Vital Design Blog » business identity in Portsmouth NH

How to Save an Adobe Acrobat Form Document So Users Can Save Data

Stephanie Farnham — Tue, 08 Dec 2009 14:18:42 +0000

There’s nothing more frustrating than filling out an Adobe PDF form then realizing you can’t save it.

Recently, one of our clients had this problem on a PDF form we’d created for him. It seems like a hiccup that should have an easy fix. But the link that should explain it on Adobe’s site was broken. (They’ve since fixed it.) But you know when we find a good solution, we try to share it. (See posts like, “Creating a Facebook Page With Custom HTML” or a “How to Rotate Photoshop Brushes.” )

After testing the template several times internally, we delivered the branded, updateable document and our client tried it out too. He was psyched. But when it came time to save a new proposal, he couldn’t save a copy of the template with his new data entered. Here is how we were able to set up his document so he could save form data – complete with colorful, easy to follow graphics:

These few short steps will enable you to save an Adobe Acrobat form in Adobe Acrobat Pro so users fill out forms and save their entered data in Adobe Reader.

1. Open your doc in Adobe Acrobat Pro.

2. Under “Advanced” on the tool bar, click “Enable Usage Rights in Adobe Reader…”

Enable Usage Rights in Adobe Reader..." src="http://www.vtldesign.com/vital-blog/wp-content/uploads/2009/11/2-enable.jpg" alt="Advanced > Enable Usage Rights in Adobe Reader..." />

3. Click “Save Now” and save your document with a different name.

4. Close the existing document and open the new one that you just saved.

Now you too can set up Adobe PDF forms in Adobe Acrobat Professional so people with Adobe Acrobat Reader will be able to actually save them!

Indie Film Marketing for NHFF: Evolution of a Festival’s Brand

Brian DeKoning — Thu, 22 Oct 2009 01:12:44 +0000

No, Vital Design’s blog is not on the cutting room floor. And it hasn’t been censored.

We’ve just been a bit busy the past two months designing, laying out, programming, writing, tweeting, conducting public relations and procuring print for the New Hampshire Film Festival.

Vital has been fortunate to be NHFF’s exclusive marketing partner since 2004 when the fest moved to Portsmouth, NH. We put a lot of time, energy, and creativity (not to mention sleep deprivation) into NHFF. It’s a blockbuster project for us.

We start designing brand elements by January and work on it when we can until we really ramp up around August. A lot of the content we use, such as film titles, panelists, and venues, is not available until a few weeks before the fest. That means we spend a lot of September and October working late, without stunt doubles.

But it was worth it last weekend, when NHFF had its most successful year to date, drawing nearly 9,000 people (up from 6,000 in ‘08). Now that we’ve caught up on our sleep, it’s a good time to discuss how NHFF’s design has evolved and improved the past six years. In that time, ten designers have contributed. One constant has been Art Director Scott O. Holt III.

When the fest started, it was known as the New Hampshire Film Expo. In those NHFX days, marketing collateral included a logo, a poster, ads, and passes. In 2009, our marketing to-dos included a website, public relations, large banners, national advertising, email marketing, a 68-page program, t-shirts, a printed and online schedule, tote bags, and social media marketing.

2003

Although we did not design this, it’s the oldest logo we have on file and the version that was being used when we took over the project.

2004

We were concerned that the 2003 logo looked too similar to branding at the time for Boston alternative radio station WFNX. So we cut the grunge factor and adapted for the screen with clean typography.

2005

We modified the logo slightly by using an image from a film countdown shot.

2006

The logo was updated with a 3D lens in the Web 2.0 style that was just becoming popular. In 2006 we also took on the festival program for the first time. The cover is one of the key marketing pieces, since all festival attendees will pick up a program at some point during the weekend. We branched out into larger graphics and added local interest with the lighthouse.

2007

This was the year the expo grew up and became a full-fledged festival. We switched over to a fall palette and introduced the new logo with the reel and seagull. We flushed out the branding with the striking silhouette of the Portsmouth skyline. The classic ‘07 look is still a favorite among some involved with the festival.

2008

In ‘08 we continued with the fall colors and skyline, but added the contemplative festival-goer reflecting on a recent screening in Prescott Park. We introduced the eye-catching ‘08. The ‘08 T-shirts were the best yet!

2009

This year we added some visual interest with the angled typography, interlocking ‘09 logo, and diagonal stripes. The background texture

and color combination give everything a warm retro feel and continues in the appropriately New England autumn color palette.

