Amanda Ripley is kind of awesome. She's a reporter for Time magazine, so she travels all over the world to research and report on interesting things. And in her spare time? Well, lately she's spent it writing a book about what happens in your brain when you're faced with a disaster -- and how to survive.
See what I mean? Kind of awesome.
So, when she asked us to build her a web site that would showcase her book and give her a solid presence on the web, we were happy to oblige.
We worked with her to define a clean, simple, well-organized site that represents the content of the book and the broader context of Amanda's research. It features a section about the book, including reviews (mostly from bestselling non-fiction authors), an interactive diaster alert map from RSOE EDIS, and, most importantly, a blog where Amanda can publish the stories behind the stories in her signature narrative style.
We think it came out pretty well. Just ask Brian:
"Amanda's been great to work with. Her book covers a fascinating topic, and coming up with the right strategy for what her web site should be in relation to the book launch was a cool challenge. Our approach was to create something that would last, and I think we've achieved that goal."
And Amanda told us:
"Having never done this before, I went into this process with a lot of vague ideas about tricks and toys that might be 'great!' on a web site. Luckily, I was in good, patient hands. April and the rest of the team at Viget listened to my ideas and then reminded me of my goals (to sell books and continue to build a brand as a storyteller and journalist); Samantha created a modern, smart look; and everyone implicitly understood the importance of avoiding sensationalism or frivolity, given that I am publicizing a book about disasters. I am very proud of the end result."
To learn more about diaster survival or The Unthinkable book, check out the site.
Loladex launched its Facebook application today thanks to Viget Labs, who helped Loladex co-founders Laurence Hooper and Dan Goodman bring their tool to life.
Continue reading "Thumbs Up: Loladex Launches, Taps Facebook Friends for Opinions"
We last redesigned viget.com almost two years ago. As part of that effort, we launched the FourLabs blog, dedicated to sharing “insights and commentary reflecting the four key aspects of our work: strategic consulting, interactive design, application development, and online marketing.” We also noted that it was “ever-evolving” and today, “it” has evolved substantially. Multiplied might be more like it.
We found over the past 22 months that writing for the FourLabs was hard because of you, frankly. Who are you? A designer? Developer? Marketer? We found our readers to be each of these, but not all of them. That made blogging tough. A post about code couldn’t be too techie for fear of scaring off the design readers. A post about UX need to define what UX is if we expected the non-UX folks to keep reading. You get the idea. A good rule for blogs is to know your audience and stay focused. We were trying to be broad ... but no more!
Today, we’ve launched five blogs, one for each of the four labs (strategy, design, development, and marketing) and a newly focused FourLabs blog. FourLabs is all about us - our work, our clients, our team - and is written for those who care to follow what’s happening at Viget (and thank you for caring!).
Our niche blogs are all about you.
- VigetAdvance, our web strategy blog, will focus on web start-ups, new product launches, and how the web continues to transform every business.
- If you’re a designer, keep up with VigetInspire and the thoughts our design team have about stuff like user experience, web standards, and Flash as well as notable site launches and events like SXSW.
- If you’re a developer, we hope you’ll enjoy VigetExtend and our development team talking about open source, Ruby on Rails, test driven development, and events like RailsConf.
- Marketers should check out VigetEngage, where our marketing team will share tips and ideas on search, email, and social media marketing as well as analytics.
If you think you’d kinda like to follow all four of these, no problem—just keep keepin’ up with FourLabs, where we’ll have a week digest of what’s covered in each, or join our email list for a monthly update.
By launching these focused blogs, our growing team here at Viget can more effectively connect with their peer communities. We can share ideas and generally contribute to the vibrant and ever-expanding industry that we’re all in. And since each Lab here at Viget shares knowledge between them, we think our perspective will be a little unique. We hope you do too!
You’ll notice they each have a different look, and none really look much like Viget.com or even reflect our branding. That’s no accident! We’ll write most of the posts (though guest bloggers are welcome) but we want the content and discussion to be about you, not us. FourLabs will continue to cover all things Viget.
Will this plan work? One blog is hard enough to keep up on—will we be able to sustain five of them? The only thing we can promise is that we’ll give it our best shot. We welcome your thoughts and suggestions!
One more thing: kudos to Rob, Doug, and Steph, who led the charge here at Viget to get all this put together while juggling plenty of client work. Internal projects are notorious for slipping, but these guys were dedicated to getting this done in time for SXSW. Nicely done!
This content originally appeared as a press release on viget.com, and has since been adapted for our FourLabs blog.
