Interested in teaming up? We'll be your secret weapon behind the scenes, destroying mediocre design with our unique blast of creative firepower. All done in a safe and controlled environment of course.
What can I expect when we start a project together?
Our first priority will be to get to know you, your project, and your goals. We'll ask you questions. We'll brainstorm. We'll sketch. We'll map out a plan for success that we all agree on, including project phases and milestones. Then we'll get to work.
How many people work at Shaping the Page, and where are you located?
Andy and Emily are the two superheroes cranking out the work here in the midwest metropolis of Columbus, OH. Between the two of us we manage to graciously handle the responsibilities of each project. Occasionally a tight deadline, or the need for a technical specialty, make it necessary to pull in others on a project. In those cases we're thankful to have a strong network of design and development friends to pull from.
What type of client is a good fit for Shaping the Page?
We're most successful working with people who need and value our design expertise, and our ability to take the lead visually on their project. If you're OK working with someone who has strong design opinions, then you'll love working with us. We also have a great respect for the knowledge and background our clients have of their products and industry, and encourage them to bring their input and expertise to the table. Together we work as a team.
How do you organize your projects and handle communication with your clients?
Other than email and the occasional Skype call or chat, we use Basecamp to manage almost every aspect of our projects. Our clients are given Basecamp login credentials to follow the progress of their project, submit feedback, track milestones, and view proofs. We like to be neat and organized, and believe it contributes to the success of our final designs.
Can I hire you to work with my Rails or PHP development team?
By all means. We really enjoy being part of the web application development process. Just plug us into your development team, and let us provide design support via wireframing, static mockups, front-end development, and HTML & CSS templates. We can work directly within your MVC environment, or provide template-sharing support via Dropbox and other remote sharing methods. We can work with your team on an ongoing basis to provide support and expansion of your application.
I want a complete website. Do you handle both design and development?
Absolutely. From initial ideas to final launch, we handle every step of the site production process for you. We're convinced that our ability to code and provide front-end development helps us to produce better designs. We stay up to date on the latest development trends and web standards, so that your site not only looks amazing, but is built upon a rock solid foundation.
Will I be able to manage the content on the site you design for me?
Yes. Your site will be powered by an easy-to-use content management system. For most of our projects we like to use ExpressionEngine. It's a powerful and flexible publishing system that affords us complete freedom in the design of your site, while giving you the user-friendly power to edit and control the content yourself. Don't worry, we'll show you exactly what you'll need to know so that you're in the driver's seat of your own content.
How long will my project take to complete?
That obviously depends on the size of the project, but once started it can typically take 4-6 weeks for the completion of a small site. If you need a project turned around faster, just ask us and we might be able to make it happen depending on our current schedule.
How much will my project cost?
Again, that will depend on the size of your project. We can usually handle smaller sites starting at under $5,000, with the price increasing as unique features and site size increase. For complete websites we provide an estimate at the start of the project. We can also be retained to work alongside your company or team for the duration of your project. In those situations we charge an hourly rate for our services, which can be discussed.