Inside the Group

Augmented Reality a Buzzword with Potential (Cutting Edge)

We are a sucker for new things to be sure and especially when they have the potential to be a real game-changer. Today, however we aren’t talking about a thing, rather a concept, or more appropriately a utilization of technologies that are creating a new experience for consumers and users. This new mashup is generally referred to as “augmented reality” which in a simple definition is the combination of the digital and physical worlds to provide a uniquely enhanced experience. Of course with most things in the digital world, that definition encompasses a lot of possibilities. Below are three examples along with our take on their “it’s a keeper” potential: 

Proctor & Gamble – Always Infinity (Is it really worth the customer’s time?)
Best Buy (A little gee whiz is all you get but could be improved.)
Zugara's Clothing Tester (Wow, an actual use to benefit the customer.)

After looking at the above examples you might start to think that there is in fact big potential in AR as well as under the bigger umbrellas of mobile marketing, 3D technology, and location-based marketing. And we would agree with you. In fact at Westfall | Group we’re following the growth of AR utilization and are looking for ways to incorporate it into our work for clients to provide meaningful user experiences. The key there is meaningful because as with most marketing tactics, if in the end your audience is left asking, “is that all there is?” then your money would definitely be better spent somewhere else.

Technorati Tags: augmented reality,interactive media,online marketing

Inside the Group is the discussion and brainstorming world of evolution firm Westfall | Group

Cash for Clunkers and the Multiplier Effect

Quite often policies and programs created by the federal government are viewed with distrust, dislike, and a general skepticism. So when a program such as Cash for Clunkers comes along that, while still having opponents, seems to have been so well received that it has almost ran out of it’s initial budget--it is somewhat refreshing to see a policy strike such a chord.

3 Considerations in Designing Restaurant Space (The Quick List)

As with most things, the ultimate objective of a restaurant is to provide its guests with the best experience possible, so that they’ll come back again and again and tell their friends, thus becoming the best marketing money doesn’t need to buy. Of course terrible food, poor service, or bad location each could kill the experience (all things we’ll take about in the future to be sure), but just as is important is the design of the restaurant itself.

A restaurant often reflects the personalities and interests of the owner, especially the  single location, local establishment. And it should. The restaurant is an extension of the passion of the owner and should have that energy flowing through-out the place. But it’s also important to ask who the targeted customer will be, what will they like, what will they expect, and what will make their experience a great one.

Here are three simple things that should be considered when designing the space:

1. Line of sight: People don’t like to have all of the action happening where they can’t see. At the same time people don’t like to be the center of attention. So avoid creating spaces where the customer would feel like all the eyes are on him or her or spaces where people’s ability to see the rest of the crowd is hampered.
2. Sound: Unless you are running a heavy metal bar and grill, pick a music or ambient noise level that will be loud enough to keep conversations somewhat private while not so loud that screaming becomes the required speaking tone.
3. Lighting: It can be used in many ways to create unique and dramatic moods and environments. But it still must be functional—people like to be able to read their menus, see who they are talking to, and locate where the runaway meatball landed.

 

Technorati Tags: restaurant planning,restaurant design,interior design,customer experience

Inside the Group is the brainstorming and discussion world of evolution firm Westfall | Group