For anyone based on the French Riviera, the recent ‘chatter’ and gossip about THE new online lifestyle magazine soon to launch here on the Côte d’Azur has been gaining pace. Pure Design were first contacted back in December 2008 by Wayne Brown and his team regarding project assistance on the ‘machine’ we now know as FR2DAY.

Launching on 13th May in Cannes, FR2DAY is a sassy, punchy new online lifestyle magazine and is the sister magazine to the LA based LA2DAY. Written by locals and edited by top UK entertainment and showbiz writer Karen Hockney, it will carry information on showbiz, local talent, shopping, food, style, fashion, travel and what’s on from Monaco to Marseille.

Primarily aimed at the ex-pat Anglophone residential market on the Cote d’Azur, a French version will be launched later in 2009.

Pure Design are proud to be working with Wayne and his team at FR2DAY and hope the project proves to be a huge success.

Each year 14 million hectares of forest disappear from the surface of the planet. Illegal exploitation and businesses linked to it do nothing but destroy the fauna and flora. They also deprive many human beings of their means of subsistance.

In less than 40 years the ecological footprint of people in France has increased by 48% whilst in the same time period the population of the country has only increased by 27%.

That in itself, the energy footprint, calculated on the basis of the surface necessary for a country to absorb its CO2 emmissions, more than doubled (+134%) since 1961.  These figures make you think…they reveal a reality: our lifestyles and our behaviors influence directly and lastingly on the environment. It is therefore urgent to act now! [Read more →]

With 12.000 programs of conservation, the WWF is one of the foremost worldwide organizations for the protection of nature and defense of the environment. The WWF has the role of stopping the process of degradation of the planet and of building a future where human beings will live in harmony with Nature. With this objective, the organization works to preserve the worlds biological diversity, to guarantee a durable use of natural resources and to encourage measures intended to reduce pollution and overconsumption.

In this way, the WWF recommends the use of post-consumption recycled paper and supports the step of environmental performance. [Read more →]

Company: Go Nice
Requirements: Brand Identity, Website Design.
Overview: Pure Design worked with Go Nice initially undertaking the rebranding and corporate identity. The new style was then reflected across their online media with a new website and marketing.
What they said: “From the moment I spoke to Ben and then met him – I immediately felt here is someone I can do business with both now and in future. I know that my web site is going to evolve and wanted to find someone that would help me grow my business through my main trading window of a web site – and it was very important that I found a long term person – that is based here and I can explain my thoughts and ideas and that would understand my needs initially and then work with to evolve the site as my business grows now and for the future.
I found immediately Ben to be responsive, professional and having an immediate understanding of my ideas - so the site was built by Ben – but allowing me influence in its design and structure (which I believe to be very rare) the site was not just picked off the shelf by Ben – also the back-end control was really impressive (something you do not see) I think this simply comes from both experience and having a logical commercial brain – which Ben certainly has.
Ben has also been excellent regarding support issues – always responding quickly and efficiently – with solutions – not just re the web site – but other commercial issues. So I would thoroughly recommend Ben and his colleagues – and certainly I and my clients have been very impressed with the site – and I know I have found someone I trust – and will help me grow my business in the future as it has done over the last year. Many thanks Ben” Paul Manion, Director

Company: Riviera Sea School
Requirements: Brand Identity, Website Design, SEO, Marketing, Stationery & Print.
Overview: The latest website Pure Design are proud to launch belongs to Riviera Sea School. Sam and Nicola approached us late in 2008 regarding a new business project needing branding, website design and marketing support. We look forward to working with RSS in 2009.
What they said: “We approached Ben in 2008 with the view to creating the ‘face’ of our business and in the process of doing so he has exceeded our every expectation. From the logo design to the website Ben has produced a final product that we are extremely proud of. We will continue to use Ben to develop and grow our business and would not hesitate in recommended the services of Pure Design International to anyone. They have done a fantastic job and I am certain we will become life long customers.” Nicola Maxwell

Company: Imaginez Cannes
Requirements: Website Design, SEO, Marketing & Print
Overview: As one of the leading events organisers on the Riviera, Imaginez entrusted their website rebranding to Pure Design. Within a few weeks of the launch, Imaginez were appearing in the top 2-3 positions in Google and enquiries started flooding in.

