By Sven Larsen (@zemoga)

Over the last couple of days, Kimberly has shared some of the materials that Zemoga has created for our Spark Sessions (as well as some of the cool swag that we’ve created to promote our brand). We’re big believers in creating and refining tools that aid our processes. Of course, as head marketer at the company, I Read More-->

By Kimberly Reyes (@CommDuCoeur)

Northern California’s Silicon Valley is the beating heart of our industry.  Ever since Stanford University planted its high-tech seeds in the San Francisco Bay area at the beginning of the last century, we saw a fast and furious growth in technological innovation that forever changed the way we live.

And while innovation has since spread its roots to other parts of the country and even the world, the spirit of Silicon Valley carries on, with the passion and ambition that only comes from dedicated computer nerds and friends with deep pockets.  Here are our top five Silicon Valley ones to watch. Read More-->

This post is part of a week-long series on gadgets: the technological developments that are innovative in function and design, and continue to make us consider the possibilities.

By Kimberly Reyes (@CommDuCoeur)

It’s 1984.  You’re in footed pajamas.  A strange noise comes from your parents’ bedroom closet.  On the coffee table lie a shoebox, a paper towel tube, some Read More-->

This post continues our week-long series detailing the impact of social media on various industries.

By Briana Campbell (@MsMatchgirl)

Thanks to the economic downturn of last year, the perpetual hot topic – for the foreseeable future – is personal finance.  How can you manage your money?  Why do we manage our money so poorly?  Why on earth do people think it’s OK to buy a bunch of stuff that’s way too expensive for our tax bracket?  And why is it that people seem so very confused about all of this? Read More-->

Briana Campbell is the newest addition to the Zemoga team, and she’s giving us an artist’s perspective on the importance of data visualizations.

By Briana Campbell (@MsMatchGirl)

OK.  So infographics are everywhere.  Road signs, weather maps, statistical data, subway maps – infographics is a suddenly trendy term for something that’s been around forever. (Literally, forever – the first infographics are easily prehistoric petroglyphs and cave paintings).  Human beings are visual creatures, able to quickly take in a lot of data at a glance.  With everyone constantly on the go, with the 24-hour news cycle and a constant barrage of information, using media from newspapers to televisions to laptops and iPhones, infographics is the most surefire way to convey a message. Read More-->.

By Kimberly Reyes (@CommDuCoeur)

Let’s pretend you’re an alien from outer space and tomorrow is your first day visiting earth.

And you’ve got your entrance music and your “I come in peace” speech ready.

You park your ship and lower the bridge–you’re anxious, but ready to take that one small step for aliens.

…And are soon disappointed to learn that frankly, no one gives a damn.

Before you get down on yourself, you probably should know that tomorrow is truly the worst day for an extraterrestrial landing.  Tomorrow, friend, is iPad day. Read More-->.

By DJ Edgerton (@wiltonbound)

Is it still 1995? You might think so when you read the mainstream’ press coverage of the evolving state of advertising and media. Yes magazine display advertising and newspaper classified advertising are in serious decline. But a lot of the focus of the coverage surrounding this phenomenon has been focussed on media content and how it is being subverted by the internet. “Why buy the New York Times if you can read it online for free?” is a refrain repeated in numerous stories. Digital is seen as the solution to every marketer’s problem. If only it were that easy.

While how we interact with content across various platforms is a big story, I think that (at least part of) the big picture is being missed here. Read More-->.

by Kimberly Reyes (@CommDuCoeur)

Put your hands up and step away from the keyboard.  Now face the door and walk.

No, I’m not going to steal your computer; I’m just going to show you some really great examples of user experience design.

Okay, I see that I’ve lost you.

We both know that “user experience” refers the way a person interacts with a device or system.  We also know that user experience design entails assessing and creating architecture that facilitates positive user experiences.

Alright, so you know what user experience design is.  But do you know where it is? Read More-->.

By Sven Larsen (@zemoga)

What are those guys in Mountain View trying to do to us?

I’m still trying to find the time to master Google Wave. I’ve had an invite for a while but I’ve just been too busy to really explore it’s functionality. Then they launched Google Buzz. It looks fun but I haven’t found the time to play with it either. Earlier this week they announced the Google Public Data Explorer, a cool data visualization tool. And today, they’re announcing the Google Apps Marketplace.

It’s a lot to handle.

And they’re not slowing down either. The Chrome OS is coming. Their building high speed networks. And there are at least two tablets running Android that will be released in the next couple of months. Read More-->.

By Dan Licht (@thedvl)

I’m not talking about a smartphone, I’m talking about your actual palm.

We’ve seen demos of these kinds of kinetic interfaces before but I’m always fascinated to see how the technology has advanced. If you get pat the technical jargon in this video, you can see how something like this could be used Read More-->.