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Trendwise with Semiomantics XO2012

In a world of infinite choice, we all have our personal preferences when it comes to creating the Web Design for our personal websites and blogs – and this is exactly what many of our customers will tell us, especially if they have a business with set colors, fonts and logos. Of course, there are also those who haven’t thought about this issue, who may not want to be bothered with it (as this takes ample time and thought) and who expect us to suggest, advise and guide. This is where we should know and focus on current trends, put our personal priorities on the backseat, and design something fresh, modern and appealing where we are absolutely “Trendwise with Semiomantics XO2012″, which is currently going through a testing phase and will soon be released.

Most importantly, we need to think forward to adapt to the incredible developments and momentum on the mobile web: can people see our web design work on their iphones, smart phones and tablets? This is currently the driving power behind many decisions and as we want our customers to get the traffic and results they expect, this is what we need to focus on and ensure that they too see the advantages of certain essentials they might not initially agree with.

It’s all about functionality and thinking customerwise: let them see what your website is all about fast and in an attractive way, make navigation clear, quick and easy like a dynamic show. And let there be balance!

Trendwise with Semiomantics XO2012

With the new trends 2012 having been set, how can we at Web Design South Africa be trendwise with Semiomantics XO2012, the best WordPress based script to be released soon, and give our website or blog a New Look 2012?

How to give your Author Blog a Trend 2012 Look

Here are a few pointers as to how to give your Author Blog a Trend 2012 Look:

1. Color Trend 2012

I already wrote about the Color Trend 2012 HERE.

To repeat it quickly, the color of the year 2012 is a warm orangy red called “Tangerine Tango”.  It’s not too far off the color I am always using in my personal color scheme that marks “Web Design with Passion”. However, there are other trendy colors like ‘solar power’ and the ‘sodalite blue’ I used in my example above, in connection with ‘tangerine tango’.

Here you want to think of backgrounds, fonts, menu, graphics, links, hover effects etc. – however, don’t overdo it when setting it off against another shade or complementary color. What I learned in Typography many years ago with one of Europe’s two leading authorities in the field and a true friend, Professor Tuenn Konerding (Staatliche Kunstakademie Duesseldorf, Germany), still applies today: experiment massively… but then reduce, keep it simple, don’t use more than 2… maximum 3 colors.

I wish I had a better photo – but I am happy I can call at least this one up – for an extraordinary mind and spirit that left our planet far too early…

Interesting also the trend towards one-page websites and a comeback of the magazine theme (full layout Semiomantics XO). Of course, Apple-style layouts are still en vogue as they are a modern classic and simply good.

2.  Typography 2012

The focus is on bold letters and custom fonts that can easily be read on mobile phones. Interesting here the Google Font Library that can be added in form of a plugin and loads fast while making the look of the website more appealing.

Textures, shades and reflections are ‘in’ as well…

 3. Large High Quality Images

Less text but large, high quality images – meaning all forms of sophisticated Media Design – be it photos, graphics, videos… – especially for backgrounds but also for graphics, sliders (we will come to these) and whatever you integrate into your Website Design to attract and captivate.The use of light or shadow boxes – where pictures can be enlarged in an overlay-  is very much in the trend.

Actually, we have been ahead of this trend with Semiomantics XO 2011 already, and particularly with our comprehensive work on Evolution, my personal favorite… yet unfortunately on Flash which is currently not seen on mobile phones due to power plays between the ‘big boyz’ … but this too shall change one day once even they get it that ‘competition’ is out and ‘cooperation’ is in to save our planet – and this is NOT a trend but a Truth! Ask Steve on Cloud!

Meanwhile Evolution will… well, evolve!

4. Sliders are en vogue

And yet another feature where Semiomantics has been well ahead of the trend: sliders are en vogue! Besides that, in my view they are brilliant, practical, interactive, attractive, seen on the mobile web and add to the functionality of a website. At tleast the ones we use – they do come at a cost, but it’s well worth it – quality always had its price!

