Marketing Groundwork

http://www.palantir.com/what-we-believe/
- The pictures that link the different parts of the website are very abstract. I feel like that's quite an important aspect in terms of design and ideas- for example, if you're trying to represent "open software", don't use something that will literally represent software (like Apple or Windows). Palantir's choice in using a photo of planes flying across a vast sky is wonderful.

http://www.behance.net/gallery/Google-Visual-Assets-Guidelines-Part-2/9084309
- I LOVE the way that Google has the whole design reduction policy and the use of crisp colors. Nothing dull or any shadows with gradients. Gradients have become something of the "past" to me. Defined colors are the design of the future. The whole geometric pattern they have going on is also very attention grabbing for me.

http://www.palantir.com/engineering-culture/
- Geez....I'm blown away by the design of this section of the website. Simply flawless. I don't even know what to say; everything about this particular page is amazing. The yellow hover bios that pop up when you scroll over the pictures are super. Sweet and short to the point while giving you a little insight on the individual. It tells you the person's name and a form of social networking that can be used to contact them (Twitter). The interchangeable usage of sans serif / serif typeface is so smart and legible.

http://www.directorsnotes.com/2010/11/14/sound-it-out-adventures-in-crowd-funding/

"It’s planning the PR, marketing and outreach before the film is even made. We’ve tried to reach out to all the different groups of people who may be interested in our film, so we’ve really tried to cast the net far and wide. "

This is pretty good- take tips on people who have done it and what has gone wrong and what to keep in mind.