We would like to thank each and every person that has been a part of Designing Digitally, Inc.’s growth and success both in the past and today. Our effect on the community, our clients, and our employees is a result of the fact that we care about each one of you as much as you do about the company. Through the ups and downs, late nights and early mornings, our employees have continued to provide excellent service to our clients for over a decade. We want to personally thank each one of you for caring about the success of not only our company, but also the clients you serve. Designing Digitally, Inc. has had an award winning year with innovation in technology, business approach, and community efforts all over the nation. Our dedication not just to creating innovative projects, but also to ensuring that the services we offer provide our clients with an excellent return on investment has helped us to continue to grow each and every year. This past week we received letters of recognition from the House of Representatives and the Ohio Senate for the hard work and commitment to our clients by our innovative staff and we thought we’d share these with you as well: We can’t stress enough that without the caring and dedication our team puts forth to our clients, Designing Digitally, Inc. would not exist as it does today. Everyone appreciates a thank you now and then, and this post is our way of saying you’re all appreciated!

The rapidly growing 3D gaming engine, Unity 3D, has announced that Designing Digitally, Inc. is a finalist for the 2012 Unity Awards for the best development of the year in the category of serious games. We are truly honored that two of the six projects nominated for the award in this category were built by Designing Digitally, Inc. We are focused on revolutionizing the e-learning, serious games, and training simulation industry by using 3D immersive experiences for learning and marketing. With all of the hard work put in last year it’s great to see our efforts being recognized. The innovation by the creative team at Designing Digitally, Inc. powered by the Unity 3D gaming engine has amazed our clients and even ourselves at times. We’re excited and honored that two of our projects were nominated and will look forward to the announcement of the winner at the Unity 2012 conference on August 23rd in Amsterdam. Cross your fingers or toes for Designing Digitally, Inc.!

At Designing Digitally, Inc. we’re always excited when we learn of the work others are doing to advance the use of visual information for training processes and purposes, since a great deal of our work deals with creating visual-based training and educational programs for use on computer monitors, etc. 3D training simulations, E-learning and virtual worlds creation all deal with converting ‘traditional’ training and educational materials into interactive and often-times immersive content. That’s why we were quite excited to learn of the work of researchers in Spain at the Universidad Carlos III de Madrid (UC3M). These men and women have been recording athletic exercises on the soccer field for FIFA (Fédération Internationale de Football Association) - the international governing body for Soccer - to use for training purposes for their assistant referees. The 500 exercises they’ve been recording all concern offside positions, and the exercises are all being recorded in stereoscopic 3D - basically using 2 lens instead of one to record the action in order to obtain a greater sense of depth than a 2D image.  As the article on redOrbit.com explains, "The objective of this innovation project is to improve the learning environment of the assistant referees with multimedia materials which offer a visual experience that is the most similar to what referees on the pitch experience, and which can train visual perception in decision-making calls on off-side plays." You’ll notice the mention in the quote above about offering a visual training experience that "is the most similar to what refereeson the pitch experience." Or, as UC3M professor Manuel Armenteros, coordinator of the project, explained, "The use of stereoscopic images will significantly improve the learning experience due to the fact that a 3D stereoscopic image learning environment generates a visual experience that is much more realistic than 2D." We couldn’t agree more, which is one of the reasons Designing Digitally, Inc. works to create fully immersive 3D training simulations, virtual worlds, serious games and many of our E-learning programs for clients - 3D imagery, especially incorporated with cogent training content - is simply more realistic and closer to true work experiences than "flat screen" 2D training or printed learning and training materials. Viva La 3D!!! Read the full article from redOrbit here.

 Designing Digitally, Inc. was recently awarded a contract to create educational and engaging E-Learning developments for the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA). These E-Learning modules are focused on the dissemination of the National Fire Protection Association's standards, specifically NFPA 13 - Standard for the Installation of Sprinkler Systems, and NFPA 72 - National Fire Alarm and Signaling Code. Andrew Hughes, President of Designing Digitally, Inc., explained the new partnership. "We are honored to have NFPA as a client and will be working diligently to ensure that they have an effective E-learning experience for their end users. Our team will provide online education and training that will ensure the goals of NFPA are met while exceeding the expectations of NFPA and their learners." Designing Digitally, Inc. is working alongside NFPA subject matter experts to ensure that the online training modules will engage users and teach the standards effectively. These online learning modules will be made available through NFPA in the near future. Nick Taylor, Director of Development for Designing Digitally, Inc. stated, "It is exciting to work with such a well-known organization who is THE authority in fire, electrical and building safety. I'm pleased to be a part of a standardization that will be used all across the United States for the foreseeable future. "We look forward to the effort put forth by both organizations and will be excited for the National Fire Protection Association to release these learning experiences to the public in the future," Taylor concluded. About National Fire Protection Association NFPA is a worldwide leader in fire, electrical, building, and life safety. The mission of the international nonprofit organization founded in 1896 is to reduce the worldwide burden of fire and other hazards on the quality of life by providing and advocating consensus codes and standards, research, training, and education. Company Website: http://www.nfpa.org Twitter: http://twitter.com/nfpa Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/theNFPA About Designing Digitally, Inc. Designing Digitally, Inc. is a full-service interactive design firm specializing in web-based E-learning and training, 3D simulations and virtual world development services for education, government, military and industrial clients. Located in Franklin, Ohio, Designing Digitally, Inc. has developed a number of interactive virtual worlds, 3D training simulations and E-learning solutions for companies and agencies around the globe. Company Website: http://www.designingdigitally.com Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/ddinc Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/designing.digitally.inc

