ArtVersion®

There is a version of creative recognition that functions mostly as a mirror, the industry rewarding itself for things the industry already values: visual ambition, novel executions, work that shows well in a write-up and travels easily across social channels. Those qualities are not meaningless, but they are incomplete measures of what digital work actually needs to do. The Webby Awards operate…

Last year, we mapped the CMS landscape through a familiar lens: established platforms holding ground, composable architectures gaining traction, and headless graduating from experiment to expectation. Twelve months later, that picture has shifted more than expected. The platforms that matter in 2026 are not simply better versions of what came before — some have been fundamentally repositioned,…

ArtVersion®, a Chicago-based creative agency with more than 25 years of experience in design, branding, web development, and user experience, has expanded its physical footprint with two fully operational studio locations in the Chicago area. The new studios, located in Northbrook and Chicago’s Loop, support the agency’s multidisciplinary work across strategy, design, and technology. Both…

AI is now woven into the workflows of almost every industry, yet the biggest challenges rarely come from what the technology can compute. The friction usually shows up in the gap between output and interpretation. When a system feels too quick, too certain or too rigid, users hesitate. That hesitation is the real cost. It slows adoption and erodes trust long before accuracy becomes a factor. I…

Why User Experience Matters

We can all agree that design is important, and it’s even better when something that looks good works well. So, then why is user experience such a hard sell for some? With regard to design, UX is just as critical an element as the visual identity of a company. If the user can’t figure out how to navigate the site or app, they can be easily turned off, much like a bad logo design or unsuccessful…

How can you design a digital product that is sure to resonate with users? Focusing on the user journey is a good place to start.

Understanding users is the key to designing superior experiences. It’s virtually impossible to create a meaningful product if you don’t know what your users are looking for in the first place. Without this understanding, you are essentially taking a shot in the dark, hoping that your product resonates with users.

This is especially true in web design, where user experience is of paramount…

Flat design is one trend that stands out in responsive web design, focusing on improving the functionality and overall usability of an interface. #web #design #uiux #userexperience #webdesign #usability #flatdesign

As competition between brands grows fierce within the digital space, the focus on user experience has become more prominent than ever before.

In web design, the visual elements play an active role in supporting the user journey. Various design techniques often emerge and, along with creating more attractive interfaces, prove influential in a user’s decision-making process.

Flat design is…

In branding and marketing strategy – as with many other industries – collaborative efforts typically have far better results. #collaboration #innovation #design #versions

COLLABORATION

In branding and marketing strategy – as with many other industries – collaborative efforts typically have far better resultsthan projects handled by only one person. Though collaboration has turned into a service-based cultural buzzword seen all over the place (a little like innovation), it’s an elusive achievement that many don’t fully understand. When most companies need…

Displaying a sense of visual balance in UI design is essential in order to increase a site's usability and drive engagement. #design #uiux #webdesign #uidesign #visual #balance #usability

Without conscious thought, our minds are always seeking to find balance. It not only gives us a sense of stability, but it allows us to comprehend the world around us.

While balance in the physical world can relate to things like lifestyle and health, visual balance relates to how we process information within a composition. Displaying a sense of visual balance in UI design is essential in…

Innovation is the pursuit of a seismic shift in experience... #innovation #design #experience

In the simplest terms, it is a process of a steady and continuous stream of new ideas acknowledging problems to be solved. As long as there are problems to be solved, there will always be breakthroughs. 

To solve the unending stream of problems that arise, we must push boundaries and create action, so it’s only natural that we innovate through a mixture of formula, instinct and…

Why Culture Matters When Selecting a Creative Agency

The creative agency model has changed. In the not too distant past, the market was dominated by big firms with high rise locales and seemingly never-ending expense accounts. While those models still exist in some forms, the general culture of the creative agency has shifted to a more open market with varied options ranging from small boutique outfits to agency collectives consisting of a grouping…

Intentional treatment of negative space can offer a stunning visual impact and contribute to a seamless user experience (UX). #webdesign #graphicdesign #visual #design #uiux #userexperience #negativespace

Striking visual design is all about balance. In web design, this visual balance can be achieved provided that each element within the user interface (UI) has an appropriate amount of space and prominence. Intentional treatment of negative space can offer a stunning visual impact and contribute to a seamless user experience (UX).

Negative space, also called white space, is a fundamental design…

Creating a Brand Style Guide: The Essentials #branding #styleguide

Ideally, a brand should be evolving on a continual basis, however, it must retain its vision throughout its changes. The key to the successful and sustainable evolution of a brand is remaining consistent. From logo design, color, typography, and content – there must be a ‘gold standard’ with which to derive the core messaging, look and feel from.

Brand style guides set tonality and provide…

The Thinking Creative: 5 Ways to Get (and Stay) Creatively Inspired

Inspiration is a terrible thing to waste, but as we all know – it’s well known to strike at inopportune times. Whether it’s in the studio, on the train, or in the shower – the creative process knows no boundaries. Being able to tune into those inspired moments is key to turning them into a reality. Tap into a few of these habits and to turn inspiration into innovation.

Take Note

When you…