Whats new in 2015

The following are some insights into design, technology and marketing trends for 2015.

every week we hear of new tools, technologies and platforms being introduced to the mix that subsequently shift marketing strategies

Rich Content ExperiencesBig brands have finally started to understand the power of creating emotional visual experiences.

Storytelling has become more intimate and visual than in the past.

NYTimes

Rolex

Upwardly ResponsiveAlthough there are plenty of brands adapting theirwebsites for smartphone and tablet users, responsive design should work for bigger screens too.

Firebox

It goes without saying that a growing proportion of your website's visitors will be using handheld devices with little screens, but you may be surprised by how many people use bigger screens.

Ecommerce brands will hopefully recognise this going into 2015 and adapt the experience for our giant screens in the office and at home.

Pull & Bear

Motion Design

Infinite Scroll Fades

Modular Scrolling

Flat UILove it or hate it. Its here to stay.

Why Flat?Clean, Simple, Polished DesignEasy to use UIBright Vibrant ColorsWorks Seamlessly with Responsive DesignFaster Load Times

Little known fact68%Of web designers globally expect flat design is here to stay9%Said it was a passing fad

Examples

Micro UXMicro UX design is all about delighting the user by using simple innovative design that not only makes a task easier but also creates an engaging experience.

Some Examples

The Threadless shopping cart pop-out that bounces up and down with happiness

An oldie but a goodie Hover Zoom

Some ExamplesIn Gmails latest incarnation you can take out vast swathes of your inbox with a swipe of the finger.On Flickr if people leave caps lock on by accident, it will convert the message into more civilized lower case.

experience trumps storyStories in digital are being told across many platforms and in many different formats. Heres how we must revisit the way we approach storytelling in 2015.

Think Beyond MessageWeve been trained through traditional media to think in terms of messages. Briefs are built to craft messages that will change perceptions or communicate essential information. This kind of thinking sells short the unique benefits of digital where we as marketers can create experiences or drive behaviors.

Hondas The Other Side video is a great example of a simple step beyond standard storytelling. The viewer can toggle between two concurrent videos by pressing R on their keyboard. That simple interaction brings the viewer into the story rather than telling it to them.

Create Value Through ExperienceThe most memorable stories for your customers will be created by the real experiences they have with your brand.

The best way to start is by thinking about the behaviors you want to drive, and build stories that lead to or are integrated with these experiences. One of the most underutilized cross-platform storytelling devices is sequential messaging. It allows you to build narrative across multiple devices, but it also allows you to string story over multiple engagements. For example, you could target a video only to customers who had already downloaded and had an experience on your app. In 2015, brands must set behavioral objectives to get the most out of digital.

Sequential Messaging

One of the most underutilized cross-platform storytelling devices is sequential messaging.

Sony EricssonCampaign Builds Relationships via 4-stage competition in 13 countries!

The campaign saw 140,906 clicks from ads to the micro site (standard and adapted re-targeted ads).28,110 users visited the competition landing page and 2,551 logged into the competition.

5,213 participants uploaded their photo from within the ads, 959 of which used the send to a friend option and recommended the competition through the adapted re-targeted ads

By the end of the fourth week, Sony Ericsson had 56,309 impressions served continually at users being re-targeted via the adverts

Discover, Dont Impose2015 is the perfect time to begin putting these principles into practice. Companies that have evolved their approach to storytelling are already redefining what it means to make a lasting connection with their customers.

Brand perceptions are shaped more by customer conversation than advertising. Digital has made this possible, and its also the best first step in revisiting your approach to storytelling. Start with the customer. What are your customers saying about your brand? What else do they talk about? Simply listening will make it clear whats resonating with them, or it will make obvious the important pieces of your story that arent being told.

Emerging TechCool ideas and tools Ive seen or found.

Nuance Voice Ads

MeboxMedia

Spintouch

TV Sync Advertising