Case studies, practical advice, experiments, reviews, and creative thinking from The Big Dot Company.https://thebig.co/en-gbhttps://thebig.co/dynamic-find-and-replace-for-word/https://thebig.co/dynamic-find-and-replace-for-word/Dynamic Find and Replace is a Microsoft Word Add-in that allows you to replace multiple placeholders in documents simultaneously. Begin by adding one of th…Fri, 07 Jul 2023 10:13:15 GMTMischttps://thebig.co/static-site-vs-wordpress/https://thebig.co/static-site-vs-wordpress/A static site is the information/data is contained within the HTML, as opposed to a database, but they're not for everyone.Tue, 21 Jun 2022 12:02:11 GMTClient AdviceWeb Designhttps://thebig.co/tsohost-review/https://thebig.co/tsohost-review/Our TsoHost review comprehensively exposes several critical failings, any one of which alone would be enough to give the company a wide birthFri, 09 Apr 2021 14:15:15 GMTClient AdviceReviewshttps://thebig.co/yoast-avoid-pitfalls-get-most-out-of-seo-tool/https://thebig.co/yoast-avoid-pitfalls-get-most-out-of-seo-tool/Yoast is a WordPress SEO tool that is potentially really useful but can also ruin your content if you blindly follow its advice.Wed, 31 Mar 2021 12:28:02 GMTSEOTutorialshttps://thebig.co/new-home-creative-chair/https://thebig.co/new-home-creative-chair/Like a spurned spouse, The Creative Chair has moved out and changed its name. The Creative Chair can now be found at creativechair.orgTue, 19 Dec 2017 11:50:37 GMTNewshttps://thebig.co/moving-to-miserden/https://thebig.co/moving-to-miserden/While many creative studios choose to embed themselves in a large city like London, we took a different approach and moved to Miserden.Tue, 19 Dec 2017 10:51:34 GMTMiscNewshttps://thebig.co/early-bird-gets-worm/https://thebig.co/early-bird-gets-worm/The saying “the early bird gets the worm” is a cliché, but, I have found some less obvious benefits to getting up and starting work at the crack of dawn.Tue, 26 Sep 2017 10:22:52 GMTCase StudiesMischttps://thebig.co/websites-stop-looking-awesome/https://thebig.co/websites-stop-looking-awesome/Why a shift in the way we surf the web has made all websites look the same and what I decided to do to fight it. Time to shake things up...Sat, 09 Sep 2017 11:34:11 GMTCase StudiesWeb Designhttps://thebig.co/bark-review/https://thebig.co/bark-review/We spent several months thoroughly testing Bark the service to see how well it works for both buyers and sellers. Read the Bark.com Review...Wed, 12 Jul 2017 08:37:56 GMTClient AdviceGraphic DesignWeb Designhttps://thebig.co/hire-a-professional/https://thebig.co/hire-a-professional/Should you hire a professional? The titular quote is most commonly attributed to Red Adair and it applies very well to graphic and website design services.Tue, 30 May 2017 08:45:57 GMTClient AdviceGraphic DesignWeb Designhttps://thebig.co/paint-3d/https://thebig.co/paint-3d/Paint 3D is the most significant update to the program in 30 years. I tried it out in that is was never intended to be used.Wed, 03 May 2017 10:43:15 GMT3D/VR & CGIGraphic Designhttps://thebig.co/client-advice-recommended-wordpress-plugins/https://thebig.co/client-advice-recommended-wordpress-plugins/Client Advice: Here’s a list of recommended WordPress plugins for clients who like to take a more hands-on approach their website.Mon, 03 Apr 2017 08:35:59 GMTSEOWeb Designhttps://thebig.co/stay-relevant-making-obsolete/https://thebig.co/stay-relevant-making-obsolete/The title of this article may sound a little oxymoronic, after all, being relevant and being obsolete are polar opposites, right?Wed, 22 Mar 2017 13:31:16 GMTTutorialshttps://thebig.co/adaptive-text-descriptions/https://thebig.co/adaptive-text-descriptions/A simple tutorial to solve a common problem with website text that refers to an element within a responsive layout using adaptive text descriptions.Wed, 15 Mar 2017 08:00:00 GMTTutorialsWeb Designhttps://thebig.co/get-design-studio-job/https://thebig.co/get-design-studio-job/The do's and don’ts for getting a design studio job. So, you’ve just finished university and you’re looking to get a job in a design studio...Mon, 06 Mar 2017 01:19:18 GMTGraphic DesignTutorialshttps://thebig.co/no-logo/https://thebig.co/no-logo/How we created a brand with no logo. Why, as a business that designs logos, would you chose to create a brand that appears to have no logo at all?Thu, 23 Feb 2017 08:54:32 GMTCase StudiesGraphic DesignInnovationhttps://thebig.co/single-colour-logos/https://thebig.co/single-colour-logos/Why should logos work in a single colour? A selection of flat, single colour logos from our portfolio and info on why to start designs with a single colour.Sat, 18 Feb 2017 15:05:06 GMTCase StudiesGraphic