmiede
The aim of the engagement promoters of VG Puderbach in the Westerwald is to find new projects to improve coexistence, social interaction or simply to beautify the immediate surroundings in the communities with the help of all interested citizens and thus to sustainably promote new forms of engagement. As a central instrument, the engagement promoters use the ideas forge, in which citizens, companies and local authorities jointly develop and implement specific projects in selected fields of action. I am delighted that I was able to make my contribution with a logo.
Fresh on the net: Cousin tree care
In their work, Etienne Cousin and his team attach particular importance to occupational safety and the protection of nature and species. Reason enough for me to create an appealing website for the hard-working arborists and tree fellers that adequately presents their extensive services:
New logo for Siegerland instance: Göbel Bestattungen
The traditional company Göbel Bestattungen in Netphen wanted a contemporary redesign of its image - with fresh colours and a unique touch. The result is a dynamic and individual logo, which is of course also reflected in the new business stationery. An original colour combination as part of the modernisation ensures clarity and a suitable typography places the focus on personal service.
Fresh on the net: Lohndrusch Müller
You never stop learning: The words "Lohndrusch" and "Körnerdrusch" were completely unknown to me until I was allowed to create a website for Michael Müller from the Eifel region. The compact information was presented in an appealing and topic-orientated way. Unfortunately, the site is already offline again ...
Tips & Tricks No. 5
In the "neunmalklug" section, I publish tips, tricks and technical information about graphic and web design at irregular intervals. Today:
Graphic design basics: Hierarchy
Here is 9 x expertise on the topic of "hierarchy" in graphic design:
- Size and weight: Use different sizes and weights of fonts to create visual hierarchies and emphasise important information.
- Colour: Use of colours to create visual hierarchies and highlight important information.
- Position: Placement of visual elements at strategic points on a page to convey the importance and sequence of information.
- Contrast: Use of contrasts in colour, size and shape to create visual hierarchies and highlight important information.
- Consistency: Use of consistent visual elements to create a clear hierarchy and facilitate the perception of content.
- Attention: Use of visual elements to draw the viewer's attention to important information.
- Shape: Use of shapes to create a clear hierarchy of visual elements and emphasise important information.
- Visual language: Use of visual language to convey complex information quickly and simply and to create a clear hierarchy of information.
- Negative space or white space: Use of empty space or white space around visual elements to focus on specific areas and create a clear hierarchy.
Fresh on the net: Evangelical parish of Frechen
The Protestant parish of Frechen has also been my client for almost 15 years. In order to meet the wishes of the parishioners with regard to current requirements for a modern website, the website was completely redesigned - and the result is something to be proud of:
Masks, masks, masks ...
Would you like personalised masks? No problem! Here you will find 2-layer polyester masks, printed with your logo or desired motif and the matching colour scheme - available and ready for use within a few days.
Fresh on the net: The Peterhoff Group
The Peterhoff Group has been one of my customers for many years. Time for a redesign of the website: After numerous different ideas and impressions as well as sorting and weighing up many, many thoughts and ideas and all the possibilities offered by graphic and web design, the site is now ready for launch:
Christmas is coming ...
As every year, the task in 2020 was to create Christmas design templates for my customers' cards. A large selection of individual layouts makes every Christmas greeting unique.
Beastly good maps: designing a site plan for the wildlife park
I had the opportunity to create a site plan for the Wildlife park in Kommern to create. This required careful planning and creativity to create an informative and engaging map. Together with my clients, I gathered the information about animal enclosures, attractions and trails and emphasised the geographical arrangement of the elements. The use of colours and symbols helped to identify different areas and emphasise the proximity to nature. Important information such as animal species and safety instructions were integrated. After consultation with the park team, the map was used in various printed promotional materials and published digitally on the website. This work was a fulfilling opportunity to use my design skills to enhance the visitor experience and emphasise the wildlife.
Attractive site plan illustrations are crucial - and not just for a wildlife park - for several reasons. Firstly, they provide clear orientation for visitors by showing the geographical distribution of animal enclosures, attractions, facilities and pathways, making it easier for visitors to find their way around the park. Secondly, they serve as an important source of information by providing details of animal species and attractions in different areas of the park, allowing visitors to search specifically for their interests. Thirdly, appealing site plan illustrations enhance the overall experience of the zoo by presenting the wildlife and park facilities in a visually appealing way, emphasising the park's atmosphere and proximity to nature and animals. Fourthly, they are used for marketing and promotional purposes to attract potential visitors, whether in brochures, on websites or on social media.
To summarise, such site map illustrations are an essential part of the zoo experience, helping visitors to find their way around, find information, enhance their experience and improve safety, while also promoting the park's marketing.
Fresh on the net: Sheep Breeders' Association
It was a pleasure to design the website for the Breeding Association for East Prussian Skudden and Roughwool Pomeranian Land Sheep e.V. to undergo a comprehensive redesign. With a contemporary technical approach and a modern, fresh layout, I was able to help bring the pages up to date.
