ABOUT THE SITE
What is the DesignDirectory?
Why should I list in the Design Directory? My design firm already has a website—a nice one!
Who is Core77?
Who is BusinessWeek?

LISTING YOUR FIRM
How much does it cost to list my design firm?
How can I get my listing to appear on the home page?
How can I get my listing to appear on Businessweek.com?

FINDING DESIGN FIRMS
How do I search for design firms that match my needs?
There are too many results; how do I refine my search?

TAGS
What are 'Tags'? How can I use them in my listing?

LOGGING IN/LOGGING OUT
I can't log in to my account. What should I do?
I forgot my password. Help!
How can I reset my password?

MANAGING YOUR PROFILE
How do I know how many people have viewed my profile page?
How can I temporarily deactivate my listing?

UPDATING YOUR PROFILE PAGE (TEXT)
How do I update my profile page?
Can I link to my company website?
I belong to a professional affiliation that is not listed as one of your choices. What should I do?
Our company has several offices throughout the county, is it possible to list more than one location?
What are the character limits for each of the sections within my listing?

UPLOADING MY PORTFOLIO PICTURES
How does the image upload work?
How do I prepare images for the web?
What types of image files are acceptable?
What if I don't want to put up 12 images?
The maximum image size is 548 x 413 pixels, what is the minimum size?
Can I replace the auto-generated thumbnail image with my own?
What is my Key Image?
There is a red X appearing in place of my image, how can I fix this?

LAST RESORTS
This FAQ isn't helping me. Is there somebody I can contact?




ABOUT THE SITE
What is the DesignDirectory?
Core77 has partnered with Business Week to produce the DesignDirectory, a comprehensive database of design firms, launched in conjunction with the release of the new Design and Innovation Channel on the BusinessWeek.com website. At Businessweek.com, a highlighted DesignDirectory box is integrated into the channel home page, alongside a host of other content discussing the strategic importance of design to businesses. The Design Directory site is co-branded and promoted extensively by Core77 and BusinessWeek. With a total audience of 4 million users monthly, design firms listing in this directory enjoy an unprecedented opportunity to gain exposure to a global audience of business and design leaders in a cost-effective manner.

Why should I list in the Design Directory? My design firm already has a website—a nice one!
The DesignDirectory is an apples-to-apples way for business leaders and hiring managers to put together a short list of design firms they're interested in working with. Your company's website is a great thing, but if nobody visits it, it's not doing you much good. Your Profile Page in the Design Directory can contain a link to your site, so anyone interested in learning more about your company can get to your site right from your Profile. The Design Directory is promoted at several spots within BusinessWeek.com and Core77.com—your company's website is not.

Who is Core77?
Since 1995, Core77.com has served a devoted global audience of industrial designers ranging from students through seasoned professionals. Core77 publishes articles, discussion forums, an extensive event calendar, hosts portfolios, job listings, a database of design firms, schools, vendors and services. Core77 provides a gathering point for designers and enthusiasts alike by producing design competitions, lecture series, parties, and exhibits. It's sister site, Coroflot, focuses on design portfolios and design jobs, and boasts a population of over 24,000 portfolios, all searchable from anywhere on the internet.

Who is BusinessWeek?
BusinessWeek's award-winning web site BusinessWeek.com provides users with daily perspective, unique insights, breaking news, and in-depth analysis of the latest trends in the business world. With continuous coverage of today's business issues, BusinessWeek Online is a leading full-service Web site for senior-level executives. At BusinessWeek Online, users find eight channels replete with trusted information and resources to help manage their personal and professional lives. From small business to global business, personal investing to corporate strategies, BusinessWeek Online provides insight and perspective on all topics relevant to today's business professionals. In addition to unparalleled journalism, the site also offers interactive tools, reports, data, forums, and newsletters.

LISTING YOUR DESIGN FIRM
How much does it cost to list my design firm?
There are 3 tiers of Listings at the DesignDirectory:

Basic Listing: Free
This is a free listing, and it's text only; you won't get your logo or portfolio images.

Premium Listing: $795/year
The Premium Listing gives you the following:
* A Professional Portfolio—up to 12 images with descriptions showing your work
* Primary Placement in search results—Premium Listings are displayed first in all search and browse results
* Your Company logo prominently displayed on your listing at DesignDirectory.com
* Stat Dashboard: Monitor the activity on your profile page
* Additional firm profile fields (awards, affiliations, clients, more)

Premium Plus Listing: Monthly fee schedule
Our Premium Plus option gets your firm placement on the DesignDirectory home page, placement on select high-traffic BusinessWeek.com pages, placement on Core77.com pages, and priority placement in search and browse results pages. It is the most effective way to reach business leaders looking for strategic design services, and gives your firm the highest profile possible. Inclusion in these spots is available on a monthly basis. Call Laura at 917-991-1807 or email to learn more.

How can I get my listing to appear on the home page?
Firms with Premium Plus Listings receive placement on the DesignDirectory home page, as well as on Core77.com pages. Inclusion in these spots is available on a monthly basis. Call Laura at 917-991-1807 or email to learn more.

How can I get my listing to appear on Businessweek.com?
Firms with Premium Plus Listings receive placement on select high-traffic BusinessWeek.com pages. Inclusion in these spots is available on a monthly basis. Call Laura at 917-991-1807 or email to learn more.

