by kthigpen | Jul 22, 2025
Client: AKT Development Corporation | Location: El Dorado Hills, CA
Service: Print Design + Brand Messaging
The Challenge
Le Capitán, a new luxury housing development in El Dorado Hills, CA, needed a high-end marketing piece that reflected the elegance of the property and its stunning natural surroundings. With a goal to attract serious homebuyers and investors, the client required a brochure that would:
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Showcase available lots with clarity
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Feature compelling imagery that captures the area’s beauty
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Offer a seamless digital transition for inquiries via QR code
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Incorporate the nickname “Heaven” that the area is known for
Our Solution
Ace Studios designed a premium closed gate fold brochure that unfolded to reveal a breathtaking aerial view of the community and nearby Folsom Lake. This cinematic reveal was anchored by the tagline:
“Some call it Heaven. You can call it home.”
—a nod to El Dorado Hills’ nickname and the emotional allure of settling in such a scenic locale.
Each inner panel featured lot availability in a clean, intuitive layout, making it easy for potential buyers to explore their options. A custom QR code on the back panel directed interested parties to a streamlined online interest form, bridging the gap between print and digital effortlessly.
Results
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Enhanced Engagement: Prospective buyers responded positively to the elevated design and imagery, with many noting the tagline and layout as “memorable” and “aspirational.”
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Ease of Use: The QR code feature increased online form submissions, allowing Le Capitan’s team to gather qualified leads efficiently.
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Brand Alignment: The brochure’s elegant tone and visuals aligned perfectly with the luxury brand identity the client aimed to build.
by kthigpen | May 1, 2025
Client Overview
South Lake Tahoe Cancer League (SLTCL) is a volunteer‐powered nonprofit serving residents of the Lake Tahoe basin since 1980. SLTCL provides transportation to treatment, monthly financial stipends, and a compassionate community network for local cancer patients.
Project Objectives
- Brand Cohesion: Develop a unified visual identity that reflects SLTCL’s core values of compassion, community, and hope.
- Enhanced Digital Experience: Modernize the website—improving mobile responsiveness, site navigation, and accessibility.
- Streamlined Conversions: Simplify the processes for applying for support, signing up to volunteer, and making donations.
Challenges
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Fragmented Identity: SLTCL’s existing logo and color palette felt dated and inconsistent across print and digital collateral.
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Outdated Website Experience: The old site lacked clear calls to action, wasn’t fully mobile-optimized, and presented lengthy, multi‐step forms that discouraged submissions.
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Low Conversion Rates: Complex application workflows led to drop-off at critical stages for assistance requests and donations.
Our Approach
1. Discovery & Strategy
- Held interviews with key stakeholders to understand SLTCL’s mission and user needs.
- Audited the existing brand assets and website analytics to identify pain points in user journeys for “Apply for Assistance,” “Volunteer,” and “Donate.”
2. Brand Refresh
- Logo & Iconography: Introduced a friendly, stylized bear icon enclosed by the organization’s name—symbolizing local strength and togetherness.
- Color Palette: Defined four core colors to convey vitality, warmth, and professionalism.
- Typography: Chose Arboria for headlines (bold, approachable) and Halcom for body text (clean, highly legible).
3. Website Redesign & Development
- Mobile-First, Responsive Layouts: Wireframed key pages to ensure intuitive navigation and legibility on all screen sizes.
- Streamlined Forms: Consolidated multi-step assistance, volunteer, and donation forms into single-page experiences using Gravity Forms—reducing drop-off by simplifying required fields.
- Clear Calls to Action: Prominent “Donate,” “Apply for Assistance,” and “Get Involved” buttons placed throughout, guiding users seamlessly from discovery to action.
- Accessibility & Performance: Ensured WCAG-compliant color contrast, semantic HTML, and optimized image delivery for fast load times.
- CMS Integration: Powered by WordPress for easy content updates, with custom templates to enforce brand consistency.
Looking Ahead
With SLTCL’s new brand and website, the organization is better positioned to grow its volunteer base, deepen donor relationships, and—most importantly—bring compassion and practical support to more cancer patients across the Tahoe basin.
by kthigpen | Jan 27, 2025
The Client
Smith & River is a renowned restaurant known for its sophisticated atmosphere and unique food and beverage options. Located in the heart of Reno, the restaurant provides guests with a memorable dining experience that blends modern elegance with exceptional service.
Project Overview
Smith & River approached Ace Studios to redesign their website to better reflect their upscale brand, showcase their exquisite offerings, and improve the user experience for their clientele. The goal was to create a modern, mobile-friendly, and functional website that aligned with their reputation while simplifying the process for customers to view menus, make reservations, and plan their dining experience.
Project Solutions
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Visual Redesign:
- Crafted a sleek and sophisticated design that mirrors the atmosphere of Smith & River.
- Incorporated high-quality images of the restaurant’s interior, dishes, and signature cocktails to captivate visitors.
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Custom Menus:
- Built interactive and mobile-friendly menus that allow customers to explore the restaurant’s offerings effortlessly.
- Integrated functionality for online ordering, ensuring a seamless experience for customers planning to order ahead.
