1stWave Interactive

1stWave Interactive is a UX focused design agency with a proven track record helping start-ups and corporations launch user-friendly web applications and marketing sites. We help companies reach new prospects and build stronger customer relationships with a focus on user experience and branding.

We started in the industry working for Silicon Valley and San Francisco based web startups where ease of use and positive customer interactions were paramount. Getting users to adopt, embrace and share innovative web services was the difference between getting funding and becoming profitable versus going out of business. Contact us to find out how we can help your company thrive on the web.

Founder and CEO - Josh Woodlander

Josh Woodlander is 1stWave Interactive's founder, senior User Experience Designer and "usability guru". With 17 years' experience developing complex, data-rich web applications, Josh has over 120 major website development projects to his credit including Snapfish, Match.com, CinemaNow, Yodlee, and KKR Financial. PC Data ranked his interface design for Snapfish.com (with over 85 million users worldwide) number one in its class for site usability and customer satisfaction. His expertise includes Interface Design, UX Engineering and Branding and Identity.

Josh is a graduate of the University of California at Santa Cruz with a degree in Cultural Anthropology. He is the lead-author of Designing Web Audio published by O'Reilly Media and has received critical acclaim from Billboard Magazine for his original soundtrack compositions and sound editing for EMI Records. He lives with his wife and three children in the rolling hills of Sebastopol. For fun he plays and manages a competative mens soccer team, and makes it down to Santa Cruz to surf in the summer.

Our Development Team

Nash Weber - Senior Software Engineer

Nash Weber has over 12 years experience in server-side development (Java, PHP, C++, Objective C, ASP.NET), database development (MySQL, Oracle, Filemaker), and client-side development (Javascript, jQuerry, CSS, HTML). Since 2008 Nash has been developing business focused iPhone and iPad applications. Nash is fluent in building and scaling both UNIX and Windows server clusters.

Prior to working with 1stWave, Nash was the lead engineer for Greener Printer (the largest nationwide online eco-friendly printer). During his ten years with Greener Printer, Nash built their ecommerce infrastructure from the ground up, was responsible for all aspects of security, from network architecture through regular code refinements, and integrated it with numerous third party API's including FedEx, Accudata, Quickbooks, and PageFlex.

As well as being highly proficient in technical matters, Nash is an excellent communicator, creative problem solver and team leader. When he is not coding, Nash is a passionate musician and recording engineer.

Shawn Emory - Web Developer

Shawn Emory has over 15 years of web development experience. Shawn's expertise is taking finished Photoshop design files and implementing them into cross-browser compatible HTML / CSS. Shawn started his web development career at Raspberry Media working on fast paced Internet start-up projects.

Raymond Young - Software Engineer / Web Developer

Raymond Young is a recent graduate of UC Berkeley with a degree in Computer Science. He is proficient in Java, PHP, MySQL, Javascript, jQuerry, CSS, and HTML. As well as building highly complex AJAX user interfaces, Raymond is proficient at installing Drupal and WordPress sites for clients. Raymond also plays saxophone.

Phil Hershkowitz - SEO / SEM / Web Applications

Phil Hershkowitz is passionate about using SEO and Pay Per Click advertising to help companies build their audience and expand their customer base. Phil also puts his 20 years experience with all aspects of Information Technology including database, applications development and networking to good use helping companies launch Internet Applications. Prior to working with 1stWave, Phil ran the Adwords campaigns for three years for Phonic Ear where he doubled the ROI on PPC campaigns. While at Phonic Ear he designed and implemented a fully internationalized Drupal website.

He started using the original Mosaic web browser in 1993 when he worked at Stanford University Hospital and he has been having a love affair with the Internet ever since. Phil has hands-on familiarity with a wide array of products combined with "big picture" analysis capabilities. He is skilled at translating customer requirements into quality web applications.

Sam Lewis - Web Developer

Sam Lewis has a broad range of Web Development and Internet Marketing skills including content management systems, ecommerce integration, WordPress blogs, and shopping cart integration. Sam enjoys spending time with his family, cooking, playing basketball and football.

Associates

Two Degrees Marketing

Tamara Zablocki with Two Degrees Marketing has 20 years experience in marketing, sales analysis, and business startup consulting. Tamara helps 1stWave clients improve their sales strategy, SEO, and viral marketing campaigns.