The Sheep Breeders' Association is a registered, non-profit organisation whose purpose is to preserve and promote the breeding of these two old domestic breeds in their original form. The organisation and all work and tasks are carried out on a voluntary basis.
I hope that the updated website will help to strengthen the online presence of the association and make a positive contribution to the presentation of the Zuchtverband für Ostpreußische Skudden und Rauhwollige Pommersche Landschafe e.V. in the digital space.
Tips & Tricks No. 16
In the "neunmalklug" section, I publish tips, tricks and technical information about graphic and web design at irregular intervals. Today:
9 facts about the importance of typography
The careful selection and use of fonts is an essential aspect of graphic and web design. By focusing on legibility, visual hierarchy and consistent branding, you can optimise text in designs and create an appealing overall look.
- Fonts play a crucial role in the visual communication of texts and contribute to the mood and readability of a design. For example, a sans serif font such as Arial can convey a modern and clear impression.
- Legibility is a key aspect of typography. A font that is easy to read enables users to grasp the text quickly and effortlessly. Serif fonts such as Times New Roman are often intended for longer sections of text, as the serifs support the flow of the text.
- Text formatting such as line spacing, character spacing and paragraph spacing influence the readability and visual flow of the text. Sufficient line spacing can make the text airier and easier to read.
- The right combination of fonts makes it possible to create visual hierarchies and differentiate between different elements in the design. You can use a sans serif font for headlines and a serif font for body text to create a clear distinction.
- When selecting fonts, it is important to consider the character of the design and the target group. Of course, a playful and handwritten font will be suitable for a children's book, while a serious and professional font will be more suitable for a corporate website.
- The scalability of fonts is crucial for legibility and adaptation to different screen sizes. In web design in particular, care should be taken to ensure that the fonts are easy to read on mobile devices.
- When using fonts in web design projects, it is important to use web fonts to ensure that the selected fonts are displayed correctly on different devices.
- White space or blank space around the text is an important design aspect of typography. It creates visual breathing spaces and increases readability. For example, sufficient space between paragraphs can make the text more accessible.
- It is advisable not to use too many different fonts in one design to create a harmonious and cohesive overall look. A good rule of thumb is to limit yourself to 2-3 fonts and make sure they go well together.
Fresh on the net: Dardenne Travel
For my long-standing customer, Dardenne TravelI was able to carry out a comprehensive website redesign to bring the online presence up to date with the latest technology. In developing the new design concept, I preserved the company's corporate design and integrated numerous images, graphics and texts from the previous pages. The result is a website that not only provides a familiar overview of the content and gives visitors a fresh look and feel, but also increases user-friendliness and is particularly mobile-friendly thanks to modern technologies.
Dardenne Reisen GmbH has been a successful family business based in Schleiden in the Eifel region for over six decades. As a "bus company with a satisfaction guarantee", the company has extensive experience in scheduled and touring services and works together with various providers. Special care was taken to ensure smooth navigation and quick access to information for all user groups on the website.
Competitive advantage through originality: the importance of unusual advertising materials
Unusual advertising materials can be advantageous for companies in many ways. They offer an opportunity to stand out from the crowd and attract the attention of potential customers.
Eye-catching promotional gifts are an effective marketing tool that aims to attract the attention of potential customers and leave a lasting impression. They go beyond traditional promotional items and rely on creativity, originality and uniqueness to effectively convey a brand or company's message. Here are a few reasons why companies might consider using unusual promotional products:
- High recognition value: If the advertising material is unique and unconventional, companies are better remembered by the target group. This can lead to increased recognition and therefore more customer loyalty.
- Attract attention: Unusual promotional items such as a printed beer mat or personalised drinking bottles have a higher chance of attracting attention. When a company uses a creative and unusual promotional gift or medium, it generates interest and can lead to people talking about it or sharing it on social media.
- Differentiation from the competition: In highly competitive industries, an original promotional item such as a deckchair can help you stand out from the competition. Customers may be more willing to engage with a company that is characterised by creativity and originality.
- Emotional attachment: Unusual advertising materials can create an emotional connection to the company. By surprising or delighting customers, they create a positive association and strengthen the brand image.
- Virality and word of mouth: Unique promotional items such as a personalised cutting disc have the potential to go viral. If customers are enthusiastic about an unusual promotional gift, they often share it with friends and acquaintances, which leads to additional reach.
- Addressing new target groups: Even in small formats such as round magnets or stickers, creative advertising media can appeal to target groups that are not normally the direct focus of the company. This can extend the reach and market penetration.
- Emphasising the corporate culture: A company can express its own culture and personality through unusual advertising materials. This can appeal to customers who share similar values.
