Another Site Upgrade
11:26AM, Mon 11th May 2009
A few weeks ago we were doing a bit of surfing and came across a new CSS framework called the 960 Grid System. After playing about with it for a while we quickly saw its potential. In order train ourselves on the framework we decided to see how we could change our site. You are now looking at the result.

We use the framework by giving each of our div tags classes based on its width and its parent/child relationship. The amount of time saved in creating the 'bones' of the site was considerable. The only drawback being an extra 4k download per site. I think we can allow for that!

This page, for example, is built using the grid structure indicated to your right. Six divs with a class attributed to them. The framework does the rest of the layout for you. Here is the code:

<body>
<div class="container_16">
    <div id="header" class="grid_10">

    </div>

    <div class="grid_6">
    </div>

    <div class="grid_16">
    </div>

    <div id="news" class="grid_12">
    </div>

    <div id="links" class="grid_4">
    </div>

    <div id="footer" class="grid_16">
    </div>
</div>
</body>

Job Done. If you desire to change the height of the divs you can give the div an id and add a height property in your own stypesheet.

If you look at my code however, I've wrapped the divs in other divs, this was to allow me to sort images on different layers on the page, but the essence is exactly the same.

This learning experience, if you can call it that, has convinced us this will be a valuable tool for future projects.


Web Designers Take Note
11:36AM, Mon 9th Mar 2009
Hi Folks. Last week Lucid Studio had a bit of a strange situation and we thought we better let people out there know about it in case it happens to you.

On Friday we received a letter from 'Getty Images' stating that we had been identified as using an image from their catalogue without a valid licence. As a result they demanded that the image be taken down and we were to pay a large fine.

This came as a big surprise as we have never used any Getty images without a licence before. After a bit of an investigation into our records we discovered that the image in question we actually downloaded from flickr and was licensed under a Creative Commons Licence. We called Getty about the situation, indicated the flickr URL that we received image from, and hoped that Getty would be sensible enough to notice their mistake and take the issue up with the user that uploaded the image to flickr.

Getty were, in all fairness, very professional about the situation, they called back within 24 hours and removed their case against us.

I guess the purpose of this blog is for two things.

1. Don't think you can get away with snatching Getty images as they have image scanning technology in place to identify licence breaches.

2. As a web designer it is an important part of your work to log and manage the images you have used in your projects. If such a situation should arise you will be well equipped to identify and tackle the problem.

Be aware people!


In the Community
4:24PM, Tue 10th Feb 2009
Over the last month or two we at Lucid Studio have been working on a lot of 2.0 initiatives. We've redesigned our site; expanded our reach using sites such as Twitter, StumbleUpon, LinkedIn, and Flickr. Even utilised the wonderful RSS feed.

Not only have we been self-promoting in these environments, but have also worked on some projects.

Just recently we finished a new MySpace theme for a music promotions company in Glasgow called 'Get Loose'.

MySpace has just recently upgraded its framework to MySpace2.0. This is an improvement for the everyday MySpace user as the layout is more solid and there is a nice little user interface to boot. However. For the developer it is still an absolute nightmare. The CSS and class structure is so outrageous it almost seems encrypted. We would strongly advise designers to stay away from this horrible website if they can. But, all aside, we battled through it and here is the result of our arduous work.

We also did a small bit of work for some Bloggers out there. Lucid Studio designed unique Blogger stylesheet for Mr Biscuits Foodology and for ShatBass.com.

Happy networking people!


Erotique New Look
5:32PM, Mon 9th Feb 2009
erotiqueNews.jpg

Last week we worked on a new look flyer for the 'Erotique' night at Sea Nighclub in Glasgow. The brief was just "sharp and colourful". We immediately started looking at this lighting effect that is quite popular at the moment.

Our design evolved through a few stages but we eventually went to iStockphoto and purchased a picture of a pretty lady and added the glowing effects. We are pretty happy with the result!


