Industry
Web Development
Location
Minneapolis, MN
Employees
4
Basecamp plan
Basic (15 active projects for $24/month)
Basecamp color scheme
An interview with Paul Larson
Paul Larson is a founder of Creative Arc, Inc., a multi-disciplinary graphic design, web development, and software development business with "Basecamp fulfilled our need and dramatically increased our productivity. No virtual office would be complete without it!"an emphasis in creating accessible, standards-based Web Sites for personal, business, education, government, and not-for-profit agencies. Paul and his team use Basecamp to manage internal and client projects.
So, let's get started. How did you first hear about Basecamp?
Ryan J. Bonnell, one of our employees, uses Basecamp with Justin Williams of MacZealots. When Creative Arc needed to progress from email-based project management, Ryan quickly setup a trial project with Basecamp.
What were your first impressions of the product when you signed up? What keeps you using Basecamp?
We liked how the interface just made sense. Although we were fairly efficient managing projects with e-mail, it was a definite upgrade to place our assets in the easily accessible system that Basecamp provides. It wasn't long before Creative Arc had 6, 7, 8 and 9 projects at the same time, so we were quickly able to take full advantage of the organizational power of Basecamp. Creative Arc operates out of a virtual office. With code, images, discussion threads and client communication broadcasted across the midwest, we didn't skip a beat when our work load increased.
Were you using another product before or were you managing your projects manually (or with a combination of emails, post-it notes, notepads, etc.)? Was the transition difficult?
Other than email, we did use a blog for a while."Although we were fairly efficient managing projects with e-mail, it was a definite upgrade to place our assets in the easily accessible system that Basecamp provides. Creative Arc operates out of a virtual office. With code, images, discussion threads and client communication broadcasted across the midwest, we didn't skip a beat when our work load increased." Basecamp trumped the functionality of our prior solutions, so it made much more sense to leave them behind. The transition was very smooth, and Basecamp's features gave us many new ideas for how to organize our workflow.
How are you using Basecamp? What are you using it for? What parts do you use most (messages, to-dos, milestones, files)? Have you used Basecamp in ways you hadn't anticipated?
To retain our sanity! In addition to internal project management, we also involve the client if they take an interest. The personalities of our clients are completely different, but Basecamp allows us to continuously impress them because most clients simply don't expect a Web Developer to be so organized. For those clients who like continuous involvement, Basecamp provides a way to keep them informed of every update, as well as an archive of all client communication. Milestones are definitely the most popular feature for us because each project requires its own schedule. We definitely didn't anticipate storing code snippets in basecamp, but with the modular aspects of development its nice to have a single source for reusable elements.
How has Basecamp improved your communication with co-workers and clients?
Before Basecamp, there were many occasions when important information was only distributed via email; email that would get"Before Basecamp, there were many occasions when important information was only distributed via email; email that would get deleted after a month. Basecamp has helped us eliminate the loss of productivity associated with searching for old information, and also reduces the risk of appearing fickle to the client." deleted after a month. Basecamp has helped us eliminate the loss of productivity associated with searching for old information, and also reduces the risk of appearing fickle to the client.
How many other people from your office are using Basecamp?
Three of us use it everyday. Depending on the project, additional contractors may be required and its very easy to involve them in the Basecamp system.
How has Basecamp affected your emailing habits? Are you emailing less than before?
Important information now goes straight to basecamp. Our most common emails read something like this: "Important info just added. It's on basecamp." E-mail communication has returned to what it should be - everyday communication without the clutter of important project information.
Thanks for participating. Is there anything else you'd like to add?
Basecamp fulfilled our need and dramatically increased our productivity. No virtual office would be complete without it!