Matter Launches Redesigned PaulaCole.com For “Courage”
A Matter redesigned web site was launched today in support of the return of Paula Cole to the recording and performing stage after a nearly 7 year absence. The new site, PaulaCole.com, launched one week prior to the release of Paula’s new album ‘Courage’ on the Decca label.
“Paula’s management and the folks at Decca contacted us in late 2006 as final plans were being made for the new CD release,” states Matter’s Jim Combs. “Paula’s old site was in mothballs, and the management company had put up a temporary static page to hold the space. Paula truly had a new vision and a new road to follow. We had to start literally from scratch, using Paula’s signature and a handful of new photos to base our designs.”
The Matter team traveled to Boston in mid-February 2007 to meet Paula, experience her first concert performance in 7 years from front row center, and spend time with Paula’s management and label to establish the overall style for the project.
From there, Matter designers Mary Beth Lumley and Jenny Sun explored 15 or 20 different visual approaches until they culled 6 to 10 that were reviewed with Paula. “Paula’s feedback was direct, insightful, and poetic,” said Lumley. “One concept was the clear favorite, while several others contributed key elements we could fold back in to the mix. We spent another few days tightening things up and expanding the template to the rest of the site.”
To code the actual site into its final Flash format, Matter enlisted the help of Los Angeles-based Lunchbox Studios. “Matter and Lunchbox have worked together on other similar projects,” Combs continued. “Their design chops and Flash knowledge are top-tier, and their creative director and our creative director know each other from SCAD [Savannah College of Arts and Design]. We trust them to take our finished designs and push them over the top. I liken it to the recording process where the mastering engineer takes a finished mix and makes it shine. Lunchbox knows how to make Flash shine.”
Cole is planning a series of concert dates to support her new CD. And her web site is getting the word out. Response from all quarters is quite positive.