We Need to Talk, Google+.

It was in development for several years. It was being heralded as the great Facebook killer. It was supposed to change everything. Sadly, at least in my opinion, Google+ has most definitely NOT been those things. To some, Google+ has fulfilled everything that they ever wanted in a social media sharing site. Now I will give them that the stark white and clean design aesthetic is a major thumbs up, but it lacks a general sense of character and pizazz. In short, Google+ has failed me.

But oh boy, did it certainly create a buzz leading up to it's official launch. Classical marketing tactics were used by Google to draw in the people looking for the newest, hottest and trendiest social network. I'll admit, I was wooed into it. I was chomping at the bits to get an "invite" from someone who'd already been accepted into Google's new club. And that's when I felt nostalgic, and my memory frolicked back to the heyday of Facebook - the exclusivity factor. Quite frankly, I felt "cool" to get that premier invite, and like I was a part of an elite group.

For about a month, I used it fairly regularly. It became part of my routine "social network check" on my iPhone. I check Facebook first and foremost, then peruse Instagram, followed by a quick few swipes of Twitter, a check-in if applicable via FourSquare, and THEN I'd pay a visit to Google+. Granted, it wasn't in my top 3, but I did use it often. I liked the interface, both web and mobile. It was enjoyable to navigate and easy on the eyes.

The predominately white layout was different, but nice. The familiar profiles were unique enough, and the chat features were great. Friends and I would chat often and share links left and right. This trend kept up for a little while. Then, without notice, interest drastically dropped.  People weren't popping in as frequently as they used to. Links weren't being passed around. Chats and hangouts weren't taking place. Naturally, other companies and business were still updating and sharing like it wasn't affected by my small group's diminished enthusiasm in G+. As of now, the most recent post from one of my friends was January 14th, 2012.

It's clear to me that the Google train has lost a bit of it's steam. I believe that they're just fighting for a spot in a 1-man race unfortunately. Facebook has essentially become the Google of social networks; all powerful and synonymous with defining social media as we know it. Google+ on the other hand has become the Bing; effective in what it wants to accomplish, and still has rabid users and fans, just know enough to conquer the juggernaut. How's that for irony?

Early Spring Sprucing

It's that time again!*

Even though the spring season is nearly here (a couple days away in fact), here at Printed Specialties we have jumped the gun a wee bit. Clearing and cleaning out storage spaces of job bags and samples from many years past high above the workroom floor, opened up a new plane of opportunity for us to utilize. What used to occupy these areas became a sort of eyesore for us. It was slowly becoming a mere dust collector; a wasteland of haphazardly strewn boxes and folders. But no more.

After a thorough cleansing and vacuuming, these areas shed new light and got our minds racing with ideas on how to better harness the space. Here is an example of the cleared space...

Clean and empty. What to do, what to do.

If you could imagine a bevy of boxes along with a flock of folders displaced in an unorganized fashion up top, you'd greatly appreciate the work do to make this space look so wonderful now.

Now on to the hard part - what to put in this new-found space? After about a day or two of deliberating, PSI landed on the idea of printing our own custom vinyl banners to display each department in a creative way. We needed to take the plant out of the dingy and dull grey overtone and throw some color in there. We needed to liven the place up a little. We needed to show pride in what we do. Here is an example of what we came up with...

Merely a mockup design to give us a better visual.

Each banner would show off the main departments of Printed Specialties. Within the banners there would contain candid shots of every employee doing what they do best. We wanted to give a more human aspect to what we do day in and day out; by adding a face to the process, it gives us as employees a sense of pride and conviction in our jobs. Also the pop of color would be welcome in the otherwise typical production environment.

The banner material has been ordered and designs are being crafted. Stay tuned in the near future to see the outcome!

Be well,



*Original Image: Suat Eman / FreeDigitalPhotos.net

PSI's Got a Brand New Bag

Sharp and snazzy.

Armed with one of our newer employees, Dana McCrackin - HR Manager extraordinaire, Printed Specialties Inc. has recently outfitted the entire shop with new gear. Fresh polos and dress shirts have been added to the arsenal of the PSI wardrobe.

Formerly, we used to have simplistic t-shirts with our logo embroidered on the left chest. This was roughly several years ago, and those shirts have seen better days. Holes, stains, and general outstretched fabrics were running rampant. Enter Dana. She intervened and decided that this time around, we need to up the ante. These sports-style polos provide the ultimate comfort for our employees, without compromising on overall style or practicality.

Working hard in their new duds.

These new shirts were implemented to promote overall morale for the company, and not to mention just clean up the place a bit. By looking good, we all feel good, and thus feel great about what we're doing here and output high quality products.

Making those PSI Blue's look good.

Be well,