We wanted to share with you about a really innovative project Designing Digitally, Inc. is excited to be involved with currently, which has the potential to help stroke victims relearn body coordination in order to perform basic daily tasks. Using the Unity 3D Gaming Engine along with Microsoft Kinect, we are creating 3D training simulations that will empower strokevictims to be able to practice and then perform daily activities thanks to virtual rehabilitation exercises they’ll perform in theirown homes. By tracking a user’s arm movements at the 6 degrees of access using Microsoft Kinect, the stroke patient can develop and potentially "relearn" effective ways of using their limbs - often reduced in functionality due to the effects of stoke. The gaming simulations are fun and entertaining, and allow the patient to practice new movements while becoming aware of how their arms are not responding appropriately in their current state. From Atari® to virtual physical rehabilitation - how time flies in the world of functional gaming and 3D simulations! Watch our YouTube video here to see an actual demonstration of this virtual rehabilitation simulation at work, along with narration from Designing Digitally, Inc.’s own president - Andrew Hughes. Have a creative day.

Just Around the Corner…. NACAC's 2012 National Conference Designing Digitally, Inc. is pleased to announce our participation in NACAC's National Conference for 2012. The National Association for College Admission Counseling is having their annual event in Denver, Colorado this year, October 4th through 6th. As their Attendee Information page explains it, "NACAC’s national conference is the preeminent forum for the college admission community. Join more than 5,500 secondary and postsecondary college admission counseling professionals to exchange ideas, learn from experts and experience the products and services to help you accomplish your goals." Speaking of "products," we’ll be there in booth 233 in the Exhibit Hall during all exhibit hours and we’re eager to show you some of the work we’ve been doing when it comes to online college recruitment - particularly our stellar 3D Virtual Campus Tours product that lets prospective students from anywhere view and tour a 3D virtual rendition of a college or university campus from the school’s own website. It’s a great idea whose time has come and we hope to show you how much it can help with student recruitment online as well as recruitment management and so much more. Look for 3D Virtual Campus Tours by Designing Digitally, Inc. We look forward to seeing you at NACAC in 2012!

Business is under constant change and competition is ever-increasing. It is imperative that creating and sustaining a competitive advantage be a high priority and training is one area where organizations can do so. In comparison to traditional training methods, the use of 3D serious games, 3D training simulations, and virtual worlds offers greater flexibility, higher retention rates, more efficient use of training resources, and more. With over a decade of development experience,Designing Digitally, Inc. is pleased to announce the release of a white paper focused on the importance of utilizing immersive 3D learning to carry out critical training operations. Download this white paper to learn:     The differences between 3D training simulations, 3D serious games, and virtual worlds     The benefits of utilizing 3D in training     The challenges with implementing 3D learning     The industries and topics where 3D learning is most effective     The future of 3D learning