FALLS CHURCH, VA – Strayer University, one of the nation’s leading providers of adult learning, celebrated Valentine’s Day with a new look and feel for its alumni portal, which gives more than 30,000 alumni the ability to stay connected with their alma mater by accessing an alumni directory, discussion forums, and the latest news and events at the institution.
Continue reading "Strayer University Offers Alumni Refreshed Site"
This content originally appeared as a press release on viget.com, and has since been adapted for our FourLabs blog.
FALLS CHURCH, VA – Kettler, one of the nation’s top real estate development and management companies, today is displaying information and imagery about its apartments, condominiums, planned communities, and commercial and retail spaces with new fervor thanks to Falls Church-based web consulting company Viget Labs.
Kettler, which is headquartered in Tysons Corner, has been working with Viget since August to develop a site that will support its diverse audiences and provide a more interactive, guided experience for all users from renters and first-time home buyers to retirees and investors.
Continue reading "Kettler Kicks Off 2008 With New Web Site"
This content originally appeared as a press release on viget.com, and has since been adapted for our FourLabs blog.
FALLS CHURCH, VA – Viget Labs – a full-service web consulting firm based in Falls Church, VA – is pleased to help the Medical Care for Children Partnership (MCCP) re-launch its newly-designed web site today as a precursor to its annual spring gala next April.
Continue reading "Viget Continues Support for Medical Care for Children Partnership"
This content originally appeared as a press release on viget.com, and has since been adapted for our FourLabs blog.
FALLS CHURCH, VA – SHAMBAUGH Leadership just launched a new website thanks to Viget Labs, a full-service web consulting firm based in Falls Church, VA.
Rebecca Shambaugh, President and CEO of SHAMBAUGH Leadership, said the launch marks the beginning of a particularly thrilling time of growth for her company.
"We are entering an exciting time for SHAMBAUGH and the new look is just one of the great things to come," she said.
Continue reading "SHAMBAUGH Launches New Leadership Site"
This content originally appeared as a press release on viget.com, and has since been adapted for our FourLabs blog.
FALLS CHURCH, VA – Spectrum K12 School Solutions, Inc. has a redesigned look online just in time for the new school year thanks to the company’s collaboration with Viget Labs.
Spectrum K12 is the leading provider of special education and IEP management software programs. They serve almost 10 percent of the kindergarten-through-twelfth grade student population in the United States, including 20 of the nation’s top 100 school districts.
"We’re proud to work with Spectrum K12 and their important solutions for schools," Brian Williams, CEO of Viget, said. "Education is an area of focus for us and helping clients like Spectrum leverage the web more effectively is very gratifying for our team."
Spectrum K12, which is based in Towson, MD, delivers customized software solutions to school districts so that educators can focus on improving student achievement rather than be hampered by administrative burdens.
Continue reading "SK12’s New Look Launches Online"
This content originally appeared as a press release on viget.com, and has since been adapted for our FourLabs blog.
FALLS CHURCH, VA – August 3, 2007 – Viget Labs is proud to announce the public beta launch of Razoo.com, a social networking site that rallies users to accomplish social changes by connecting and acting on shared passions and causes.
Razoo, a major Ruby on Rails project for the Lab, aims "to promote social good and to inspire others to get involved by making giving and serving fun, easy, and meaningful." The site has been in private beta since February 1.
Brian Williams, CEO of Viget, said that he jumped at the opportunity to partner with Razoo after his initial meeting with their CEO, J. Sebastian Traeger.
"When we first met with Sebastian and heard his vision for building a social networking platform that would promote social good and inspire positive change, we were immediately onboard," Williams said. "The public launch is the kind of tangible success that comes of creative people getting together and making things happen. We’re proud to be a part of that."
Continue reading "Razoo Launch Aims to Inspire Positive Change"
This content originally appeared as a press release on viget.com, and has since been adapted for our FourLabs blog.
FALLS CHURCH, VA – In close collaboration with Viget Labs, Strayer University has launched a new Web site at www.strayer.edu, to ensure students can maximize their educational potential online or at any of the nearly 50 campuses nationwide.
Strayer has been helping working adults advance their careers since 1892. As a leading provider of affordable, quality, and convenient courses and online degree programs, Strayer has forged its way in higher education as a supportive place in which professionals across the United States can advance their careers.
"Being able to work with Strayer to leverage the Web in a way that provides its community the optimal user experience has been rewarding," Brian Williams, CEO of Viget Labs, said. "Strayer is unique in that it offers students real-world educational experiences catered to professionals who need flexibility and who need the Web to truly move forward and grow. It’s great to know we are helping those students."
Continue reading "Strayer University Launches New Web Site"
