Approaching Craft
in Adria Studio
You were chosen for a reason.
You were chosen for a reason.
Predrag and I went through more than 700 applicants over the past few months, and we chose you on purpose. What you built stuck out, and that's what Adria is about. We want to go against the grain and build exceptional software - not just a bunch of forgettable websites and applications.
Predrag and I went through more than 700 applicants over the past few months, and we chose you on purpose. What you built stuck out, and that's what Adria is about. We want to go against the grain and build exceptional software - not just a bunch of forgettable websites and applications.
What is this letter about?
What is this letter about?
I wanted to take my time and write this letter out as a testament to our culture. It's what we stand for in Adria, and the culture we're creating.
I wanted to take my time and write this letter out as a testament to our culture. It's what we stand for in Adria, and the culture we're creating.
Our most outstanding work came from pushing the extra mile, going out of our way to provide for the client. If I had to use one word, it was "overdelivering" in the best way possible.
Our most outstanding work came from pushing the extra mile, going out of our way to provide for the client. If I had to use one word, it was "overdelivering" in the best way possible.
For Adria to sustain, we need to keep this alive by meticulously pouring detail into every single project we do. When the public sees our product, we want it to stand out. We want it to be captivating and beautiful.
For Adria to sustain, we need to keep this alive by meticulously pouring detail into every single project we do. When the public sees our product, we want it to stand out. We want it to be captivating and beautiful.
Over the past months - as Predrag and I were navigating the landscape of being design studio founders - we figured this attention to detail has started to fade.
Over the past months - as Predrag and I were navigating the landscape of being design studio founders - we figured this attention to detail has started to fade.
Now, I think this is completely natural when you wear a lot of hats - you do sales, research, tons of discovery calls, you land bad clients who leave a bad impression…
Now, I think this is completely natural when you wear a lot of hats - you do sales, research, tons of discovery calls, you land bad clients who leave a bad impression…
But I don't think we should let anything stop us from delivering outstanding work to the people we work with.
But I don't think we should let anything stop us from delivering outstanding work to the people we work with.
Think of Apple-level polish. Spending a lot of time on the tiniest details. Being obsessed with the craft - those are the things that made us stand out as a small studio from Nis amongst the thousands of studios worldwide.
Think of Apple-level polish. Spending a lot of time on the tiniest details. Being obsessed with the craft - those are the things that made us stand out as a small studio from Nis amongst the thousands of studios worldwide.
If you don't think this resonates with you - feel free to let us know. We want to work with people who want to overdeliver and go the extra mile. If you're happy with doing "enough" - then we're not a fit. And that's okay.
If you don't think this resonates with you - feel free to let us know. We want to work with people who want to overdeliver and go the extra mile. If you're happy with doing "enough" - then we're not a fit. And that's okay.
Every day and every project should become a pursuit for something better.
Every day and every project should become a pursuit for something better.
Use each project as an opportunity to become better. Feel free to talk to any of the founders we work with. Learn from them. Schedule and appoint calls if you want.
Use each project as an opportunity to become better. Feel free to talk to any of the founders we work with. Learn from them. Schedule and appoint calls if you want.
We want to give you freedom and the feeling like your inputs are close to the outputs. We want to rely on you to deliver the best results possible to the client. You're carrying a lot of weight of Adria Studio on your shoulders - even small mistakes can be costly to us.
We want to give you freedom and the feeling like your inputs are close to the outputs. We want to rely on you to deliver the best results possible to the client. You're carrying a lot of weight of Adria Studio on your shoulders - even small mistakes can be costly to us.
Our current goal is to have enough runway before we switch into an app studio, and a truly large studio.
Our current goal is to have enough runway before we switch into an app studio, and a truly large studio.
Before we can offer equity to our founding members, we need the same members to take high amounts of accountability so we can focus on growing the client base, the revenue, and the craftmanship.
Before we can offer equity to our founding members, we need the same members to take high amounts of accountability so we can focus on growing the client base, the revenue, and the craftmanship.
We want to offer you high comp and great benefits - but that comes with you taking higher amount of responsibility.
We want to offer you high comp and great benefits - but that comes with you taking higher amount of responsibility.
Constant education is key.
Constant education is key.
Instead of looking at projects as transactional, we often look at them as educational. Every unique project is an opportunity to learn skills - no matter if they're related to design or not.
Instead of looking at projects as transactional, we often look at them as educational. Every unique project is an opportunity to learn skills - no matter if they're related to design or not.
We encourage you to visit the design resources we've shared and read them in your free time - it's the least you can do for your own self.
We encourage you to visit the design resources we've shared and read them in your free time - it's the least you can do for your own self.
Even if the to-do list is done, look for gaps.
Even if the to-do list is done, look for gaps.
I'm sure you notice these gaps. Everyone does. Whenever there's an end to your to-do list, please look for gaps we can fix. Whether those are client project, or gaps on our own website - we want to encourage owning projects and having high agency.
I'm sure you notice these gaps. Everyone does. Whenever there's an end to your to-do list, please look for gaps we can fix. Whether those are client project, or gaps on our own website - we want to encourage owning projects and having high agency.
We did not hire you to build for us, or to knock off tasks. We hired you to build with us. Show us what makes you good and exceptional - whether it's QA suggestions, copy suggestions, going against our word..
We did not hire you to build for us, or to knock off tasks. We hired you to build with us. Show us what makes you good and exceptional - whether it's QA suggestions, copy suggestions, going against our word..
Hi, I’m Kosta, co-founder of Adria Studio.
AI founders with an eye for design, thanks for making software beautiful again.
We have learned so much about building companies, copywriting, tone, presentation & communication because of people like you.
We strive to help you build software and make AI beautiful through meticulous attention to detail & endless iterations on the tiniest ideas. It’s what we signed up for when we didn’t know how our Studio is going to be named.
We hope to keep building our internal software as well as large, external software. We want to fulfill our promise to ourselves.
What’s the next big thing you’re building?
Write us at contact@adria.studio. We’d love to hear.
Sincerely, Kosta and Adria Studio