Jeanius!

Q: What's your name and position in the company?
A: Jean Dunn-Bardo: Creative Director

Q: Describe your company in 5 words.
A: I make design work beautifully.

Q: What's your business philosophy?
A: I strike a balance between design and functionality. Design needs to work FOR you. I have a background of both design and business development, so I understand the importance of an intuitive AND beautiful solution.

Q: Describe your office environment.
A: Nordic-Malvern. Edwardian-Modernism. Urban-Getaway. With a massive anglepoise & couple of cats under the desk.

Q: Describe how your team interact and work together.
A: As a freelancer, I work more with external resources - I have a number of highly-skilled and trusted connections that I use for specialist projects as I believe in giving the best service & product to a customer. Generally I'm happy with a cup of tea and a chat.

Q: What makes you different from other web design companies?
A: For the last 6 years, I've designed, managed and maintained websites whilst also working on business development systems and back office software. This means that I have a greater understanding of how the website needs to tie in to YOUR business and not just be a standalone system. Your website needs to work for both you and your customers.

Q: How do you get the majority of your business?
A: Word of mouth, referals, local business events.

Q: Describe how you manage projects from the initial client contact to completion and handover.
A: The brief and vision must always come from the client and be listened to. My expertise will then be used to make that vision a reality and give the client a solution that will really work.

Q: What do you think is the most crucial element of creating a good client relationship?
A: Communication. As a web designer, it's my job to listen to what a client wants from their website, their business and how they want to be perceived. Communication is vital for trust. If you can trust your web designer, then you know that they are working their hardest to produce the very best for you! It is also essential that the client can feel comfortable to tell you what they don't like and what they want to change. This isn't my website I'm building, it's yours - It's important that the client can share their thoughts, both good and bad! :)

Q: How do you manage demanding clients?
A: The same as every client! This is your website, you deserve to get the very best! :)

Q: If a client was trying to decide between a shortlist of web design companies, how would you recommend they go about selecting the right one for them?
A: Talk to the web designer, see what they can do for you. See if you're happy with the way that they write their emails, the time it takes them to reply & their general tone of voice. The relationship between web designer & client is a really important one - so pick someone you feel suits your business.

Q: Where do you see your company in 10 years time?
A: Continuing to meet and work with new clients - but still pushing boundaries with the balance of design and functionality. My business will always have the personal touch that it does at the moment - for me, design is not a job, it's an all-consuming way of life!

Q: Where do you see the web design industry in the future?
A: Continuing to embrace new technology. Web design has changed so much in the last 10 years - but I believe website management should be available to more people - there's nothing worse than a client being trapped by code. Schools are now teaching code, so a whole new wave of technology experts are coming through - I think we'll see a huge surge in the ability of the general public to really engage with their own sites.

Q: What computers do you have use in your offices, PCs or Macs?
A: Both PC and Mac

Q: How was your company name chosen?
A: My name is Jean! Jeanius! has been my nickname for years as I always help people out when I can :)

Q: If you were to give your clients one tip on how to get the most from their website what would it be?
A: Give it an identity. Yes it's important to be mobile ready and be SEO'd - but as we get used to browsing on a mobile, you need something longer lasting to really make you stand out above the rest. Your identity is the one thing that makes you unique! :)