And check out our design in action! What a shot! Award-winning Producer and Director Chase Bailey, left, is interviewed by NECN’s Lauren Collins. At right is Actress Ann Cusack, star of Chase’s film “Crooked Lane” which won Chase this year’s NH Filmmaker of the Year Granny Award. Oh, is that Vital Design listed on that poster? Nice! And check out those T-shirts!

Modern Design’s Influence on one of the World’s Oldest Team Sports

Scott Holt — Fri, 14 Aug 2009 17:48:39 +0000

Crisp fall nights loom on the horizon as we wind down the dog days of August. This time of year means football, for many. Of course, geography plays a large part in determining which brand of football. Being part of the growing contingent of football fans in the states that follows the European version – the one played with feet – I’d like to examine the influence of modern design on the rebranding of football clubs in Europe. You can think of them as soccer clubs if you’d like, I can assure you no one in this group will mock you publicly.

ARSENAL FC

We start with the rebrand of the club I have a firsthand knowledge and love for: Arsenal FC. I remember when the new crest debuted. You might have thought someone dropped a bomb on the stadium and sold all the players, according to some in the blogosphere who saw this as a clear abomination and betrayal of the club’s history and heritage. Given time, however, people get over their disdain for change and embrace a new look. Minimizing design isn’t always the answer, but it has been a successful trend in modern updates of brands from corporate to sport, and here I feel it works quite well. The previous crest was far too ornate, and busy. The update displays a modern font and a simplified eastern facing cannon that signifies a commitment to progressively moving forward. All told, a resounding success as far as this designer is concerned. Of course I teeter on the brink of bias, but I digress. A-

BOLTON WANDERERS FC

Moving on To Bolton, a truly detestable side with a moderately detestable crest. This upgrade is subtle and preserves their previous typography adding little whispy streamers instead of the stately ribbon of the previous effort. This upgrade isn’t particularly bad as it’s understated enough, I’m simply not a fan of the logo to begin with. And anything that evokes the memory of Will Ferrell’s floor dance performance in “Old School” can’t be a good representation for any club looking to establish their identity. D+

BORUSSIA DORTMUND

Let’s jump countries on our European tour over to Germany to check on Borussia’s update to their classic BVB crest. Punching up the yellow really leaves an impression. The typography has been updated nicely to make the crest symmetrical and sophisticated. It’s simple but memorable. A

TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR FC

Being an Arsenal supporter, Tottenham falls under the category of nemesis. The clubs are separated in North London by four miles and a wealth of good fortune. That said, as much as it pains me to say so, the update of the club’s crest is a fantastic improvement. The simplification of the “cockerel,” (their birds not mine) came off perfectly. They dumped the lions and Latin and inserted a retro football in the place of the club’s initials. I think the color, lines, and look of this update to the crest are nearly flawless leaving you with a simple and sophisticated improvement. For that they receive high marks. A+

PARIS ST. GERMAIN FC

Onto France where we take a look at the updates in Paris. PSG did a nice job cleaning up what was otherwise a little murky. The black strokes on the old logo were harsh, and the typography appears messy jetting off the icon as it does. The upgrade addresses these issues nicely, even if the baby crib under the Eiffel Tower is a little curious. B-

AJAX FC

The Dutch national team has one of the coolest brands of all time in the lion’s head. I liked it so much I placed it on the Vital team jerseys for our Tuesday night league. This fondness does not carry across the board in Holland as Amsterdam’s Ajax (eye-axe to those of you confusing it with a cleaning product) upgrade has left me a little conflicted. On the one hand I love the type update, as well as the red border, but I can’t help thinking the update to the Greek Warrior Ajax’s face took simplicity to the precipice and beyond. If we were to agree that the original version was far too detailed to reproduce across multiple forms of media would we then agree that using a fat magic marker to do a quick trace would not be the answer to simplifying the image? I think so. In writing this I’ve learned that supporters have been campaigning to ditch the new crest since its inception in the ’90s due to it being too cold and business like. A campaign that has fallen on deaf ears. Proof positive that you can oversimplify your brand and agitate your target audience. C-

Moving away from the per club breakdown of club crests, I’d like to now move swiftly onto my “FILE UNDER” segment where we take some successful, some not so successful, some legendary and some downright bizarre examples of rebranding from around European football leagues and file them under their appropriate categories.