Designhttps://thebig.co/working-personal-projects/https://thebig.co/working-personal-projects/Essential advice for the creative mind. Working on multiple creative personal projects has many benefits, including making you better at your job.Tue, 07 Feb 2017 09:47:50 GMTCase StudiesGraphic Designhttps://thebig.co/toonstruck-hd-remastered/https://thebig.co/toonstruck-hd-remastered/A case study for a HD remake of Toonstruck. What will be involved, how long will it take, and when will Toonstruck 2 be released?Thu, 05 Jan 2017 13:57:00 GMTAnimationCase StudiesIllustrationInnovationhttps://thebig.co/tom-dom-monster-project/https://thebig.co/tom-dom-monster-project/Tom & Dom + The Monster Project are excellent examples of the drawings of artistic children in the hands of creative and skilled adults.Thu, 01 Dec 2016 16:32:34 GMTArthttps://thebig.co/cheltenham/https://thebig.co/cheltenham/Cheltenham may be small, but it has no shortage creativity. In this guide, we’ll look at some of the most exciting, fun and creative things to do here.Wed, 12 Oct 2016 11:21:25 GMTTutorialshttps://thebig.co/avoid-cheap-logo-design/https://thebig.co/avoid-cheap-logo-design/A bad logo is worse than having no logo whatsoever, but how much should a logo cost? We explore the pros and cons of cheap logo designFri, 02 Sep 2016 15:24:45 GMTCase StudiesClient AdviceGraphic Designhttps://thebig.co/grammarly-review/https://thebig.co/grammarly-review/We take a look at Grammarly, an app designed to improve your writing, spending a couple of months to see if they have value for people who write for the webThu, 04 Aug 2016 14:11:08 GMTMiscSEOhttps://thebig.co/pixelsquid-free-library-3d-images/https://thebig.co/pixelsquid-free-library-3d-images/We look into PixelSquid, and the Photoshop plugin that every designer should have! PixelSquid describes itself as the World’s most powerful 3D image libraryMon, 13 Jun 2016 11:06:23 GMTTutorialshttps://thebig.co/score-100-google-page-speed-insights/https://thebig.co/score-100-google-page-speed-insights/This tutorial will show you how to score 100/100 on Google Page Speed insights and help you learn to better optimise your website.Thu, 02 Jun 2016 16:24:45 GMTSEOTutorialshttps://thebig.co/hurd-library-vr-tour/https://thebig.co/hurd-library-vr-tour/The Hurd Library VR Tour: An interactive virtual reality experience allowing you to explore the historic Hurd Library with Google Cardboard, Vive or Oculus.Thu, 26 May 2016 10:57:17 GMT3D/VR & CGICase StudiesInnovationhttps://thebig.co/web-design-blind-visually-impaired/https://thebig.co/web-design-blind-visually-impaired/How we designed Big Dot Framework 1.0 to help blind and visually impaired users to access information, and how it should be applied to all web design.Mon, 09 May 2016 14:35:05 GMTCase StudiesInnovationWeb Designhttps://thebig.co/big-dot-framework-2/https://thebig.co/big-dot-framework-2/Big Dot Framework 2.0 is a powerful, feature rich & highly optimised framework and website template. It scores a perfect 100/100 on Google PageSpeed.Wed, 04 May 2016 15:53:10 GMTCase StudiesInnovationWeb Designhttps://thebig.co/worlds-first-8k-3d-video-youtube/https://thebig.co/worlds-first-8k-3d-video-youtube/8K 3D One small step for man, one unwatchable video for most of mankind. Please accept marketing-cookies to view this media content. High definition televi…Tue, 12 Apr 2016 12:12:17 GMTMischttps://thebig.co/freelance-graphic-website-design/https://thebig.co/freelance-graphic-website-design/Creative studios and agencies often use freelance designers to cater to specific requirements that are not workable with their in-house staff.Wed, 16 Mar 2016 13:22:33 GMTMischttps://thebig.co/krave-rebranding-signage-design-case-study/https://thebig.co/krave-rebranding-signage-design-case-study/An insight into the creative process of a full re-brand and print design project for Krave, including images and information.Tue, 08 Mar 2016 15:44:40 GMTCase StudiesGraphic Designhttps://thebig.co/piano-hero-junior-beta/https://thebig.co/piano-hero-junior-beta/Piano Hero Junior Teaching App. It introduces children to the piano by numbering the keys and delivering the notes in rhythm with the corresponding numbersWed, 02 Mar 2016 10:53:20 GMTCase StudiesGraphic DesignInnovationhttps://thebig.co/my-week-with-coffitivity/https://thebig.co/my-week-with-coffitivity/Can the right amount of background noise boost creativity? I spend a week finding out with Coffitivity, the background noise project for productivity.Sun, 14 Feb 2016 09:58:00 GMTMischttps://thebig.co/the-worlds-first-3d-virtual-tour-6-years-on/https://thebig.co/the-worlds-first-3d-virtual-tour-6-years-on/Six years ago I created the world’s first 3D virtual tour, which allowed people to take a step back in time and browse the historic