Modo Design Group is a creative firm

designing dynamic, people-focused web experiences

We design and program web sites and applications. We are experts in designing and developing user-experience, concise navigation structures for large content sites, ‘productizing’ sites as applications, and custom content management systems.

we are creative thinkers ...

strategists.

designers.

developers.

innovators.

Design. It’s central to what we do.

At Modo, design is equally visual and functional. A site with a great design structure not only catches your eye, but it intuitively connects you with the content you’re seeking. That’s how we create engaged, repeat users.

We believe in doing great work with great people.

We value relationships and people (clients and staff alike) above all else. And, we want to provide people with the best web product and experience.

We are well experienced in working with mission-driven organizations.

Modo’s team understands mission-driven organizations. We enjoy making an impact each day by helping advance the missions of these great organizations. Our clients include membership associations, international development organizations, educational institutions, entrepreneurs and others. And, they’re each unique and deserve a uniquely creative and highly functional product.

 

We are a collaborative team of designers and developers. We work hard and expect a lot from ourselves. At the same time we value humor, well-deserved ping pong breaks to rest our screen-weary eyes, and sustainable practices in how we operate the company and in how we get to work. Our home base is a renovated tobacco warehouse.

Hey, are you talented? Do you know for a fact that Modo sounds like a terrific fit for you? Email us to tell us why...and don’t be afraid to impress us with work samples and your command of design and/or web standards! jobs@mododesigngroup.com

Kristine Newswanger Managing Principal

Kristine is an accomplished communications strategist. As co-founder and managing principal, Kristine develops a whole host of communication strategies for Modo’s clients. She also leads Modo’s own business development, client relations, and operations. She has more than twelve years of experience working in government and community relations for national and state membership associations, including the National Governors’ Association. With a master’s degree in nonprofit management, policy, and planning, Kristine’s expertise in organizational and human behavior lends depth to Modo’s design-thinking approach of creating user-focused products.

Phil Newswanger Principal, Creative Director

Phil is a highly-regarded and recognized designer with a strong sense of form, function and usability. As a graduate of the nationally-acclaimed Maryland Institute, College of Art, Phil’s innovative design work has been featured in Wired and Greensource Magazines and at the Cooper-Hewitt National Design Museum in Manhattan. Phil previously founded and managed Newswanger Design for twelve years before co-founding Modo Design Group. In leading Modo’s creative services, Phil skillfully integrates his expertise into all Modo client work with a dedication to providing sound consultation and the best possible product. His vision continues to result in many long-term clients.

Court Ewing Developer

Court is a talented and insightful web developer. He brings life to all of Modo’s web site and web application designs through his programming skills. As a graduate of the Computer Science program at Millersville University, Court is well versed in many programming languages. He oversees server-side application development and also works to build custom applications for our clients. His keen ability to anticipate optimal solutions makes him an asset to the Modo team.

Michelle King Designer

Michelle has a keen eye and designs for the web and for print. She is an experienced designer and holds a Bachelor’s of Fine Arts, in Graphic Design, from Kutztown University. Her versatile talents are put to good use on the Modo team, lending a strong visual design to all that we do.

Travis Lehman Designer

Travis is a web designer with terrific front-end programming skills. He is a graduate of the Art Institute of Pennsylvania - York with a digital arts degree. Prior to coming to Modo, his experience included designing sites for numerous companies and organizations in our local area.

Mike Ridgway Developer

As a valued part of our web development team, Mike is a critical thinker with keen web development skills. He holds a bachelor’s in Computer Science from Millersville University and is experienced in solving numerous programming challenges. In addition to web development, Mike is skilled in game development. He’s another terrific addition to the Modo team.

Random Facts You Don’t Know About Modo

  1. We brew suntea on the roof of our building.
  2. We’ve been recognized by the Webby’s twice in the last two years.
  3. We use honest-to-goodness real dishes, silverware and towels to limit waste.
  4. Some of us are good at ping pong. Some of us don’t want to talk about it.
  5. We are weak in the knees for burritos and black & white cookies.
  6. 60% of us live within 3 miles of the office.
  7. John Maeda’s ‘Laws of Simplicity’ sits proudly displayed in our library.
  8. We like biking to work, preferably in good weather.
  9. Modo’s staff lounge has a garage door, lawn chairs, and grass-like carpet.
  10. We’re on a covert mission. There’s no sign outside our place.

Great design has the power to transform culture!

As a collaborative team of skilled designers and programmers, we know that design transforms culture, organizations, and people. It creates the foundation for our work, which is manifest in dynamically visual and highly functional web experiences that connect people with content and with one another.

Design is Visual

Good design is immediately seen...it’s the visual aesthetic that grabs your eye and connects with your heart.

Design is Function

But great design goes deeper...to fulfill a common function or need and does it with an intuitive, almost imperceptible ease.

Design Unifies

Great design unifies the visual and the functional. It gives users exactly what they want, when they want it....even if they are not fully able to articulate it. Great design is anticipatory. It is intuitive. It is beautiful. And, it helps real people live their lives.

That’s what we do here at Modo.   And, that’s what we will always do at Modo!