Case Studies

Boston University Center for Design and Imaging Arts

Overview: Fresh Tilled Soil was asked to build out the design based on preliminary wireframes and to create a content management system to administer the entire website, including a Flash/XML Content Management component to update the Student Work galleries.

Old System: Prior to using our FullControl CMS (Content Management System) all changes were uploaded manually. Staff had to rely on students or professors with HTML knowledge to make even the simplest of changes.

New System: This fully automated CMS gave the CDIA more control over their site’s content and reduced the long term site maintenance overhead and need for expensive internal web masters.

Ratepoint

Overview: When we were approached to redesign the RatePoint business directory, search and business profile pages and merchant badge elements, the RatePoint site needed a fresh Web 2.0 style design and improved usability for consumers and merchants.

Previously: The clunky, old-fashioned design presented a usability challenge for users of the sites services. Merchants and consumers were struggling to find the services they needed and were becoming confused by the difficult to use navigation.

Currently: Our revised design presented a cleaner, friendlier design which allowed the incorporation of multiple categories of data. Action-oriented items weaved throughout designs to encourage user participation and provide contextual help. This design speeds up the users experience and ensures a more accurate sharing of information.

GE Healthcare

Overview: FTS was asked to use their Rapid Prototyping design process to execute a time sensitive redesign of the high level UI pages and functions for GE Healthcare’s Centricity Patient Online Application.

Previously: The dated fashioned design was bogged down with unclear action items, too much redundancy and a lack of cross-data from complimentary sections. Users needed a clearer understanding of how to manage their healthcare appointments and medications online.

Currently: Much cleaner design with easy-to-understand action items, complimentary data and a highly useable dashboard. Incorporation of contextual help and reducing the number of inputs required at each step improved overall usability for all constituents.

GetSolar.com

Overview: Matt Jennison’s JM Energy sought to create a revolutionary directory of localized Solar Professionals, complimented with a Knowledgebase, Blog and Content Management System.

FTS delivered a comprehensive, data-driven directory solution where merchants can add and upgrade their profiles; manage testimonials and their photo gallery. Solar shoppers search by State or Zip code to find qualified professionals in their neighborhood as well as learn about solar trends and the future of this exciting industry.

Greendeavor

Overview: Entrepreneur Adriaan Zimmerman wanted to use the exciting power of Social Networking and Community to drive affiliate sales for “green” products.

FTS delivered a highly-scalable social networking and affiliate-based model where users can network, make product suggestions, shop and comment on what green means to them. Also included is a comprehensive Content Management System, based on our FullControl CMS platform, allowing Adriaan and his team to instantly update virtually any facet of content displayed on the site.

Blue Cross Blue Shield

Overview: Blue Cross Blue Shield Corporate was in need of a redesign of their Corporate Intranet. They wanted to leverage the power of quality design to get their employees more excited and involved with fundraisers, company news, industry issues and Blue Cross’ stance on a variety of topics. Working cooperatively with Surface Theory, lead by Dwight Porter, we were able to deliver a series of templates used to improve the BCBS Corporate Intranet experience.

MIT 100K

The 100K entrepreneurship competition is one of the largest and most noteworthy of all Global Entrepreneurship events. Teams from all over the world compete with innovative business plans, and a team of judges and mentors guides them through the process and ultimately names 1 winner.

MIT 2006 Organizational Committee Leader, Tron Weullner, and 2007 Leader Jeff Sabados worked closely with Fresh Tilled Soil to redesign the entire site, calendar system, registration wizard and secure account pages. FTS has recently launched this new design and is currently developing an extensive Content Management System to help Sabados’ team administer changes throughout many sections of the site independently.