About 4C
Our People
We come from diverse backgrounds
About 4C Our People
More than the sum of its parts, every 4 Corners team is designed to bring each project an ideal combination of experiences and expertise. Our people combine different cultural and professional backgrounds, and share a desire to work in a collaborative environment that is difficult to achieve in a traditional agency. Together we are creating a better context for creative excellence.
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About 4C
4 Corners Design
The Building Blocks of Life Online
About 4C 4 Corners Design
Today’s online world is not a one-way street anymore and brands have to redefine how they communicate with (not at) customers.

At 4 Corners we create and deploy brand experiences that engage customers, build communities and ensure a return of investment. We partner with our clients to define objectives and rethink best practices as we explore new forms, media and models. Our human-centered approach is grounded in a collaborative methodology that simultaneously considers user attraction, business needs, technical possibilities and the spirit of the brand.
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About 4C
The Place
4 Corners makes a difference
About 4C The Place
More than an agency, 4 Corners is a frame of mind. It is a place that bridges physical and virtual worlds and explores all dimensions of brand experience. It is a place where multiple disciplines come together to give new ideas shape. It is a place that makes a difference.
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Projects
Swanke Hayden Connell Architects
A fresh look at architecture online
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Projects Swanke Hayden Connell Architects
Swanke Hayden Connell Architects
A fresh look at architecture online

Topics:
Swanke Hayden Connell Architects, Interactive Design, Welcome, Information Architecture, Technology & Development, Content Management
Swanke Hayden Connell Architects needed an update to their website; present a modern and contemporary look and feel, while still honoring the firm’s 100-year-long history. 4 Corners undertook an extensive Discovery process and, teaming with SHCA, conceptualized a website which showcases SHCA’s best work and rich experience. 4 Corners fully designed and developed the site, including an extensive Content Management System, utilizing the most up-to-date innovative technologies to create a seamless, fast, and effective website from top to bottom.
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Projects
Office Depot Racing
Applying a brand to a new space and new audience.
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Projects Office Depot Racing
Office Depot Racing
Applying a brand to a new space and new audience.

Topics:
Office Depot Racing, Interactive Design, Information Architecture, Social Media, Technology & Development, Brand Strategy, Marketing & Advertising, Content Management
In an ongoing relationship with Office Depot, a NASCAR sponsor, 4 Corners has strategized, designed, and developed the website for Office Depot Racing. Creating and maintaining a website where fans can really connect with both Office Depot and Carl Edwards, the No. 99 NASCAR driver, 4 Corners leveraged social networking capabilities to provide an environment where fans can interact and showcase their own content, as well as receive up-to-date news, photos, videos, appearances, and race-related information.
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Discussion
Yammer is the new NEW Twitter (this time for work)
It might seem like a bit of an overkill with all of these Twitter...
Discussion
Yammer is the new NEW Twitter (this time for work)

It might seem like a bit of an overkill with all of these Twitter clones, but Yammer seems to fall into a bit more of a niche. Creating a network solely for you and your coworkers (based on your email addresses), Yammer lets you microblog what you're working on, and check in with your colleagues as well. You can also post updates directly through an IM service. Seems like it could be handy in a company where lots of people work offsite. Check it out here.

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Projects
TIME Global Business Section
A new offering for a unique niche of global business travelers.
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Projects TIME Global Business Section
TIME Global Business Section
A new offering for a unique niche of global business travelers.

Topics:
TIME Global Business Section, Interactive Design, Information Architecture, Usability, Research & Testing
International business professional needed a single web destination that catered to their specific and diverse global interests. Taking this to heart, TIME, Inc. and 4 Corners strategized, designed, and developed a new Global Business section for the TIME.com website. Utilizing TIME’s continuing global news coverage and features, data from the World Economic Forum (WEF), and other web sources, the Global Business section allows users to pinpoint specific countries and regions to gain information on top news stories in the area as well as local currency, language, capitol city, major airports, business customs, and top industries. The site fully utilizes the WEF’s ranking system, outlining the top 100 countries in which to do businesses, based on criteria such as global competitiveness, corruption, and infrastructure. A convenient and one-stop location for both breaking news and important business information catered specifically to the global business professional.
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Projects
Vintage New Zealand
A world of "social commerce" around New Zealand and its wine.
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Projects Vintage New Zealand
Vintage New Zealand sought to solve a unique problem in the American marketplace – create a single environment where customers can not only purchase all New Zealand wines in one location, but also experience the wines as much as possible in an online setting. 4 Corners developed extensive content, include video “Virtual Tastings” and interactive maps and features, that allow users to interact as much as possible with the wines before purchase. Also utilizing social networking features, users interact with each other and share insights, opinions, their own personal “cellars,” and experiences to bring forward the concept of Social Commerce.
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Projects
Hallmark Magazine
Giving a new presence online to a trusted brand.
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Projects Hallmark Magazine
Hallmark Magazine
Giving a new presence online to a trusted brand.