Company: NC France Immobilier
Requirements: Brand Identity, Website Design, Stationery, Marketing & Print
Overview: Pure Design worked with IPM to deliver an all singing, all dancing CMS Website for NC France. A fresh, modern brand identity has been launched at the same time to make sure NC get themselves noticed here on the Riviera.
What they said: “After being recommended Ben at Pure Design International for a re-brand, logo design and website for our company we have not been disappointed. The service that has been given was truly efficient both in terms of budget and deadlines. Creative, dynamic and straight talking make Pure Design a name we will continue to use our ourselves and recommend in the future” Nick Wellens

Company: Home Hunts
Requirements: Website Design, Stationery, Advertising & Print
Overview: In January 2009, Pure Design teamed up with Software Addons to deliver one of the largest web design projects they have been involved in. Ongoing advertising campaigns and marketing strategies cement the strong working relationship we have with Home Hunts.
What they said: “Having worked with Pure Design for a number of years, I cannot speak highly enough about their professionalism and attention to detail. Ben and his team are full of great ideas and are great to deal with. Even when we put them under fairly strict time constraints, their work was still delivered on time, to its usual high standard.”  Tim Swannie

Company: Playground Inspections Ltd
Requirements: Brand Identity, Website Design, Stationery, Print & Vehicle Wrapping
Overview: Our first website to go live in 2009 belongs to Playground Inspections Ltd based in the UK. A strong but youthful logo was needed along with an interactive website. Pure Design managed to turn the whole project around within 2 weeks to meet time sensitive deadlines.

Company: Big Blue Bijou
Requirements: Brand Identity, Website Design, Stationery & Print
Overview: One of most exciting projects of 2008, Big Blue Bijou is the next big thing in luxury events and exclusive breaks in the south of France. Jessica approached Pure Design in the Summer of 2008 to help launch the brand and with the help of advertising and mystery, the Big Blue Bijou movement is building up steam.

Company: Fine Wine Works
Requirements: Brand Identity, Website Design, SEO, Marketing, Stationery & Print
Overview: Fine Wine Works are the latest new startup business to approach Pure Design regarding their branding and business strategy. Helen, one of two directors of the company is a keen writer so we suggested a wine news blog, where she could let her creative talent loose on the online world. By creating a strong brand and providing SEO on the website, FWW are already taking Google by storm, hitting the N°1 spot for keywords such as ‘wine tasting company riviera’ and ‘wine training company riviera’.
What they said: “Our view is to say that the combination of real design flair and technological know-how is difficult to find, but Ben at Pure Design has got it anduses it to great effect. Combine that with great customer service, speed and value for money and you can’t go wrong!” Nigel & Helen Brotherton

Company: Andrew Doyle Carpentry
Requirements: Brand Identity, Website Design, Stationery & Print
Overview: Pure Design work with all kinds of clients from large international brands to independent new business start ups, and Andrew Doyle Carpentry came under this category. Having run a successful carpentry business for a number of years, Andrew decided he needed to rebrand and have an online presence, and Pure Design helped him create a strong business image.
What they said: “We would not hesitate to recommend Pure Design International to any company looking to create or update their brand identity. Ben Collison’s creativity, vision and ability to create a design personal to us was exactly the service we were looking for. Whilst being very competitive price wise we felt we got a high quality finish on both our printed and “online” products. We were delighted with the results”. Andrew Doyle

Company: Eden
Requirements: Brand Identity, Website Design, Marketing, Stationery & Print
Overview: This summer we have rebranded the relaunched the Eden website. As the business has grown over the last three years so has the website, so Pure Design were commissioned with its development changing the site from a table based site to a CSS/XHTML Google friendly website.
What they said: “Pure Design dealt with everything relating to the launch of our new business from logo design, brand name, signage, website design and stationery. As advertising is very important to Eden we have entrusted this important work to Pure Design who ensure that we have the best possible advertising our budget can afford. As a business, we can fully recommend Ben who has looked after us so well.” Roy Broad