The choice of promotional product should always be made in accordance with the target group and the brand identity. The cost of such promotional items should also be taken into account, as they may be higher than conventional promotional items. Nevertheless, well-thought-out, unusual promotional items can be a worthwhile investment to increase the awareness and success of a company.
Professional website or homepage construction kit?
Although it may seem that website builders offer an easy and inexpensive way to create a website, they are not always the best choice when it comes to sophisticated projects and an effective online presence.
Completed websites that have been created with the help of modular systems are often frustratingly similar to numerous other sites on the Internet that also use the same system. Why is this the case? Although the providers of these systems promise individual customisation of the web design, in practice users can usually only change colours, text and images without additional knowledge. They are often denied in-depth customisation - the options are very limited as the framework is strictly predefined and cannot be changed. And nowadays, a homepage needs more than just a few lines of text and images.
A modular site is just a modular site, and that's obvious - even to your customers.
There are ready-made templates, and the big advantage is that you have a page in no time at all that you don't have to fiddle with (and shouldn't, because then it gets very complicated very quickly). As a result, however, the websites of hairdressers, dentists and hundreds of other providers are astonishingly similar. There is a lack of individuality and creativity.
Professional web design by vh-crossmedia - for a unique brand identity and differentiation from competitors
A customised website can be tailored exactly to your requirements. With my support, you have the freedom to incorporate functions and features that are relevant to your business or brand. What's more, as a professional web designer, I can give your website a unique design and brand identity that exactly matches your goals and target audience. This allows you to stand out from the crowd and differentiate yourself from competitors.
Another advantage of your collaboration with vh-crossmedia is the responsive designwhich ensures that the website is displayed optimally on various devices, including smartphones, tablets and desktops. The User experience (User Experience, UX) is the focus, as a well-designed website is crucial for keeping visitors on the site and convincing potential customers. My services ensure that your website loads quicklyis optimised for different devices and complies with current web standards. A technically flawless website is of great importance for a positive user experience and a better ranking in Search engines. As a web designer, I can also optimise your website for search engines to increase your visibility in search results and attract more visitors.
More complex requirements that go beyond the possibilities of website construction kits can be implemented by me as a web designer with expertise in customised programming or integrations. The advantage of this is that no specialist knowledge is required, which saves a lot of time and money. Saves timeand the result looks as planned, namely professionally designed. Another argument in favour: the online world is constantly evolving and I always know the latest and most relevant Trends. I also offer long-term support, as I not only help with the creation of the website, but also with its ongoing maintenance. Maintenance, updating and problem solving.
ConclusionA professionally designed website exudes trust and credibility and makes your company appear reputable and quality-conscious. While website builders offer a simple and cost-effective way to create a website, they reach their limits when it comes to more sophisticated projects and an effective online presence. As a web design professional, I can realise your vision and help you achieve your online goals.
Boost for your online visibility: advantages through Google reviews
Increase the trust of your visitors and boost conversions by presenting real customer opinions on your homepage.
Google reviews are a crucial marketing tool for companies: With over 8.5 billion daily search queries on Google, these reviews are a significant influencing factor. Many users already rate products and services themselves via Google services. Every high-quality and positive review puts your company in the spotlight and increases the credibility of your brand compared to the competition. So don't hesitate any longer - utilise the power of Google reviews to boost your success in the online market! Let me show you how it works ...
Customer reviews are invaluable and a powerful marketing tool. For this reason, many companies decide to integrate Google reviews on their website. By integrating Google reviews, you receive all new reviews in real time. This results in numerous advantages:
- Credibility: Google reviews are written by real customers and are therefore often more credible than testimonials or reviews published directly on the company's website.
- Transparency: By displaying Google reviews on your website, you show transparency and openness. Potential customers appreciate this and may feel more comfortable using your products or services.
- Social proof: Positive Google reviews serve as social proof of the quality of your company. Potential customers are more likely to use your products or services if they see that other customers have had a positive experience.
- SEO benefits: Displaying Google reviews on your website can have a positive impact on your search engine optimisation (SEO). Reviews and star ratings can be displayed in search results and influence the click behaviour of users.
I can provide you with elegant templates and integrate them into your existing WordPress site to showcase the Google reviews. The choice of layouts is extensive, ranging from full reviews to Google stars. Show the world what your customers think of you and grow your business - I look forward to hearing from you!
On this topic, please also read my article on Rating cards for social media.
Tips & Tricks No. 15
In the "neunmalklug" section, I publish tips, tricks and technical information about graphic and web design at irregular intervals. Today:
9 interesting aspects of colour theory and colour psychology
- Colours have a strong emotional effect on people and can trigger feelings such as joy, calm or excitement. Warm colours such as red or orange, for example, can create a lively and energetic mood.
- The right choice of colour can influence the mood of a website or graphic and effectively communicate the desired message. A calming colour palette with shades of blue can create a meditative or relaxing atmosphere.
