This interview is part of our Researching Bridges Project. Learn more about this project or read other interviews we have conducted in this endeavor.
Note that not all content below is verbatim, but all concepts are taken directly from information gathered during the interview.
About Noah Shabman
Remember the interview preview I gave the other week? Well, I was talking about Noah Shabman, owner of Ark IT Indy. Thanks to the lovely weather we’ve been having recently, we had to reschedule our initial meeting date. But, finally, we crossed paths again yesterday and had a short but very sweet conversation.
Noah and his family have lived in the Franklin area for 5 years now, and he came from Connecticut by way of Florida. Ark IT Indy opened it’s doors two years ago, and he has had a decade of experience in the IT industry. He provides computer support and system administration for residential and small businesses–meaning, anything from fixing viruses to setting up hardware such as servers. If you’ve been looking for a family-oriented IT guy that speaks English instead of Geek Speak, email Noah today.
Design From An IT Perspective
In your own words, what is “design”?
Design is the use of materials to project an image or idea of some kind.
What is the purpose of design?
To convey an idea or some kind of emotion.
Have you ever contracted the services of a professional designer?
No, not yet.
Successful Business Processes
What is the most successful business process you use that has been most beneficial to the growth of your company?
I’ve been advertising in the Daily Journal newspaper. They have a campaign that runs for 12 weeks and, in that time period, I get a 1/4 page ad at least once. What has made it so successful is the use of some advice I got from someone that used to be in the advertising industry. They told me that, because of the area of distribution, I should include a picture of me with my family to show how family-oriented I am. That advice, and the ad campaign, has really paid off.
What measurable results of design would be most meaningful to you?
The design has to pay for itself twice over. So, for the ad in the Daily Journal, I wanted to see twice the amount of business come from those ads that I paid for the advertisements.
Thanks Again, Noah!
The two times that I have met him, Noah has mentioned his daughter and wife multiple times. Even before he mentioned the ad with the Daily Journal or referred to himself as being “family oriented”, it was already clear to me what comes first in his life. This was the shortest interview I’ve done so far, but it definitely will be just as useful in creating the next version of The Value of Design. Thanks again, Noah, for taking the time to meet with me–especially so early!