Finding Projects That Matter
At Fusion Studios, we're fortunate to have more opportunities than we can pursue. This means we get to choose—and choosing well is one of the most important things we do.
The Temptation of Big Names
It's tempting to chase prestigious clients. Big logos look good on the website. They impress at cocktail parties. They make recruiting easier.
But prestige doesn't equal impact. Some of our most meaningful work has been with companies you've never heard of. And some of our most frustrating engagements have been with household names.
What We Look For
Over the years, we've developed criteria for evaluating opportunities:
1. Problem Significance
Is this a problem worth solving? We ask:
- Who benefits if this problem is solved?
- How much does the problem cost (in money, time, or suffering)?
- Is this a real problem or a solution looking for a problem?
We're drawn to problems in healthcare, education, and sustainability—areas where good design can improve lives. But significance isn't limited to social impact. Making enterprise software less frustrating is meaningful too.
2. Client Commitment
Is the client serious about design? Warning signs include:
- Design as an afterthought ("We've built the product, now make it pretty")
- No executive sponsorship
- Unrealistic timelines
- Unwillingness to involve users
The best clients treat design as a strategic investment, not a cost center.
3. Scope for Impact
Can we actually make a difference? Some engagements are set up to fail:
- Too many stakeholders with veto power
- Rigid requirements that preclude innovation
- Technical constraints that limit what's possible
- Political dynamics that doom good ideas
We look for situations where we have real influence over outcomes.
4. Learning Opportunity
Will we grow from this work? We seek projects that:
- Push us into new domains
- Require new skills or approaches
- Challenge our assumptions
- Expose us to interesting problems
Stagnation is the enemy of great work.
5. Team Fit
Will we enjoy working with these people? Life is too short for miserable projects. We look for:
- Shared values and communication styles
- Intellectual curiosity
- Openness to feedback
- Respect for expertise
Red Flags
Experience has taught us to watch for warning signs:
"We need it yesterday": Rushed timelines usually mean corners will be cut and good work won't be possible.
"Just make it look like [competitor]": Clients who want to copy rather than innovate rarely value design thinking.
"Our users don't know what they want": Dismissing user input suggests a culture that won't embrace human-centered design.
"Design by committee": Too many decision-makers means endless revisions and compromised outcomes.
"We'll figure out the budget later": Unclear budgets lead to scope creep and misaligned expectations.
The Courage to Say No
Saying no is hard. Every opportunity feels like it might be the one. But saying yes to the wrong project means saying no to the right one.
We've learned to trust our instincts. When something feels off in the sales process, it usually gets worse during the engagement. The best predictor of a successful project is a healthy client relationship from the start.
When We Get It Right
The best projects share common characteristics:
- Clear problem definition
- Committed client partners
- Realistic timelines
- Access to users
- Authority to implement recommendations
When these elements align, magic happens. We create work we're proud of, clients achieve their goals, and users get better experiences.
Conclusion
Choosing projects wisely is a privilege we don't take for granted. Every engagement is an investment of our time, energy, and reputation. We owe it to ourselves and our clients to choose well.
If you're considering working with us, know that we're evaluating fit just as carefully as you are. The best partnerships are mutual—both sides choosing each other.