Friday, October 19, 2007

Logo competition - win $100 to spend at REI

We need a logo with an "exploration" feel to it. Better yet, something that screams explore, live life, and being immersed, using all the senses. Something that goes with the name Uncharted nicely. It needs emotion. It needs to reflect the feeling you have hiking around Colorado, biking in New Mexico, hang gliding off a cliff in Idaho, etc.. and not just seeing, but also hearing, feeling, smelling, all the senses.

We've had a lot of trouble coming up with something that wraps up the emotion we want to communicate. No, its been a nightmare. Easily the toughest time I've ever had when helping develop an effective logo. Maybe you have our solution. Call it begging, fine. We need a frigg'n logo!

Just reply to this message and post an image or link for your proposal, or shoot us an e-mail. The winner of the proposal will get a $100 gift certificate to REI.


I'm excited to see what you might propose. Good luck!

Tuesday, October 16, 2007

Uncharted programming underway

Now the tough part... programming! We've been discovering how cool it is to come up with great ideas, but also how painfully challenging it is to translate those ideas into reality. Especially with some of the challenges Joomla presents to the non-techies on the team (ahem.. that would be me). The learning curve is steep but everyday we're making progress bit by bit. Sweet persistence.

Our programmer is the bread and our designer is the butter of this creation. (Note - our designer would really dig that analogy since he is a food maniac and we're all expecting he'll be our lead contributor to the food section.) Our fate rests in their hands! I'm sure they'll introduce themselves here eventually, but for right now they are pretty busy plugging away and its no easy task.

Here's their first concept for the framework of the new design. Nostalgic! We've already improved upon this, but we're mostly sticking with what you see as the foundation.


Now just imagine all the spaces filled with picturesque scenes of mountains, trails, ski slopes and off the beaten path surprises, and bam! You have a better idea what it will look like. I know, I know. Pretty lame to ask you to imagine. All I can say is its coming and I'm just as anxious as you, and hey, I didn't have to post any of this to start with.

Thursday, October 4, 2007

Sneak Peak Teaser - pics and audio

Here's something that we threw together to give a sneak peak at some of the photos and type of content we'll be posting later this year in the new release. It takes a little while to load. We have figured out how to make sure content like this loads much faster, so no worries for our future content.


My favorite part of the teaser is the photo and audio from the Wind Caves located in Logan Canyon, Utah. Other photos were taken at the Snake River & Shoshone Falls, Idaho, and Great Salt Lake and Bear Lake, Utah. I wish I could take as good of pics as some of these guys on our team. I'm just the communications guy... anything I take that is good happens purely by luck!

Enjoy the teaser!

And by all means let me know what you think so far.