HIVE launch party

HIVE celebrated the launch of our new brand with a party, we opened the studio to clients, suppliers, friends and family to enjoy custom HIVE cocktails, canapes, HIVE art, fooseball and music. The rooftop was jammed and everyone partied into the night.

Show casing on the night was the new brand and art installations created by HIVE especially for the occasion. These included a dark room interactive explosion, allowing guests to be part of the fun, our HIVE art, a visual playground on a series of canvases and we also went old school with a HIVE chalkboard encouraging everyone to express themselves. This was just a taste into the teams diversity and passion and we would like to thank all that came along.

With such a fantastic end to the year we now look forward to a fresh 2008 with some new and exciting projects on the horizon.

View photos from our launch party on Flickr.

[warning: geek content ahead]

HIVE Tweens to AS3

As programmers, we like to make cool stuff. We like to make sites that are fun, engaging and easy to use. Interestingly, it's actually the fun, elegant and intuitive websites that require more code and complexity!

So, we love it when new tools come along that allow us to make even better stuff! Around August '07, the HIVE Interactive team began our first Flash projects programmed in the new version of ActionScript, AS3. We love it!

This new version of our favourite friend, ActionScript, was a major evolution and included a number of fundamental changes and we just have to share a few of them:

Object Orientated, For The Geek

The new language supports true object orientated programming which allows us to break very complex interactions into an organised sequence of objects that work together (using Design Patterns). Think of it as an army of bees, and each has their own job. This new feature lets us produce bigger, faster and more interactive projects and significantly reduce the testing and debugging time required.

The Evolution Will Be Broadcast As an Event

Events have been part of Flash for years now. In AS3 they are even more prominent, and we use them as the main method of getting each object to communicate with each other. Think of it like someone shouting they have done a job, and their boss going, "Cheers! Can you run down the shop and grab me a coffee now please!?".

Harder Better Faster Stronger

AS3 based Flash content runs up to 10 times faster than previous Flash Player versions with the new player, allowing us to push the limits of interaction.

Video Like Digital TV

A new video engine allows us to run true high-definition (HD) video content in a browser to maximise the impact of any video or animation produced for a site. Put your TVC's or use rich interactive video to introduce your product.

Interactive 3D (Makes My World Spin)

Another major advantage with AS3 is that it is much faster and we are now able to integrate interactive and dynamic 3D artwork into our sites.

Anyway, that's enough geeking for the time being,
Cheers,
Joseph

HIVE built upon solid foundations for the new Henley website.

In 2007 we began discussions with Henley, one of Australia’s largest home builders, regarding designing and developing a new website.

Understanding the Challenge

Before we started any graphic or development work, we first set about analysing the existing Henley site and identifying specific goals and objectives for the new website. In order to create a design and implement a successful website, careful research and planning needs to take place to ensure the site is targeted, articulate and focused.

Initially, we identified that display centres acted as the number one sales tool. Potential buyers have an emotional response when visiting the homes, imagining living there themselves. Appropriately, we set the main goal of their new website to be to encourage site users to visit the display homes to experience them for themselves.

Exploring the Solution

After our initial research, we had two primary objectives which would drive both creative and technical development.

1. From the extensive range of Henley homes, help people identify homes that suite them and meet their requirements
2. Encourage an emotional connection and a desire to visit the homes on display, via large, beautiful images and simple, intuitive and elegant interaction.

Based on this challenge our creative efforts were focused on showcasing Henley Homes in an immersive, fluid user experience. We aimed to simulate the 'flow' found in good architecture within an on-line expression of the brand. Seamless transitions allow users to move throughout the site in a natural and graceful manner.

We built on the solid foundations HIVE and Henley have produced over the years creating the highest quality image assets ensuring every detail of the site maintained the highest standard of finish and control.

Development and Delivery

The new Henley Victoria site was launched on time and on budget on 28th December 2007. The site combines the latest web technologies (including AS3 - geek out above) to create an easy to use, engaging web experience. It continues to deliver positive results with greater website and increased display centre traffic.

The site includes a number of innovative new tools:

• interactive home finder
• large, immersive product presentation
• interactive kitchen and bathroom showcase
• add to favourites list
• send to friend systems

Early results from the new site have been outstanding:

• overall site traffic is up by over 200%
• visit duration is 5 minutes (or more) for 50% of visitors with 50% of visitors returning to the site
• almost 7% of visitors have either added homes to their favourites list, contacted Henley via the site or contacted friends via the sites "send to friend" system - great figures for high level interaction of this nature.

With results like this, it's clear the website has been successful, and we really enjoyed working on it.

Visit the site and check it out yourself

With a spring in his step, David is our people person. He has a wealth of knowledge from international experience in design, print and marketing. Responsible for bringing in new innovative projects and ensuring everyone's creative taste buds are wet. When he’s not on the road he is managing projects or trying to squeeze a game of golf in.

Nickname: Davide
Dexterity: Left however right on the golf course
Distinguishing features: birthmark in the shape of Mauritius - I won't tell you where
Favorite place: Split, Croatia
Favorite website (currently): www.kanyeuniversity.com/blog/
Contribution to studio: morning sing alongs, ok so it's just me but I feel like everyones joining in!

The newest addition to the interactive team. A keen basketballer with a background in PHP and ActionScript. Ke slots right in as the perfect team member with his enthusiasm to perfect his talent. He brings cultural insights and an array of quirky toys to the studio. Ke lives life fast and just recently gained his drivers license, we’re all a little scared.

Nickname: none
Dexterity: Right
Distinguishing features: Red face :)
Favorite place: Anyang, China (My hometown)
Favorite website (currently): www.6park.com
Contribution to studio: Quirky toys and mysterious key rings

HIVE Creative Pty Ltd
20A Macquarie St. Prahran 3181