Philosophy
Philosophy
My work is driven by a few simple philosophical points.
- The user comes first. This serves the user a little bit, but it mostly serves the client. A project that does not satisfy its intended audience is very likely to be a failure. It doesn't matter a whit how great your web site is if nobody wants to use it, or nobody can figure out how.
- Keep it simple. The web is overloaded with gee-whiz techniques and a burning pressure to "push the envelope". Sometimes it's appropriate. But most times, the simple solution will carry the day, make users happy, be cheaper, faster to implement, and easier to maintain over time. Simply built sites play nicer with search engines and mobile phones as well.
- One size does not fit all. Just because something works great for project A, it may not be suitable at all for project B. Yet, so many of my peers try to implement the same solutions, using the same technologies, over and over and over, sometimes force-fitting them into a project that is screaming for a different idea. I look at every project as a whole, and bring in the best tools - and the best people - suited for that particular project. Not only that, but I try to adapt my workflow, communications, and whatever other element of my service that can be adapted, when adaption is beneficial.
- Get it right. My goal (and my track record) is to get it right the first time. But that's only part of the story. Everyone makes mistakes. So whether it's my typo, or your revision, or someone else's incorrect file format, or whatever, I'll maintain a dedication to getting it right, and making whatever happen that needs to happen, on time and on budget.
- Clients are people too. At some point, every client needs something done tomorrow. Most clients don't ask questions they should ask, and some assume they know things they probably should research. Clients call too often, email too much, and want revisions or deliverables that push the scope of work. But I'm a client, too. I hire vendors all the time, and assemble teams for client projects, and I do all of the exact same things. We're all a little busy, a little tired, and we're probably working without a net. The goal ought to be as friendly, flexible and accomodating as possible, while still maintaining a business relationship.