Blog | HVAC Explorer – Brand Development
We built their brand with professional support in mind
HVAC Explorer is a professional technical support web application the allows the user to request information and help regarding all of their HVAC (Heating, Ventilation, Air Conditioning/Refrigeration) needs. Their target market consists almost entirely of blue collar workers who many not be very computer savvy so focusing on simplicity and usability were more than preferred features, they were a necessity. With every fresh start to a brand from the ground up, the first objective was developing the heart of a company, their logo.
Designing the logo
Fortunately for us, the client had an idea of what they wanted their logo to have. Even though it was only a few minor preferences, it is extremely useful if the client has some idea of what they are looking for so that designers can use it as a basis for our design. It is extremely hard to build the perfect logo if a client’s only requirement is “it looks attractive”. Brian Fennig, the expert behind HVAC Explorer, worked with us to start a strong foundation for building his brand. Being that we would be dealing with HVAC, it was a necessity that we play off of multiple key elements such as heat and cold and their color counterparts.
When designing corporate logos, there are multiple key points to take in account. First of all, logos need to be easily recognizable as well as usable. A strong corporate logo should be able to translate to multiple media forms such as print, pins, clothing, web, and any other production format. Another key point is that it should be designed in a way that it is independent of color yet still functional in a grey scale or black/white format. Using these requirements, we built off of the hot/cold premise by designing an easily recognizable “emblem” for their logo as well as clean and concise text that stands out.
Black and white variations
Color version
Building the web application
The fundamentals of the website were fairly simple; an easy to use web application that allowed a user to post a question regarding HVAC, post images, approve expert replies, and pay for their answer. The true complexity is clear when you take into account just what that functionality entails. We didn’t simply build a web application with this core functionality, but an intricate system driven by this core functionality.
Focus on usability
We took “allow the user to post a question” to the next level, building an attractive and usable interface with jQuery and ajax effects so that the user can comfortably navigate and manage their content in real-time and little to instructions required. Since our target market is a bit more hands-on and maybe not as computer proficient as other professions may be, we were sure to include brief and clear alerts and instructions on each page as well as help areas for every core function of the site. Building a user interface that feels intuitive is only one step in the process, helping walk through the users that still may not understand it is the next large step.
The overall design of the site also has ease-of-use as the primary motivation behind it’s design. Aside from helping with brand recognition by placing a large version of their logo in the top right corner, we opted for a streamlined and very clear navigation. We separated the main navigation into “Ask Us” where you can ask a new question whether you are signed in or not, “About Us” that gives you info about the site as well as a drop down to it’s sub pages which include the blog, F.A.Q., and contact page, and then the “My Account” tab that takes you to your core account page. Simple sweet is often ideal when focusing on usability.
Streamlining the user interface
The most important part of this site is the user interface for the actual user panel. Once logged in and on your my account page, you can very clearly see your 4 main areas of interest in the sub-navigation; My Account, Ask a Question, View My Questions, and Browse All Questions. The sidebar consists of only the bare essentials, links to your current questions separated by their response status, an internal advertisement promoting their reduced price of purchasing previously approved questions, and links to the most recent approved questions that you can purchase. Find your questions or new questions quick and easy.
HVAC Explorer – the start of something more
Brian Fennig has years of expertise in HVAC and a wealth of ideas that are looking for an outlet. HVAC is only the start of his empire and HVAC Explorer as well as future projects of his will continue to grow and spread, allowing for further innovations in the HVAC Technical Support community. We built a strong starting point for a growing empire, and the logo and web application are only the start of his brand development.
