Rob Girling Q&A on 21st Century Design Manifesto

 

Why do a “manifesto”?

21st Century Design is an attempt at a call to action for our industry. The tone isn’t quite as vitriolic as a “manifesto” but that’s partly because the people I would vilify in order to make this more polarizing operate in a pretty different world that I don’t claim to fully understand. So for me, it’s rather an invitation for dialogue in which we declare our intentions and point-of-view.

How did this come about?

This has been a result of a long process and it’s ongoing. There is a  sense that we needed to explain what we meant by our general mission statement to ‘improve lives by design’. We have a sense that the mood has changed in the 21st century towards a more socially sustainable long term view for us and some of our clients. We have held many internal discussions and workshops and there have been many contributors, including designer and educator, August de los Reyes who in a year-long process did a lot of the gathering, documenting and analysis of the internal thinking on the subject.

What critique or points of contention have you run into when discussing 21CD?

One critique is this is some kind of liberal anti-commercial position because we choose to make profits secondary outcomes rather than primary. Of course the point that we’re trying to make is that profits are implicit in any commercial endeavor and if made primary, then profits tend to distort the process of design. But I understand it can sound quite idealistic.

What do you hope to achieve with 21CD manifesto?

This is really the beginning of a long-term effort for us, we hope to engage many other peers and people from different industries to challenge and strengthen the argument.  We believe it’s important to not only do your work, but contribute meaningfully to the industry you are in and be thoughtful about your role in society. This is about our motivations to come to work every day, it’s about purpose. We also hope that over time we’re come to be known company whose focus is on the power of design for positive outcomes.

Read or download the 21st Century Design paper here:

21st century design paper

View more documents from Artefact

Artefact stregthens executive team with the addition of Jeff Gelfuso

 

SEATTLE, Wash. – JANUARY 25, 2012 – Artefact, the award-winning technology product design firm, whose mission is to utilize the power of design to improve people’s lives, announced today that Jeff Gelfuso joined Artefact’s executive team as Executive Director, Partnerships and New Ventures. Gelfuso brings over 18 years of broad experience designing and managing the development of innovative products and brands such as Xbox LIVE, Corbis and Hyperlite. As Executive Director of Partnerships and New Ventures, Jeff is responsible for leading the incubation of new products and developing strategic partnerships for commercialization.

“I am excited to be a part of an organization with such strong creative talent and passion,” said Jeff Gelfuso. “What attracts partners to Artefact initially is the company’s commitment to innovation and the highest-quality product design. Working in collaboration with Artefact, partners see beyond that– they see a unique approach to using design to shape behaviors and create more meaningful and positive outcomes. Being part of culture where I can help make that vision a reality everyday is one of the most rewarding experiences for me.”

Prior to joining Artefact, Jeff spent nine years at Microsoft, where most recently he was the Group Creative Director and Executive Producer in Xbox Studios’ Sports Entertainment Group. While at Microsoft, he also held several senior creative and strategic planning positions in various divisions including Xbox LIVE, Entertainment & Devices, Windows Live, and microsoft.com. Before Microsoft, Jeff was the Senior Creative Director at Corbis, responsible for the design, UX, and corporate brand identity of its digital imaging sites. He also spent several years in the action sports market doing wakeboard and snowboard product design at Hyperlite (HO Sports) as well as manufacturing snowboard outerwear as the Production Director for Special Blend clothing company.

“Jeff brings a unique combination of open-minded creativity and impeccable business discipline that make him a great resource to both our partners and our teams of designers,” said Gavin Kelly, principal and co-founder of Artefact. “Jeff’s experience envisioning, incubating, and making concepts a reality will be invaluable as we continue on our path to delivering disruptive ideas that change people’s lives.”

