North Carolina based company, Combat Medical Systems, came to Sage Island with the goal of redesigning and redeveloping an ecommerce website that displays their products and information. Founded in 2008, Combat Medical Systems develops innovative products to simplify tactical medicine. As can be seen in the website, Combat Medical Systems offers a number of highly configured medical kits and products for users of all medical skills. This new and improved website was built within a Content Management System, featuring a Flash Header, News module, WordPress Blog and a manageable shopping cart. Currently the shopping cart is set to handle orders by phone only, in the future it will be set to receive orders and automatically process the Credit Card.

Extending beyond the website, Sage Island and Combat Medical Systems’ professional relationship continues as we are continually working on the design and development for a new company brochure, magazine ads promoting specific products, product sheets, product photography, tradeshow banner stands, a secondary non-profit website and Pay Per Click campaigns.

Unlike what some viewers believe, creating a design (ad, website, print pieces…etc.) isn’t just plopping a pretty picture on a page, throwing in some creative text, neatly tying a bow to complete the presentation and happily yelling, “Voila!” There are actually many steps and strategic thoughts that go into the creation and development of the perfect, eye catching, and memorable design.

Besides content, font, and image usage, and design layout are among the first thing the average viewer makes note of when studying a design. Grasping the viewer’s attention appropriately is so vital to the advertising world that currently numerous eye-tracking and scanning studies have been completed. Even Google uses eye-tracking technology to gather valuable information to better help with layout and ad image placements.

Recently, I came across a great article displaying search results completed by specialists Bunnyfoot and Think Eyetracking. These studies provided concrete evidence on how layout and chosen images affect the customer’s focus on the design. These studies deal with selected lifestyle images and where they are positioned. It is clear from these studies that image placement and the image selected does in fact influence your viewer’s eye placement. See for yourself. Where do you focus with the below ads?

As you can see from the below results, the model’s eyes influence your eye focus. The images selected here make a big difference—one image selected makes the viewer focus more on the product. Another you end up focusing more on the model, losing site of the product and purpose of the advertisement.

Try again! Where do you focus with this baby ad?

As you can see, image selection is huge! Selecting an image where the subject faces the content is most ideal. Your eyes tend to follow where the subject is looking.

Test it yourself! Next time you look at an ad, take note of the precise image selected and font placement. Take a few moments to perform your own eye-tracking scan and remember, the models used aren’t just a pretty face!

Sage Island is a fast-paced interactive marketing agency with a team-
oriented environment. We’re looking for a talented graphic designer who can conceptualize and implement creative multimedia designs for a variety of web and print media.

Sage Island is the ideal environment for the multi-talented designer with the experience and creativity necessary to experiment with new design concepts. This position reports directly to the creative director, but also works closely with account executives to ensure client satisfaction. The ideal candidate is a team-player who is comfortable working independently, meeting deadlines, and revising work to meet client needs.

Sound like you? Check out the Sage Island job board for the full list of qualifications and skill requirements.

We’re always looking for new trends in graphics and web design to offer our clients the most up-to-date design innovations. Smashing Magazine just released this list of web design trends for 2009. The list includes some great new developments in typography, graphic elements, and design — including my favorite, font replacement, which allows designers to break free from system fonts and blend typography with graphic elements for a unique look. If you’re thinking about updating your website’s design in 2009, these trends are a good place to find some inspiration.