A little chat with Darrell - Specialmoves
A little chat
As one of our founders, Darrell Wilkins’ opinions have helped to shape Specialmoves since we first started out. Here are a few of them.
How do you spot UX talent when you see it?
UX designers are often people frustrated with the world around them, but rather than complain, think up ways to make it better. When interviewing people for UX posts I ask them about ticket machines, bathroom taps, door and service station car park signs. Their responses illustrate their understanding of how people actually interact with everyday objects and information. Most people are reasonable problem solvers, but people who really understand what the problem is, are usually great UX designers.
What do you wish you’d known in 1999 when you started Specialmoves?
That doing cool work and running a company that delivers cool work are very, very different things. We trained as interaction designers; we knew the tech and could produce beautiful interactive things from the outset. Learning how to read the balance sheet, employment law, marketing, client servicing we had to learn from scratch. Tough, but as it turns out critical to long term success.
How do you maintain such a high standard of output?
You have to lead by example. You can’t pay people or coerce anyone into caring. You have to inspire them, explain why things are important and get them excited about what they are doing. When people care about what they do they will always produce at a much higher level. Standards then stay high on their own.
If you were a client how would you spot a good digital shop?
They have to love the work, not just be in it for the money. Remuneration is important but not at the expense of pride in the things they create. They won’t be ‘yes men’, blindly responding to everything the client asks. Rather they’ll take the time and make the effort to really understand the client’s problems and then offer appropriate solutions. Above all, a good digital shop will not feel like a supplier but a genuine partner who has the client’s best interest at heart.
How do you select which projects or clients to take on?
We choose the clients that share our belief: that brilliantly designed interactivity positively affects people’s lives. It makes them happier, more productive and helps to solve their problems. Clients who understand this and want to deliver it for their customers (or employees, students, partners etc) are the ones we want to work with.