5. Connect to Social Networks

Finally, websites and blogs need to offer easy ways – meant are rather ‘loud’ icons (… I leave this to your personal taste…) – to interlink and connect to Social Networks like Twitter, Facebook, Google + etc. Today, people look out where they can connect, follow, share and register … and so the cybernet expands continuously and I sometimes wonder what all of this really means at the end of the day and for our environment! But that’s a topic for another day!

For now… let’s be aware of current trends and advise customers accordingly… there’s lots to play with!

Cape Town Weddings

It’s that time of the year where many couples celebrate their love and add meaning to their words by getting married!

One of the Best Cape Town Wedding Venues is of course Monkey Valley Resort in the romantic Noordhoek Valley on the slopes of Chapman’s Peak – however, my favourite hotel in Cape Town itself – where we spent a couple of weeks when researching our future home – is the elegant and citywise optimally situated Vineyard Hotel in Claremont, Cape Town. Below is a view from the terrace towards the majestic Table Mountain range…

It’s here, in the lush and beautiful gardens… washed by light rains that very day until just a few minutes before the wedding… where stage one of the beautiful and very private Wedding Ceremony took place that I had the privilege to document.

All Wedding Photography & Videography will be integrated in the brand-new Wedding Website currently under construction.

Cape Town Weddings

What is relevant for Cape Town Weddings is probably desired by all newly wed couples, especially if their families and friends are spread all over the world as is the case here: they want some photos as fast as possible to show!

So this was my first focus… developing something to show fast! Accordingly, within a few days, the couple had an elegant online Wedding Photo Suite to send out and even print… followed by a short and joyful Wedding Video with special Irish harp music!

At this stage, the work is understandably private; I will be able to show more later as the development of the website itself proceeds. This will take a while, partly due to a strong emphasis of the ‘time before’ the wedding and the relating preparations, as well as the fact that I have to switch to a new computer with lots more memory and punch especially for media development (videos). On top of this, I will be using a brand-new Semiomantics Script to be released only in January 2012.

Wedding Photos

Meanwhile, there must be about 2,000 wedding photos and wedding video clips to view and select from… a real joy as here is real happiness to ‘work’ with!

Fingers crossed my PC system holds as I have hardly any space left and due to the devastating floods in Thailand, a main hardware supplier was washed away completely and we have to wait for new parts…

Happy New Year 2012

This is definitely going to be my last post in 2011 – wishing YOU a very special, prosperous and fulfilling Happy New Year 2012 on a special and typically funny South African note! Right from Nature – what else?

Happy New Year 2012

Wishing YOU a Happy New Year 2012 gives me the opportunity to thank you – my dear friends, customers and readers – for your continued interest and loyal support over the past twelve months, which I know have been an extremely challenging experience for many! Here’s hope that we will all start with new energies, love and devotion to accomplish what we have come to do and excel with it!

Ta ra ta tata

Ta ra ta tata has become a known signal for our daily workshops and monthly seminars at Ycademy – so we will end 2011 on that note and shout it loud and clear at midnight – dancing to LIVE music that is! YEBO GOGO!

CHEERS!

Cape Town Wedding Photography

Cape Town Wedding Photography by Bianca Gubalke  -  this photo was taken yesterday, just when the first rays of the sun broke through the rainy morning clouds… It was the moment when the bride was ready to leave home to enter a new chapter in her life!

Cape Town Wedding Photography

Cape Town Wedding Photography is the foundation of the Wedding Website I am developing over the next weeks on a WP based Semiomantics Script – possibly a new website development alltogether.

The wedding was yesterday; now it’s sifting and sorting time to choose from the best wedding photos and the wedding videos to create what will eventually become a Family Album Online.

Cape Town Christmas on Google

Loyal to our regular monitoring of the SEO performance of our WordPress based Semiomantics websites and blogs – our own as well as those of our valued customers – , I am extremely pleased to see an excellent Google ranking of my article “Cape Town Christmas Gift Fair 2011″ right on the brand-new Monkey Valley Resort Website! The website was basically released today!

