What's new?
The Crocodile and SolidWorks put design in the picture
September 2009
The Crocodile has developed and launched a new interactive gallery feature for DesignTalks, the SolidWorks-sponsored online community for UK designers and manufacturers. Attracting over 2,000 members since its launch in 2007, DesignTalks has become a key element of SolidWorks UK’s brand and lead generation strategy. The new gallery fulfils a brief to provide DesignTalks members with a rich and dynamic environment in which to exchange opinions on design, manufacturing and related technologies.
SolidWorks, the leading 3D computer-aided design (CAD) vendor, came to The Crocodile with a brief that stemmed from a frustration among its user community about a lack of best-practice information on current design and manufacturing trends and topics. The Crocodile’s solution was DesignTalks, an information-rich, neutral environment that combines editorially independent, high-value content with a clear SolidWorks brand-association. It has also proved a good source of prospects for SolidWorks, significant numbers of members having agreed to be added to SolidWorks’s own marketing database.
DesignTalks, built using The Crocodile’s own content-management system, includes regular updates on design resources and best-practice information, as well as a discussion forum where members can debate hot design topics for themselves. The new gallery adds a new image-specific interactive environment where examples of good (and bad) design can be uploaded and commented upon. DesignTalks members will be able to arrange their images into their own subsets, further categorising them as, for instance, photographs, renderings or 3D models.
The launch of the gallery is being marked with a promotional competition, promoted via an integrated PR, social media and direct email campaign, designed to showcase the best in sustainable design. New and existing DesignTalks members are being encouraged to upload the images they think best illustrate sustainability through design, and to comment and vote on the submissions of others. A prize will go to the poster of the highest-ranked image, and everyone taking part will be entered into a draw for further appropriate prizes.