Product/Business - The DESK Magazine

Das Gesamtkunstwerk

First and foremost I am a designer. By trade and at heart.

What is quality anymore?

One might say the quality of everything has improved – our TV screens have never been more crisp & vivid, our systems and software never more refined, our roads and highways never more paved.

by Tobias van Schneider

A digital tool built like a physical product?

Does it seem like there's more bad TV these days? More mediocre writing? More low quality clothing?

by Tobias van Schneider

Why all designers should do customer support

With every product and company I've built, I’ve always personally helped with customer support. When we first started, I didn’t have much choice. In a small business, everyone does everything.

by Tobias van Schneider

Make it invisible

Our approach to building products may seem counterintuitive. Our goal is to make a product so good, you don't think about the product at all.

by Tobias van Schneider

The last house standing

"Only crazy people attempt to start their own company."

by Tobias van Schneider

I will never ask you to do anything I wouldn’t do myself

In 2012, I worked for Fantasy Interactive in New York City. My creative director's name was Anton. I always thought he was Russian, but turns out he's Estonian. I'm still pretending he's Russian.

by Tobias van Schneider

What "scalability" leaves unsaid

We talk a lot about scalability in this industry. To be successful, an idea or business must be able to grow. It's the holy and only way.

by Tobias van Schneider

I've been working as a designer for more than a decade. I initially started out working for others, offering my skills as a service while running my own design studio. It was the most natural way I could think to turn my skills into money and make a living.