Strategy:
When Myrna Gordon approached us in beginning of 2008 to design an e-commerce site for her, she barely knew how to use a computer or email, let alone know what a content managed site entails, doing e-blasts or blogging. Myrna also has over 3000 products with more than 10 different variables, styles, colors, sizes and shapes. The challenge for us was finding an e-commerce platform that is robust and scalable, easy to use and maintain, and fall within strict budget.
The first phase was to flush out her brand design. After much discussion with Myrna, we developed a deep appreciation for the meanings of Feng Shui philosophies and wanted to create an experience that will be truly engaging, simple, direct yet beautiful and joyous.
The second phase involved dissecting thousands of meaningful gifts and objects into easy to understand categories that are easy to understand for both the regular shoppers and expert feng shui enthusiasts.
The third phase was analyzing Myrna's short term and long term marketing and sales requirements, and anticipate her future needs, so that all of those functions and modes can be addressed in the web development.

Solutions:
Brand Design - In Feng Shui practice, every element has a meaning, a purpose. We translated that aspect into the brand design, introducing only design elements and colors that symbolize good wishes in life, while keeping a fresh modern look. The same design concept was used on both print and web platforms.
Web Design - We selected Magento as the e-commerce platform with an integrated Wordpress blog and MailChimp mailing list management service. The back-end cart system is so manageable and easy that Myrna ended up loading more than 1000 products on her own!
Art + Photography - All art was produced in house. We also hired a photographer to execute visuals to match our brand concept.