SEATTLE -- January 13, 2008 -- Artefact, a Seattle-based design consultancy, today announced a selection of its key successes in 2008, demonstrating its growth and new client relationships in the areas of user research, product strategy and technology products design. In 2008, Artefact's key milestones include securing many new clients such as Intel, InfoSpace, H&R Block and local Seattle startups – and continued work with existing customers like Microsoft and HTC.
Artefact's revenue grew by 100 percent through its work on 40 client projects throughout the year in the wireless, computer software and consumer electronics spaces. It also saw its work to support HTC with the design of the new TouchFLO™ 3D user experience come to fruition when the HTC Touch Diamond™ mobile phone launched in 2008.
Much of Artefact's success in 2008 can be attributed to the need for continuous innovation. For example, historical data shows that S&P/BusinessWeek Global Innovation Index companies outperformed S&P Global 100 Index companies by more than seven percent in 2007.
"In a time of recession, the greatest risk for companies is to short-change its investments on innovation," said Gavin Kelly, a co-founder and principal of Artefact. "As a company that strives to help design breakthrough experiences, we've seen that even as the economy struggles, companies are still putting a significant focus on continuing to innovate."
Another noteworthy technology product that Artefact helped design the user experience for was Microsoft's Worldwide Telescope, which created a significant amount of buzz in the tech community.
"Offering support to Microsoft on the design of the Worldwide Telescope has been one of the most exciting projects that Artefact has been involved with," said Rob Girling, a co-founder and principal of Artefact. "The fact that Robert Scoble, one of the most influential bloggers in the technology industry, said that the Worldwide Telescope demo brought a tear to his eye speaks volumes to the importance of innovation and the impact that Artefact can have on its clients. We also look forward to seeing some of our most cutting edge projects and products from 2008 come to market in 2009."
In addition to expanding its client base, Artefact also built a strategic relationship with Carbon Design. Through the partnership, Artefact now offers an integrated approach to user interface and hardware design.
In the last year, Artefact has also made a number of strategic hires, growing its workforce by nearly 40 percent. Key hires in 2008 include Jesse Graupmann as technical lead, Issara Willenskomer as creative director, Sabrina Boler as design director and Agnieszka Girling as director of product strategy.
About Artefact
Artefact (www.artefactgroup.com) is a design consultancy that works with a variety of high tech consumer electronics, communications, and computer software clients to research user needs and design breakthrough software and technology products.
Since 2006, Artefact has partnered with major industry players like Microsoft, SONOS and Intel to deliver innovation to mobile systems, gaming and entertainment systems (xBox 360, SONOS Multi-Room Music Player), natural user interfaces (Microsoft Surface), client applications (Microsoft WorldWide Telescope), and productivity solutions (Office Live), just to name a few. Artefact is a young company, but with rapid growth, it is becoming a prominent player in user experience design.
Media Contact
Ken Fry
Artefact
ken@artefactgroup.com