- By understanding colour psychology, designers can specifically appeal to emotions and evoke the desired behaviour in the viewer. For example: A "Buy" button in a striking red colour can attract attention and encourage people to click.
- Colour contrasts help to create visual hierarchies and highlight important information. For example, a high-contrast button in an otherwise subtle colour palette attracts the viewer's attention.
- Choosing the right colour palette can strengthen brand identity and promote recognition. Coca-Cola's characteristic red colour has become an essential part of its brand identity.
- Colours can also be used to guide users through the flow of information on a website and encourage certain actions. A progress bar highlighted in colour shows the user how far they have progressed in a form.
- The colour scheme should always be in line with the intended audience and target group. A children's website can use vibrant and playful colours, while a business website should use more subtle and professional colours.
- Colours can be interpreted differently by cultures and regions, so it is important to consider the cultural relevance of colours, especially in international projects. For example, in some cultures white symbolises purity and innocence, while in others it is associated with mourning.
- The use of colour concepts and rules can help designs look professional and balanced and provide a pleasant user experience. The use of sufficient contrast between text colour and background colour improves the readability and usability of a website.
Fresh on the net: Kommern High Game Park
I had the great pleasure of redesigning the website of my long-standing client - the wildlife park in Kommern. The relaunch brought numerous advantages:
- Together we wanted to modernise the appearance of the website and adapt it to current design trends, and by using modern design elements and an appealing user interface, I was able to significantly improve the user experience. This should result in visitors staying on the website longer and finding their way around more easily.
- Another advantage of the relaunch was the continuous optimisation of the website for mobile devices. These days, more and more people are using their smartphones or tablets to browse the internet. By creating a responsive website that automatically adapts to the screen size, I want to ensure that the website is optimally displayed on all devices. This not only increases user-friendliness, but also search engine rankings, as mobile optimisation is an important factor for SEO.
- I was also able to optimise the loading time of the website as part of the relaunch. A slow website often leads to frustration among visitors and can cause them to leave the site prematurely. Optimising the loading times significantly improves the performance of the website and reduces the bounce rate.
Overall, the relaunch of my loyal client's website was an extremely rewarding and inspiring task. With its modernised look and feel, improved user experience, optimisation for mobile devices and faster loading time, the website is now ready to represent the company even more successfully and attract new customers.
Increase user interaction: creative graphics for social media
Whether for the launch of a new brand or the optimisation of an existing social media strategy - visual content plays a decisive role in establishing an online identity.
As a graphic and web designer, I would like to suggest some important points to keep in mind when creating engaging graphics for various social media platforms to strengthen your brand presence and encourage user interaction:
- Understanding your target group: In order to create graphics that appeal to your target group, it is important that we gain detailed information about your target group. The better we know the demographic characteristics, interests and preferences, the more targeted I can make the graphics.
- Consistent visual identity: For your brand to look consistent across social media platforms, it's crucial that we consider the information about your brand colours, fonts and overall style so that I can use these elements in the graphics.
- Platform-specific requirements: Each social media platform has different requirements for graphics in terms of size, format and file size. As a designer, I take these technical aspects into account and ensure that your graphics comply with the guidelines of each platform.
- Eye-catching design: To attract the attention of users, I develop graphics with an appealing design. I use visual elements such as colours, contrasts and images to ensure that your graphics stand out and appeal to viewers.
- Communicate a clear message: Graphics should convey a clear message that is understandable at first glance. I work to design the most important information and visual elements so that your message is perceived directly and unambiguously.
- Involving users: To encourage user interaction, I can incorporate interactive elements into your graphics. For example, this could be a question, a call to participate in an action or a request for comments to encourage users to get involved.
- Quality and professionalism: As a designer, my goal is to create high quality graphics that make a professional impression. I use high quality images, make sure text is easy to read and pay attention to detail to ensure your graphics look professional.
- Testing and customisation: After publishing the graphics, I monitor performance and user reactions. If necessary, I can make adjustments to improve the effectiveness of the graphics and further encourage interaction.
By taking these points into consideration and working with me as a graphic and web designer, we can create engaging graphics that strengthen your brand presence and encourage user interaction on various social media platforms.
All logos/proprietary names/trademarks and graphics/photos shown are for illustration and reference purposes only and are the sole property of the respective owner/originator or copyright holder. The inclusion of hyperlinks to external sites is, as is usual on the Internet, for reference purposes only and does not constitute a recommendation or endorsement of the respective offer by vh-crossmedia | Volker Heupel. Liability, in particular for any damage or consequences arising from the use of the offer, is excluded - vh-crossmedia | Volker Heupel is not responsible for the content of websites to which direct or indirect reference is made via links. If, in your opinion, there is questionable content or content that violates applicable law, please inform me so that the relevant information can be updated or removed.