Click on the screenshot to see it bigger…

Cape Town Christmas on Google

You will see that “Cape Town Gift Fair 2011″ ranks on positions 4, 5 and 6 on Google Top 10 – the place everybody interested in that keyword area is competing for… here on 2,300,000 search returns!

Save Money with a Semiomantics Website

How does this demonstrate how you can save money with a Semiomantics Website?

Well, the fight on the Internet highway is for a Google Top 10 position – either on the left side (see screenshot above), where there are 10 positions for super sexy websites and blogs that make it to the top – or on top (yellow area) and to the right where people spend continuously increasing daily budgets for Google Ads… simply to be visible when someone types this keyword string into the Google search engine.

Marketing with Google Adsense means being dependent short-term, medium-term and long-term as prices increase all the time… and to be efficient – meaning to get the traffic and visitors that might lead to eventual sales – one has to be visible 24/7/365… and that has its price. Don’t think you can get away with $50… there are keywords that cost more than that per single click. And this without any guarantees in terms of sales. Ever.

Whereas with a Semiomantics Website you invest once in a good Script, setup and Design… and you see top performance. Sure, you need to do your bit and publish regular good content… but that’s part of your online marketing anyway if you are selling anything – be it a product, a service or ad space – but at least here you can count on results…

So do your maths and contact us anytime when you are ready to do a Semiomantics online – on Google Top 10 that is!

Noordhoek Christmas Gift Fair 2011

Exciting and brand-new in the larger Cape Town area – namely the South Peninsular – is the Noordhoek Christmas Gift Fair 2011 that awaits visitors at Monkey Valley Beach Nature Resort – just 30 km out of the Mother City on the slopes of Chapman’s Peak. Just follow the signs to Noordhoek Beach… you can also check it under MAP on the menu on the new WEBSITE that I am handing over on Monday – that is tomorrow – as the Website Development has been completed!

Christmas Fair 2011 Photos

These are a few Christmas Fair 2011 Photos of day two (Saturday) … a glorious day… very well organized and with many smiling people. Especially children had a ball in the vast playgrounds while their parents enjoyed the beautifully presented shopping items or a drink on the deck at Thorfynn’s Restaurant with LIVE Music and the most stunning golden sunset.

CLICK HERE or on the Christmas Gift Fair 2011 Photo above to see a few impressions.

Noordhoek Christmas Gift Fair 2011

The Noordhoek Christmas Gift Fair 2011 in Monkey Valley Resort invites you and your family and friends to visit us on Sunday (last day).

Everybody are doing their best to provide you with a beautiful shopping experience in the true spirit of Christmas… be it directly under the old milkwood forest… in the ravine which is Cape Town’s secret tip as a Wedding Venue… in our famous Conferencing Center “TreeTops” or the “Lapa” area – both inside and outside… you will just love it!

Enjoy a relaxed and joyful day in our romantic venue under old milkwood trees with a private access to Noordhoek Beach… everything is being cared for to make YOU feel good in true Christmas Spirit!

Good Morning from Noordhoek

Good Morning from Noordhoek is an inspiring greeting showing Life in a Day, each day, in Noordhoek, South Africa!

Good Morning from Noordhoek

Today seems to be a little on the edge, without a clear decision… sunny or overcast? In any case, it’s warm and beautiful here in Noordhoek, South Africa – although there are already first signs of the heat and occasional strong Southeasterly winds ripping the clouds of yellow blossoms of my huge acacias apart and painting shades of golden brown…

The fragrance is intoxicating… bringing up memories of one of my favourite books by Emile Zola… when I was a student in Paris…

Although I went for the huge and stunning “Cup of Gold” – I was suddenly surprised by a tortoise, pushing its way fast and furiously through the groundcover! Down on my knees and here’s what I could capture as my “Good Morning from Noordhoek” picture for you today! Inquisitive, not at all intimidated – and clearly focused on something much more important!

