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Windows Phone is a Small Town Girl

Posted by Jon Fields on 05/17/2013

Windows Phone CartoonSince the first iPhone was released in 2007, I have been hooked on mobile, and, as a software developer (and gadget geek,) I quickly learned the ropes on how to develop for many different mobile platforms. I always enjoy trying new smartphones so that I can better understand their hidden features and flaws: the things they don’t tell you about in product reviews, or spec sheets, or a quick play session on a display model at Best Buy.

My most recent quest was to discover Windows Phone for myself. Is there some hidden gem that justified Microsoft spending millions on Ad campaigns targeted to lure people away from their iPhones and Android devices and bring them over to Windows Phone?

I picked up a Nokia Lumia running Windows Phone 8 and promised myself I was going to use it as my daily smartphone for one week. Setting up the device was a breeze with importing my contacts and configuring everything I needed for work and leisure.

Fast forward four days later – No hidden gem. I am now back on my faithful Nexus 4 running Android 4.2.2. I loved the User Experience [UX] of Windows Phone, but with the lackluster apps available in the Windows Phone Store, I could not continue. I’m not exactly an “app addict”, but I do have a good stack of apps I use on a daily basis with no counterpart available in the Windows Phone environment.

The Windows Phone Store reminded me a lot of a hackish Linux “app store”: tons of 3rd party apps. Many apps just implemented hacks or webviews to suck in the content. Many top app publishers have ignored Windows Phone. As of writing this, the YouTube client built by Microsoft has received a Cease and Desist order from Google, since it circumvents Google’s advertising system.

To be fair, Windows Phone is an excellent take on different thinking regarding user interaction and experience. It’s not entirely Microsoft’s fault that their app store is stunting their beloved platform, but more the fault of developers for not taking it as seriously. Windows Phone has a great looking interface, but at the end of the day there just isn’t a whole lot you can do with it. Perhaps things will change soon, perhaps not. Until then, Windows Phone is kind of like a small town girl with big city dreams.

Tags: Android, iPhone, .NET, Windows Phone, Windows Marketplace, Nokia Lumia, Windows Phone 7, Windows Phone 8
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Hiring a Jr. Marketing Associate

Posted by Dave Miller on 05/01/2013

Back40 Design, Inc. – an Edmond design firm providing web development, branding and creative services – is seeking a Jr. Marketing Associate.  The ideal candidate would possess a marketing/communications education and background and a desire to learn the design and web business.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

  • Assist in ongoing marketing efforts including communicating directly with existing clients, prospective clients and internal account executives and design staff
  • Assist in developing marketing plans for specific industry sectors
  • Develop and execute promotional marketing for the Back40 Design brand
  • Update internal websites, blog posts and social media
  • Assist with writing and interviewing clients for case studies
  • Assist in creation and editing of in-house promotional materials

Job Requirements:

  • Experience with MS Office / Google docs
  • Experience with website content management systems a plus
  • Excellent technical aptitude and written communication skills are required
  • Able to manage multiple projects in a fast-paced environment
  • Able to take instruction and communicate with a variety of clients and staff
  • Able to keep to a consistent schedule up to 32 hours a week

This is a paid part-time position consisting of approximately 32 hours per week and may lead to full-time employment with benefits and profit sharing. All work will be performed at Back40 Design’s Edmond location.

To apply for this position, please submit your cover letter and resume to dave@back40design.com. No phone calls please.

Tags: Careers, Culture, Business, Web Design, Graphic Design
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To our New Designer Whoever You Are

Posted by Dave Miller on 03/12/2013
*Update 5/1/13*
We have hired a designer. Thanks for your interest in the position. If you would like to be considered for future positions please email us at dave@back40design.com.

Hello.

We’re looking for a designer to join Back40. Not just any designer. We’re looking for a top performer. Maybe it’s you.

Do you love design?

Do you examine the typography on your shampoo bottle? Do you name fonts on the menu while out to eat? Do you redesign signage you observe on your commute? Do you critique advertising messages without mercy? If this is you, please read onward. We understand you.

Do you like working directly with clients?

Good, because that's what you will do at Back40. It’s integral to our design process. You’ll uncover and discover our client’s marketing needs and create beautifully appropriate design solutions. When the solution is web-based, you’ll oversee the project right up to the programming and content development phase. When the solution involves print or branding, you’ll manage the project beginning to end. All along the way you’ll have assistance and support from our experienced team - but you won’t be micro-managed.

Back40 Design A Little About Us

A little about us.

We’re a designer-owned company that’s been producing web and marketing work for 12 years. We employ 14 design professionals and support staffers. Last year, gross revenues grew 15.75% (we’re also debt-free). We run an open-books management company where all of us discuss, review and understand what we earn and what we spend. This business knowledge has helped drive our profit sharing program.

This is a great time to be at Back40 because we are accelerating our journey from executional vendor to marketing partner. This transition is gaining momentum as we advise and market companies that we have worked with for years. We have also seen a marked increase in out-of-state clients. But enough about us...

You will love working with dependable professionals who design, develop, program, market and manage our client accounts. We’ve assembled a team of self managers who know their jobs - and it shows.

If you care about your work like we do, you’ll understand that we do whatever it takes for the success of the client. If extra effort is required - we take care of it. If answering emails on a weekend if necessary - we take care of it, because we care. And if it’s time to goof off - we do that too.

We don’t know you yet, but we know you will love this job. We’re not looking for dozens and dozens of responders, just you. The right designer to work here.

More info on our careers page.
Email us at dave@back40design.com

Tags: Careers, Culture, business, Web Design, Graphic Design, Open Books
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