Press For the Agency
Here are some past articles about our digital agency, ranging from industry insights to discussion relating to our book and side projects. If you’re a writer in need of data for an article, please do contact us.
May 12, 2010
LS:N Global, M. Astella Saw
Inform: Speaking Human
The time has come for small to shine, says Eric Karjaluoto, author of Speak Human. In the Turbulent Teens, small companies are in a prime position to engage with consumers seeking the intimate, the personable and the approachable. Often community - focused, they are also well placed to serve...
February 22, 2010
The Financial Post, Tony Wanless
Authenticity is the
Secret Weapon
Most small businesses feel impotent in their efforts to win, and keep, customers because they don't have the marketing power of corporations. After all, big advertising budgets have been the mainstay of marketing for decades.
Read: Authenticity is the Secret Weapon
January 19, 2010
Design Edge Canada, Allan Britnell
Who is Eric Karjaluoto?
Vancouver-based designer Eric Karjaluoto – "Karj" for those not fluent in the Finnish tongue – is the cofounder and creative director of digital design firm smashLAB. As a frequent blogger and Tweeter – he has 2,200 followers – this social media junkie...
February 01, 2009
.net Magazine, Eric Karjaluoto
Adventures in User Experience
Over the past eight years, our studio has built many websites for many different clients. But the lessons we’ve learned building our own community have reminded us that we still have a lot to master.
Read: Adventures in User Experience
January 24, 2009
TechCrunch, Michael Arrington
smashLAB Appeals To Discovery Channel To
“Suck Less”
Here’s an innovative approach to defending a trademark. Vancouver, Canada based SmashLAB is an online design and marketing firm that launched in 2000. Everything was going fine, they say, until Discovery Channel launched a television show with the same name.
Read: smashLAB Appeals to Discovery Channel
January 16, 2009
BC Business, Tony Wanless
The Viral Path Less Travelled
In December, the Vancouver interactive marketing agency smashLAB got hits in the press press and a few in the minor press for its social networking site, makefive.com, in which people can list 5 things they’re passionate about as a way to start conversations.
Read: The Viral Path Less Travelled
January 07, 2009
The Vancouver Sun, Brian Morton
Marketing as Easy as Counting to Five
We all know about David Letterman's Top 10 list, right? Well, a Vancouver-based interactive design firm is betting big on its own Top Five list. Called MakeFive, the website idea by smashLAB is based on the simple notion that there's a Top Five list for just about anything.
Read: Marketing as Easy as Counting to Five
September 15, 2008
HOW Magazine, Lisa Baggerman Hazen
Rock Your Website
"For an example of an online portfolio done right, look no further than Vancouver-based strategic interactive agency smashLAB. The case studies showcased in the portfolio show a variety...
September 01, 2008
.net Magazine, Eric Karjaluoto
Beat the Creative Block
A blank sheet of paper can incite creative paralysis. So how do you bust out and gain control? Eric Karjaluoto, of strategic interactive agency smashLAB, shares his thoughts...
July 07, 2008
Communication Arts, Joe Shepter
Social Networks: Where Advertisers Fear to Tread
"You have to look at social networks as a kind of plumbing," says Eric Karjaluoto of smashLAB, which has created the social network MakeFive. "It's not rocket science."
July 02, 2008
Studio 4, Fanny Kiefer
Eric Karjaluoto on Studio 4 with Fanny Kiefer
"Eric Karjaluoto is an award winning Canadian designer and Emily Carr graduate with a slightly green tinge. He wants his graphic design cohorts to unite, green up and address climate change in ..."
June 16, 2008
Weather Network, Ross Hull
Weather Network Feature on Design Can Change
"Eric Karjaluoto is a graphic designer who's helping his profession design change when it comes to its impact on the environment. Design can change is an effort to bring designers together to both ..."
June 1st, 2008
Desktop Magazine, Sam Gopal
Green by Design
As part of the publishing industry, we here at Desktop are ever conscious of the detrimental impact caused to the environment by the graphic design process. From the destruction of forests...
May 21st, 2008
The Vancouver Sun, Brian Morton
Smash Climate Change
An online green initiative has helped Vancouver-
based interactive design firm smashLAB gain the type of international exposure many companies can only dream of. "There's not a lot of work so far...
May 17th, 2008
The Globe and Mail, Jennifer Hollett
Smashing Global Warming With Greener Design
The goal of graphic design is to make things look good. Really good. So good that we want to buy these things, even if we don't need them. That can be a problem - or perhaps an opportunity...
Read: Smashing Global Warming With Greener Design
May 5th, 2008
Advertising Age
Need a Primer on Social Media? Read on...
Interactive agency smashLAB has created a white paper on social media designed as a primer for those who want to learn more about it. Below are excerpts from two sections: opportunities in...
Read: Need a Primer on Social Media?
April 7th, 2008
TIME Magazine, Deirdre Van Dyk
The Design 100
Launched by Canadian studio smashLAB, this website is a network of graphic designers focused on creating products with the lowest possible carbon footprint. The goal is to positively address...
February 25th, 2008
gdc.net, David Coates
The Little Lab That Could
This small firm of five people is doing some big things from their hip office in Gastown, Vancouver. The company, founded in 2000 is the result of a unique partnership of design and technology that...
Read: The Little Lab that Could
February 1st, 2008
Print, Rick Poynor
Warm Regards
As I write this in October, there are strong reasons to think that we have arrived at the tipping point of global awareness about climate change and the need to act as a matter of urgency. A recent BBC...
January 1st, 2008
Applied Arts, Eric Karjaluoto
The Heart of the Matter
Introducing a new party to an existing design process can present serious challenges. A case in point: Two years ago, I was caught off-guard. Our firm had been working with a start-up company...
June 1st, 2007
Shared Vision, Jennifer Croll
Intelligent Design
Last June, the designers at Vancouver company smashLAB were thinking a lot about climate change. And they were also considering how their industry affects the environment. “We felt really...
April 16th, 2007
STEP Magazine
Best of the Web 2007
Though it smarts to say it, designers are a wasteful bunch. "We had been talking about how our studio could do less damage to the environment," says smashLAB creative director Eric Karjaluoto. "It felt...
March 1st, 2007
Desktop Magazine, Jack Yan
Time to Start Planning
You may be thinking that it's the beginning of the year, Easter is the next big holiday and that we shouldn't even give Christmas another thought. But it may be worth giving it a moment of your time...
Contact us
We're happy to respond to media inquiries regarding online marketing, interaction design, and social media. Contact us at 604 683 2250, or send an email to: media@smashlab.com
Speaking
In need of a speaker to talk about the impacts of design and marketing in the digital space? Send your event date and details to hello@smashlab.com and we’ll respond with availability and rates.
The Book
Interested in what you see here, but looking for more? Consider picking up a copy of our book Speak Human, which looks at how to build a brand effectively in an increasingly wired world.