Watching a designer make something out of nothing is a pretty amazing process. Even after 10 or so years of watching Andrew ‘create’ a vision based on someone else’s broad description of ‘how it should look’ and ‘I kinda think it could maybe look like, you know, that…kinda’.. I’m still impressed by what he comes up with day after day. Over the past week we’ve pulled the team together for quick 5 minute bull sessions to bounce ideas off of them..he’s been running around the office with his camera snapping photos of different work environments and essentially pulling hair out of his head trying to find a free minute (nothing new). Then he’s down to our studio in the basement with a few empty cans of Red Bull. Towards the end of the week he’s sitting at his desk, music is hammering out of his headphones and he’s muttering to himself (again). I still have no idea what he’s doing, but I do know that Scott A is pushing (as expected!) to see something that is cool and different. 9:30 p.m Thursday night Andrew and I touch base…it’s pretty much the only time during the day when we can connect. 10 p.m I’m going through 5 new designs. They’re all the same, but all a bit different, to help him fine tune a few words (even the best need a sounding board). We talk messaging. We talk audience. We talk purpose. Modified designs hit my inbox. 10:30 p.m, there it is boys….the new blog layout. Very strong.

Meeting Topic: Introductions, Planning, Kick-Off 
Who: Scott Annan (MG), Creighton Medley (MG), Michael Marker (MG), Scott Lake (Jaded Pixel), Andrew Milne (BV02), Jud Rasmussen (BV02), Jeff Meldrum (Independent) 
Date & Location: April 22nd; Ottawa, Canada; Vitoria, Trattoria 

Group of seven, seated at a long table on the second floor of Vitoria, Trattoria, a stone-cottage style building located in the market district in downtown Ottawa.  An overhead projector is projecting on a white tablecloth hanging from the ceiling.  It’s projecting short-term strategic objectives, market analysis, target audiences, branding concepts, development methodologies, and dozens of wireframes… We’ve gathered to kick-off a daunting new project: Build and launch four revolutionary customer software applications in four months.  To be honest, the application concepts have been developing for over a year, but this is the start of the “birthing process”, and this is the team that will take it to launch.  It’s a great team.

Creighton Medley: A great track record building websites and web applications in php, ruby, java, python.  Creighton started his career in Aspen, Colorado where he worked in a production house when he wasn’t skiing.  From there he moved on to develop and run a number of major sports websites, including the NCAA and MLB.  I met Creighton at Lexmark corporate where he was developing web apps - eventually rising to lead architect and managing a significant development team.

Michael Marker: Mike manages our consulting business.  He is closest to the customer and has a lot of experience in the corporate world where he has led major software programs.  Among his current and past client projects: Tempur-Pedic, Proctor & Gamble, JP Morgan Chase, Lexmark, Fidelity, General Motors and many more small and medium businesses.

Scott Lake: Scott runs Jaded Pixel / Shopify.  Scott is an excellent CEO, a great blogger, and a huge advocate for the startup community in Ottawa.  Scott has brilliant ideas, but further is great at developing social collaboration and measuring the real effects and benefits of social networking.  In my opinion, Scott represents the future of marketing and promotion - which is almost the opposite of current thinking.  More to come…

Andrew Milne: I believe that great design - like all other great things - isn’t done by junior programmers, but by dedicated professionals who consistently apply themselves to incorporate new design concepts.  Andrew is a true craftsman with years of experience in design and a dedication to continue to grow in different directions.  Andrew will be able to find the right balance between conventional and unique.  I am convinced that his design input will help us deliver products that will inspire our customers.

Jud Rasmussen: Jud is big and tall.  When we need muscle (and I’m sure we’ll need muscle) we have Jud.  He’ll be our ringer if we get pulled into any games of pickup (basketball or hockey).  He’ll disagree, but he’s the head and heart behind BV02 (trust me).

Jeff Meldrum: When he’s not playing disc golf or hiking, Jeff writes articles, ads, press releases - and speeches for the Canadian government.  Jeff brings an edgy, modern approach to writing while maintaining a very professional image.  I’m confident he can help us find the right tone to speak to our customers - honestly, passionately, professionally.

It’s a great first day with some great discussions.  I feel like we’re going in the right direction.

But with one day behind us, we’re one day closer to launch.

Here we go.