FINDING DESIGN FIRMS
How do I search for design firms that match my needs?
You can do a quick search in the gray 'search bar' at the top of each page on the DesignDirectory site (you can search by design field, location, tags or firm name), or you can click the 'Advanced Search' link. An advanced search is much more likely to yield results that are specific to your needs (using keywords, cities, and states). Finally, you can search using our new Tagging system, which will help you narrow down design firms according to their expertise and specialties. Click on 'View Popular Tags' to see a selection of the most popular, and click on a tag to find firms with that specific competency.

There are too many results; how do I refine my search?
Try the Advanced Search or Tagging system listed above. If you still have difficulty, give us a call at 1-888-756-8282 (toll free) and our helpful staff will take care of you.

TAGS
What are 'Tags'? How can I use them in my listing?
'Tags' are keywords that describe your company's skills and specialties in detail. Enter these in a comma-separated list in your profile, and they will become links that lead visitors to your listing. Be as specific as you want. Check our 'View Popular Tags' list to get an idea of the kinds of specialties firms are calling out. We suggest using tags that are already in use, as those are more likely to lead visitors to your listing.


LOGGING IN/LOGGING OUT
I can't log in to my account. What should I do?
You can have your login information resent to you via email by going to the 'Forgot Password' page. If that doesn't work then call us at 1-888-756-8282 (toll free) and our helpful staff will take care of you.

I forgot my password. Help!
Same song, different verse: You can have your login information resent to you via email by going to the 'Forgot Password' page. If that doesn't work then call us at 1-888-756-8282 (toll free) and our helpful staff will take care of you.

How can I reset my password?
On your account summary page there is an option to 'Change Password'. Click that link and update either of them at any time. You can also use this feature to assign an existing account to a new person.

MANAGING YOUR PROFILE
How do I know how many people have viewed my profile page?
Your account summary page will show an overview of traffic to your listing, and detailed reports, broken down by month, will be available anytime online for your review.

How can I temporarily deactivate my listing?
Within edit mode there is a section called 'Profile Status.' To temporarily hide your listing, uncheck the box labeled 'make this profile publicly available' and then save your changes.

UPDATING YOUR PROFILE PAGE (TEXT)
How do I update my profile page?
It's easy. You simply log in to your account using your secure name and password, then click on view/edit profile. Everything you need is right there, with a fast and user-friendly interface, and suggestions to help you get the most of your Profile Page.

Can I link to my company website?
Yes. There is a dedicated field in the fill-in form for a link to your website, as well as to your email if you desire.

I belong to a professional affiliation that is not listed as one of your choices. What should I do?
You should email us at , and we'll add it to the pull-down. With a big thank you for helping us make the site better.

Our company has several offices throughout the country, is it possible to list more than one location?
You can list additional locations within the body of the company description. We will add more location fields soon.

What are the character limits for each of the sections within my listing?
Image descriptions: 450 characters
Company description: 10,000 characters (knock yourself out!)

UPLOADING MY PORTFOLIO PICTURES
How does the image upload work?
It is very easy, but it'll go faster if you prepare all your portfolio images in advance.

(a) First, select the project images you want to include. The image size is a maximum of 548 pixels wide by 413 pixels high, at a resolution of 72dpi. Images that exceed these dimensions will not be accepted. Images should be prepared as JPG files in RGB mode for best results. Once you have the images selected and prepared, produce a short text description of each project to accompany that image.

(b) Next, from your 'edit profile' page, click on the image box to go to the image upload page. Select and upload your projects one at a time, adding the text description as you go. A thumbnail image will be automatically generated for you.

(c) Once you've uploaded all your projects, select one of them as your 'key image' for display in search results. (By default, the first image is the 'key image.')

(d) If you have any questions about this process call us at 1-888-756-8282 (toll free) and our helpful staff will assist you in the process.

How do I prepare images for the web?
Images for the web must be sized at 72dpi, and we recommend moderate compression in jpg form. That way, they'll download fast and still look good.

What types of image files are acceptable?
jpg, jpeg, gif, or png. And don't use spaces when you name them, please.

What if I don't want to put up 12 images?
No problem. We have provided a dozen spots for portfolio images and descriptions so that you can create a very quick yet very broad impression of your talents and competencies. You don't need to use them all, and you can add, delete, or edit images at any time.

The maximum image size is 548 x 413 pixels, what is the minimum size?
Stick with the 548 x 413. At this size they will look the best and our automated thumbnail generator will do the rest.

Can I replace the auto-generated thumbnail image with my own?
Sure, and it's not a bad idea, since your home-made thumbnail image will be at a native resolution that may look better on-screen. (You can only replacean auto-generated thumbnail; you can't upload one to start with.) Make your own thumbnail images at 178 x 133 pixels (72 dpi), and then switch 'em out when you're in Edit mode of your Profile Page.

What is my Key Image?
The Key Image is the image that is displayed in the search and browse results list, so it's very important that you pick a representative and compelling image. In the Profile Edit page, click on the radio button below the images to select which image you would like as your Key Image.

There is a red X appearing in place of my image, how can I fix this?
This is because the image is saved in CMYK color mode, instead of in RGB. Delete the uploaded file, resave the image in RBG color mode, and then upload the new file.

LAST RESORTS
This FAQ isn't helping me. Is there somebody I can contact?
Yes. Email us at , or call us 1-888-756-8282 (toll free) and our helpful staff will take care of you.