While serious gaming and gamification of learning companies like Designing Digitally, Inc. have been working hard to develop serious game models for several years now for business, industrial and even military applications (visit our Portfolio Pages for yourself to see examples of some of these great E-Learning and 3D training simulations serious games we’ve created), many of the bigger companies who helped to create I.T. in the first place have seemingly not been as vocal in promoting this fascinating technology. A 2009 newsletter from IBM we discovered is decidedly for serious gaming, going so far as to proclaim it to be "the future of learning." The newsletter included some potent facts from many sources about this milieu - pretty convincing material when it comes to proving the worth and value of gamification as a tool for all manner of education. Among the stats and facts IBM reports in-support of serious games are these gems: "Students remember only 10 percent of what they read; 20 percent of what they hear; 30 percent if they see visuals relatedto what they hear; 50 percent if they watch someone do something while explaining it; but almost 90 percent if they do the job themselves, even if only as a simulation." - Federation of American Scientists The average age of gamers today is 35. 67% of the U.S. heads of households play games, with a higher percentage in Asia. - Entertainment Software Association 2008 report From a higher academic perspective, there’s a "near-universal antipathy to the undergraduate lecture experience, showing that 98 percent who leave science and engineering majors cite ‘poor teaching by faculty’ as a major concern and that even 86 percent of those who stay say the same." - The Kauffman Foundation What these disparate statistics say together is that many, many post-collegiate individuals play gaming systems long after their college years, students in college are not satisfied with a purely lecture-based form of education, and the most efficient form of education (training for those after college) is a hands-on model that requires interactive experience.   Or as IBM explains it in their newsletter, "serious games can help today’s and tomorrow’s organizations work smarter by providing a broad understanding of business and organizational dynamics. Games acclimatize individuals to synthesize information in real time and to collaborate on developing solutions, thus making them a superior learning vehicle."   We couldn't have said it better ourselves. Learn more about serious games from Designing Digitally, Inc. here.

Designing Digitally, Inc. at DevLearn Conference & Expo 2012! Designing Digitally, Inc. is excited to announce our attendance at the Devlearn Conference & Expo 2012 - to be held this year in beautifully sunny Las Vegas from October 31st to November 2nd. DevLearn Conference & Expo 2012 is a conference devoted to E-Learning development. As you can imagine we’re pretty enthusiastic about being there and meeting lots of other professional E-Learning designers and developers, and seeing what they’re working on in the industry. As the Home Page of the conference explains it, DevLearn is "the world’s leading event for anyone dedicated to embracing technologies for training & development." That sounds great to us! Designing Digitally, Inc. will be showcasing some of our work in booth #513 in the Expo area, so we invite you to stop by and meet us. We will have our Microsoft Kinect Serious Game (Air Marshalling) with us, and will be awarding a $100 Amazon gift card to the fastest time at the end of the conference*. Come play the game and see if you can guide the plane through the obstacle course while learning how to maneuver a plane from the ground! The Aircraft Marshalling Serious Game is just one example of the serious games and simulations Designing Digitally, Inc. is creating for the Web, iPad, iPhone, and Android devices. Considering our passion for serious games and the gamification of learning, are you surprised that we’ll have this great skill game with us? Come and take the game for a test-ride during the following times: Wednesday, Oct 31: 12:00pm - 12:30pm 2:30pm - 2:45pm 4:00pm - 4:15pm 5:15pm - 6:00pm  Thursday, Nov 1: 10:10am - 10:30am 12:00pm - 12:15pm 1:45pm - 2:30pm - LAST CHANCE TO WIN! Don’t forget about the other exciting things going on in our booth from 9:30am-6:30pm on Wed Oct 31 and 9:30am-3pm on Nov 1: Spin our prize wheel to win one of many gift cards, a water bottle, or a can coolie…everyone’s a winner! Get your Expo Passport stamped! And, of course, learn about our educating, engaging, and entertaining E-Learning, 3D Training Simulation, and Serious Game solutions! Be sure to download the DevLearn mobile app before you get there! We are excited to see you there! *Person with the best score at the end of the conference wins! Gift card will be mailed to winner within 7 days of conference end.  

Entry Level Full-time Web Programmer In-House Hourly Position Paid Vacation & Bonuses This is an on-site position only Designing Digitally, Inc., located in Franklin, Ohio (between Cincinnati & Dayton), seeks a full-time Web Programmer to collaborate with the creative team to create industry-leading Web sites, Web 2.0 social networking, HTML5 E-Learning developments, and custom built CMS sites. Do you want to work with the latest tools and hardware? Do you want to work for a company where innovation is a top priority?  Do you enjoy a casual, yet professional atmosphere?  Do you have a passion for creating engaging, interactive and user friendly developments?  Are you a clever problem solver with an enthusiastic and positive attitude?  Do you thrive in a fast-paced, ever-changing, and stimulating environment?  Are you a self starter who is able to work in a team environment? If you answered "yes" to these questions, then you will make a great addition to our team. Essential Skills Understanding of Drupal and Wordpress Proven ability to develop, create, and update theme templates Knowledge of PHP, ASP, HTML, CSS, HTML5 and Javascript MySQL knowledge Willingness and ability to learn new technologies To apply for this position, please email your resume and PORTFOLIO EXAMPLES to: JOBS@DESIGNINGDIGITALLY.COM NO THIRD PARTIES, RECRUITERS, FREELANCERS, OFF-SHORE COMPANIES, OR PEOPLE WHO REQUIRE VISA SPONSORSHIP.