Pet-Friendly Offices Are Simply Better…It’s Science!

Bring your dog to work day has become much more than an annual excuse to boost company morale, it’s become a regular occurrence at companies across the globe, and for good reason. Having our fur babies trotting through the hallways, snoring through meetings and barking at the FedEx guy greatly impacts our work day happiness and it’s backed by scientific research.

The three biggest benefits to a pet-friendly office are:

1. Boosting Creativity

Getting employees up and moving more often stimulates the brain and can help to increase creative ideation. Utilizing small breaks can also have the opposite effect, in a positive way, as it allows the brain a chance to rest and charge up for what’s next on the list. In a creative environment, anything that can help to boost creativity is not only good for the employees, but also for the clients who reap the benefits of a sharp, creative team. A study published in the Journal of Experimental Psychology found going for a walk can boost creative thinking by as much as 60% compared to staring at a screen.

2. Increased Bonding In the Humans

Whether it’s the snorts of a bulldog during a status meeting or the endless attempts of a developer to get the snarky chihuahua to like him, we all benefit from a few more laughs in our day. The work we do is important, yes, but also important is the time that we spend with our co-workers. Our furry friends can be a conduit to learning more about the person sitting next to you. A study from Central Michigan University found that dogs in the office can lead to better collaboration between co-workers.

3. Lower Stress

We can all benefit for a little less stress. Whether it’s the impending doom of a huge deadline or the fifteenth shade of blue the client has rejected for the new logo, we all suffer from work related stress. If giving a 30 second head rub to one of our canine buddies can decrease that stress, why not take advantage of it. The simple act of petting a dog has been verified as a way to increase oxytocin and increase employee smiles.

At Jacob Tyler, we know that great work comes from a great environment. By challenging the norms of a typical office environment, we are able to push our work and ourselves further. Having some of our greatest fans sitting on our laps just makes the journey a little better.

Jacob Tyler in San Diego

Jacob Tyler Photography Challenge

Every Monday, Jacob Tyler will be voting on a photo that best represents a creative theme announced the previous week. The selected themes are aimed at instilling inspiration, interpretation and will encourage creativity in anyone who takes part in our challenge.

You do not have to work at Jacob Tyler to join in on the fun. Everyone is encouraged to participate in the Jacob Tyler photo challenge. Just make sure to use #jacobtylerinspired upon uploading your photo to Instagram. Winners will be selected every Monday morning at 10am.

To view past #jacobtylerinspired entries, visit: https://www.instagram.com/explore/tags/jacobtylerinspired/

Jacob Tyler Photo Challenge Rules:

All entries must be uploaded to Instagram by 10am Monday mornings.
Judging to be administered by the Jacob Tyler staff
To be considered, all entries must use the Hashtag: #jacobtylerinspired
Winners and the weekly theme will be posted to Instagram and Facebook every Monday by Noon.
You may post up to 3 entries per week
We highly encourage the photos be physically taken within one week of being submitted.
Filters and enhancements are fair game – We’re a Creative Agency after all! (note: #nofilter photos will earn mad respect and are always appreciated!)
Photos submitted must be yours
The beauty in both design and photography is that it is open to interpretation. Out of the ordinary (but tasteful!) entries are always encouraged.
Have fun. Be creative.

We look forward to seeing your entries! #jacobtylerinspired

Previous Jacob Tyler Photo Challenge Winner: Color Theme

Additional Entry Examples: Color Theme

Digital Advertising in San Diego

Turning Strategic Energy into Powerful Design Execution

We’ve recently partnered with a leading provider in the residential solar industry to create a compelling and highly engaging digital experience to inspire homeowners to go solar.

As with all projects, we focus heavily on our discovery process to learn as much as we can about our clients – who we view more-so as partners. In order to create a successful solution to the challenge we’ve been presented, it’s imperative that our team fully understands their business as well as the industry and market they serve. While we’re all familiar with the many benefits of going solar, the process of flipping the switch from traditional power to solar energy can seem complicated, when in reality it’s rather simple. We’ve been in education mode recently and have learned a great deal about the solar industry – and believe it or not, the process is not all that different than how we operate as an agency. In our case, instead of the sun delivering the energy, we build strong relationships with our clients allowing us to collect energy directly from them.