Since its inception in 2006, Artefact has continuously redefined product design by incorporating principles of behavioral economics, game theory and user experience design in order to induce meaningful changes in consumer behavior. The company is working with some of the leading names in consumer electronics, as well as software and hardware manufacturers including Amazon, HTC, Microsoft, Panasonic, Research in Motion, and Samsung Electronics. Its innovative products and concepts regularly gain industry recognition, including coveted industry awards such as IDEA (most recently awarded to Artefact for the Seattle Children’s Patient Information System), CORE77 (for Modwells – Personal Modules for Wellness) and SPARK (for WVIL: Camera Futura).

 

About Artefact:

Artefact is an award-winning technology product design company dedicated to using the power of design to improve people’s lives. With offices in Seattle and San Francisco and a network of 40 designers, researchers and developers, Artefact is among the most innovative product design firms in the U.S. today.

Research Assistant

 

Research Assistant – Seattle

Artefact is looking for a part-time research assistant to help our research and strategy team deliver consistently great work. If you have experience with qualitative research and/or are currently studying qualitative research at university, this could be the right position for you.

In this position, you will provide support to Artefact’s research programs. Specifically, you will assist with activities such as:

  • Research coordination: writing participant screeners, preparing quotes from recruiting agencies, managing recruiting agencies, reviewing participant responses and homework
  • Managing logistics: creating research packages for participants, communicating with participants, arranging travel logistics, and preparing materials for researchers
  • Organizing data: filing and archiving photos and videos captured in field, finding and cutting relevant audio and video clips, and transcribing researchers’ notes

Your background includes

  • A fundamental understanding of how to prepare for, conduct, and analyze qualitative research
  • Some experience conducting qualitative research yourself, either individually or with other researchers
  • Solid knowledge of Microsoft Excel, Word, PowerPoint and Adobe InDesign
  • Solid writing and editing skills
  • Strong oral communication skills

This is an hourly, part-time position not to exceed 20 hours per week. This position is not eligible for benefits. While you must work on-site at Artefact, you can choose a schedule that works for you, between the hours of 9 am to 5 pm, Monday through Friday.

To apply

Send cover letter and resume to careers@artefactgroup.com.  Please include Research Assistant in the subject line.

Artefact is an equal opportunity employer.

Accounting and Operations Coordinator

 

Accounting and Operations Coordinator – Seattle

Artefact is looking for a smart and savvy Accounting and Operations Coordinator for our growing product design company. This is an entry-level position for a motivated individual who is looking for a long-term career in Accounting, Finance, or Operations Management.

The successful candidate will have solid bookkeeping skills and excellent attention to detail as well as a couple years of relevant professional experience. They will enjoy operating with a high level of independence, have the ability to thrive in sometimes ambiguous circumstances, and enjoy wearing many hats.

Artefact is a progressive company that likes to have fun on the way to success. If you are looking for an alternative to corporate bureaucracy and top-heavy company policies, then this is the place for you. If you thrive under tight structure and rigid management, then it is not.

Responsibilities

Accounting (50%):

  • AP – Entering contractors/employee and vendor invoices and paying vendors
  • AR – creating invoices, tracking invoice dates and ensuring payment
  • Taxes – Monthly Sales/ B&O, Quarterly and Annual taxes, etc.
  • Processing bi-weekly payroll using ADP Pay Expert and owning and maintaining payroll system/reports
  • Help with month-end and year-end close
  • Help update annual and quarterly budgets
  • Reconciliation of Corporate credit cards
  • Filing and documentation of records for accounting/taxation, etc.
  • General support as needed

Operations (50%):

  • Benefits: Manage all aspects of employee benefits, such as enrollments, eligibility, renewals, reporting, and modifications for health insurance, life insurance, 401K, bus passes, parking, etc.
  • Personnel management: Manage incoming and outgoing employees, including timely and accurate set up of new employees and terminations for outgoing employees; track and coordinate Visas and Green cards, as necessary; maintain personnel files, including ensuring employment agreements for all staff and contractors; create/update personnel database
  • Purchasing: Handle purchasing of computer equipment and maintain accurate inventory and fixed asset list
  • Legal: support contracts management and corporate governance filings
  • Backfill for Receptionist/Studio Assistant as needed
  • General support as needed