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Reservation Integration:
- Simplified the reservation process by embedding an intuitive online booking system.
- Ensured the system works flawlessly across all devices to cater to on-the-go users.
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Mobile Optimization:
- Ensured the entire website is fully responsive and optimized for mobile devices, catering to modern diners who search for restaurants and make decisions on their phones.
The Results
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Improved User Experience:
The custom-built, mobile-friendly menus and reservation system made it easier for customers to explore, plan, and book their dining experience online.
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Enhanced Branding:
The website now mirrors the restaurant’s sophisticated and modern brand, helping to attract new customers and enhance loyalty among existing patrons.
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Increased Engagement:
With improved visuals, streamlined navigation, and functional tools, the website saw a significant increase in customer interactions, including reservations and menu views.
by Ace Studios | Jan 18, 2025
Client Overview
The SPCA of Northern Nevada is a non-profit organization dedicated to saving and improving the lives of animals in need. To support their mission, Ace Studios partnered with them to maximize the potential of their Google Ads Grant by running efficient and impactful campaigns from September 2023 through March 2024.
Campaign Goals
- Maximize the monthly Google Ads Grant budget of $10,000.
- Drive conversions, including donations, adoptions, and website visits.
- Increase visibility for SPCA’s initiatives, such as Giving Tuesday and thrift store campaigns.
Key Strategies Implemented
Keyword Optimization:
Continuously added relevant keywords and removed underperforming ones to improve ad relevance and quality scores.
Enhanced Ad Copy:
Created new ad variations across campaigns to increase engagement and improve click-through rates.
Performance Monitoring and Adjustments:
Monitored search terms daily, incorporating high-performing terms and adding irrelevant ones to negative keyword lists.
Focused Campaigns:
Targeted specific campaigns for events such as Giving Tuesday and emphasized high-priority programs like the thrift store.
Results Achieved
Increased Conversions:
Conversions improved steadily, from 92.67 in September 2023 to a peak of 155 in March 2024.
Full Utilization of Budget:
The $10,000 monthly budget was consistently maximized from December 2023 onward.
Enhanced Campaign Performance:
Strategic keyword and ad copy optimizations led to higher quality scores and engagement rates.
Support for Key Initiatives:
Dedicated campaigns for events like Giving Tuesday boosted visibility and engagement with targeted audiences.
Summing It All Up
Ace Studios successfully leveraged the SPCA of Northern Nevada’s Google Ads Grant to drive measurable impact, ensuring the organization could reach more supporters and fulfill its mission of saving animal lives. Through consistent monitoring, optimization, and strategic planning, the campaigns delivered high conversion rates and maximized the available budget. For more details about how Ace Studios can amplify your organization’s digital presence, visit our website or contact us directly.
by kthigpen | Jan 16, 2025
Client Overview
Western Public Affairs is a new public affairs and lobbying firm dedicated to making a meaningful impact in the realm of public policy. As they embarked on their journey to influence legislation and drive positive change, they sought to establish a brand that would convey their professionalism, expertise, and commitment to their mission.
Project Scope
Western Public Affairs approached Ace Studios to create a comprehensive brand identity and a user-friendly, visually compelling website that would serve as the cornerstone of their digital presence. The key objectives included:
- Developing a sharp and professional brand identity.
- Crafting messaging that highlights their expertise in public affairs and lobbying.
- Designing a website that effectively communicates their services and values.
- Ensuring the brand reflects their dedication to impactful public policy work.
Our Approach
1. Brand Development
We began by collaborating closely with the Western Public Affairs team to understand their vision, values, and goals. From this discovery process, we developed a timeless and sophisticated brand identity that positioned them as trusted experts in their field. Key elements included:
- Logo Design: A modern and professional logo that captures their authority and reliability.
- Color Palette: A clean and polished color scheme emphasizing trust and confidence.
- Typography: Professional fonts that enhance readability and convey expertise.
- Messaging Framework: Clear and impactful messaging that outlines their mission, services, and value proposition.
2. Website Design and Development
The website was designed to reflect Western Public Affairs’ professional image and provide visitors with a seamless user experience. Key features included:
- Home Page: A dynamic and inviting landing page that highlights their expertise and commitment to impactful policy change.
- Services Section: Detailed descriptions of their offerings, providing potential clients with a clear understanding of their capabilities.
- About Page: A space to introduce the team and share the firm’s mission and vision.
- Contact Page: An intuitive and accessible contact form for inquiries.
- Responsive Design: Optimized for viewing on desktop, tablet, and mobile devices.
Challenges & Solutions
One of the challenges was creating a brand that resonated with both policymakers and clients from diverse industries. To address this, we ensured the design and messaging struck a balance between approachability and professionalism, emphasizing their expertise while maintaining a welcoming tone.
Results
- Polished Brand Identity: Western Public Affairs now has a sharp and professional brand that perfectly demonstrates their expertise and commitment to public policy.
- Engaging Digital Presence: The website serves as a powerful platform to showcase their services, attract potential clients, and establish credibility in the industry.
- Positive Feedback: Both the client and their stakeholders have praised the design for its clarity, professionalism, and impact.
