Toronto, June 17th, 2020

Founded in 2003 by Jay Eckert, Parachute Design is a digital agency from Toronto that works with a creative group of web designers, helping businesses of all shapes and sizes with hand-made solutions. The agency has worked with a wide-array group of clients, from SickKids to Intact.

The team at Parachute Design has two simple goals: optimize every user experience, and create success for our clients. To do that they offer different services, including custom WordPress, e-Commerce, web design and graphic design, among others.

On our chat with Jay, he describes the path driven by the agency so far and takes a look at the challenges ahead, in the midst of the coronavirus epidemic.

Why is Toronto a great city to settle down?

Toronto is an amazing city to live and work in as we have the accessibility to all the amenities of a world-class metropolitan; galleries, sporting events, museums as well as green space, Lake Ontario.

Professionally, we are situated in one of the fastest growing AI and Technology markets in North America among other industries that host enterprise level offices in the city to build our business upon.

How is communication flowing these days?

In 2009 we went totally virtual – our entire team works remotely. We’ve had more than 10 years to streamline our workflow with digital and web-based tools like Slack, Assembla and InVision.

For day-to-day communication we rely on Slack and phone calls to discuss projects and ideas. We track work and progress in Assembla and rely on InVision to communicate during the strategy and design process with clients and team members alike.

Since the epidemic began, what holds people back at the agency?

The pandemic froze most of our clients when it first struck, but within a few weeks business has returned to usual for the most part. Having been virtual for more than 10 years prior the pandemic has not changed our work flow at all.

During the week, what’s a regular day like on your shoes?

I most often spend the morning answering emails and returning phone calls. It’s also an opportunity to review creative and development work that requires my attention so that I can keep my team moving forward for the rest of the day.

In the afternoon, I focus on creating content for our website, articles, case studies and driving new business while dealing with questions, emails and phone calls that pop up throughout the day.

What makes Parachute Design stand out from other agencies?

We specialize in custom WordPress design and development, as well as branding. What makes our agency unique is twofold.

We design the entire user experience for a website looking at 15 or more unique page layouts within an average website vs using a handful of bootstrapped templates to cram an entire website into. We see this all too often with websites and offer our clients a complete end-to-end design experience.

Additionally, we have extensive SEO experience and weave these services into all of the website design work we create giving our clients that best start right out of the gate.

Are there any upcoming initiatives that you find exciting?

With the world transitioning to a “work-from-home” mentality for the foreseeable future I am expecting a big wave of companies exploring ways to move their business online and convert to an eCommerce business. I’m looking forward to the prospect of helping some of these companies make that transition.

Of all the projects your agency has produced, which one are you most proud of?

At the moment, we’re all pretty excited about the new JUNO Awards website. The site is much more unique and emotive than your average corporate website design and garners over 100,000 visits per month as the premier awards ceremony for artists in Canada.

Who gave you the best piece of advice you’ve ever received?

A professor in college once told me to focus on getting the job done and don’t worry about making every project perfect – it will never happen and it will drive you insane. You’re far more critical of your own work than others, so learn to see your work through their eyes.

Which moments have shaped the person you are today?

Before starting my agency I worked for several other studios in various areas of design. Learning the industry and engaging with clients early on shaped how I would decide to run my own web design company, how I would treat people and view the work-life balance.

Can you share a fun-fact about you?

Away from the client-facing duties, I’m usually the easy-going comedian.

Thanks Jay!

Learn more about Parachute Design Group

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AIfounderJay EckertTechnologyTorontoWeb DesignWeb DevelopmentWordpress development