Hurd Library.Sun, 14 Feb 2016 09:07:26 GMT3D/VR & CGICase StudiesInnovationPhotographyhttps://thebig.co/which-e-commerce-platform-to-choose/https://thebig.co/which-e-commerce-platform-to-choose/A brief look at some of the e-commerce solutions for creating online shops, along with their advantages and disadvantages.Fri, 12 Feb 2016 13:10:31 GMTWeb Designhttps://thebig.co/top-10-gifts-for-designers-and-creatives/https://thebig.co/top-10-gifts-for-designers-and-creatives/Creative people always give the best gifts, but what do you give your creative loved ones? These gifts for designers are the answer.Fri, 12 Feb 2016 10:29:16 GMTMischttps://thebig.co/the-top-10-best-handwriting-fonts/https://thebig.co/the-top-10-best-handwriting-fonts/We’ll be looking at the crème de la crème of scrawl scripts in this gallery of the 10 best handwriting fonts, ever!Thu, 11 Feb 2016 10:37:11 GMTGraphic Designhttps://thebig.co/step-by-step-guide-to-publishing-facebook-apps-and-heroku/https://thebig.co/step-by-step-guide-to-publishing-facebook-apps-and-heroku/The idiots guide to getting your Facebook apps up and running using Heroku.Got an app? This step by step guide will help you get it up and running.Thu, 11 Feb 2016 10:15:23 GMTTutorialsWeb Designhttps://thebig.co/how-to-make-screenshots-look-like-photographs/https://thebig.co/how-to-make-screenshots-look-like-photographs/The perfect method of how to to make screenshots look like photographs Photoshop using perspective, patterns, blurring and gradient overlays.Wed, 10 Feb 2016 15:04:39 GMTGraphic DesignTutorialshttps://thebig.co/10-stunning-vertical-panoramas/https://thebig.co/10-stunning-vertical-panoramas/A gallery of vertical panoramas, showcasing some great amazing scenes from around the world from some very talented photographers.Sat, 30 Jan 2016 15:19:49 GMTPhotographyhttps://thebig.co/google-earth-offline-mode/https://thebig.co/google-earth-offline-mode/Have you ever wanted to use Google Earth offline? Did you then think, how big is Google earth in terms of data size and will it fit on my usb stick?Wed, 01 Apr 2015 10:13:52 GMTWeb Designhttps://thebig.co/how-to-make-custom-skype-status-buttons/https://thebig.co/how-to-make-custom-skype-status-buttons/A simple tutorial that shows you how to make custom Skype status buttons, for use on your webpage or blog.Tue, 10 Feb 2015 16:26:06 GMTGraphic DesignTutorialshttps://thebig.co/google-presents-the-new-scentsation-in-search-april-fools/https://thebig.co/google-presents-the-new-scentsation-in-search-april-fools/They’ve come into our eyes, our ears and our mouths but Google is about to come in our noses with a new form of scent technology (April Fools')Tue, 01 Apr 2014 09:58:06 GMTSEOWeb Designhttps://thebig.co/getty-images-makes-over-35-million-images-free-to-use/https://thebig.co/getty-images-makes-over-35-million-images-free-to-use/The stock photo giant Getty images makes a radical move in the face of photo piracy by making thousands of images free to use.Mon, 10 Mar 2014 14:50:48 GMTPhotographyhttps://thebig.co/apple-mac-no-longer-used-for-graphic-design/https://thebig.co/apple-mac-no-longer-used-for-graphic-design/The iconic Apple Mac has been with us for 30 years and to mark that occasion Apple has published an interactive tribute on their site.Wed, 05 Mar 2014 11:01:12 GMTGraphic DesignMischttps://thebig.co/top-10-tips-for-restaurant-website-design/https://thebig.co/top-10-tips-for-restaurant-website-design/These top 10 tips for restaurant website design will help you to create a site that stays on brand and is an effective tool for generating reservations.Tue, 11 Feb 2014 18:35:29 GMTTutorialsWeb Designhttps://thebig.co/les-miserables-movie-poster-parodies/https://thebig.co/les-miserables-movie-poster-parodies/Les Misérables poster parodies. To be fair, who wouldn’t go and watch a film starring Judge Dredd, Mahatma Gandhi, Braveheart and Mr Daydream!Mon, 10 Feb 2014 16:35:37 GMTGraphic Designhttps://thebig.co/scoop-exact-match-domains/https://thebig.co/scoop-exact-match-domains/In September of 2012 Google released yet another algorithm update.  This time they had their sights set on websites with exact match domains.Thu, 14 Feb 2013 09:18:37 GMTSEOWeb Designhttps://thebig.co/adobe-behance-a-match-made-in-heaven/https://thebig.co/adobe-behance-a-match-made-in-heaven/The acquisition will mean new benefits for Adobe and Behance users as the two platforms compliment each other and provide powerful creative tools.Tue, 12 Feb 2013 12:29:58 GMTGraphic DesignWeb Designhttps://thebig.co/the-death-of-adobe-flash/https://thebig.co/the-death-of-adobe-flash/Is it time to turn out the lights on Flash. We take a look at what made Flash great and examine why it became so popular.Tue, 11 Dec 2012 09:02:30 GMTAnimation