One thing about website design, you can count on every project coming with a very unique set of challenges. Some are simple. Some are difficult. And some, you just take a few deep breaths and jump in, not really knowing the extent of the challenges that lie ahead! Such was the case with the website for Gena Ashwell and Helen Leake’s new film and screen production company, Dancing Road Productions.
All posts by Jon Barratt
Envy WordPress Theme for Genesis 2.1!
My previous post officially announced the exciting release of ENVY – a new WordPress theme and WooCommerce-enabled e-commerce solution developed for StudioPress’s heralded Genesis framework … StudioPress‘s heralded Genesis framework Version 2.0.2!
And then, as if Murphy had laser-traced his eye on my blog, just 2 weeks later, StudioPress proudly announces the release of its updated framework, Genesis 2.1. Aaargh! So, after a few hours of kicking the couch and yelling into pillows, it was back to the drawing board for the ENVY theme. And a week later (although it seemed like a month), ENVY v1.1 was released – specifically optimised for the new and improved Genesis 2.1 framework.
ENVY WordPress theme official site – http://envy.krolyn.com/
ENVY WordPress theme demo – http://envy.krolyn.com/demo/
Envy WordPress Theme Beta Released!
It’s been a long time coming, but the ENVY WordPress theme is finally available on beta. So, what’s ENVY? Well, let me put you in the loop …
ENVY is a brand-spanking new WordPress theme and e-commerce solution developed for StudioPress’s heralded Genesis framework. In a nutshell, it brings e-commerce to Genesis using WooTheme’s popular WooCommerce plugin, all wrapped up in an attractive, well-supported and easy-to-use theme called ENVY (view the demo). Continue reading
Burzynski Sequel Wins at Sedona International Film Festival!
I’m very proud to announce that BURZYNSKI: CANCER IS SERIOUS BUSINESS, PART 2 was awarded the ‘Best Documentary Film Audience Award’ at the 2014 Sedona International Film Festival.
I feel very honoured to have worked with skilled Writer/Director Eric Merola on this profoundly important documentary about a cancer doctor in Houston, Texas, and his struggle with the FDA and cancer establishment to have his life-saving cancer therapy approved. If you haven’t already seen this must-see film, please visit http://www.burzynskimovie.com (or watch Part 1 for free by clicking below)
A ‘Second Opinion’ on Jon’s Cancer Crusade.
Today sees the official release of Eric Merola’s highly-anticipated film, SECOND OPINION: LAETRILE AT SLOAN KETTERING – his third ‘cancer cover-up’ film since the internationally award-winning BURZYNSKI movie series, which stirred up enough controversy to see its subject headlining every USA Today newspaper in America.
Naturally, I’m very proud to again be credited as Eric’s co-editor on this latest film, and it seems fitting for me that the official release date should, by pure coincidence, fall on the anniversary of my mother’s passing to breast cancer in 2010. The event that would ultimately see my path converge with Eric’s some 18 months later.
Adding Image Titles to Featured Post Widgets.
I was recently presented the challenge of using image titles for Genesis featured-post widgets on the front page of a custom child theme (http://www.mickybooth.com.au). Two widgets were located on the front page, and as you’d expect, each required a different image. So, this is how it was achieved. Continue reading
Burzynski – the Power of Expository Documentary
With the release of a new trailer for Eric Merola’s BURZYNSKI (click here), I thought it timely to post an article that appeared in the South Australian Film Corporation’s newsletter in March 2013, entitled Burzynski – the Power of Expository Documentary.
BURZYNSKI – the Power of Expository Documentary
Adelaide’s Jon Barratt (Krolyn Studios) is an ardent believer in the power of film to create social change, and he further attests that the investigative documentary has become more relevant than ever before.
“As our distrust and discontent with governments, institutions and large corporations increases, so too does our societal appetite for truthful information, integrity and the individual voice,” Jon states. “Eric Merola’s ‘Burzynski’ films are the perfect example of why expository documentaries must not only be made, but exhaustively and fearlessly promoted.” Continue reading
Logos. Love ’em or hate ’em. I don’t care!
What Makes a Great Logo?
There have been a few times over the years where I’ve presented logo designs to clients, seen them hesitate with growing looks of concern, and then heard them say “You know what, Jon? I just don’t like it.” And, knowing their comment is derived from a personal feeling about the way the logo looks, I quickly reply, “You know what? I don’t care”. They’re usually a little shocked by my abrupt, seemingly discourteous response, but at least I get their attention.
The truth is, it matters very little how you ‘feel’ about a logo. Whether you love it or hate it is largely irrelevant. Because, design isn’t about what looks good, it’s about what works. And when it comes to logo design, ’emotional response’ has little to do with a highly successful logo.
Let’s analyse this further with a couple of considerations. Firstly, this article relates to company logos or designs that represent a long-standing entity. In other words, an image that must stand the test of time. Secondly, there are exceptions, but it’s always best to know the rules like a master before you break them like an artist.
So, let’s dive in. What really makes a successful logo? Continue reading
Joining the Best with StudioPress!
I’m delighted to announce my recent affiliation with StudioPress, creator of the ‘Rolls-Royce’ WordPress framework, Genesis. And what does this mean for you? Well, a great deal if you’ve asked me to design a content-managed website. Not only will I be adding the most robust and flexible framework available to all future builds, but I can now offer a selection of affordable pre-assembled themes for clients with thinner budgets or clients requiring fast-turnaround, temporary sites.
“Now, just a cotton-pickin’ minute there, Barratt!” I hear you say, “I didn’t think you adopted off-the-shelf themes?”. Well, yes, this has ‘always’ been my position. And, I will ‘always’ recommend designing and building longer-term websites from scratch because off-the-shelf themes inevitably force compromises in design. However, StudioPress offers so much more than a typical off-the-shelf theme. Let me explain …
Continue reading
Ok Spiders, Get Crawling – My New Website is Finally Up!
I regard this new website as the culmination of over two decades in design and 6 months intensive education in WordPress template design. I elected to shoot for a WordPress content-managed site to take advantage of the enormous array of available plugins, the favourable search-engine-optimised coding, and simple-to-use blog features.
The primary goal of this site was to be ‘Big & Bold’. Full window images, slideshow, pop-up windows, smooth video, and of course enough information to demonstrate that just on 25 years, I should know what the hell I’m doing! In addition to servicing the business sector, it was important to place a focus on my new film services. Filmmakers need to take full advantage of online marketing and viral campaigns, not to mention supplementing their income through vehicles such as Pay-Per-View (PPV). These are exciting new capabilities I’ll be sharing with my film industry colleagues. Continue reading