FILE UNDER “PROGRESS”:

FILE UNDER “STROBE-TASTIC”:

FILE UNDER “MUTANT RABBIES CAT”:

FILE UNDER “FINE WINE AND BIOHAZARD”:

FILE UNDER “LAW SUIT”:

FILE UNDER “INEXPLICABLE”:

FILE UNDER “УРОДСКО!”:

FILE UNDER “Vive Le Résistance!”:

FILE UNDER “YOU AIN’T GO-‘N’ NOWHERE”:

FILE UNDER “LEGENDARY”:

Top 10 Orange Desk Accessories

Rachel Swanson — Wed, 12 Aug 2009 18:02:38 +0000

It’s no secret that Vital Design loves orange.

It’s a main feature of our branding and you’ll find it on our walls, in our logo, on our website and in our gifts to our clients.

Color Wheel Pro says orange represents “enthusiasm, fascination, happiness, creativity, determination, attraction, success, encouragement, and stimulation” and that’s an accurate description of what we’ve got going on, if we may be so bold.

This orange branding has nearly saturated our workspace. If you swing by to borrow a stapler, it probably will be orange and we’ll invite you to have a seat in the super comfy visitor chair – also orange and pictured at right. We know there are a lot of design companies out there loving the orange like us, sooo we tallied up some of our coolest orange stuff:

Vital’s Top 10 Orange Desk Accessories

1. Le Pen

This sleek and orangey pen is très magnifique! And so much sexier than a Bic.

2. Toy Scooter

What would Barbie say? “OMG, it’ll look so cute at the dream house!”

3. Pantone Orange Coffee Mug

Hot coffee spurs creativity but it’s super creative-making juice when slurped from this Orange 021 C pantone mug.

4. Giant Paper Clip

To dry our giant wet things. You should see the clothes line.

5. Logology

The study of logos. Bound in handsomely smooth burnt orange leather impressed with logos. Very impressive.

6. Somewhat Offensive Tape Dispenser

But much less offensive than the pencil sharpener that featured a prone figurine.

7. Nathan Water Bottle

We could die of thirst without this. Then who would make pretty things for you?

8. Toy Corvette

Smaller than a squash. Mightier than a matchbox.

9. Sparrow Memo Clips

We only have the orange one and it memos us to do all manner of tasks. Kind of tweety too.

10. Behance Action Method Notebook

A week to learn how to use this. A lifetime to master. Cover is soft and impressive, helping us justify higher rates.

Succulent Crab Legs

admin — Thu, 15 Jan 2009 17:18:45 +0000

With a range of clients in a bunch of different industries, we often discover things we would not normally need to know. For example, we have a couple of clients in the Service Oriented Architecture space and clients in the software and IT support space so we learn about their technology so we can market it and write about it and design for their audience and that’s great. But SOA knowledge isn’t really something that you can take home and enjoy or whip out a cocktail party. But one of our clients is an international seafood distributor and we design packaging for them. So we were pretty excited when we saw this industry-specific nugget in our inbox. We can certainly take this recipe home and enjoy it and share at a cocktail party. Random, I know, but it’s part of our work and it’s almost lunch time.

Steamed King Crab Legs

1 cup dry white wine

1 lemon, cut into 8 wedges, divided

2 tablespoons chopped shallots

2-4 pounds Wild Caught King Crab Legs

1 (3.5 ounce) container garlic butter

In large stockpot, combine wine, four lemon wedges (squeeze over pot and then place in pot) and shallots. Cover and bring to a boil.

Add crab legs. Cover and steam until crab is heated through (about 10 minutes). Transfer crab legs to a serving platter. Cover to keep warm.

Discard lemon wedges and bring wine back to a boil; continue boiling until reduced by half. Reduce heat to low and whisk in butter, a couple scoops at a time, until melted. Remove from heat.

Serve crab with sauce for dipping and remaining lemon wedges.

Suggested Side Dish, Wine and Beer – Tossed Garden Salad, Chardonnay, White Zinfandel, Pilsner, Belgian Ale

Vital Design brands and launches http://www.fotomedialabs.com

admin — Wed, 10 Dec 2008 14:28:14 +0000

Just launched FotoMedia’s new site, http://www.fotomedialabs.com. FotoMedia, a subsidiary of Scenera Research, is a high-tech company that produces technology in the photo and media sharing space.

You’ll find their work in many online media sharing applications. If you’ve ever shared pictures online, you may have already used their innovations and not known it! This site is fairly basic but uses the clean design we favor. Vital Design also created original branding for FotoMedia.