Company: Envirocare MS
Requirements: Brand Identity, Website Design, Advertising, Marketing, Stationery & Print
Overview: Envirocare have been one of Pure Design’s longest serving customers having been launched back in 2004. This Summer (2008) we are proud to relaunch the website alongside a modernised logo and advertising campaigns.
What they said: “Our new website and brochure design has a professional modern approach that reflects what Envirocare Maintenance Solutions is all about. Hugely impressed with Pure Design, Ben Collison has the flare and attention to detail that is irreplaceable. Pure Design will continue to be our design consultant for all our presentation needs, providing on the spot suggestions and completing tasks saving time for our office staff and producing a first class finished result.” David Yates

Company: Elite Estates
Requirements: Brand Identity & Website Design
Overview: Such is the secrecy regarding Elite Estates, we can’t actually give much information away regarding the project… the best way to find out more is to drop them an email… : )

Company: R1
Requirements: Brand Identity, Website Design & Marketing
Overview: R1 (or Riviera One) is the latest Multi Solutions company to hit the French Riviera. Offering a range luxury solutions from Audio and Visual to Telephone and Networking, R1 signed Pure Design to provide ongoing marketing and advertising support online and offline.

Company: Kentingtons
Requirements: Advertising, Marketing, Website Design & Print
Overview: After months of frustration sourcing a reliable and reasonably priced design company on the Riviera, Kentingtons approached Pure Design to take over their marketing and advertising. By delivering a website whereby Kentingtons could keep their website fresh with latest tax news, they now find themselves with an excellent Google ranking with keywords such as ‘Tax and Investment Consultants’.
What they said: “I would highly recommend Pure Design. I ended up using him after having used two after companies who I was unhappy with, mostly due to their costs. Ben is the most efficient, the most creative and a great respecter of deadlines. I only wish I had gone to him first.” Robert Kent

Company: Riviera Asset Management
Requirements: Website Design & Print
Overview: Riviera Asset Management approached our partners Riviera IT Solutions in early 2008 to create an interactive website. The main feature of the site was to be online AIS – where users can track yachts and ships in local waters. The campaign was a success with thousands of hits on the site within the first few weeks.

Company: Lotus Landscape Design
Requirements: Brand Identity, Website Design, Marketing & Print
Overview: Lotus approached Pure Design in 2007 to overhaul their corporate identity and website. A modern, fresh logo was delivered along with a brand new website showcasing some of their latest landscaping work.
What they said: “I was extremely happy with the work Pure Design International carried out on redesigning my existing website. Ben provides a professional personal service and responded quickly to comments and questions which I had. He listened to what I wanted and delivered on time with minimal stress.” Vyvian White

Company: Riviera IT Solutions
Requirements: Website Design, Advertising, Marketing & Print
Overview: Riviera IT Solutions and Pure Design became website design partners late 2006 / early 2007. One of our first projects was to overhaul the RITS website and offer ongoing advertising support. RITS has now become one of the most respected IT companies on the French Riviera.
What they said: “To convey the professionalism of Riviera IT Solution’s work in print we needed a designer who matched our quality and pursuit of excellence. Ben at Pure Design delivered this to a fantastic standard. I would recommend Pure Design to any business here in France.”  Simon Glynn

Company: French Riviera Property Search
Requirements: Website Design
Overview: Pure Design delivered a property website for FRPS within 10 days, such was the deadline. A warm and friendly company, Pure Design look forward to working with Jackie and expanding what is already a business on the up.

Pure Design are proud to announce the release of the French Buying Process. Designed and printed for Home-Hunts – the luxury search specialists – the guide explains some of the pitfalls to avoid when purchasing a property in France and gives advice on finding your idea property and other related issues.

Contents:

- The professionals involved – Who are they?
- Working out your price range
- Finding your ideal property
- Purchasing your property
- Property taxes and related issues
- Life Assurance 

The French Buying Process:

  

Get your own – Open publication

When was the last time someone gave you a business card?  I am sat here trying to think when ‘my last time’ was, and I realise it was Tuesday night – a friend of mine (who funnily enough has just started up his own design company) gave me his new card and explained that I shouldn’t use the phone number stated as he had put a 3 and not an 8.  Thats another topic for a blog….

The time before that I think was ‘a vistaprint special’.  Now I know I might get knocked for saying this, but WHO in their right mind would want to promote their business using one of these cards?  I appreciate they ARE free and the print quality isn’t THAT bad, but it really is a cheap man’s option, a lazy way out and sad to say ‘tacky’.  You get to choose a design from a range of templates and drop your name and details in  - all cleverly automated online – no effort needed.

