Handmade Interactive LLC

Q: What's your name and position in the company?
A: Larisa Boiko, partner

Q: Describe your company in 5 words.
A: Experienced, creative, versatile, growing, successful

Q: What's your business philosophy?
A: Only accept projects that are a good match for our skills, aesthetic sense and personality, then work like hell. Remember that the true sign of success is client profitability.

Q: Describe your office environment.
A: In a converted 1940's factory in Pasadena, surrounded by other tech and design companies. Atmosphere inside is calm, positive and creative.

Q: Describe how your team interact and work together.
A: In small teams of designers, programmers and project managers. Frequent meetings are held in our conference room using a projector. We sometimes video conference.

Q: What makes you different from other web design companies?
A: We go deeper in search of what our clients truly need, not necessarily accepting what they think they need. By questioning assumptions and preconceptions we often end up with better final results.

Q: How do you get the majority of your business?
A: Word of mouth and repeat business.

Q: Describe how you manage projects from the initial client contact to completion and handover.
A: Initial meetings and brainstorming are followed by written project specs. A team is formed and the work commences. Each client has direct contact with their team. Work is posted for client to comment on and there is frequent communication. Upon completion we test extensively, fix bugs, conduct user testing, then go live. Going live often leads to unexpected but valuable insights and user comments which result in a final wave of modifications.

Q: What do you think is the most crucial element of creating a good client relationship?
A: Respect and empathy.

Q: How do you manage demanding clients?
A: It depends on what the demands are ! We demand a lot of ourselves, so it is a rare client who expects more then we can deliver.

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: Have a face-to-face meeting or video conference with each candidate. You should like the people you do business with.

Q: Where do you see your company in 10 years time?
A: We do not think that growing much beyond our present staff of 14 is necessarily a virtue, but we would like to advance in what we can offer clients. Offices in Europe and China would be nice.

Q: Where do you see the web design industry in the future?
A: As the range of platforms and technologies continues to expand, companies will become more specialized. Mobile devices will become all-powerful.

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: It refers to our individual approach to each client and project, and the pride we take in our work.

Q: If you were to give your clients one tip on how to get the most from their website what would it be?
A: Know your audience before building something they are expected to visit and use.