The Orbiter

A web designers relationship with their client is one that evolves over the lifespan of any project. You can position yourself as an advisor, expert, friend, and hopefully a longtime business partner by arranging yourself the right way, which allows you to start off on the right foot with your client and bears the best results for the project. Here are five tips to strengthening your client relationships. Read More >

This quote from Scottie on Star Trek “ I can’t do it captain, I just don’t have the power!” can ring true to web designers whose battery is tapped out. Whether you are working super late on a project deadline, working on multiple projects at once or just crashing your head against the sketch book in hopes a good idea will come to you, being tapped out can hinder you. With energy down, quality of work tends to suffer, deadlines may be missed, and grumpiness rears its head. Here are five simple ways to keep your design battery charged during these busy times so that you stay positive and feel great about the work you are creating. Read More >

People like to complain. And since I talk to people about web projects, I hear a lot of complaints about other web design companies. I regularly hear horror stories about long delays and failed projects. So in 2011, I started keeping a notebook next to my phone. And when I remembered it was there, I would take a few notes. Read More >

I got this email the other day:

I’d like to setup a call with the principal of your firm. We’ve recently discovered a web company that has been plagiarizing our content. In doing our research, we’ve notice that they’ve also stolen from you. This should look familiar…

What followed was a link to an article I had written, but it wasn’t on my site. It was on another company’s website. There were a few minor changes, but it was 90% the same. They had even copied one of the comments and added it as a comment on their post. Read More >

Too often, developers, marketers and executives get uber-excited over the latest and greatest way to do something. This can lead to perceived usability that actually ignores the user. A few examples of common missteps in user experience: Read More >

This year’s Chicago Cause was a huge success. I want to take a few moments to give a shout out to all the applicants, the finalists, our partners, and most of all our 2011 Chicago Cause recipient! Read More >