maybe.for.you. ™ Interactive Brand Experiences

When it comes to the personal computers, the emphasis is on personal.

So why are corporate websites so impersonal? In June 2008, Windows Vista launched a full-scale international campaign to show customers how their operating system really works. Part of that effort meant showing how Vista worked with appliances like printers, digital cameras, and microphones. Working together, the Canon camera family and Microsoft Vista were interested in creating a website that could showcase how their products worked together.

maybe.for.you. was approached by MediaMacros to develop an interactive microsite that would showcase the partnership. The client envisioned an interactive environment that would resemble a typical user's workspace. This environment would feel familiar and comfortable to the visitor, helping them to be more receptive to a new technology.

As we developed strategy for this microsite, we wanted to be sure that the workspace metaphor wasn’t so realistic the visitor would be bored. It was essential that the microsite needed to be engaging, but not alienating. We also faced the challenge of how much instruction to give the visitor: too much, and the user could feel overwhelmed or patronized. Too little instruction and the user could feel confused or lost. We tried out several different options before discovering the best way to provide subtle instruction on how to use these advanced interface elements. It was important not to talk down to the user, but at the same time, we needed to communicate with a wide range of experience levels.

When it came time to design the look and feel of the microsite, we took our cues from the Canon brand. Then, working with designers and developers, we were able to create an immersive branded experience that allowed visitors to interact with audio, video, and flash elements in an organic way. We stitched together each interactive scene for seamless transitions that would guide the user through the experience.

One of our innovations was a point-and-shoot interface that allowed visitors to take virtual pictures and video, then edit the media with Windows Vista software. These images could be saved and used through the user's visit to the site, allowing for a more personal experience.