Concept coordination of a screen flow.
AG E NC Y O F THE MON TH
Developing the best for users and companies with UX design When it comes to the implementation of innovative UX concepts, our agency of the month is an excellent choice. We had a talk with the founders. TEXT: SILKE HENKELE I PHOTOS: FORWERTS INTERACTIVE GMBH
“If you asked me what is so special about our company, I would have to admit that our uniqueness isn’t based on one single attribute,” says Julian Schwarz, partner and founder of UX agency forwerts/, located in Heilbronn and Frankfurt/ Main. “What makes us special,” Schwarz continues, “is rather a mixture of diverse qualities.” forwerts/ designs digital processes, advises on all aspects of design in digital contexts and specialises in complex challenges, especially those of larger companies. Dennis Belzner, founder and partner, explains why: “We primarily work with bigger companies such as Deutsche Bahn or 1&1, who we both count amongst our clients. Firstly, because we have ourselves 126 | Issue 74 | May 2019
worked in larger companies and have thus a lot of experience with their particular processes.” Another reason, says Belzner, is also grounded in forwerts/’ own expectations of their clients.“forwerts/ is committed to its own code of conduct, which promotes respectful, open and honest cooperation at eye level.” forwerts/’ designs are focused on the end user and on feasibility. “We don’t proceed according to the motto ‘It should look good and work somehow’. Together with our clients, we determine the target audience and its expectations of the respective system. For this purpose, we enter into close communication with the
commissioning client. This may be quite irritating on the one hand. On the other hand, however, this approach serves the end user and thereby, ultimately, the (financial) success and the acceptance of the end product.” ‘We think in terms of visions. We experiment, break rules and have fun creating great digital products with clients and partners’ is forwerts/’ motto. “It’s really fun to work with us, because we can move a lot together,” underlines Schwarz. “Working in our crew model, we act within conscientious structures in which strengths and weaknesses are known. And where everyone has room for development. This is how we are and remain open: this is reflected in the daily interaction of the team, but also in contact with our business partners who profit from our extensive expert knowledge.” www.forwerts.com