Requirements

  • 2+ years’ experience in accounting/finance, HR, or operations in a fast-paced office environment
  • 1+ years’ bookkeeping experience; bonus points for experience with PeachTree
  • Payroll processing experience with a third-party provider (ADP, Ceridian, Paychex)
  • Excellent communication skills, both written and verbal
  • Strong attention to detail, extremely organized, and able to manage and monitor deadlines
  • Ability to exercise good judgment and maintain a high level of confidentiality
  • Proactive work style combined with the ability to work independently
  • Proficient in MS Office suite, including intermediate to advanced Excel skills
  • A.A. or B.A. in Accounting, Finance, Business, HR or related degree

This is a full-time position. Compensation will be competitive, based on experience, and includes an excellent benefits package and a fulfilling work environment.

To Apply

Send resume and cover letter to careers@artefactgroup.com.  Please include Accounting and Operations Coordinator in the subject line.

Artefact is an equal opportunity employer.

Artefact on the future of UX design

 

Design Director, Martijn Van Tilburg was a guest blogger for VentureBeat discussing the future of UX design. Read the full article here.

Whether you design software or physical products, the role of the designer is the same: to build a bridge between the user’s intent and the actual outcome of that intent.

The most successful designs are the ones that make the intermediary disappear, or be so unobtrusive or intuitive that we completely fail to notice it.

Think about the brilliance of the hammer as that “bridge” — when you want to hang a picture on the wall, there is no doubt in your mind which tool to use, which side to hold, and how to apply it. The hammer is so easy to use, not only because it is well designed, but because of our cumulative experience with hammers, which creates such a familiarity that the tool is almost universal.

But what about the new technology products that pop up daily, such as mobile devices and apps, for which we have no frame of reference?

Read more: http://venturebeat.com/2012/01/24/artefact-on-ui/

 

 

Gavin Kelly on Leadership in the 21st Century

 

Artefact founder, Gavin Kelly, was interviewed by Emmy-award winner Hanson Hosein increasingly popular TV show, Four Peaks. Hanson approached Gavin  to discuss his views on leadership in the 21st Century.

Gavin talks about how he gets fired by an employee that leaves the company and that forced him to re-think the entire definition of work, the expectations of employees and motivations that drive us to do good work. This lead to setting Artefact business priorities in a way that may seem a counter-intertuive; setting quality first, profitability second and creating a great place to work third.

Gavin talks about trusting employees and being flexible to accommodate life demands and working the intrinsic motivations in contrast with a set of carrots and sticks that have been carried over from the 20th Century where the dominant idea was to come to work so we can watch over employee shoulder because the underlying principle was: “I don’t trust you.”

The show ends with a lively exchange between Peter Fewing, former coach for Seattle University soccer team and commentator for the Seattle Sounders,  and Gavin discussing their leadership styles that are based on trust, less control and high collaboration. They draw similarities between the world of sports and design.

Watch the segments here or see the full show at UWTV: http://www.uwtv.org/fourpeaks/

Jeff Gelfuso

 

Jeff joins Artefact with over 18 years of professional experience designing innovative consumer products and services. He is a starter whose passion is creating digital experiences and building meaningful brands that deliver new business value. In his role at Artefact, he leads strategic partnerships for product incubation and new ventures.

Prior to joining Artefact, Jeff spent nine years at Microsoft where most recently he was an Executive Producer/Group Creative Director in Xbox Studios’ Sports Entertainment Group. Prior to Microsoft, he was the Sr. Creative Director at Corbis responsible for product design, UX, and corporate brand identity. He also spent several years in the action sports market designing wakeboards and snowboards at HO Sports/Hyperlite and manufacturing snowboard outerwear as the Production Director for Special Blend.

When he’s not at the whiteboard, Jeff loves spending time standing sideways – on any other type of board surfing, snowboarding, and wakeboarding. Most of all, he enjoys spending time with his wife and four children. Jeff studied design and visual communication at Cal Poly University.

SWYP Headlines Best Interaction Designs of 2011!