Topics:
Hallmark Magazine, Interactive Design, Information Architecture
Hallmark was faced with the challenge of taking a long-established and trusted brand and refitting it online for their newly launched magazine. Building upon the magazine’s design, as well as extensive audience research, 4 Corners designed a highly engaging website which acts not only as an online destination for articles and magazine content, but more importantly as an online destination for users . 4 Corners carefully took into consideration the primary audience and architected and designed a site that is highly appealing and interactive, and maintains the voice and “fun” factor that makes the print publication so successful.
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Projects
Scholastic
Rethinking online search, creating a unique and fun experience.
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Projects Scholastic
Scholastic
Rethinking online search, creating a unique and fun experience.

Topics:
Scholastic, Interactive Design, Information Architecture, emerging trends, Product/Application Development
Working with Scholastic, 4 Corners explored the concept of searching for products and took it to a whole new level. The pilot version of the Parent Path is an interactive tool that allows parents and children to search by creating a story (and accompanying avatar) around the child’s grade, age, reading level, and variety of interests. Based on this narrative, users receive finely tuned book recommendations, as well as options to save and share their reading lists. 4 Corners worked closely with Scholastic to create the voice, interactivity, and illustrative style for the wizard, which is now being expanded for further release including the development of a teacher-focused version.
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Projects
DoubleClick / Diameter
Branding DoubleClick’s research division.
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Projects DoubleClick / Diameter
DoubleClick / Diameter
Branding DoubleClick’s research division.

Topics:
DoubleClick / Diameter, Brand Strategy, Identity Systems, Naming, Print Design
DoubleClick needed a name and brand platform for their newly acquired internet research division. 4 Corners began by developing a platform – “The Essential Element” – that positions the new company as a critical ingredient in online marketing and strategy. From there, 4 Corners developed the “Diameter” name – borrowing a word from geometry that at once conveys measurement, comprehensiveness, and technology – and the visual identity system: a simple wordmark and arrow symbol that “measures” any object imaginable.
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Projects
McGraw-Hill Construction
Connecting people, products and projects online
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Projects McGraw-Hill Construction
McGraw-Hill Construction
Connecting people, products and projects online

Topics:
McGraw-Hill Construction, Interactive Design, Information Architecture, Brand Strategy, Print Design, Marketing & Advertising, Product/Application Development
McGraw-Hill Construction, a $3.4 trillion global company, needed an online platform to host over a million professionals, linking users to their vast database of resources and materials. To do this, 4 Corners designed the Sweets Network for Products, aimed at connecting people, projects, and products. The network catalogs, describes, facilitates, and helps users (including ten thousand manufacturers, engineers, and architects) interact and discover a myriad of online construction products. In addition, 4 Corners created the branding and advertising collateral including, brochures, rich media banners, multi-tier direct mailers, and print advertisements.
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Discussion
What did you do today? ididwork.com
A friend just turned me on to this delightfully simple work log,...
Discussion
What did you do today? ididwork.com

A friend just turned me on to this delightfully simple work log, ididwork.com. The name pretty much says it all; log the work that you did, tag it if you like, and ididwork.com will create charts mapping your work, email your logs to your manager (if desired), and schedule work reviews. This is a handy little tool for jobs where you have to log hours on certain projects, or you may be working on site and have to report in your work to your manager. Just a great example on how simplicity wins over and a site without too many bells and whistles can be most useful.

