Pixlyn was my answer to life's most recent curveballs. Years of being an undervalued cog in a machine that doesn't truly understand nor respect design left me craving for more control over my work life. It wasn't until I read Cal Newport's So Good They Can't Ignore You, that I realized that a key component in work you love is exactly that—control. Truth be told, I didn't really believe myself capable of running my own design business nor in possession of the "career capital" that Cal treasures in that book.
But how else would I find out?
And so I took it—the leap of faith—and here we are.
This agency positions itself as a strategic partner rather than one-and-done design solutions. It prides itself in partaking in the growth of its clients through strategy, design, and support. The goal is to provide a service so good that prospects would be foolish to ignore. Inspired by the likes of The Futur's Chris Do, Pixlyn's foundation is its design thinking rather than design itself.
That isn't to say that Pixlyn doesn't make good-looking websites. We do, but in this case, the visual appeal is only a mere side effect of the focus on strategy and user experience. I've spent the past few weeks watching, reading, and listening to content that best supports this approach to websites. As of this writing, I haven't had a chance to prove that it works (at least outside of this website), so I am eager to finally get that first call.
Now, I am indeed in control of my own ship, and I hope to inspire others to do the same. It's a frightening reality to be the only one who can dictate where this ship goes, but I welcome it with open arms. As I write this article sitting cross-legged on my bed at 12:51 AM on a Tuesday, patiently waiting for that first client to book a free consultation, I hope I never forget where I am now. I had only just taken that first step.
Hannes Atian
Founder and Hat Collector
Hannes Atian is a 27-year-old kid who bit off more than he can chew. Now he’s running his own agency.