Just as solar panels collect energy from the sun and convert direct current (DC) electricity into alternating current (AC) electricity, we at JT collect energy from our clients, harness it and convert their DC into creative strategy (CS). The energy of CS flows from our creative leadership through our talented team of designers where it is distributed through powerful design execution creating both an efficient process and a successful end result.

Design in San Diego | Jacob Tyler

On the Twelfth Day of Creative: Our Team

As told by our CEO, Les Kollegian…

On the Twelfth Day of Creative, I’m both joyful and thankful for all that Jacob Tyler has done this past year. After some VERY big changes and a major transition to a new office in the beginning of the year, we have managed to build our team and frankly, I feel our culture is the BEST it has ever been. We love the work we are doing for our clients and it shows. How can I tell? It’s not just the awards and the type of work we are doing… it’s the fact that our client retention and satisfaction is ALSO the best it has ever been. Our clients keep coming back for more and we are all thrilled.

I would love to say there is one project I am particularly proud of, but I take pride in my team and all the projects we do. I appreciate everyone who contributes to accomplish our goals and the 100% you bring every day to create success for our clients, and us.

Thank you all and have a GREAT and happy holiday.

On the Tenth Day of Creative

As told by our Sr Project Manager, Heather Roth…

On the Tenth Day of Creative, I’m reminded of the user testing we did for one of our clients. We built a prototype for key pages of the new website. We asked users to navigate the pages and answer a series of questions related to the experience they had getting to those pages. Modifications were then made to make areas of the new site more user-friendly.

I’m a huge nerd when it comes to testing so it’s of no surprise that I would pick this as lucky Day 10.

Web Design by Jacob Tyler

On the Third Day of Creative: Neofluidics

As told by our Visual Designer, Carli Cohen…

On the Third Day of Creative, I’m excited to share the project that we did for our client Neofluidics – a start-up seeking to improve and disrupt technologies in the world of Microfluiducs.

This was an especially intriguing project for me as I got to dive in and learn the technology behind the company while spending time in their labs. I was able to to get a first hand look into how Neofluidics is challenging a field that has remained unchanged in over fifty years.

It was an awesome experience to work with such a passionate and driven team. To see their brand come to life from the beginning of the process to the end could not have been more rewarding!

To learn more about Neofluidics and to see our work, check out neofluidics.com

Branding by Jacob Tyler

On the Second Day of Creative: Miramar Federal Credit Union

As told by our Art Director, Phil Windyk…

On the second Day of Creative, I’m happy to share the work that we did for our client Miramar Federal Credit Union. MFed is a San Diego based credit union that is committed to helping Members get the most from their personal and financial life — whether through financial education that empowers them, or solutions that give them greater freedom or the ability to live their dreams. MFed came to Jacob Tyler to reimagine their identity and make their new vision a reality.

The core concept behind the new MFed brand was pride. MFed wanted to attract a younger audience but they also wanted to create a brand that their members would be proud to be a part of. We focused on the idea of creating a military inspired badge that would serve as a symbol for employees, as well as the members, to stand behind. The MFed badge represents a commitment to serving those that serve us. When seeing someone proudly displaying the new emblem, there is a feeling of belonging and dedication to a greater good.

Kevin proudly toted a shiny new MFed pin on the lapel of his jacket. When Kevin came up to me with a smile on his face and pointed to the pin, I knew that we had created something special for the brand and its Members to be proud of.

The new logo was a key part of the MFed identity evolution, but defining a new brand voice and establishing brand guidelines helped to arm the MFed marketing team with the tools they needed to move the company forward.

Earlier this week, a member of the MFed executive team was in the JT office. Kevin proudly toted a shiny new MFed pin on the lapel of his jacket. When Kevin came up to me with a smile on his face and pointed to the pin, I knew that we had created something special for the brand and its Members to be proud of.

Rebranding in San Diego | Jacob Tyler

On the First Day of Creative: Visionary Realms

As told by our ACD, Rick Gray…

On the first Day of Creative, I’m stoked to share the work we did for our client Visionary Realms – a gaming company that is revolutionizing the MMO(Massively Multiplayer Online) Genre by setting new standards for immersion, quality and vision. What sets them apart from all others is that their games are not just played, but rather experienced, shared and remembered by their fans for a lifetime.

