Case Studies
Welcome to a sampling of case studies from our web portfolio. We've selected a few sites that exemplify different goals and required different approaches to design. Even two clients in the same business--real estate, for example--will have subtly different needs that can only be met with customized web design.
Business Generator
At www.JustinWinter.com, the overwhelming emphasis is on the creation of high quality web traffic that will frequently visit the site. In order to create a site that would attract this sort of traffic, a marriage of strong visuals, clean design, clear delivery of information, and an easily navigable menu system was a must. This combined with a smart and efficient web marketing campaign has made this site extremely successful. In 2006 Justin Winter & Associates generated 60 million in sales; roughly half of those buyers were delivered to the agents by the website. In 2007 Justin Winter repeated as Upstate South Carolina’s Top Producer, the strength of his web presence unabated.
A multi-faceted web presence involving extensive photography, a custom, searchable listings database, and strong visual presentation.
Further development led to additional web site creation, including sites for individual agents in the brokerage, as well as a blog covering real estate news and other developments in the communities.
Additional sites have allowed Justin to leverage his initial investment in web development to achieve even greater returns.
Strong Visuals
Web design is a marriage of the pragmatic dissemination of information with eye appeal. The scales may tip to either end of the spectrum depending on the needs of the website – some subjects are simply given to striking visuals. Certainly this was the case with www.SethTousey.com. An elite equestrian, Seth’s derring-do and his gorgeous horses were beautifully captured by photographer Mark Lehner. With high quality material to begin with, we set about building a site for Seth that would highlight his abilities and the sport he is so passionate about, eventing.
In this project, a major part of the work was photo enhancement--taking the already-gorgeous photos and making them more striking still. Mouse over the below examples to see the transformation. In some instances, the changes were slight, such as basic color correction:
Mouse Over Images to See Enhanced Versions
In others, background elements were removed to focus the photo on Seth:
To create Seth's logo, the entire background of the image was removed to create a striking image of perfect jumping form:
Unique Design
Another example of a predominantly visual website is another equestrian site for a family farm in North Carolina, www.FoxSpringFarm.com. This site’s primary purpose is to serve as an online photo album of the family, farm and its four-legged inhabitants. The informal nature of the site allowed for a non-traditional look and menu system. We are always happy to stray off the beaten path of design if this suits our clients needs and desires.
Photography and colorful design blend to capture the farm.
Clean and Clear
At Black Horse Creative, we feel that a cluttered site is an ineffective site. Visitors need easy access to information and a navigational structure that is simple and elegant. At www.CamilleHess.com, organization and a clean presentation was a must. In this instance, the delivery of information is the priority.
A clean layout and strategic use of feedback forms ensures a smooth flow of information both to and from your visitors.
Personalized Design
All sites and the people and companies they represent deserve to be different. We do not use templates in our design, but instead build each site from the ground up. Unlike many web design companies that churn out copies of the same idea over and over again, we look at client individually and personalize each site.