Please Note
Longbridge Device Lab is now a retired project. We are grateful for our team members and supporters who contributed to the project.
TL;DR
We created a new website and branding for our own not-for-profit project – an open device lab serving the local app and web developer community.
Project Overview
Being a new project, Longbridge Device Lab did not have any internet presence or branding and therefore required complete website and branding design.
The website was created to provide information about the services offered, with a booking system to allow website visitors to book online.
As an in-house project, we also wanted the Longbridge Device Lab website to reflect everything that Ballyhoo is currently capable of, both in terms of responsive web design and complex functionality.
Who are Longbridge Device Lab?
Longbridge Device Lab was established by Ballyhoo in late 2014 to assist in the testing of websites and applications across varying mobile and desktop devices. Longbridge Device Lab provided free access to an assortment of smartphones and tablets to allow the local creative community to physically test their responsive websites and app development on a range of different screen resolutions, operating systems and hardware specifications.
Project Brief
Longbridge Device Lab did not have any internet presence or branding and therefore needed a new website, along with brand guidelines – including logo and logomark. The website needed to promote its convenient location and include an online booking system.
As Longbridge Device Lab was a project designed to assist the local technological community, a website blog where information about the evolution of the lab and details of local events and developments could be featured was also important.
Longbridgedevicelab.co.uk was created to provide information about the service as well as to provide a booking system to allow visitors to easily arrange appointments to use the facility. Information about the devices available also needed to be displayed as well as accurate and detailed location information.
Brand Guidelines
Given our affiliation with Longbridge (Ballyhoo has been based here since 2012) and association with the growing community of tech businesses within our home at the Innovation Centre, we wanted the branding for Longbridge Device Lab to represent an organisation at the forefront of today’s technology but be reminiscent of the region’s roots.
Taking all the requirements into consideration we set about designing a suitable logo for the lab and many revisions later produced full branding guidelines.
A final logo and brand were produced that accurately represented the outlined criteria. The main logo resembles the hood ornament of a car, depicting Longbridge’s rich history with the Austin Motor Company and later Rover, with a tablet device as the centerpiece to represent modern-day Longbridge, its aspirations to become the technological hub of Birmingham and the Device Lab itself.
- #HTML5
- #CSS3
- #JavaScript
- #MySQL
Design
With full branding in place we commenced work on the design of the website. The contrasting colours of yellow and black (think crash test dummies) which were set out in the brand guidelines were used throughout the designs to create a striking and positive impression and generate excitement.
A simple welcome message followed by an immediate call to action, allowing the visitor to easily make an appointment, dominates the homepage. Further down the page visitors can see latest entries from the blog, providing them with all the latest developments.
A ‘Devices’ page was designed to provide guests with easily digestible information about the devices available followed by call to actions, to assist the user in making an appointment or to donate a device.
The ‘Appointments’ page allows the user to select a date and time that they would like to visit the lab and provide contact information so that appointment times can be arranged.
Finally a ‘Location’ page was designed to provide as much information about the area as possible; address, transport and local facilities etc.
Designs for multiple screen resolutions were provided to allow longbridgedevicelab.co.uk to display and operate seamlessly accross a wide range of screen resolutions and devices.
Web Development
Longbridgedevicelab.co.uk was built using Ballyhoo Refresh, not only because we feel it is important to champion our own system but because its flexibility and ease of use provides the perfect platform for a site such as this one. On top of the existing features, a custom module was created to suit the needs of the flexible booking system required.
As always, this website was built in a temporary online environment where extensive testing (using Longbridge Device Lab itself!) could be carried out prior release to the public.
Key Features
Online Booking System
An online booking system was developed to allow guests to easily book an appointment to use the lab.
Device List
An easily digestible list of devices, their operating systems and screen resolutions.
Newsletter Signup
A form in the footer of the website allows users to enter their email address and subscribe to the Longbridge Device Lab email newsletter. Email addresses are automatically stored on email campaign software for inclusion on future communications.
Location Page
A detailed location page providing an interactive Google Map along with our address, travel information and details of local amenities.
- #Google Analytics
- #Email Marketing
- #Google Maps
How Can We Help?
If you are in need of a new website, a revamp for your existing website, development to work responsively or anything related to websites and the internet in general then feel free to get in touch. Any member of the Ballyhoo team will be happy to help and can be contacted by telephone on 0121 295 5352, email to [email protected] or via the contact form below.
Contact us
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