Bob’s building a deck. He needs 34 2×4’s, 3″ Galvinized Nails, Deck Fastners, and Stainless Steel Screws. Bob logs on, posts the necessary items. He instantly receives 12 different offers from suppliers who have these items. He clicks accept, and goes to pick up his items.

Where did he go to do this? Nopone.com.

In short, Nopone.com connects Contractors, Builders, and “Do-it-yourselfers” to suppliers. It’s simple. Post the supplies you need, and suppliers who offer what you need place bids on the items. You see the bids instantly, and “accept” them.

Nopone.com has been gaining traction since November of 2010 when the team won the “Will It Float” competition in Chattanooga, TN. After that, they were invited to Tech Stars For a Day in New York City. All of this while programmers were busy coding in their mothers basement getting the site ready for launch. So who is this team?

Nathan Derrick and Level 2 have teamed up to build Nopone.com. While there isn’t actually anybody in their moms basement lighting keyboards on fire with their fingers, the team is a perfect blend of Geeks and Rednecks who together have the knowledge and experience to revolutionize the builder-supplier relationship.

“Like” Nopone on Facebook, then comment here telling us you did. Make sure and use the name that is on your facebook account so we can confirm, and fill out the email field (which will not be posted) so that we can email you. The first 25 people who do will get a $10 gift card to Pie Slingers Pizza.

Full Size images:

These bad boys are for sale so get yours while you can. You can get them $20 and we have the following sizes/colors:
Child Small – light blue
Small – tan
Medium – tan
Large – tan
X Large – tan
XX Large – tan

There are 2 designs as well.

Remember to comment below including the number in your party if you plan on attending.

Developing concepts and ideas for a website design, icon or logo, or any type of graphic development can seem like an overwhelming task at times. No matter how many websites you have created or logos you’ve developed, the creative process is always something that can take a lot out of you. True, there are days when this process seems to come as easily and naturally as walking or breathing, but those days come about less often then I would care to admit. This is where sketching, for me, enters the picture (no pun intended). Sketching out ideas and concepts helps me quickly sift throughout the ideas trapped inside my head. I must admit, I do spend a bit too much time in this phase of the project because of my love for it.

Layout sketches for Zoowee Music. Developed layout for container that would hold Artist profile, album list, songs, etc.

Thanks to an extremely talented artistic mother, I have been sketching obsessively since I was young. Thankfully web and graphic design gives me an outlet to put this obsession to use. Sketching out layouts for websites is essential to my process, but I really enjoy icon and graphic development. This is where the pen and pencil really helps me plan out how an objects or graphics will end up being rendered on the computer.

Zoowee Icon Development

Sketch for Zoowee Dashboard Graphics. Depicting the monitoring and managment of your Zoowee Bubbles.

Launch Icon Development

Rocky Horton helped me discover the graph paper moleskin (I know, I know its typical designer to carry this around but it fits so well into my bag and they are so easy to keep organized) which has really helped with sketches for websites and logos. Its a wonder I didn’t make this connection sooner (living in a pixel based world).

Layout sketch for Addicted to the Outdoors

I’ll post a follow-up to this with more of my sketches once I get my sketch books together. This just happens to be the sketchbook sitting in front of me at the time, but I will sift through the boxes I have at home and post some more detailed images and more on my process in my next post.

I won’t go into detail about the trip, but will tell you some experiences.  Most of the people there live in makeshift houses and have few to no amenities.  Most of the individuals were without and in need before the earthquake.  I did see houses that had collapsed and devastation, but what I will bring back from this trip is that the children there have nothing, but they are always happy.

When we would walk down the street, children would run out just to wave and smile at you.  It was amazing.  We were involved in several clean up efforts at an orphanage, school, church, clinic, and the house of the missionaries(Haiti Gospel Mission).  We were able to hand out food to about a thousand people one morning, which was an awesome site to see.  As I am standing there in the ninety degree heat trying to keep order in this massive line, I am totally overcome with chills.  The day before, tickets were handed out in the villages surrounding the clinic, which would allow individuals to receive the food.  Some didn’t have tickets, some tried to rush the line, and one even tried to create a fake ticket.  It hit me right in the face.  What is going to happen when we stand before the Almighty?  Will we have tickets?  Will someone say to you, “why didn’t you tell me where to get a ticket,”  as some did.  Do you think you have the right ticket, but in the end it is a false one?  It was an incredible experience.  I don’t know if I did anything to change the country, but being in Haiti sure changed me.

Level2 Design 2010 Update from Level 2 Design on Vimeo.

We’re not all copy-writers, or English majors, so writing copy can be a difficult task. It’s important to be succinct and grammatically correct, while also getting your point across. Here are a few pointers that will help you write effective copy for your website.

1. Brevity – Web audiences don’t like to read. Fewer words are better.

2. Graphics/Images – Support your brief text with a good picture or image. Remember, “a picture is worth a thousand words.”

3. Lists – Bullet points or numbered lists can be very effective.

4. Hierarchy – Important information must stand out. Font weight (bold), size, and color matter. A box containing key phrases from the text will be read before the text itself. Use the boxes to insure your main points are conveyed, especially when large amounts of text must be used.

5. Proper Grammar – Use proper tense consistently (first person, third person, etc.). Here’s a helpful link Elements of Proper Grammar

6. Keep it Simple – Although tempting to use big complex words and descriptors, don’t. You’ll only confuse the reader.

Broadly speaking, the short words are the best, and the old words best of all.
– Winston Churchill

7. Quotes – Use well-known sources and quotes to support your copy. Testimonials can add credibility, and are more likely to be read.

8. Key Words – Don’t forget about Search Engines – Be sure to include keywords wherever possible, but don’t be tacky. A good rule of thumb is to use a keyword no more than 5-7 times per 250 words.

9. Proofread – Show the text to 3 people who will provide honest feedback.

10. Avoid Clichés – Phrases such as “state-of-the-art,” “high quality,” and “high tech” are overused and ineffective. If it doesn’t sell you, it won’t sell the reader.

Using these helpful copywriting hints will greatly improve the text and readability of your website.

Whoever’s Bronco this is… I like it.

If you ignore your website, however, and don’t fully commit to it, it will be like a valuable car that you keep in your garage and never take out, and after time the parts will rust, the gas will separate and the car will be undrivable.

So what are some things you can do to make sure your website is fulfilling its potential.

• 1. Update your website regularly. This is the most important thing, so schedule time to update or you won’t do it. Whether it’s once a week, or once a month, updates will pay off. The more frequent the better.
• 2. Give your website a good surrounding cast. Point people to your website with a good overall marketing plan. Brochures, Business cards, fliers, email and print newsletters, and any advertising should all point to the website.
• 3. Think creatively about how to push people to your site. Events, promotions, & contests are all good ways to get people to your site. If your website contains information for a contest for a new ipod then you can be sure people will go there to get it.

Here are more examples of ways to promote your website. Remember, your website does nothing for you if you don’t commit to it.