Business Spotlight: Modus Design takes on international challenges

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After Robert Hodgson III received his degree in design from Southwest Missouri State University, the first thing he did was move to Stuttgart, Germany. While living in Germany, he worked for AV Studio, a large company that specializes in advertising, photography, Web design and multimedia products. |ret||ret||tab|

"I went to learn, to think and to absorb," Hodgson said. "A lot of cutting-edge design trends originate in Europe. It was a great place to start my career."|ret||ret||tab|

When Hodgson returned to the United States in 1995, he opened Midwest Multimedia. At the time, the Internet was just taking hold, and he wondered if Springfield was the place to start a multimedia company. Then he landed his first big account with Leggett & Platt, a multinational manufacturing company located in Carthage. |ret||ret||tab|

Over time, Hodgson attracted other local clients, including Silver Dollar City, the Springfield History Museum and the Assemblies of God. He also began working with clients located throughout the United States and overseas. Six months ago, Hodgson decided the time had come to change the company's name. |ret||ret||tab|

"We had grown and were attracting more national and international clients, and we felt the name Midwest Multimedia made the company appear too regional," he said. |ret||ret||tab|

Changing the company's name to Modus Design also reflects the method of operating that Hodgson and his employees use when dealing with clients. |ret||ret||tab|

Unlike some companies, which only offer pre-packaged multimedia solutions, all of Modus Design's multimedia solutions are custom-built from the ground up using a four-stage operating process definition, concept, design and implementation.|ret||ret||tab|

First, Hodgson and his team of employees meet with the client and define needs, objectives and target audience. Then the various multimedia products developed by Modus Design are explained, and clients get to see how each product works. These products include CD-ROMs, online catalogs, touch-screen kiosks and B2B e-commerce Web sites. |ret||ret||tab|

During the second stage, a concept is developed, and content is analyzed and organized. A flowchart also is created. |ret||ret||tab|

Next, the project's unique feel is developed using storyboards and interface design. As the design stage progresses, all creative elements come into play copywriting, photography, animation and illustration, and a prototype is developed. During implementation, the fourth and final phase, proofing, programming and product testing are completed and evaluated. |ret||ret||tab|

"We integrate the disciplines of information design, identity design, graphic design and technology to create a holistic approach to visual communication and problem solving," Hodgson said. "Our products are tailor-made to fit our clients' needs."|ret||ret||tab|

Modus Design's holistic approach to multimedia design hasn't gone unnoticed. In 1999, Modus Design was awarded a silver plaque at the Chicago International Film Festival for developing the New Media Bible Web site, |bold_on|www.newmediabible.org, and in 2001, the Springfield Advertising Association recognized the firm's efforts in multimedia design.|ret||ret||tab|

Although Modus Design develops a wide range of innovative multimedia products, the company doesn't outsource any of its work. Not surprisingly, the company's nine full-time and two part-time employees all have diverse backgrounds, ranging from art and graphic design to computer programming. |ret||ret||tab|

Hodgson recently teamed up with a local marketing and public relations company that helps Modus Design's clients place and market multimedia products. |ret||ret||tab|

While Hodgson is happy with Modus Design's current rate of growth, he would like to expand the company by opening several other offices in cities around the United States. He also would like to open an office in Germany to attract more European clients. [[In-content Ad]]