A Birmingham innovative designer has developed an ingenious and popular simple new Postcard and Greetings card product. He is now launching it in association with 'Digital Birmingham' and supported in kind by Birmingham City Council.   The City's Arts Gallery has immediately taken 500 of the Postcard version for issue at the forthcoming 'Artsfest' event this weekend in the City!

David Andrew Sidwell who lives in Shirley, is the creator behind FAB Fotocards that enable anyone to turn any digital photo/image or drawing into a Postcard or Greetings card, instantly. The new-style Postcards for example, are actually intended for everyday use, not just when away on holiday. They can show pleasing pictures of friends, family and workmates, or any one of thousands of free digital 'wallpaper' images, downloaded from the Internet.   Worded captions can also be included underneath a picture, if you so wish?

One of the many benefits of this unique new product being as an alternative to picture texting via mobile phones, giving the receivers of such personalised postcards something tangible that they can actually hold in their hands, and show around to friends, family, and workmates, or pin-up on a notice board at work, or stick to their fridge door at home, etc.

Digital pictures can be taken using a digital camera or mobile phone, or a digital 'wallpaper' image transferred to a memory stick or CD, etc. The camera, phone, or disc, etc., is then taken to a Digital Instant Photo Printing kiosk - like the 'Photo-Me' kiosks at the temporary promotional site at The Central Library in Chamberlain Square, Birmingham - and a 6 X 4 photo printed-off.   (There are thousands more Digital Photo Printing Kiosks all over the UK, now).

Once people have printed-off their photo, they can choose between having it as a Postcard or Greetings card, and their photo is then very simply laminated instantly by hand in seconds, onto the backing card.   People can currently have a Postcard made-up with their own photo for only 99p at the site, or buy a pack of six FAB Fotocards for £4.99, so that they can make-up their own Postcards at home, work, or wherever?   Packs of six FAB Greetings! cards are also available for £6.99, including six red FAB envelopes.

An on-line purchasing facility is now available, for those people who are unable to visit the site at The Central Library in Birmingham city centre, next to the bmibaby beach.

Birmingham City Council and Digital Birmingham are supporting the project, which is proving to be a valuable promotional vehicle for the city.   Each FAB Fotocard is branded on the back with the 'Birmingham' name.

Council deputy leader Paul Tilsley believes there's plenty of mileage in the innovative product.

"Birmingham City Council is always keen to support new ventures which will raise the profile of the city, especially when they involve pioneering technology and innovative ideas," he said.

"Fab Fotocards, as well as being a lot of fun, will help showcase Birmingham on a national and international basis and reinforce our commitment to becoming a leading digital city."

According to Fab Fotocards innovator David Andrew Sidwell, feedback from users has been extremely positive.

"In the short time we've had this outlet at the library, we've had some really great pictures and comments from people using the service," he said.

"All sorts of people have been coming in and printing-off pictures to send as postcards, and everyone really likes the product. Overseas visitors see it as a great way of sending postcards back home with themselves in the picture. We have already had people as far as Canada using the product".

"It is so simple for people to use around the UK just for fun, whether they be on their travels, or just sending a pleasing image to someone else in everyday life, when at home.   This being due to so many Digital Photo Printing Kiosks being located all over the UK, now, and so putting a smile on the faces of friends, family and workmates everywhere!".

Fab Fotocards has developed further as a business ever since David attended a Digital Birmingham Business Launch event some time ago.

He was introduced to UCE's Technology Innovation Centre (TIC) who helped him put together a website for the business. Digital Birmingham has also assisted in facilitating introductions to key Birmingham City Council contacts, and helped to arrange temporary promotional space with The Central Library until the end of September.

"Digital Birmingham's support and assistance has been invaluable," added David.   "They've provided some great business assistance.

Digital Birmingham is an alliance of public, private and voluntary sector organisations who share the goal of ensuring the benefits of global digital technologies are experienced by everybody living, studying, visiting and working in Birmingham.

"Ventures such as David's have great potential, not just for themselves but also for promoting Birmingham," said Digital Birmingham's innovation manager, Annette King. "We wish him every success for the future."

To put yourself in the picture, visit David's website at: www.fabfotocards.com and also learn about some great ways to use this fun new product!

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