What is typography? A boring definition of typography, according to about.com would be, “the practical and artistic arrangement of type and printing with type.” Although there is nothing wrong with defining it in that way, typography is much more.

It started in the early days of printing with the invention of the moveable type and printing press. They could arrange the type on the page in any way they would like. The drawback then, was that the fonts were standard and there wasn’t much variation. As things moved forward, typography was actually a unique occupation until the digital age and then things started to change. Now, typography is almost like art. You can arrange your type in any way that you would like it. Bold the letters, italicize, make every letter look different, it really is just what is appealing to the eye and the type of work you are doing.

A cool design aspect with typography is that it’s common now for typography to be used to spell out shapes with words. You can see an example of that here: Ki6rcXvUWP0

The most important thing about typography is that you need to make it interesting.  To the consumer, if it is boring to look at it, it might be boring to read. Use appealing colors, switch it up and don’t overload the design. Typography can be a lot of fun; you just have to use your imagination!

Augmented reality might be a new term for most people. A lot of you might even be asking, what is augmented reality? Well, unlike virtual reality which completely replaces all layers of the real world, augmented reality or AR is a virtual layer and a real life environment placed all in one. But what does this have to do with print?

Like QR codes, augmented reality gives print a chance to come to life. Instead of scanning like you would with your QR code and being immediately taken to the internet, AR allows you to bring paper to life. For example, you are walking by a movie poster and it has an AR code on it, it might allow you to scan the photo with your phone, iPad, etc and watch the trailer embedded in the poster. It might make something on the poster move or come to life. AR can also revolutionize the way students learn. With codes inside textbooks, students will be able to scan it and see 3-D renderings of say the Earth or inside volcanoes. The possibilities are endless.

Sometimes print is thought of as a dying source but according to the Marsid M&M group, “AR is causing print to evolve.” The main thing with this new technology is that it allows print and computers/tablets to work together instead of being forced to use one or the other. These technologies are coming together which is rare. Although AR isn’t as mainstream as QR Codes it is definitely gaining momentum. What do you think of Augmented Reality? Leave your comments below.

The last topic in this media blog series is print. Not to be biased, but print is going to obviously be our favorite form of media! Print offers so much more these days than just your average newspaper or flyer. Print has transformed over the years just as much as cell phones and computers have, but it has done so with less advertisement and hoopla than the rest of these forms of technology.

How has print transformed, you ask? Well, we have had to stay ahead of the curve just as much as any other form of media. Beyond that, we have managed to do so and be the oldest form of media out there! Print started out with handwritten copies of books and letters and has now transformed into multi-million dollar presses with abilities to do so much more than just transfer an image. There are many techniques that we use to make an image come to life. Whether it is the substrate (what is getting printed on) that makes the print unique, the coating technique, or the hundreds upon hundreds of colors that are combined to make an image stand out, print has managed to catch everyone’s eye.

Many think that print is dead, but that is not the case. Print is still the most effective when it comes to advertising. Print can target specific audiences in outlets such as magazines, newspapers, and mailings. While TV can target certain people as well, it can’t make sure it’s target is getting the message it’s trying to send. With magazines and newspapers, advertisers know who is buying these and where their advertising dollars will be the most effective. Along with target audience, print is honest. There is a credibility that people expect when something is put down on paper. Also, print has a very long life span. People save magazines and newspapers which is something you really cannot do with ads placed on the internet and TV. This makes print very unique among other forms of media.

Beyond advertisements which are an obvious use of print, we have the newest craze which is QR codes (click here to read a previous post). They are brining the use of print ads and the internet/smart phones together. Another new form of print is shelf talkers. They are small signs attached to shelves in convenience or grocery stores that pack a punch when it comes to catching consumer’s eyes. They can highlight essential information about a product in a small form. Augmented reality is another form of print that while not so popular yet, has the ability to grow into something big. (Look for an upcoming blog on AR).

Print is a great form of media that is here to stay. Like phones and tablets, print gets better and more efficient every year. Why has print lasted longer than these other three forms of media? Leave your comments below.

When cell phones came around in the 80’s people thought they were an amazing invention. How could it get any better than being able to literally call anyone, anywhere? Well, nowadays, we can definitely do more than just make a phone call. Some people would even say that they rarely use their phone to make a call anymore. Smartphone’s are primarily used for internet, email, text messaging, music, and apps. Not only are Smart phones available anywhere but now people can use their MP3 players or tablets for the same thing as they use their cell phone for to stay connected.

These three devices have changed so much about the world today. They have actually been a source of contention among groups because some say they have caused people to become disconnected. Most people would rather shoot an email or send a text before they would actually call someone on the phone. Even with all of the negatives that people bring up regarding these devices, most of us couldn’t live without them. They help us find directions, buy movie tickets, play a game anywhere, and browse the internet when we need something to do. They are a new form of entertainment that doesn’t seem to be a passing fad.

With every year these new forms of technology are changing and advancing. They can do so much more now than they could do even two years ago!  How have these devices changed how you operate daily? Leave your comments below.

Computers are one of the most diverse forms of media that we have available for use. 30 years ago, people never thought that a computer would be as useful as it is today. There is probably not a business in the world that doesn’t rely on computers for almost everything. Computers offer us something that TV cannot, which is portability and the ability to literally look up and watch virtually anything we want.

Coffee shops, restaurants, and other businesses are now offering the ease of internet wherever you might be. With the invention of WIFI (wirelessly connecting electronic devices to the internet), a new way of life came about. You can chat, Skype, work, and browse from practically anywhere. There is hardly a time when we are disconnected from the internet.

