We look at things in a radically different way.

Overview

Sparkplug is a user experience (UX) design firm with a twist. With our groundbreaking Intensive Personal Interview (IPI) research process, we uncover the secret fears and desires of users. Then, using modern development tools like Ruby on Rails, we craft psychology-based websites that are wildly successful. We create websites that people love to use.

We dig Rails

To implement our design work, our crackerjack development team uses Ruby on Rails as its primary development platform. This enables us to swiftly build full-featured Web 2.0 applications much faster than folks with older web platforms. Want to see an example of our Rails development savvy? Check out TeamSnap, our homegrown web application.

And for those of you who love the tech jargon, we also have deep experience with Linux, Apache, MySQL and PHP (LAMP) as well as a wide variety of PHP-based libraries and tools. Woot!

A unique fusion of three disciplines

We have blended our design and technology expertise with a third discipline that is virtually unheard of in the design world: behavioral science. Consider the following:

  • People perceive and process 90% of all information subconsciously.
  • They make snap judgements about what they see in a fraction of a second. (Skeptical? Read these articles from the BBC and Nature.)
  • Therefore, effective user interfaces must be highly informed and precisely articulated to "speak" to this subconscious layer.
  • We use our behavioral science expertise to create user experiences that consumers both understand (logically) and feel (emotionally).

High performance results

When this expertise is brought to bear, it results in:

  • Users who thoroughly understand your product
  • Branding that consumers respond to emotionally
  • Dramatically enhanced website effectiveness
  • Long-term consumer affinity to your brand

What's it like working with us?

In an industry that is notorious for egos the size of icebergs, the folks at Sparkplug are refreshingly down to earth. We love our work and enjoy helping our clients be wildly successful. Working with us is so much fun, you might be surprised at how much we accomplish in so little time.

Speaking of notorious icebergs, have you ever heard that designers have a reputation for being a little flaky? Well, we relate because we've been there too — you know, that sinking feeling that you are totally at the mercy of some designer who "might" get it done if he gets around to it.

Well, you won't find that kind of prima donna act here because we're zealous about trust. We're never late or over budget, period. It's this kind of rigorous work ethic that helps our clients really shine because their projects always come in on-time, on-budget and on-target. (Imagine that.)

Beware of factory firms

Here's a little secret. Most design firms are based on a factory model:

  • They have a great "dog and pony" show that looks really cool — but that show has no relationship to the quality of their work.
  • They cram as many projects as possible through their production line, anything to maximize their profits.
  • Their goal is to rush through the project as quickly as possible, giving you (and your project) the least attention possible.
  • They don't research and they don't test — just throw it together, "pretty" it up a bit, and then shove it out the door.
  • The result might look "pretty," but underneath it all lies an ineffective product that won't work well with real-world consumers.
  • They charge lowball prices that are "too good to be true" (because they really are). Maximum throughput for maximum profit.

Not your typical design firm

We don't do that. We're different than "factory" firms because:

  • We only accept new clients when we have all the resources to guarantee a 100% successful outcome. Nothing less will do.
  • We conduct exhaustive research to thoroughly understand your business, your users and (most importantly) your users' needs.
  • We interview your real live users to find out what they really think and feel. (And the findings are often surprising.)
  • We test our designs on real live humans to make sure that the design works on both a logical and emotional level.
  • We won't quit until you (and your users) are thrilled with the results. Period.
  • Our fees are reasonable and comparable with other quality design firms.

Take a gander (or even a goose)

So take a look around, learn about our approach to design and check out our work. And if you like what you see, contact us — we'd love to hear from you.