Loyalty Card Design

I was instructed to design a loyalty card for the Beta Cafe company. I wanted the design to depict the activities of the company by possessing a cyber look. I wanted the colour scheme to incorporate cool colours to depict electricity and technology. I wanted the design to look smart yet futuristic. But above all I wanted the design to be simple.

Store Floor Plan

I was instructed to create a plan of the layout of the store floor of Beta Cafe. Below is the image of my design. I imagined that the store itself would be quite large, with plenty of seating areas with space to spare. I wanted the seating arrangement to be social.

Anticiation

I believe that the touchcreen phenomenon at the moment is somewhat of a FAD however is certainly evolving and becoming a trend within society worldwide. You only need to look at the iPhone and iTouch to understand the scope of their success. The touchscreen is not only useful, but successful and popular.

Internet Cafe

An internet cafe or cybercafe is a place where one can use a computer with Internet access, most for a fee, usually per our or per minute; sometimes one can have unmetered access with a pass for a day or month, etc. It may serve as a regular cafe as well, with food and drinks being served.

The online cafe phenomenon was started in July by Wayne Gregori in San Francisco where he began SFnet Coffeehouse Network. Gregori designed, built and installed 25 coin operated computer terminals in coffeehouses throughout the San Francisco Bay Area. The cafe terminals dialed into a 32 line Bulletin Board System that offered an array of electronic services including FIDOnet mail and in 1992, Internet mail.

Internet Cafes are a natural evolution of the traditional cafe. Cafes started as places for information exchange, and have always been used as places to read the paper, send postcards home, play traditional or electronic games, chat to friends, find out local information. Cafes have also been  in the forefront of promoting new technology.

As internet access is in increasing demand, many pubs, bars and cafes have terminals, so the distinction between the  modern internet cafe and the traditional/ normal cafe is eroded as the traditional cafe is offering the same services as the cyber cafe. In some areas however, internet terminals are decreasing as technology now allows individuals to carry portably internet conneceted systems such as PDAs, and iPhones for example.

These internet cafes sometimes are set up in order to help bridge the "digital divide" providing computer as well as internet access and training to those without home access. It is now apparent that gaming has become increasingly popular within these centres. Online virtual internet cafes are being set up in order to render the user being anonymous and also protecting their computers and information  from malicious software and  spywares.

Touchscreen Technology

Touchscreens are an electrical visual display that can defect the presence and location of a touch within the display area. The term generally refers to touching the display of the device with a finger or hand. Touchscreens can also sense other passive objects, such as pens/ stylus. 

The touchscreen has two main attributes. Firstly, it enables the user to interact directly with what is displayed, rather than having to use a mouse, stylus or touch-pad. Secondly, it allows one to interact with the display n the screen without requiring any intermediate device that would need to be held in the hand. Such displays can be attached to computers, or networks as terminals. They have gradually evolved from the stylus and screen setup and now play an prominent role in the design of appliances such as the personal digital assistant (PDA), satellite navigation devices, mobile phones, and video games, MP3 players ATM's etc.

Touchscreens are now very popular and successful in the digital world, and are still improving. The latest touchscreen technology can be found in appliances such as the iTouch, iPhone and iPad. These products are especially successful.

Additional Roles & Awareness

Project Manager : 

A project manager is a professional in the field of project management. They have the responsibility of planning, execution, and closing of any project. They are in charge of team coordination and communication through project organisation. They are accountable for accomplishing the stated project objectives. Key project management responsibilities include creating clear and attainable project objectives, building the project requirements, and managing the triple constraint for projects, which are cost, time, and quality. (Scope)

A project manager is often a client representative and has to determine and implement the exact needs of the client, based on knowledge of the firm they are representing. The ability to adapt to various internal procedures of the contracting party, and to form close links with the nominated representatives, is essential in ensuring that the key issues of cost, time quality and above all, client satisfaction, can be realised.

Marketing Manager: 

A Marketing Manager is an individual who is responsible for focusing on the practicle application of marketing techniques and the management of a firm's marketing resources activities. Marketing Managers are often responsible for influencing the level, timing, and composition of customer demand accepted definition of the term. The role of a marketing manager can vary significantly based on the size of the business, corporate culture, and industry context. Marketing managers must possess detailed. objective understanding of their own business and the market in which they operate. They should understand their customer base and the business's competitive position in the industry. This role occasionally overlaps with strategic planning/ market strategy.

Market Research Manager:

This role is responsible for carrying out research in order to collect the data required to perform accurate marketing analysis. This role can overlap with Marketing Management. Market research is conducted to acquire vital information.  Collecting this research has several techniques and methods such as: -

• Qualitative Marketing Research, such as focus groups who provide information such as perceptions, opinions and attitudes toward a product. (Questionnaires & Surveys)
• Quantitative Marketing Research, such as facts and statistics.
• Experimental Techniques, such as test markets.
• Observational Techniques, such as ethnographic (on-site) observations.