The little bugger wouldn’t stop… so let this be a sign for getting things done and enjoying a terrific journey today!

Make it a great day!

Good Morning from Noordhoek

Good Morning from Noordhoek is an inspiring greeting showing Life in a Day, each day, in Noordhoek, South Africa

Good Morning from Noordhoek

It’s the 11th of October 2011 and – according to the Mayan Calendar it stands for “Fruition”!

Well, for me it started off as a tremendous day in terms of “Fruition” (which I will go into in another post) … and with glorious sunshine to accompany my search for the photo of the day “Good Morning from Noordhoek” that I dedicate to YOU – wishing you a blessed day filled with joy and fulfillment!

Trusting your Ability to ride Change

Because it is so significant in its content, and bearing in mind that “Trusting your Ability to ride Change” was written by Ian Xel Lungold many years ago, I’d like to quote him:

“We came to play hard and we came to play smart.

We came to tear Karma and Spirit apart.

We are on a quest to conquer duality

Stage by stage through our evolution

From within, to and through-out all duality

And so through-out all of Creation

The sum total of which is, Unity ()

This means we must confront and master duality.

And practice makes perfect.”

Leaving you with these thoughts for today . . .

Cape Town Best Conference Venue

Searches on Google Top 10 is and so far remains the main driving power on the Internet in terms of  being visible and being found as per our Online Marketing efforts. As such, we have to monitor the performance of our websites, blogs and articles on a regular basis.

Here’s the example of a post I did a few days ago with the title:

Best Conferences out of Cape Town

Now, “Best Conferences out of Cape Town” went to Google Top 10 within 0.23 seconds… proof as per screenshot. Position One of over 43 million search returns.

Meanwhile, we had our monthly online Seminar by Ycademy with a focus on “Social Media Marketing” – no time to look left, right or center… not the way we zoomed through Social Networks the like of Facebook, Twitter, Empire Avenue, Google+, Flickr and more… all being or becoming an important integral part of our online marketing strategy… and giving us down here in the boonies with absolutely lousy Internet connections a hell of a hard time.

However, this morning I went to have a look and – lo and behold – we even improved the ranks by adding position 2 to it… plus another on Google Top 10 – which is amazing and the dream – and essential focus – of any hotel or institution within the highly competitive Tourism and Travel Industry within South Africa. Have a look yourself!

Cape Town Best Conference Venue

While we are still busy working on the brand-new main website, check out Monkey Valley Resort as Cape Town’s Best Conference Venue HERE. Enjoy the virtual journey!

New Arrival

While we are working on the category “New Arrivals” at Magnetic Transport Surplus – our latest website creation soon to be going live – there’s been a new arrival of a different genre in my garden: a beautiful young blue heron… so tame and used to my busy coming and going as I am preparing for winter – which means the cold and rainy season in Noordhoek South Africa… cutting, planting and transplanting… that he hardly moves away as I walk past, just watching my every move with distinct awareness:

A perfect target for some shots for my Digital Photography collection.

New Arrival

The new arrival was introduced by an adult parent – a great Blue Heron (Ardea herodias) which I filmed as he walked slowly past my Studio. He visits almost every day, checking the dam and our various water catchment areas, that are sadly dry these days. The rains haven’t really started yet and it’s for sure the driest year I have experienced since my return to South Africa: never was the dam empty at this time of the year! Never! As soon as the dam is filled, it will be a microcosm of small tasty organisms including tiny fish and frogs that won’t escape the heron’s eyes – and his sharp long beak. So while we are thrilled to see this rare and dignified visitor, we also know we lose some other little friends – but that’s Nature, a chain of who eats who to survive!

The brown area you see in the background of the photo should normally be filled with water… this year it’s just dry and thirsty. Well, all will be about water in the future… it has already started.

I will report more on the exciting yet not always that secret life of plants in my garden. . .