Gradient Graphics

Chrome Creations Postcard

Wes DeKoninck — Fri, 21 Jan 2011 15:43:04 +0000

This is a promotional post card created for Chrome Creations LLC, a chrome rim exchange company, that will be mailed to dealers to solicit business. This card is to feature a chrome rim for a relatively new Honda motorcycle rim that is highly sought after. We chose to go with a dark and grungy feel to make the chrome rim really stand out and give the card and motorcycle a “mean” attitude when being viewed by dealers.

All photography and photo editing was done by Gradient Graphics LLC.

Freedom Wire Inc.

Wes DeKoninck — Wed, 05 Jan 2011 04:12:07 +0000

Freedom Wire Inc. is located in Cromwell, IN and is a multi-tasked wire harness manufacturer, capable of turning any design or idea into a workable harness to meet customer demands and needs. All harnesses are custom-designed and hand built by our well-trained staff, and adhere to the highest quality standards to ensure a quality harness every time. They contacted Gradient Graphics to build a new website to attract new customers and to showcase their product line-up as well as the services they offer and their proud roots as a MADE IN THE USA company.

To achieve this, we designed the website with an All-American feel with a red, white, and blue color scheme as well as a subtle American Flag waving in the background. The website was designed to be easy to navigate and showcase the products and services offered by Freedom Wire Inc.

All-New Gradient Graphics Desktop Wallpapers!

Wes DeKoninck — Thu, 25 Nov 2010 03:46:44 +0000

It has been a very busy and interesting year around here at Gradient Graphics! We have build relationships with a lot of really great companies and taken part in some really great development projects!

All of the new business has really cut into our free time, and as a result we have neglected our duties here on our website and blog.

As a peace offering we have put together some new desktop wallpapers for you to enjoy for FREE! Simply select your desired screen resolution below and download the all new Gradient Graphics wallpapers.

We will be releasing some more freebies at the start of next year as well as launching an all-new website and blog to better showcase our love of design, dedication to our clients, and enable us to make contributions to the design and development world with education and personal insights into our work, our clients, and our minds!

Stay tuned and enjoy the wallpapers, and don’t forget to let us know what you think!

Tri-State Veterinary Clinic

Wes DeKoninck — Thu, 02 Sep 2010 01:59:03 +0000

Tri-State Veterinary Clinic is located in Kendallville, In and specializes in veterinary care for Small & Exotic animals as well as Equines. They contacted Gradient Graphics to help build a new website to showcase their services and provide existing and potential customers with an easy to navigate, information rich experience.

For this project, we utilized WordPress as a CMS and a customized theme to display website content. The design for this site is light and clean as well as easy to navigate.

Wible’s U-Pick Hardwoods

Wes DeKoninck — Fri, 02 Jul 2010 02:14:13 +0000

Wible’s U-Pick Hardwoods of South Milford Indiana contacted us to build a unique website for their All-New Retail Hardwoods store. They wanted a website that matched their style and would give users the ability to not just find out information about their company, but to be able to get information about the products, pricing, and services that they offer.

This project is built on a WordPress backbone with full site editing capabilities by the client. A custom product viewing system was developed to allow the website users to “drill-down” from categories to individual products to find exactly what they are seeking.

Kurt Hayden Insurance Logo

Wes DeKoninck — Fri, 26 Feb 2010 01:41:39 +0000

Gradient Graphics was hired to do a re-design of the logo and website for Kurt Hayden Insurance in Kendallville, Indiana. This logo represents the class and experience of the insurance agency while adding a modern edge with the abstract “k”.

Noble County Disposal, Inc.

Wes DeKoninck — Fri, 26 Feb 2010 01:16:23 +0000

We contacted Wes when it was time to update our website. He was always easy to reach and had great ideas for the update. The price was in line, too. Wes has provided us with a website that is easy to browse, contains the information our customers need and looks great.

Myrna Arnold
Owner – Noble County Disposal, Inc.

We all have a job to do

Wes DeKoninck — Tue, 23 Feb 2010 03:35:20 +0000

Most clients think that when you hire a website designer to design and build a site for your business, that you can just write the check, sit back, and wait for the magic to happen. While there is some truth to this way of thought, generally speaking, you (the client) have to put a lot of time and work into the development of your website.

What is the Designer’s Job?

We will design the layout for the website, develop/code the website files for presentation on the internet, test the website rigorously in multiple browsers to ensure the integrity of the design across different platforms, and upload the files to an online host to present the website to your customer base.

One thing that most clients overlook when pursuing a web presence is the information that is to be placed on the website. As designers, we are not experts on your business, products, or services. We can plan the layout of the information and images on your website, but we need your help to generate the content that is to be placed on the website…this is where you come in.

What is the Client’s Job?

In addition to footing the bill, the client is responsible for providing the designer with feedback about the design to move the process along and provide the content and information that is to be presented on the website. This information is the heart of the website, the real reason that your customers will stop by. Granted, a engaging design and good informational positioning can’t hurt and will help bring visitors to the website and encourage people to talk about your business, it is not the whole reason they are there, and without content that matters, they will only stick around for so long.

Your feedback is also very important to the development process. Too often a client drops the ball, taking too long to approve a design change, provide content, or answer any questions the designer has. In addition to being increasingly frustrating for the designer, it delays the completion of the project and pushes deadlines out farther than they have to be.

So if you are planning on developing a website, here are a few things to keep in mind:

Organize your thoughts
Collect text for pages (i.e. About Us, Products, Services, etc.)
Collect images for use on the website
Make a list or bookmarks of websites that have features or design elements that you like
Take notes on ideas you have as they happen

Staying organized and preparing for the development of your website beforehand will be invaluable and help expedite the process of building your website.

If you need help organizing your thoughts or if you would like to discuss starting your website project, please Contact Us!

Kurt Hayden Insurance

Wes DeKoninck — Fri, 05 Feb 2010 01:01:51 +0000

Kurt Hayden Insurance is a specialty insurance agency located in Kendallville, Indiana. Kurt contracted Gradient Graphics to update the look of his specialty lines insurance company website.

The goals for this project were to create a simple site that was easy to navigate and informed customers about the products that Kurt had to offer. In addition, he wanted the ability to have customers submit insurance quoting information.

Noble County Disposal, Inc.

Wes DeKoninck — Fri, 05 Feb 2010 00:54:36 +0000

Noble County Disposal, Inc. provides a variety of waste disposal solutions to homeowners and businesses in Noble County Indiana and the surrounding area. NCD contracted Gradient Graphics to update the look of their business website.

This site has a nice clean look and feel and is simple and to the point featuring general and service information about the business as well as some background into the company and its staff.

To see what they had to say about us, please visit the Testimonials Page!