kapow, inc - digital design & development

We've been crafting digital experiences since 1998

kapow, inc. specializes in developing high-end websites and interactive activities requiring sophisticated information architecture, innovative, compelling and intuitive design, and content management system integration. We have worked with a wide range of education and arts-related institutions, non-profit organizations, corporate clients, and start-up companies. Our long-term clients include Stanford University, Autry Museum of the American West, Skirball Cultural Center, Howard Hughes Medical Institute, PBS, and the Los Angeles Philharmonic.

Services we provide

We provide consulting, design and development services for all phases of a project. We are not proponents of turn-key solutions. Each project we deliver is uniquely tailored to each client's needs and their audience.

Creative and Strategic Planning

At the start of each project, we conduct a thorough discussion with the client to determine the project's needs and goals. We brainstorm with the client about site features, analyze the projects's technical requirements, develop an information architecture and, when applicable, recommend social media strategies. For larger projects, we review competing sites and best practices in the client's industry, solicit feedback from key staff and website visitors, and create use case scenarios for target audiences.

Design

kapow takes pride in delivering fresh, creative solutions that provide a consistent and intuitive user experience. We believe that great designs should not sacrifice ease-of-use or functionality. For most projects, we will initially provide a number of possible design options and collaborate with the client to determine the final direction. We are equally comfortable designing projects based on existing brand guidelines or developing those guidelines during course of the project.

Front-end Programming

Our programming and coding takes into account the needs of current site users as well as potential future directions the site may undergo. We employ the latest technologies, libraries and other techniques to provide seamless interactions for users on whichever device they might be viewing the content. We code for accessiblity compliance whenever possible.

Content Management System Integration

kapow is a technology-agnostic firm. We determine the best technology for each project's needs, focusing on functionality, platform and hosting requirements, and long-term value. We have extensive experience implementing a number of open-source content management systems (CMS) and frameworks including Drupal, Django, headless CMS as well as custom-built systems in PHP.

Content Creation and Migration

We provide clients with content creation and migration services, ranging from repurposing existing content to developing new content that meets the needs of the site's audiences. We help clients develop content that leverages search engine optimization techniques so that the website is more visible in search results. We also advise clients on accessibility issues so that the client's website meets the needs of site visitors with vision, hearing or mobility impairments.

Ongoing Support

For those clients who prefer it, we provide ongoing site maintenance and updates. We are proud of the many long-term relationships we have with clients that have extended across multiple projects.

Key Bios

Ethan Goldstine

principal, producer

One of kapow's co-founders, Ethan's creative ideas and understanding of technology have contributed to the success of the company's numerous projects.. An observer of trends in new media and beyond, Ethan's counsel helps kapow's clients evaluate current technology and plan for the future.

Ethan began developing websites in 1995, founding the site for NPR affiliate KCRW and, with Neal Steinberg, co-creating a groundbreaking online detective story. He has also worked in computer consulting and training as well as in film production and development. He is a graduate of Yale University.

Neal Steinberg

principal, art director

Also a co-founder and art director at kapow, Neal is a talented, experienced and versatile designer who shifts effortlessly from creating whimsical sites for children to transforming dense and complex information into websites that are beautiful, elegant and easy to use.

Before starting kapow, he co-created a groundbreaking online detective story. Prior to that, he produced commercials for Japanese television. Neal majored in Japanese Studies and Fine Arts at Princeton University.

Bryan Buchs

lead developer

As soon as Bryan Buchs learned the keyboard shortcut for “view source”, he started picking apart websites to learn how they were built. 25+ years later he hasn’t stopped.

As the Internet has evolved, so has his skill set. He is most proud of his ability to quickly learn and apply new skills and techniques. These days his primary focus is on crafting code and websites that are clean, concise, resilient, and accessible.

Bryan lives in Shorewood, WI with his wife, daughter, and 2 cats. His hobbies are cooking, reading, and rooting for the Milwaukee Bucks.