Food for thought

What’s the cost of our digital lives?

NPR’s On Being with guest Sherry Turkle director of MIT Initiative on Technology and Self explores how we can and must lead examined lives with our digital objects — actively shaping technology to human purposes.

A Little Birdie...

Approach

Holistic Strategy

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Life is digital. Life is also analog.

A successful strategy speaks to the various ways we communicate—and live. From concept to design to implementation, our holistic strategy ensures your solution resonates in the real world with real people.

Empathic Design

Buddha meditating on wooden table

When empathy leads, purpose is clearer.

With a deeper understanding of your audience’s wants, concerns and needs, we cultivate a language of shared goals and outcomes leading to a more meaningful user experience.

Our Capabilities

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We help our clients soup-to-nuts.

  • Communication Strategy
  • Information Architecture
  • User Experience Design
  • Content Development
  • Software Engineering

Work

Embry-Riddle

Worldwide Mobile for iOS
GOOD DESIGN CONNECTS PEOPLE

Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University Worldwide approached S+S to design an innovative mobile experience that provides engaging content to students, faculty, and staff. Worldwide Mobile, an application for Apple's iOS family of mobile computing devices brings news, directory listings, campus location details, and course catalog information to the Worldwide community.

Harvard University

Harvard Gate close-up
GOOD DESIGN IS USER-FOCUSED

Graduate College of Education’s Programs in Professional Education (PPE) approached S+S in the summer of 2009 to assist in the integration of a new content management system (CMS). We took this opportunity to help PPE update their strategy and information architecture before integrating the CMS.

Worcester State University

Worcester State University
GOOD DESIGN IS HOLISTIC

The Intensive English Language Institute (IELI) of Worcester State University tasked S+S with redesigning their web presence and brand identity system to appeal to a broader global market. Our goal: to optimize the site's usability to an audience who’s first language may not be English. IELI then tasked S+S to redesign their print collateral as the next step in further optimizing to user needs and aligning their newly minted brand.

MassArt

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GOOD DESIGN IS UNOBTRUSIVE

S+S has been working with Professional and Continuing Education at MassArt since 2004. Each year we have simplified the design of the site to optimize usability. Students simply need to know: What do you have, when is it and can I register online?

BetterLesson

BetterLesson Screenshot
GOOD DESIGN IS USER-FOCUSED

This passionate education startup, focused on helping teachers organize and share curriculum over the web, came to S+S with a desire to augment their powerful technology platform with a rich user experience and visual aesthetic. S+S helped lead the BetterLesson core team through a series of user-centered design iterations, each culminating in a solution optimized for the unique surfing characteristics of teachers.

Our Clients

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SOME OF OUR CLIENTS INCLUDE:

  • Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center
  • BetterLesson, LLC
  • Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University
  • ETC Development Corporation
  • Harvard Common Press
  • Harvard University
  • Johns Hopkins University
  • The Larry L. Hillblom Foundation
  • Massachusetts College of Arts+Design
  • Massachusetts Music Educators Association
  • Pensacola State College
  • Worcester State University
  • University of Missouri

Caramel - A Solution for Higher Education

S+S office
caramel is a suite of thoughtfully designed mobile apps that help you connect with your students in an innovative and meaningful way throughout their student lifecycle.

About

S+S office
Photo: Chokdee Rutirasiri

Partners

Chokdee Rutirasiri pic

Chokdee Rutirasiri

Founder + Creative Director

Chokdee has over 15 years of experience designing solutions for higher education. Prior to founding Story+Structure, Chokdee spent over 11 years working at the University of Massachusetts at Boston where he was the head web developer for Continuing Education. Chokdee has been a featured speaker at the University Professional & Continuing Education Association (UPCEA) Marketing Conference since 2007. Chokdee has a B.S. in Finance from Boston University.

Michael Trachtman pic

Michael Trachtman

Partner + Chief Technologist

Mike brings over 15 years of experience architecting software solutions for clients in education, non-profit and legal/compliance spaces. Mike was responsible for building Introspect, ZANTAZ’ flagship discovery management product for law firms and corporate legal groups. Mike has been a featured speaker at World Plone Day, the North American Plone Symposium and UPCEA. Mike holds a B.S. from Boston University in Computer Engineering.

Susie Schwartz pic

Susie Schwartz

Managing Partner + Project Manager

With over 10 years of experience in agency environments, Susie has worked with a wide range of industries including high tech, pharmaceuticals, education, manufacturing and real estate. Susie holds a B.S. in Marketing from Boston University and is fluent in Danish.

Our Team

Stephen Sattler
Strategist
Stephen has more than 15 years’ experience directing marketing and communications initiatives for higher education institutions, holding senior positions at the Johns Hopkins University, the Maryland Institute College of Art and the American Council on Education. Stephen holds an M.S. in Marketing from the Johns Hopkins University Carey Business School and an A.B. in History from Georgetown University.
Tim Kennedy
Multimedia Consultant
Tim is a documentary filmmaker who has produced animation and documentaries for Medtronic, Children's Hospital, WGBH Boston and The History Channel. Tim has a B.A. in Cinema from San Francisco State University.
Madison "Matt" Thompson
Strategist
Matt brings over 27 years of experience in cross-cultural issues, diversity management, conflict resolution and cultural competency training to S+S. Previously, Matt was the Director of Affirmative Action & Multicultural Affairs at UMass Boston and has led diversity initiatives and workshops at The Boston Company, MIT, Berklee College of Music and National Grid. Matt holds a B.S. in Health Sciences from Northeastern University.
Carrie Siegel
Print + Graphic Designer
Who else can spot Matthew Carter on the street but our very own Carrie! Carrie brings years of experience and creativity to all things print and design. Carrie is also co-founder of Two Trick Pony, a stationery design company committed to green design. Carrie is a graduate of Flagler College in Fine Art/Graphic Design.
Katie Brenton
Production Manager
Katie has been working closely with Chokdee since 2000, when they both ran the UMass Boston Division of Continuing Education website, and has been part of S+S since its first day. Katie is a graduate of Eastern Nazarene College with a B.S. in Psychology.
Sarah Downs
Content Developer
For more than 25 years, Sarah has partnered with a wide range of agencies and clients, many of which she has worked consistently with for years. Her expertise crosses several key industries, including medical imaging, healthcare, financial services, technology and higher learning. Sarah holds a B.A. from Simmons College in Communications.

Contact

Headquarters

S+S office

Main Office
7 Harvard Street
Brookline, MA 02445
See Google Map »

General Inquiries

New Business

outdoor art

Chokdee Rutirasiri
Founder + Creative Director

t (617) 308-3054

Stay in touch

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