Phillip Johnson

It's #opensourcecreative time. The embryonic thought on this came out of an abortive concept for the SIS Pitches brand refresh I'm working on. Introducing Strata Base (beta).* A future-forward display font, inspired by spending too much of my childhood watching sci-fi. In space, no-one can hear you kern. Full character set available in TrueType and WOFF at iamsteve.uk/osc As usual, free-to-use for charities and non-profits. Consider a donation to Surfers Against Sewage if used in any for-profit endeavours. *This is the first font I've followed through to this stage, so I'm calling it a beta version. Please don't expect perfection, type nerds. Feedback welcomed. #type #typography #customtype #customfont #fontdesign #opensource #nonprofit #donate #saveouroceans #saveourrivers

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Before I make the next post about dfcu Bank, I’d like to acknowledge a few things. Firstly, I think their new brand look and feel is significantly better than the previous one. This video is the evidence. Let’s start with the visuals. The old branding was outdated, period. Anyone familiar with design could tell dfcu Bank was stuck in the past. We had almost forgotten who they were and what made them special as a bank. It wasn’t even showing up on most people’s radar when considering opening an account. So, when the new refresh came, it was surprising. It caught our attention. But we weren’t just asking, “What has dfcu Bank done?” We were asking, “Who is the new dfcu Bank, and how different are they now? What do they have to offer?” It wasn’t just about how new they looked; it was about whether they had truly changed. With this new perspective, no one paying attention to dfcu Bank wants anything to do with the old brand. That’s because the old brand carried everything we associated with them before—and those associations, whether true or not, were not positive. That’s the nature of branding: it’s about the gut feeling people have toward you, whether they’re drawn in or repelled without a second glance. For dfcu Bank, this rebrand made us start paying attention. We were seeing promises in their social media ads. There was a new, slightly more dynamic visual system, bold billboards, and even a new logo - and they changed the name on the logo! It felt like they wanted to be a completely different entity, and that’s the “person” we wanted to get to know. But when I go to meet this “new friend” and I still find the old one lurking around, I feel pushed away. It’s like realizing maybe nothing has really changed after all. My point is this: the new dfcu is miles ahead of the old one. Visually—YES! Copy-wise, Definitely! The new logo? Super solid. The colors? Bolder and stronger. They were doing something right, and we were embracing it. dfcu Bank, you had us for a moment there. Please, don’t lose us! I’m saying this because I genuinely love to see brands thrive, especially when they’re putting in the effort. I don’t want to see them feel like they’re punching the wind. So, this is to say - I appreciate what dfcu is doing, and I’m here for it. I want them to exploit their rebrand to its highest potential fully. No fumbling. Now onto my actual post later on.

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🎥 It’s Friday, and time to swing into the weekend with a quick burst of creativity! 🐨 ✨Check out our latest animation showcasing how powerful storytelling can be in just 10 seconds! At Creative Kiwi Animations, we specialize in short, attention-grabbing videos that are perfect for social media—whether you’re aiming to boost engagement or make a lasting impression.Want to level up your content game? Reach out, and let’s get animated!#CreativeKiwiAnimations #ShortAndSweet #FridayCreativity #AnimatedStories #SocialMediaMarketing #koalawisdom

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Hear it straight from our client Matt: "I do see people watching the videos three, four, five times and within a week or two they'll invariably come to us for a product because they've liked what they've heard." 🌟 This isn’t just about watching a video; it’s about experiencing a brand and its promise through captivating visuals and compelling storytelling. Our commitment to quality in video production helps transform casual viewers into loyal customers. 👀 Why do quality videos make such a difference? They engage, inform, and resonate on a deeper level, creating memorable experiences that lead to concrete business results. #VideoMarketing #BusinessGrowth #ClientTestimonial

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Podcast production is definitely a rollercoaster of emotions 🤯 Let's take a fun ride through some of our podcast team's ups and downs in “Inside Out 2” but Tales from Tech Titans version 😉 Listen to Tales from Tech Titans here: https://lnkd.in/gHmuW2Jv Subscribe to our #Terabytes: https://lnkd.in/g2_pqTHt #TalesfromTechTitans #Emmbr #Emmbrlearn #EmmbrInsights #PodcastProduction #InsideOut2