The internet is an open platform where people can be as creative as they want and post their ideas and videos from anywhere. Not only videos, but computers have started a new rage of social networking that has been running rampant. Facebook, blogs, Twitter, and LinkedIn have become staples in most people’s lives. It’s also very easy to stay connected with the news from computers as well as the new favorite internet pastime, video streaming.

There are many positives to computers and how they have enriched our daily lives and the negatives of them are hard to find. Do you think with the inventions of Smartphone’s that computers will ever become irrelevant? Laptops are obviously easy to carry around but an IPad is easier. Share your thoughts in the comments below.

Most people have more televisions in their houses than people. TVs nowadays can stream internet, movies, and pictures. It’s almost like our televisions have become just as useful as computers. According to the State of the Media Democracy report, 71% of Americans say that television is their favorite form of media.

With DVR (digital video recorder) being so prevalent through most cable outlets, you don’t even have to watch commercials anymore. At the same time though, televisions bring advertisements to life. Ads still remain the most effective on TV compared to Internet ads. Advertisements are much more effective and retained on TV compared to the internet.

What does TV offer that helps it remain the most effective form of media? Share your thoughts below in the comment section.

Everyone has their favorite method of media and how they prefer to digest information. The fact that technology is at our fingertips (literally), has changed how fast we can get information as well as how effectively and efficiently we can receive it.

The United States has four favorite means of media; the TV, computer, MP3 players/Smart Phones, and Print. All four of these forms have taken over, and it’s important to realize why these forms are so effective. The next series of blogs will cover each form and why they remain relevant in today’s fast paced world.

Check back soon and please leave your comments below about your favorite form of media.

Miles POP is now Miles Printing!

Over the years, we have found that the name Miles POP (Printing on Plastics) can confuse our customers on what type of services we offer. We are certified both in printing on plastics as well as printing on paper. We wanted to rebrand ourselves to help get our name out there in the commercial printing world.

80% of our business is paper printing and 78% of that paper printing is products based in the business of health and life sciences. That’s not to say that we don’t accept a multitude of varying projects, so don’t be shy to ask. Whether you are looking for a product to be printed on plastic or paper, the place to go is Miles Printing!

Here at Miles Printing we are loving the Soft Touch Aqueous Coating. It seems to be really hot for designers right now!

In case you have not heard of “Soft Touch” coating, it is an aqueous coating that when applied to a printed sheet, it gives the feel of velvet. We have had several clients use this coating on their print projects recently!

The Soft Touch can be applied over the entire sheet (flood coat) or it can be applied to specific graphics on the press sheet (spot coating).  An example of spot coating is a book cover that features a large flower with a grassy background….we can apply the soft touch to the flower so the petals feel velvety to the touch!

It also seems to be popular to mix the Soft Touch coating with other coatings such as the High Gloss UV to give a contrast effect!

If you are planning on using Soft Touch or any other special coating on your next project, please make sure you choose a printer who is experienced with coatings……as they can be tricky, especially when appling multiple coatings to the same project!

It should be noted that “Soft Touch™” is a registered trademark of one of the many manufacturers of this product. Other manufacturers are now adopting their own terms for this coating – such as “Soft Feel” or “Liquid Velvet.”

Indiana Life Sciences Collaboration Series - The “Consumerization” of Medical Product Marketing

The first conference in the series is quickly approaching!  The conference takes place on September 23, 2011 at Indianapolis- IU School of Medicine, Walther Hall (Research Building III) Auditorium.

Overview

Even as healthcare policy reform debates continue, seismic shifts in how life sciences companies interact with consumers have begun occurring. Patients are more involved in their own care path than ever before, relying on direct to consumer advertising, the Internet and social media for answers long before they ever see a physician. Traditional medical technology and life science products seem to be converging with consumer electronics, IT, and telecommunications devices that consumers already own. Medical devices are now expected to connect to smartphones and home wireless hubs, while drug companies provide smartphone apps and intelligent pill bottles to their patients to help improve patient medication adherence.

What do these changes mean for life sciences companies? How should products be marketed when marketing is becoming interactive? Are patients able to make risk-informed decisions? What are the regulatory challenges and are the regulators adapting quickly enough? How should companies adapt to a paradigm in which consumers have more influence and control over the products used in their care? Keynote speakers and panelists will explore these questions and engage participants in a wide-ranging discussion of where these trends could lead.

Speakers and Panelists Include:

• Anthony Delli Colli, Vice President of Marketing, Elbrys Networks
• Dena Cox, Ph.D., Professor of Marketing and Faculty Fellow,Indiana University, Kelley School of Business – Indianapolis
• Anthony D. Cox, Ph.D., Professor of Marketing and Faculty Fellow Indiana University, Kelley School of Business – Indianapolis
• Jeff Donnell, President, NoMoreClipboard.com
• Dorothy E. Kelly Gemmell, Senior Vice President, Pharmaceutical and Medical Device Markets, WebMD
• Meredith Ressi, President, Manhattan Research
• Todd Rowland MD, Member, Technology Advisory Group, AMA & Executive Director HealthLINC
• Andi Heslin-Smiley, President, VMS:A BioMarketing Company
• David S. Williams III, Chief Marketing Officer, Patients Like Me
• Doug Wilson, Senior Director, Cymbalta Consumer Marketing, Eli Lilly and Company Charlie Young, Chief Marketing Officer, Zimmer
• Lyndsay Younce, Consultant Global Customer Engagement, Eli Lilly and Company

Click here for the agenda and more details!