Market Researchers may also design and oversee various environmental scanning and competitive intelligence processes to help identify trends and fads. This information will help to inform the company's marketing analysis.

Finance Manager:

A Finance Manager is responsible for managing the company's funds. Finance often includes saving money, lending money and borrowing money. A finance manager has to assess the concepts of time, money and risk and how they are interrelated. It also deals with how money is spent and budgeted. Financial managers oversee the preparation of financial reports, direct investment activities, and implement cash management strategies. This role can help to develop strategies and long-term goals of a business/ organisation. The position of a finance manager varies depending on the business. The various titles include, controller, treasurer or finance officer, credit manager, cash manager, and risk and insurance manager.

BETA Cafe Logo Designs

Our new company will be called Beta Cafe. I have created some logo designs for our new company. The images below are my own work of various different designs.

The design below was the logo that was voted the most suitable.

With these designs I have attempted to integrate the old with the new - the traditional with the modern. I wanted a cyber feel to the design and text/ font which I believe I have achieved.

Logo Research

The images below are examples of existing cafe logos found on the Internet.

I have looked at various existing logos for inspiration.

Research

I have conducted research  into companies with similar ideas, and there were not really any existing companies that offered such variety, and a perfect blend between a cafe and an Internet cafe.

The elements that will cost the most are perhaps these touch-screens which cost up to £2000.

Furniture that accommodates these touch-screens will have to be made specially.

Change of Idea

This change of idea was rather sudden, and in my personal opinion, maybe unwise to change the idea so late in the pipeline when the submission date is only a few days away. I was told that our original idea for Forge Studios was too difficult to research in as far as finance and we may not have been able to render our idea "bulletproof" when it came to the deadline.

We have now come up with an idea for a company which is similar to an Internet cafe. The element that drives this idea is the use of waterproof state of the art touchscreens. We have been inspired by the new touchscreen technology introduced by manufacturers such as Apple, with their iPad and iTouch. The idea is that these touchscreens can be used for ordering your refreshments and meals, as well as accessing the Internet, playing games and listening to music etc.

iPad Touchscreen

Because these touchscreens are waterproof means that we can incorporate food and drink into the equation more easily. These can be places where people can meet, socialise, eat & drink, play games and listen to music. It is a multi-purpose environment. The possibilities are vast. 

The idea is that this will be an interior environment and the layout will be much like a cafe or sushi bar, however built within the tables are tilt waterproof touchscreens, that have Internet capability and have blue-tooth and wi-fi built in. These touch-screens will we be connected to the shops system so that drinks and food can be ordered digitally. This also enables Internet monitoring. 

This is a place where people can unwind, have fun, have access to the Internet if there is no Internet service at home, the Internet can be used for business purposes such as receiving and sending emails and of course it is possible to buy food and drink.

It has been suggested that software such as iTunes, MSN, Skype etc will be installed within the machines, earphones will be provided when asked for behind the counter, which could cost 50p - £1. If they are returned then your deposit is given back to you. You will also need an in store account so that important information is not misused. Another idea we had is that the store could hold a monthly gaming tournament and an annual gaming championship event.

We also discussed the idea that there should be a fee for internet usage: 30 mins = 50p 1 hour = £1 2 hours = £2 etc. The max time u can use the internet is 4 hours. There can be unmetered access with a 1 day pass, 1 week pass, 1 month pass and 1 year pass. There could even be special offers with completely unmetered free internet usage. Ou target audience will be from the age of 13 - 19.

We have conducted questionnaires to ask people if they would be interested in this store idea and what times they would enter the store to see if there is a "peak time". 

We have come to the conclusion that an experimental store would have to be set up as a trial to see if there are areas for improvement and if there really is interest in this sort of store for a year to two years.

Internet Cafe

This is a cafe layout. This is the kind of modern feel we are looking for.

An Internet Cafe

Presentation Feedback

I believe our presentation went rather well. The tutor assessing our progress mentioned the fact that our idea already existed, yet he liked the idea behind our concept company. He suggested that there were areas for improvement such as refining our idea yet perhaps adding more detail in certain areas so that our idea is "bulletproof" / "solid". He also suggested that market research and finance research should also be investigated more thoroughly.

Company Idea

The name Forge Studios was voted the most suitable of all the names and the logo design that was picked is below.

Our company idea is basically a cross between a production house/ visual effects house that is accessible to young professionals fresh out of University. This company serves as a bridge to the film and gaming industry. The work that is produced is to a high standard yet achieved at a low cost.

Several  Companies such as this exist such as escape studios which help to train students to become professional and employable within the film and games industry.

Equipment: -

Probably the biggest problem is the purchase and instillation of equipment such as Hardware complete with installed software, Desk Spaces and layout.  

Apple Macs, PC's, Keyboards, Wacom Tablets & Pens, Mice, Monitors, Hard Drives, Memory Units, Printers , Scanners and a Render Farm will have to be purchased. Computers will have to be specced with the latest versions of digital software such as Maya, 3Ds Max, Maya, Photoshop etc.