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🌟 Need a Website Designer/Developer on Tap? I’m Available! 🌟 You’re probably the owner of a small Kiwi business with a website that needs some love. You know you need help, but just thinking about finding someone to do it makes your head explode. Well, you’re in luck—because I’m available! Avoid the headache of juggling multiple specialists. I’m now offering monthly blocks of hours during which I work exclusively on your projects. Whether you need design, development, or a mix of both, I’ve got you covered. Here’s what I can help you with: ✅ Wordpress design & development – custom designs that reflect your brand perfectly, built in a user-friendly way so you can update it yourself with ease. ✅ Graphic design – logos, banners, social media graphics, marketing collateral—whatever you need, I’ll make sure your visuals are on brand and on point. ✅ Creative Instagram Reels series - using your personal branding photo and video assets, and aligned with your branding. ✅ A total branding makeover – put the personality back into your branding so you can front your biz with pride and authenticity. Colour palettes, typography, and branding assets so delicious, you’ll wanna eat them! ✅ Website fixes & updates – keep your site fresh, functional, secure, and aligned with your goals. 🚫 Here’s what I don’t offer: ❌ SEO, copywriting or editing (but I can recommend great people for this!). ❌ Ad management ❌ Large-scale e-commerce platform builds. This service is perfect for small business owners who want a reliable, flexible, multiskilled expert on tap to tackle their design and development needs. Together, we’ll prioritise what matters most and get it done, no headaches required. Take the first easy step and drop me a message, I’d love to chat about how I can help you and your business shine!

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🎥 “We want to do video projects!” – every design-led agency, consultancy, or small studio... right before things go sideways. Budgets? Blown. Timelines? Chaos. Team morale? Shattered. Why? Because videos aren’t just fancy PowerPoints. They’re beasts that need taming. And without a proper framework or workflow, these beasts can burn your fingers faster than a hot mic. At Roop Mahal Prem Gali Studios, we get it. We’ve seen the frustration, the overwhelm, the late-night “WTH are we doing?” Whatsapp messages. That’s why we’ve developed a solid framework for video projects. Streamline your process. Nail timelines without aging a decade. Deliver jaw-dropping films that wow your clients (and boost your portfolio). Adding video to your services shouldn't feel like riding a bike with square wheels. With the right structure, it’s your next big win. Let’s make it happen. DM me or tag a design led agency that you think is doing kickass work who needs to LEVEL UP!

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These optimisations to clean up and remove 137 animations reduced 20393 lines of code from this well-known Australian scaleup website 🥲 🤠 When you're a startup/scaleup, your ability to scale your site efficiently means: - You'll have better conversion rates (quicker website) - Quicker page speeds - Easier to scale your pages for SEO, content etc. - Google will love your website! When you're a startup/scaleup, scaling your website is a really important part of the marketing function, and neglecting the foundations comes back to bite you in the future, it is worth getting a website partner to help with scaling your site, not just the branding agency who do websites on the side

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🌸 Spring Clean Your Website for 2024! 🌸 (TLDR: read the full article for all the tips and actionable steps - https://lnkd.in/gKyvvwSt) Is your website feeling a bit outdated? With spring around the corner (hello from Australia! 🇦🇺), it’s the perfect time to freshen things up. Whether you’re a small biz owner or managing a big team, having a top-notch online presence is key. Here’s your step-by-step guide to getting your site in shape: Reevaluate Your Goal: 🎯 What’s your website’s main goal? Make sure it aligns with your current business objectives. Create an Effective Visitor Journey: 🗺️ Map out a clear path for visitors. Simplify navigation and use CTAs to guide them. Refresh Your Content: ✏️ Keep it concise and engaging. Less is more! Highlight key points and update outdated info. Boost Your SEO: 📈 Research keywords, update titles, and blog regularly. Keep it original! Optimise Your Images: 📸 Resize images for faster load times without losing quality. 💡 Pro Tip: Use AI tools for insights and optimisation, but keep your content authentic. Ready to spring clean your site? Read the full article here - https://lnkd.in/gKyvvwSt