But this is your business we are talking about!  Your business card is probably the only thing you will leave with a potential client or customer.  Do you really want to leave them with a lightweight, single-sided, flimsy business card with Vistaprints details on the back?  Do you think it will leave a lasting impression. Do you think it will leave a good impression?

Business cards are the least expensive and most cost-effective way to build a business, so put some thought into it.  One client, a private chef, includes recipes on the back of his card. Another client with a public relations company, highlights on the back of his cards nine words one should avoid when writing a press release.  Some companies also try a proactive approach with their business cards by including discount codes, or by converting them into coupons. You can track how well cards are used and get a result, instead of handing it out and not knowing if business did come from your business card or not.

If you are looking to have some business cards designed and printed here on the French Riviera around the Cannes, Nice, Monaco, Grasse, St. Tropez area, call Pure Design International on 04 93 60 05 28.

We can design business cards and print business cards within a day (depending on specification) and can offer a range of finishes: Spot UV Varnish, Matt/Gloss Lamination, Block Foiling, Embossing, Die-Cutting, Raised Inks and can also offer a range of substrates: Plastic PVC Business Cards, textured boards (wove, laids, metallic, opaque, mirrored), heavy weight boards up to 800gsm.

To give you a guide, here are a few price options for business cards:

• Express Card: 100 Cards, Full Colour – 1 Sided, 350g Matt Board  = 39 euros ht
• Luxury Card: 1000 Cards, Full Colour – 2 Sided, 350g Matt Board, Matt Laminated Both Sides = 109 euros ht
• Prestige Card: 1000 Cards, Full Colour – 2 Sided, 350g Matt Board, Matt Laminated Both Sides, Spot UV Both Sides = 139 euros ht
• Textured Card: 250 Cards, Full Colour – 1 Sided, 350g Board = 109 euros ht (choice of translucent, textured x 3, recycled, chrome x 3)
• PVC Card: 1000 Cards, Full Colour – 2 Sided, 500 microns PVC, Rounded Corners = 349 euros ht
• Adhesive Cards: 1000 Cards, Full Colour – 1 Sided, 80g Matt Adhesive Board  = 129 euros ht

So here we are 7 days into 2009.  We closed our doors over Xmas and New Year and enjoyed a nice relaxing time back in Preston in the UK with the family.  I managed to get through all my “to do’s” from my list this time: – drinking locally brewed beer, playing the drums in a band, organising a treasure hunt for several under 8s, taking my dad on the football and not getting ill!!!!

Back to France on the 8th and ‘BANG’ – ill!!!!!  Sounds like everyone has had it, has it or will get it – seems like 2009 is welcoming everyone with’les bronchites’!!!

Work has been kind – several website proposals have come to fruition and end of January deadlines are looking ‘do-able’.  We’ve had half a dozen new enquiries, everything from print, branding and eCommerce sites.  I’ve even helped a friend of mine set up his own design company over in Le Tignet.  Full of enthusiasm and talent, I’m sure he’ll be a success!!!

So, I’m sorry I’ve not followed the hoards and sent out a generic ‘Happy New Year’ card – I thought I’d just write a few words here in the rambling corner of Pure Design and wish you all a successful year (even with the newspapers trying to scare us silly with stories of woe and suffering).

All the best!
Ben

In November of this year Google released its first official guide to Search Engine Optimisation in the form of a 22 page PDF  - Search Engine Optimization Starter Guide. The guide is well written and offers excellent basic advice on such topics as Page Titles, Description Meta Tag, URL Structure, Site Navigation, Creating Quality Content, Anchor Text, Heading Tags (H1s, H2s, etc.), Image Optimization, Robots.txt, Rel=”nofollow”, Website Promotion, Webmaster Tools, Analytics.

[Read more →]

BBB – Big Blue Bijou is one of the most exciting brands to arrive on the French Riviera. Founded by Jessica Dash, the Bijou brand is the next Big thing in events and luxury breaks in the south of France. [Read more →]

On the 9th November 2003 we packed our little Corsa up and set off down the M6 heading for the south of France. Today, we have celebrated 5 years in France with a warm baguette, slab of cheese and some cheap, but rather lovely red wine. Our 5 year anniversary in France funnily coincided with my first year as ‘a blogger’.

What a lot to celebrate!!! [Read more →]