We believe true innovation happens when strong multidisciplinary groups come together, build a collaborative culture, and explore the intersection of their different points of view. Many talk about multidisciplinary collaboration, but few are actually successful at sustaining attempts to see what will happen. Even strong partners often lose interest because they cannot get along well enough or long enough to see the fruits of collaboration. We believe having designers in the mix is key to success in multidisciplinary collaboration and critical to uncovering unexplored areas of innovation. Designers provide a methodology that all parties can embrace and a design environment conducive to innovation. In our experience, design thinking is the glue that holds these kind of communities together and makes them successful. 

Read this book

It is no secret that everything on the Internet revolves upon all things social. For many organizations social mediums are primary marketing venues used to engage new and loyal audiences. Everyday those involved in social networks are given the power to voice opinions, judge content, and participate in multiple conversations centered upon a variety of topics. In a society where commerce is dependent on the Internet it is easy to ignore the consequences of a culture infatuated with the intangible.

At what point do we realize technology does not enhance real life? Quirky 140-character blurbs and frequent status updates to those I haven’t “actually” talked to in years does nothing for my daily life. Social networks should not exist for marketing ploys. I am reminded that great social media tactics are not a substitute for raw influence.

Influence comes often by responding to awkward moments. Looking people in the eye and telling them they matter is serious business. Social media may give everyone a megaphone but just because someone is loud doesn’t make them worth listening too. I agree with Gladwell. May we be reminded that influence through social media doesn’t begin with the intangible. In contrast, influence is harnessed by activists willing to give their time to the issues at hand.

In April 2011, some good friends of mine used social media as a tool to harness resources for those in need after a tornado outbreak occurred in the Southeast United States. From chainsaws to donations these two men worked long days and nights to organize and spur a sense of peace in their community. They cut countless trees to clear roads and spurred more donations than anyone I know. They made things happen and that’s way more then the person clicking “Like” and “Retweet” ever did.

When the tangible is substituted for the intangible – we’ve failed. 

Lee University is a private, comprehensive university located in Cleveland, Tennessee, in the foothills of the Appalachian Mountains. Lee is emerging as a leader in higher education in the southeastern region and was ranked in 2010 in the “Top Tier” in the South by U.S. News & World Report (Comprehensive Medium-Size Universities). Lee is also ranked by Princeton Review’s “Best Colleges” and is now one of the 141 colleges named Best in the Southeast. The university’s growing reputation as a quality institution can be seen in the high caliber of faculty, students, and friends who are drawn to the campus.

Directive:

In February 2011, the Whiteboard Network was selected to lead design for the next phase of Lee University’s website. Through select social media strategies, high-impact imagery, and distinct user pathways the new design focuses on left-brain and right-brain information interpretation. The user experience must allow for desired content to be viewed quickly.

Solution:

Our vision for the Lee University website was to allow the campus and community to speak for itself through high-impact imagery while keeping in mind a wide demographic that would be utilizing the website. We created a website that is very clean and relies on usability as it’s core strength. The design is driven towards user pathways that include current students, prospective students, and an extensive alumni network. Through strategy, web, promotional and collateral material, we have and continue to serve Lee University.

The new Lee University website will launch in Spring 2011.

Press:

A New IT In Town

Next Gen Youth Leaders Network (NGYN21) emerged from the conversations of Empowered21 (E21) leaders in response to the need for a Global Youth Leaders Network.

Directive:

Commissioned by the NGYN21 Commission Board and Pastor Billy Wilson – NGYN21.com was mandated to be a network existing to build leaders, unite voices, resource others, connect movements, and preach Jesus. The Whiteboard Network’s directive was to illustrate these core values throughout the entire platform.

Solution:

The core to this platform is a customized global mashup that displays all network participants. Built upon Web 2.0 strategies – the platform is designed to distribute relevant content to the network abroad. Also, to drive dialogue through social platforms we integrated a commenting feature that drives Facebook interaction.

