A Team Approach
When we schedule a site build, we do our best to pair clients with a developer that will understand their vibe, match their energy and best interpret their vision. Given that we already knew Rachel Gillman Rischall of Three PR, it was easy to find the right fit. Enter Susan Lee, a developer who just joined the WOTW team.
Three PR was her first WOTW project — and technically a co-build with founder Kelsey Gilbert-Kreiling as part of her process training — and it’s safe to say she crushed it.
Here, we chat with Susan about working on the Three PR site, where she finds inspiration and what it was like to tackle her first WOTW project.
How did it feel to design as a new WOTW developer?
Susan Lee: I was excited to start something new and for my first project to be for Three PR. Rachel’s an inspirational person, and it was also extra special because of her history with WOTW. I struggle with self-doubt as a designer, so that was a huge hurdle for me. I didn’t know what to expect being new to WOTW, but it’s been an incredibly supportive and nurturing experience.
I love how you listened to Rachel’s podcast to get a sense of her personality. Are there other things you do to research or get to know a client?
SL: I like to have a casual conversation with a client to get to know them. I’m curious about people and love learning about their interests, so this helps me start to imagine the look and feel of their website. It also helps to scroll through their social media — it gives me a peek into their style.
How does that background research impact your design?
SL: It’s hard to talk about yourself, so that’s why I do the extra research to find things that they may have forgotten, or didn’t think would be important to mention. This information can sometimes completely change the design I had initially thought of.
Where do you draw inspiration from?
SL: I’m not trying to be all ~inspiration is everywhere~ but I am sincerely a sponge for any inspiration. I want my designs to be original, but I’m still learning. I’ll take photos of package designs for fonts, colors, texture, layout ideas. Web site inspiration sites and Instagram are great resources. I’ll also flip through books and magazines.
I LOVE the part in the interview where you say you want people to tear up or be moved when they see their sites. How do you do that?
SL: Building a website is personal on so many levels. They’re entrusting me with their money and they’re opening up to me about tough stuff sometimes — like, struggles with their business or even their life. That’s a lot of energy exchanging between us. So there’s a lot riding on the process and the final result. The most important thing to me is for a client to feel seen and heard.