Tasked with creating a brand identity that their ever-growing community of “true gamers” could get behind, along with a corporate website and a site to announce the launch of their highly anticipated premier game, Pantheon, we had our work cut out for us. Just as their games promise to provide an exciting challenge, so to did this project. In the Jacob Tyler way, we worked hand-in-hand with the Visionary Realms team, collaborating on concepts, executions, and even providing art direction that will effect the actual Pantheon game itself.

With the goal of positioning Visionary Realms as the leader in the MMO genre, a truly social space to live in, what better way to gauge our success than with their Facebook community. With in minutes of posting the launch of the Pantheon site to their wall, the buzz was astounding. Likes quickly grew well into the hundreds, as did the comments. We heard things like…

“Outstanding Site!!!”

“Looks nice… A little too nice, sucked me right in!”

“The site looks awesome! Rejuvenates my interest!”

“Wow.. that is awesome ! didn’t expect that ! truly sick work “

“Site looks nice! and works good on Mobile Phone!(Easy navigation), Great work!”

The Visionary Realms community was thrilled with the work we provided for the Pantheon site, and equally as supportive of the brand we built for the parent company. Our success is a result of many facets of our overall process, but much credit is due to our unique discovery approach where we’re able to truly understand both our clients organization as well as the desires of their audience.

Check out Visionary Realms at: visionaryrealms.com

Check out Pantheon, The Rise of the Fallen at: pantheonmmo.com

Website Design in San Diego | Jacob Tyler

Is Your Brand a Crock Pot?

It’s that time of year again. A time to throw portion control and calorie counting into the fireplace. It’s a time where melted cheese reigns supreme. It’s Crock Pot Season!

A heated agency debate before our annual chili cook-off, spurred a question about the brands that we create. Is your brand a Crock Pot or a stoneware slow cooker? Crock Pot is a product, but it is also a brand that owns its category. Although many brands have come along that sell similar products, Crock Pot has been able to stand the test of time by releasing new products that embrace technology, while staying true to the core purpose of the brand. Save time, and make it easy. Crock Pot was created over four decades ago as a way to cook a flavorful, convenient, home-cooked meals without having to spend any time in the kitchen.

Brands that are able to stay true to their roots while continuing to advance, are the ones that take over (or create) their own lanes. Brands Like Kleenex, Coke, Band-Aid, Tupperware and Crock-Pot are brands that have become synonymous with their product categories. To create the next “Crock Pot”, determine what your brands purpose is, brand it and then own it. Be confident in your brand and never forget why it exists.

Jacob Tyler | San Diego’s Best Design Firm

Microsites and Landing Pages: A Primer

Just about every business has a website – or at least should. But a website is not the only venue through which you can market your business on the web. The rise of online marketing and its various tactics have given birth to new forms of web engagement – including the microsite and landing page. Generally, both are an addendum to – or an extension of – an existing website, but each serve a particular function in guiding people along the buyer journey. Let’s take a look at the basics:

The Microsite:

What is it? A microsite is a lot like it sounds – a small, bare bones version of a traditional website. Comprised of no more than a few pages, microsites are built around a singular message (i.e., a new campaign, product or service offering).

What is its purpose? Microsites help to develop brand awareness around a particular product or service. By focusing on a simple and clear message, microsites cut through the clutter of a traditional website and allow potential customers to learn about a product or service in a quick, painless and easy to digest manner.

The Landing Page:

What is it? A simple, single page or form – usually hosted on an existing website – intended to drive a specific action.

What is its purpose? The landing page is singularly focused and intended to spur action (i.e. – download information, sign up for a free trial, subscribe to newsletter, etc.) and move a potential customer from awareness to consideration and eventually, purchase.

The Bottom Line:

Microsites and Landing Pages are great vehicles to enhance your marketing efforts and help drive sales. In some cases, they can even be utilized in place of a traditional website. Microsites and landing pages offer similar benefits, and determining the right solution for your efforts is entirely dependent on your needs.

Benefits of microsites and landing pages include:

• Quick deployment (3-4 weeks vs. 3-4 months for a traditional site)

• Can be used as a short-term solution for specific goals and programs

• Promotes a specific call to action (CTA)

• Build brand awareness organically

• Easy to measure campaign engagement

• Simple navigation

• Allows for direct interaction with a specific promotion or campaign

• Great medium to tell a brand story

Want more info on this topic? Fill out the form to the right and let’s chat!

1. Boosting Creativity

2. Increased Bonding In the Humans

3. Lower Stress