And Communications

Follow these links for more information about our current projects and clients and our rates.

About And Communications

• We combine technology applications and communications models with an emphasis on communications. We believe the Internet and specifically the World Wide Web is about communications. The technology barriers are falling away, bringing critical mass to the medium, just as print, phone, radio and television have done before it.

• New media call for intermediaries, and we think the ampersand is the most symbolic representation for bringing new meaning and relationships to a subject or object.

• We like the idea that and.com abbreviates our name and falls higher in alphabetical directories than, say, zebedia.com. People say our name (or some derivative like 'n or an') over one hundred times a day. As a matter of fact, we used the word 34 times on this page without even trying. Think about that in your next conversation. We're not paranoid, but we keep hearing voices call our name...

And Communications' Mission

To develop rich communications models that serve an audience with respect for their intelligence, interest in their community and point of view, and consideration for bandwidth while developing the full potential of our principals and employees.

Consider the elements here, and you'll see our point of differentiation (at least an articulated point -- we've spoken to many other developers who feel the same way).

• It's a communications medium (we never tire from saying this). The requirement of "communications" in its purest sense -- in contrast to the way most of what we know as communications has evolved as corporate stenography -- is that information must flow both ways to create new meaning. Television and radio lack that -- yes, even the so called "talk shows" contribute to the moronization of the masses.

• Start with respect for an audience and it will inform many design and content decisions. The kind of information served will change. Graphics become more meaningful, less gratuitous. Video and sound must deliver more value due to the bandwidth concerns.

• Develop an interest in the community of the audience and it will show. Miss this step and you risk perception as a dilettante. Or worse, crass exploitative commercialism (it doesn't have to be crass or exploitive).

• Fully engaged and developing principals and employees create good products. The development will include the passion of intrinsic gains. This part of our mission also drives how and where we spend our time. Right now, we're pursuing only projects that are of interest to us. This is not to be elitist; it's simply a matter of where we can do our best work, which is our objective.

• We work with people and companies who share the basic tenets of this mission, so we enjoy working really hard for them.

• Check with us in a year and see how true we've been to these ideals. Really. We aspire to these ideals, and are human at the same time. Can we maintain these principals? Will we sell out to achieve one part of the mission at the risk of other parts? We look forward to watching ourselves in this way. Giving ourselves a yard-stick of principles to measure our success.

As part of the Internet Community and society of developers, we will accurately report usage statistics and share information about our processes, communications models and research. We believe this information should serve everyone, not just And Communications.

How To Reach Us

(415) 550-2676

If you wish to have us develop something for you or simply wish to comment on our approach, mail to us at and@and.com or use this response form.

"It's the Small Secrets that must be protected; Big Secrets will be protected by public incredulity." hacked up paraphrase from Marshall McLuhan

"Be excellent." Bill or Ted

Brought to you by silva and Jonathan Hahn.

Copyright © 1994 And Communications.