#LASpotted: A Chat with Sidebench Studios


One part technology consultant. One part management consultant. One part creative agency. Sidebench Studios is probably unlike any digital agency you’ve ever met!

Leveraging user-centered design and technology solutions, Sidebench caters to fast-growing middle market companies and top new ventures seeking product strategy. The interactive studio always puts the user’s need first and will develop products and solutions that will help you spend less time on tasks and more time improving and growing your business.

Learn more about Sidebench Studios below…

Inside Sidebench Studios

Location: Los Angeles, CA

Check out Sidebench Studios’ portfolio on Agency Spotter

In LA Since: 2012

Core Services: App Strategy, Design, Development

Company Mantra: “Custom Technology. Intuitive Design.”

# of Employees: 15

# of Four-Legged Employees: 0, unfortunately.

Office Tally: How many _______ do you have?

  • Sports Heads: 2
  • Foodies: 4
  • Movie Buffs: 3
  • Netflix Addicts: 4
  • Live Event Nomads: 2
  • Agency-Lifers (aka workaholics): 12

office logo

Does your agency have a cool origin story?

Sidebench was born out of the need for a new type of agency that could be a mix between a design­-focused creative agency and a technology-­focused development house. We now work with the most forward-­thinking enterprise companies and top start­up teams to push the envelope of innovation and digital business strategy.

See any trends, LA Natives VS Transplants?

2 vs 10, although a few come from Orange County. The rest of our company hails from all over the country and the world, including Chicago, Connecticut, Seattle, St Louis, and Taiwan.

Most Interesting Physical Thing in Our Office?

Our AstroTurf conference room with a ping pong table disguised as a conference table.

meeting 3

“Enterprise software can no longer ignore ‘employee experience’, it can transform process, culture, and the trajectory of an entire company.”

– Kevin Yamazaki, Executive Director


 

Partners in Crime

In 10 Words or Less, What We Do for Our Clients:

We build custom apps for enterprises and start-ups.

3 Characteristics We Look for in Potential Clients:

  • Interesting problems to solve.
  • Willing to be collaborative.
  • Understand the importance of technology.

work

Our Clients Love Us Because:

We always consider the business implications of product decisions in addition to functionality, technology, and design. We take a user-centric approach to designing digital products and constantly remind our clients that they are not their target users. We’re not afraid to push back and challenge assumptions in order to produce the best possible product for a client.

Clients We’ve Helped:

Red Bull, Oakley, NBC Universal, Pabst Blue Ribbon, Andreessen Horowitz.

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LA Confidential

LA is known for entertainment (Hollywood, TV Shows, Games, etc.), how does your agency engage with the LA scene?

Several of us began our careers in the entertainment industry at large studios and talent agencies and bring an understanding of the challenges they face to Sidebench. We’re involved in the digital influencer scene as well, often working with top personalities in the fashion scene.

The #1 Thing We Love About LA:

The Traffic! JK, the fact that we can go to the beach in February. Also tacos. Tacos all the time.

bikes

Best Food Spot in LA?

Cole’s Originator of the French Dip.

cole

Image credits: Thomas Hawk

What does #agencylife mean to you?

Agency life means that the client is at the center of everything. Our primary focus is going above and beyond and delivering high quality work for anyone that hires us.

side one

 

Lights, Camera, Action!

In awe of the bright lights of Hollywood?! Don’t be! Agency Spotter is here to guide you the through the back channels of the Los Angeles creative and marketing scene. With agency deep dives, expert interviews and original content, we will serve as your Hollywood travel guide to the agency stars.

 

Visit our LA hub to get access to all of our LA content and see the other creative agencies and design firms we covered. Los Angeles is an amazing town for marketing services, and we are the guys bringing you the inside scoop.

 

Daniel Kim