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🎬 Enhance your feedback game with the help of our brand-spanking-new Balloon Tree Blog! We'll be releasing a new post every week, covering all the nuggets of wisdom we've collected throughout the years! 🗒 And we're kicking off with everyone's favourite format: The Listicle. (Hey, if it ain't broke, don't fix it) These 5 thought-starters will help you give more actionable and constructive critiques on video projects. Perfect for streamlining production and achieving great results! 👌 #VideoProduction #FeedbackTips 📽

Let's talk about SEO in New Zealand. Can we agree to leave the SEO shortcuts and overseas stats where they belong—overseas? Here’s the thing: what works in other countries doesn’t always make sense here. In New Zealand, we do things differently. ✔️ We’re pragmatic. ✔️ We value real, actionable data. ✔️ And we don’t need a "one-size-fits-all" approach to succeed. Our market is unique, our businesses are unique, and our strategies should be too. It’s time to prioritise what actually works for our audiences and focus on results that make sense for our goals. What are your thoughts? Are you seeing SEO strategies that feel out of touch with our NZ market? ___ Hey, I’m Kellie, owner and designer of Design Aglow Studio. And love working with small but mighty businesses helping them create a meaningful impact and elevate their graphics, brand and website so they can connect, capture and convert their ideal clients. Feel free to DM me to see how we can help you. Or check out our website:  https://designaglow.studio #squarespacedesigner #designer #design #graphicdesigner #business #brandstrategy #brandingdesigner #squarespacedesign #innovation #marketing #creativity #websitedevelopment #squarespacetemplates #smallNZbusinessowners #smalltomediumbusiness #websites #SEO

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Whether you're just starting out or looking to optimise your setup, this guide covers everything from plugin installation to order processing. 🎉

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🎉 Funlab's Creative & Inclusive Interview Techniques! 🎉 We’re thrilled to share how Funlab Pty Ltd has embraced creativity and inclusivity in their recruitment process, especially for HDNWA candidates! 🌟 In a fantastic example of how to make interviews both engaging and insightful, Funlab invited a group of candidates to one of their vibrant venues. While they conducted one-on-one interviews, the remaining candidates stayed together to enjoy fun activities like making animal balloons and playing charades. 🎈🎭 This approach wasn’t just about having fun—it also allowed Funlab to observe how candidates interacted with one another in a team environment, a valuable skill for any workplace. What’s even more impressive is that these adjustments were made specifically for our HDNWA candidates, taking on recommendations from our HDNWA Toolkit to create a more inclusive and comfortable interview process. By making the interview informal and fun, Funlab not only helped ease nerves but also allowed them to assess key qualities like communication, teamwork, and creativity in a relaxed setting. This is a wonderful example of how recruitment can be both effective and inclusive! Kudos to Funlab for going above and beyond in adapting their process to be more accessible and welcoming for all candidates. We’re proud to see them leading the way in inclusive hiring practices! For more information on how you can make easy adjustments to your interviews check out our Toolkit - https://lnkd.in/gXrEkfCb #CreativeHiring #FunLab #InclusionAtWork #Teamwork #WorkplaceCulture #InclusiveHiring #HDNWA #DiversityAndInclusion #InnovativeRecruitment #AccessibleHiring

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If your site drives a ton of traffic but isn't optimised to covert you're going to get underwhelming returns. We recently redesigned the ABC Finance website templates to fix that. Since implementing the new designs Gary and the ABC Finance Limited team ramped up their conversion rate to 43%(!!!) from their ad traffic. When we last caught up they were getting a 20X ROI on their ad spend and had cut their cost per lead by 80%. Want to see how we can help increase your bottom line? Drop me a DM ✉

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Looking to enhance your design, marketing, or web skills? Look no further than our Adobe Photoshop course - the industry standard image editing software package that will take your media creations to the next level! Check out our beginner's course here: https://lnkd.in/gZ4aXiNc #acetrainingnz #photoshop #adobe #creativity

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