Feed me, feed me NOW!
7:22PM, Mon 2nd Feb 2009
We've just added a news feed to our site. Now you can stay up-to-the-minute with the 'goings on' of Glasgow's coolest design studio ;-)

Just click the orange icon above to subscribe.

There is lots more functionality that can be added to this feed, and we will be upgrading it when we get the chance. For now lets call it Lucid RSS 1.0 (Beta).


On the Street!
2:07PM, Wed 28th Jan 2009


Imagine walking down a one of the busiest streets in Glasgow and doing a 'double take' as you notice one of your designs hanging gracefully outside a nightclub.


Lucid Studio 2.0
2:54PM, Tue 27th Jan 2009
Hello Folks!

Lucid Studio has just upgraded it's site to Web 2.0. We hope you like it!

Wiki describes Web 2.0 as:

the idea of the proliferation of interconnectivity and interactivity of web-delivered content. Web 2.0 is regarded as the way that business embraces the strengths of the web and uses it as a platform

With that in mind, we have redesigned the content to be linkable to, and part of, the internet community. If you look below to our footer you will see various links where you can share Lucid Studio or add us to your internet experience.

web2.0Our portfolio is now also synced to Flickr so you can view/share our stuff both here and anywhere that incorporates Flickr modules.

If you look at the news articles below you will see that our News section has not been updated as much as we would like. So, as part our our '2.0 initiative', we will now be regularly updating our blog. You can be notified of any site updates through Twitter and we also plan to have an independent RSS feed soon, so stay tuned if you prefer that!

We hope you like the site, and we would love to hear what you think!


Its Been A While!
3:14PM, Wed 10th Oct 2007
Hey everyone. Its been a while since I last updated you on the goings on of Lucid Studio. Basically, we've been hard at it. Not even had time to write some news! Ha!

Some sites of note we have developed over the past few months are Karma Whitburn, Full-On Events and The Roller Disco.

We have also been working on various projects with companies such as Emergenza, Get Loose Promotions, Lee B & D Productions Intelligent Storage Solutions and K & M Promotions.

You might say: Why no update to the site? Well, you'll be happy to know that we are currently working on a major update to the site using some new technology available. Watch this space! It is going to be awesome.


Entertaiment Hire Solutions
8:25AM, Mon 26th Mar 2007
We have just finished a new site for a client called 'Entertainment Hire Solutions'. Read about it here


New Graphic Design
1:36PM, Wed 21st Feb 2007
Just thought we'd let anyone know (who is interested) that the graphic design section of the site has been updated to show a couple of new designs that have been completed in recent months.

Have a look here


DJ Ross McMillan!
3:40AM, Tue 20th Feb 2007
Lucid Studio have continued their trend working with the Glasgow nightlife scene by creating a web site for Glasgow DJ Ross McMillan.

The site is goes live today! Have a visit here.


MySpace..eek!
1:08PM, Mon 18th Sep 2006
In order to branch out a little, Lucid Studio have set up a mySpace account. We hope it will provide an increased client base and show Lucid Studio's willingness to have a bit of fun.

From a web designers point of view, we have been reading about the difficult and ineffective layouts that are produced on this site. Lucid Studio treated it as a challange to hack into the code and produce a solid design.

www.myspace.com/lucidstudio


New site!
4:33PM, Tue 8th Aug 2006
Hi all! Finally got the new site up and running today. We wanted it to have a simple but professional look and be as easy to use as possible.

Lucid Studio hope you like it! Please give us your feedback here


Intelligent Computer Solutions
10:22AM, Tue 8th Aug 2006
Lucid Studio have finished a simple leaflet style website for ICS. Have a look here


Social Animal!
1:12PM, Fri 28th Jul 2006
Due to the buzz created from beloglasgow.com, G1 Group (company that owns a large quantity of pubs and clubs in scotland) have taken an interest in Lucid Studio's work.

We are currently acting as technical support for G1 and hope to continue a business partnership in the future!