 

In a recent FastCompany article, Robert Fabricant, head of health-care practice for Frog, features Artefact’s SWYP as one of the examples of best design in 2011. We don’t know if we have won yet, but it’s thrilling to see our printer headlining the article!

Thanks to Robert for the shout-out, we feel very honored!

Read the full article here.

Interaction Designer – Seattle

 

Interaction Designer – Seattle

This is an opportunity for an entry to mid-level interaction or user experience designer with ambition, talent and a desire to work in a fast-paced environment on compelling projects with world-class team members!  You will be part of a group of design consultants and researchers working on a variety of programs—from games and software to consumer hardware products and enterprise business software.  Artefact designers have a strong interest in software interaction design, visual design, and a passion to make digital experiences as simple and elegant as possible.

As an interaction designer, you will participate in design programs and enjoy collaborating with other designers to solve complex interaction problems.  You will work closely with researchers, customers and client side product teams to define new user experiences expressed through various levels of prototyped output.

Responsibilities

  • Collaborate with multi-disciplinary teams to define user interaction and workflow models for product features
  • Work with user researchers to turn observational and other data into creative solutions
  • Find ways to make complex information and interaction as simple as possible
  • Produce error free high quality visual assets to communicate a design approach
  • Build Flash, Director, HTML, or After Effects prototypes to demonstrate interactive behavior
  • Create user experience guidelines and UI specification documentation
  • Develop navigational hierarchies and effectively visualize key concepts of site structure and user pathways
  • Create storyboards and plan activity scenarios, flow and sequences

Qualifications

  • BA or MA in Visual Communication, Product Design, Industrial Design or equivalent
  • 2-6 years experience in web, software or product design
  • An online design portfolio demonstrating strong creative skills, ability to generate compelling  ideas, and thorough understanding of good design process
  • Able to accomplish objectives and possess proactive and strategic problem-solving skills
  • Demonstrated proficiency with Illustrator, Photoshop, Flash, Director, and HTML/Web authoring, In-design or equivalent

To apply

Send resume and online portfolio link to careers@artefactgroup.com.  Please include Interaction Designer – Seattle in the subject line.

Artefact is an equal opportunity employer.

Interaction Designer – San Francisco

 

Interaction Designer – San Francisco

This is an opportunity for an entry to mid-level interaction or user experience designer with ambition, talent and a desire to work in a fast-paced environment on compelling projects with world-class team members!  You will be part of a group of design consultants and researchers working on a variety of programs—from games and software to consumer hardware products and enterprise business software.  Artefact designers have a strong interest in software interaction design, visual design, and a passion to make digital experiences as simple and elegant as possible.

As an interaction designer, you will participate in design programs and enjoy collaborating with other designers to solve complex interaction problems.  You will work closely with researchers, customers and client side product teams to define new user experiences expressed through various levels of prototyped output.

Responsibilities

  • Collaborate with multi-disciplinary teams to define user interaction and workflow models for product features
  • Work with user researchers to turn observational and other data into creative solutions
  • Find ways to make complex information and interaction as simple as possible
  • Produce error free high quality visual assets to communicate a design approach
  • Build Flash, Director, HTML, or After Effects prototypes to demonstrate interactive behavior
  • Create user experience guidelines and UI specification documentation
  • Develop navigational hierarchies and effectively visualize key concepts of site structure and user pathways
  • Create storyboards and plan activity scenarios, flow and sequences

Qualifications

  • BA or MA in Visual Communication, Product Design, Industrial Design or equivalent
  • 2-6 years experience in web, software or product design
  • An online design portfolio demonstrating strong creative skills, ability to generate compelling  ideas, and thorough understanding of good design process
  • Able to accomplish objectives and possess proactive and strategic problem-solving skills
  • Demonstrated proficiency with Illustrator, Photoshop, Flash, Director, and HTML/Web authoring, In-design or equivalent

To apply

Send resume and online portfolio link to careers@artefactgroup.com.  Please include Interaction Designer – San Francisco in the subject line.

Artefact is an equal opportunity employer.