Visit the Website

A young composer loses what he loved most in the world, his fiancée and their unborn child. Now he’s trying to say goodbye the only way he knows how – with his music. Led under the direction of award-winning director Myles Matsuno – Ella was filmed in November 2011 in Chattanooga, Tennessee at the historic Tivoli Theater. The film is set to release in March 2012. The Whiteboard Network built the web platform to showcase film and sponsor information.

Visit the Website

2POLARITIES is the response of a special education teacher who was diagnosed with manic bipolar disorder at 57 years old after struggling his whole life with something he could not articulate. His life changed in one moment, but through encounters with people all over the world who are living with and have been impacted by bipolar disorder — he decided to create an outlet of hope with a collective voice that raises awareness through real stories and people.

Challenge:

Building something from scratch is not easy. The Whiteboard Network was tasked to produce a new awareness campaign and platform that engages audiences impacted by bipolar disorder.

Solution:

The identity utilizes two typefaces merged together symbolizing the nature of bipolar disorder. The background of the website was donated to us by Richard Mohler. Dependent upon Web 2.0 strategies – the Whiteboard Network continues to work alongside the 2POLARITIES team in serving as a voice to those impacted by bipolar illness.

Visit the Website

Directive:
The Whiteboard Network was commissioned to conceptualize and lead the next generation initiative. By integrating relevant content, social media, and an online forum, the brand integrates traditional resource platforms with Christian praxis and dialogue at the core of the interface.

Solution:
Through interviews, case studies, and research on trends of a new generation -the Whiteboard Network named the brand, statement(s). With an emphasis on the plural the name simply means that Christians are called to reflect truth in all things. Each resource is a statement of faith, hope, and most importantly, love. We enveloped the concept from the ground-up and continue carrying the mission forward alongside the team at Pathway Press.

Launching November 2011

David Putman is a pastor, author, and co-founder of the second largest church-planters gathering in the nation, Churchplanters.com. In 2011, David Putman embarked on a new journey entitled, Planting The Gospel, an initiative     that aspires to plant 10,000 churches in the next ten years. Dependent upon a belief that is counter to models endorsing consumerism and celebrity – PlantingTheGospel.com fine tunes motives and gets back to the simplicity of following Jesus.

Directive:

David Putman approached the Whiteboard Network about creating the inaugural web platform and identity for PlantingTheGospel.com.

Solution:

In response to research and dozens of concepts – the Whiteboard Network landed on a minimal identity that was inspired by salvation bracelets. Our team designed a grid-based web platform that features high-impact content and resources for audience members. Simple in heartbeat, Planting The Gospel features complex projects in moving their mission forward.

Visit the Website

Led by Pastor Mike Atkins, River Crossing is a faith-based community in Jackson Hole, Wyoming.

Directive:

When River Crossing approached the Whiteboard Network they were seeking an refreshed look that would feature upcoming events, sermons, and integrate social media platforms. Also, River Crossing is located in one of the most beautiful places in the world – Jackson Hole, Wyoming.

Solution:

Utilizing high-impact imagery this site is driven by the beautiful setting that River Crossing is in. The site displays dozens of pictures and with every click the user experiences the culture that River Crossing is placed in.

Visit the Website

Founded in 1907, Toccoa Falls College is a Christ-centered educational institution that prepares men and women for vocational and professional occupations. The college is located in the foothills of the northeast Georgia mountains.

Directive:

When Toccoa Falls College approached the Whiteboard Network about a possible shift in brand presentation our team was overwhelmed with the tight-knit community that is Toccoa Falls College. The institution desired for a web presence that would encompass the beauty of the surrounding area and culture of the community. The main goal of the website is that it would encompass clear opportunities for prospective students, current students, and the alumni of Toccoa Falls College.

Solution:

We captured the beauty and culture of Toccoa Falls College mainly through high-impact imagery. The centerpiece of the campus is a 186 feet waterfall (six feet higher than Niagara) that we decided to plug-in as an HTML5 video on the homepage. Once launched, the website gained more unique visits in one day then it had the previous twelve months. Also by enveloping a holistic strategy for social media implementation, Toccoa Falls College continues to gain traction through consistent content output.

Visit the Website