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W H AT H A P P E N SW H E N Y O U L E AV E ?

University of Portsmouth02/10/15

WHAT HAPPENS WHEN YOU LEAVE? University of Portsmouth.

Who am I?

I studied Entertainment Technology

Focused in on Web/Flash path

Took a year to work in industry

Graduated with a 2:1 in 2005

I now run Buffalo

We are a web design & development company

Me.


Who are Buffalo?

Some of our clients:

We started nearly ten years ago

Focus on intuitive design and development

Small and friendly

Creative agenciesBBDO, I Love Dust and Proud Creative.

Us.


D A N

M A X

H U G O C O L E T T E

J A M E S

A L E XJ A S P E R

B E T O

P A U L

C H A R L I EDeveloper Developer Designer / Developer

Designer / DeveloperTechnbical DirectorManaging Director

Designer

Developer Developer Developer

Small but perfectly formed.

...nerds at heart.


50 million

Over 50 million unique sessions across our sites

100 copycats

Over 100 people who have copied our designs

46 million

Some 46 million lines of code written

£10 million

Over £10m raised by our clients to date

200 projects

Almost 200 projects completed

15 countries

Projects completed for clients in 15 countries

Nearly £15m generated through our e-commerce projects

£15 million


Working with an agency in London, we created a slick animated petition bringing to the fore Head and Shoulders exploitation of the rainforest.

:LWK�PXOWLSOH�WUDQVODWLRQV�IRU�WHUULWRULHV�DURXQG�WKH�ZRUOG�WKH�VLWH�ZRUNHG�ŴDZOHVVO\�RQ�WDEOHW�and mobile. With nearly 400,000 signatures the project has been picked up across the world.

Greenpeace.


HBO.

Working with BBDO New York and HBO we built a game that lets users guess their favourite HBO show by watching jump cut videos of fans describing each programme.

The site allowed you to challenge your friends on Facebook and each play could result in an overall prize along with weekly bonus prizes from HBO.

With a separate version for mobile devices and an optimised experience for tablets the project was very successful - generating a lot of attention for the campaign.


Known around the bike world - Dom Mason wanted to create the most beautiful, engineered frame and bike components with his new venture.

We worked with Dom from the early stages of the company to put together an immersive site that showcases beautiful photography and the to detail that comes out in each product.

Built using Spree Commerce the site tracks stock and bike builds - letting Mason Cycles concentrate on new products rather than administration - naturally the site is also fully responsive.

Mason Cycles.


0RPLML�EHJDQ�EDFN�LQ��ZKHQ�WKH\�FUHDWHG�WKHLU�ƓUVW��GROO�VHW��6LQFH�WKHQ�WKH\�KDYH�developed a passionate community of collectors.

We worked to create a site that fused an easy shopping experience with the quirky brand that Momiji’s fans love.

%XLOW�XVLQJ�6SUHH�&RPPHUFH�WKH�VLWH�WUDFNV�VWRFN�DQG�IXOƓOPHQW�DFURVV�ZDUHKRXVHV�DURXQG�the world and as with all our sites is fully responsive..

Momiji.


Their products are absolutely beautiful and we couldn’t be prouder to work with their founder Massimo Buster Minale to translate their brand online.

Built using Spree Commerce the site has a trade system and features integration with Xero for accounting. It allows the client to concentrate on new ideas rather than administration - naturally the site is also fully responsive.

Buster & Punch.


Slice create amazing events for clients like Santander, Nike and Lynx.

The site pulls together animation, video and subtle UI interaction throughout.

Built with Expression Engine the site lets Slice keep their content updated whenever the needs arises.

Slice.


Buffalo's home.


What did I do after graduating?

...honed my skills

Did freelance work

Put a good portfolio together

Joined a company with other graduates

I got started...


Started a company - Limeknight

We built Flash games and sites

Clients such as:- Portsmouth City Council- University of Portsmouth- SEDA

Great learning curve

Tough market

Winged it.


What happened next?

I got headhunted

Great offer that I couldn’t refuse

Ultimately I made the wrong decision

Wallet vs. Heart

Missed the excitement

Saw the bright lights.


Starting Buffalo

Left the stability of my job

Took a designer and developer on the way

Started working together

Existing contacts gave initial work

Risk.


Starting Buffalo

Designed and built a CMS and a shop

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Solidly busy since January 07

Survived two recessions...

Working it out.


We are growing...

TURNOVER STAFF NUMBERS

100% 75%

...over the past two years.


The result...

STRESS LEVELS HAIR LOSS

500% 100%

... on me.


The enterprise bug...

There is nothing like working for yourself

Being paid is much sweeter

Freedom to change working times

However - it’s not for everyone

Responsibilities change to worrying about others

...is addictive.


Things to remember...

Spend your money wisely

Get a great portfolio together

Be determined - be a friendly pest!

Buy a good domain name, hosting and email

...to start out right.


Things to remember...

Volunteer for work experience

Get as many contacts as possible

Use Twitter and comment on blogs etc

...to keep it going.


Even more things to remember...

Get out of the studio/bedroom now and again

Ask for feedback from people in the industry

Don’t copy other peoples work/designs

Buy lots of coffee/Red Bull/Relentless

Try to have fun

...balance.


Recap...

Work out what you excel at by trial and error

Make friends that can help you - both peers & industry

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Put together a cracking, edited portfolio

If you code then have detailed examples to share

Get experience working somewhere with clients

Quick tips.

Registered in EnglandCompany No. 0604823

VAT Registration No. 899 6307 54

Thanks.

Twitter: @flowersofvanity

[email protected]

mailto:hello%40builtbybuffalo.com?subject=Hello%20Buffalo

http://builtbybuffalo.com/

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mason cycles