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Discussion
"We're All Gonna Die"
While the title of his work ("We're All Gonna Die") might suggest...
Discussion
"We're All Gonna Die"
While the title of his work ("We're All Gonna Die") might suggest otherwise, Danish photographer Simon Hoegsberg's 100-meter composite photograph is truly amazing. The 178 subjects were shot over a 20-day period in which Hoegsberg perched himself on a bridge in Berlin. Scroll through the entire image and try to pick out which subjects noticed the camera here.
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Discussion
Hungry like the (Trip)Wolf?
I love stumbling across creative applications of Google Maps, and...
Discussion
Hungry like the (Trip)Wolf?

I love stumbling across creative applications of Google Maps, and TripWolf incorporates one of the coolest. It combines the GMap with Q&As (think Yahoo Answers), social networking (integrated with Facebook), and a wide breadth of information to create one of the coolest travel advisor sites out there. Just a quick look around gets great suggestions from users on sites all over the world, including tips from a destination's primary user (or "guru"). Check it out here.

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Discussion
Ever want to learn Japanese?
...well now may be your chance! Check out iKnow.co.jp for a really...
Discussion
Ever want to learn Japanese?
...well now may be your chance! Check out iKnow.co.jp for a really great and simple online learning tool - which allows you to enroll in and take courses directly on the site, track your progress, and connect with other students. The architecture and interface are so straightforward and simple, really easy to use. This is huge, because, as a former Instructional Designer, I know that designing a usable and functional UI for training and education is super difficult. I'm thoroughly impressed! Check it out koko.
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Discussion
Gmail Goggles
Jacqui Cheng over at Ars Technica writes... "How many times have you...
Discussion
Gmail Goggles

Jacqui Cheng over at Ars Technica writes...

"How many times have you stumbled home after a long night out with
friends, only to plop down in front of the computer and start sending
e-mails that you would wake up regretting the next day? ..."

"Called "Mail Goggles," the Gmail add-on makes sending e-mail from Gmail
more difficult during certain times that you can set manually (while
sober, that is). How does it do this? If you have Mail Goggles
installed—which you can do by going to the "Labs" tab under your Gmail
settings and turning them on—it will force you to answer a series of
math questions before sending out any new messages..."

Read the full article here.

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Discussion
Some surprising Twitter Stats
Last month a social media analytics provider called Sysomos published...
Discussion
Some surprising Twitter Stats
Last month a social media analytics provider called Sysomos published a in-depth report on Twitter usage. Here are the 10 conclusions that might help a brand to  better understand the potential uses of Twitter:
  • 72.5% of all users joining during the first five months of 2009.
  • 85.3% of all Twitter users post less than one update/day
  • 21% of users have never posted a Tweet
  • 93.6% of users have less than 100 followers, while 92.4% follow less than 100 people.
  • 5% of Twitter users account for 75% of all activity
  • New York has the most Twitters users, followed by Los Angeles, Toronto, San Francisco and Boston; while Detroit was the fast-growing city over the first five months of 2009
  • More than 50% of all updates are published using tools, mobile and Web-based, other than Twitter.com. TweetDeck is the most popular non-Twitter.com tool with 19.7% market share.
  • There are more women on Twitter (53%) than men (47%)
  • Of the people who identify themselves as marketers, 15% follow more than 2,000 people. This compares with 0.29% of overall Twitter users who follow more than 2,000 people.
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Discussion
High Speed Photography using the Arduino
Using a laser and sensor to create an electronic trip wire, this high...
Discussion
High Speed Photography using the Arduino
Using a laser and sensor to create an electronic trip wire, this high tech photographer used the Arduino programmer to capture high speed pictures of liquid droplets, creating this outstanding collection of photographs. [caption id="attachment_324" align="alignleft" width="300" caption="High speed photography captures a splash"]High speed photography captures a splash[/caption]
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Discussion
Know where you are - with Geode
A wise man once said, "Wherever you go, there you are," and now with Geode, announced today from Mozilla Labs, your web browser will know where you are as well. Geode will be available in the upcoming beta releases of Firefox 3.1, and will allow users to fire up their computers from any location, direct their browser to their favorite review site (like Yelp, Citysearch, etc.), and have customized location-specific information surfaced. But the potential expands beyond just fun - imagine an RSS reader that knows the difference between Home and Work, or a news website that is truly local. Read more at the Mozilla Labs blog.
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