We conducted a semi-serious job interview with ourselves — imagine you’re asking the questions.
Who are you?
You
We are ALSO, a three person design company based in Washington and New York. We started our company in late June 2004, which is approximately 19 years, 5 months, 10 days, 13 hours, and 20 minutes ago. We design books and websites, plus create illustrations and animations.
Us
That was brief. Can you go more into your background, your responsibilities in the company, your hairstyles?
You
Jenny Volvovski
is in charge of most of the design duties at ALSO, as well as picking up the phone and answering emails. She was born in Russia, where the winters are long and chess is considered a sport. She has a degree in Graphic Design from RISD, where she met Julia & Matt. Aside from working, Jenny likes to spend time taking photos of bricked up windows, re-designing book covers.
Matt Lamothe
is ALSO‘s animator as well as innovator, researcher, and tech support. He never takes shortcuts, and loves experimenting with new techniques. Matt hails from Maine, although he did spend some formative years in the South. He has a degree in Animation from RISD, where he met Julia & Jenny.When not staring into the lights of the internet, he finds comfort in pastries, coffee, and basic carpentry.
Julia Rothman
is the resident illustrator, motivator, and making things happener. She has a knack for getting wild ideas to actually come to fruition. Julia has never left NYC. Ok, she did spend a couple of years in Rhode Island, where she earned a degree in Illustration from RISD and met Jenny & Matt. She also makes illustrations and patterns for the printed page and home decor.
Us
What are your strengths?
You
We’re flexible, and enjoy working with new and different techniques. We’re not afraid of stepping away from the computer, and getting our hands (moderately) dirty. We like to take risks, and try not to use the same solution twice. Because we’re small, we have a direct working relationship with our clients, and nothing is lost in translation.
Us
Why should we hire you?
You
Have you read all those strengths?
Us
Ok, what are your weaknesses?
You
It took us approximately five hours to write the answer for the “strength” question above.
Us
What are your capabilities?
You
We can design and program websites (e-commerce, portfolio, blog, etc). We can also design book covers, as well as book interiors. We can design full identity systems — logos, business cards, letterheads, brochures, pamphlets. We can also make animations — the traditional-drawn kind, the stop-motion kind, or the computer kind. And, we can also create illustrations, for editorial publications or for any type of product. But, we’re open to taking on projects we’ve never done before. One time we hand-painted a mural with magnetic paint for a children’s clothing store.
Us
Who is your dream client?
You
Our dream client is someone who is very excited about their project, and their excitement is infectious (in a good way). They trust us with the design decisions, but are confident about what they like and don’t like. They are not afraid to take risks, and their feedback pushes us to make better work.
Aside from that, we’re not looking for a client of a specific size or from a certain industry. We’ve worked with giant, multinational corporations and one person start-ups. We’ve worked with technology firms, toy designers, realtors, architects, jewelers, personal organizers, clothiers, croissant bakers, and guitar builders.
Us
What is your process?
You
Our process is fairly simple. The client tells us as much as they can about the project, and we listen. Then we ask questions, we think, and ask follow up questions. We then translate our thoughts and brainstorming into a design, or sometimes several designs. We start with the big picture, making sure we have the overall feel & idea for the project first, and then move on to the details.
Us
How do you handle pressure?
You
(Some better than others.)
Us
What was the last book you’ve read for fun?
You
Us
What are your rates?
You
We make estimates for each project based on the scope of the work. Email us, or fill out a contact form, and we can start gathering information to put together an estimate.
Us
What's the most prestigious award you've received?
You
We were selected to The Art Director’s Young Guns Class of 2008 – a yearly award given to the best and brightest designers under the age of thirty.
Us
What questions haven’t I asked you?
You
You didn’t ask about Julia’s dog Rudy. Rudy is a medium sized Wheaten Terrier. She loves to be picked up like a human, and running through the snow. Julia has received numerous messages from neighbors complaining about Rudy’s howling. When Julia asked the vet about it, he said “She probably likes to sing.”
Us
Ok, thank you. This concludes the semi-serious fake interview. We'll be in touch in the next week.
You
Great, thank you. We look forward to hearing from you.
Us