Atomic Object

"AI is going to replace designers." We keep hearing this. And we think it's missing the point entirely. AI has changed design, just not in the way people expected. It didn't make designers obsolete. It revealed what was always true: the hard part was never making interfaces. It was understanding what to build and why. Our Raleigh Managing Partner, Taylor Vanden Hoek, breaks down why generalist designers who can navigate complexity, organizational dynamics, and messy human problems are more valuable than ever. Link to the post in the comments.

This week, we hosted our first design thinking workshop in Chicago with our partners at World Business Chicago. Founders and product leaders got a hands-on look at how we use design thinking to shape early product ideas and start building human-centered solutions. We also welcomed our client, founder Tommy Flaim from Silly Pickles, for a fireside chat. He candidly shared the story of his business, and how it had been capped at around $600K in annual revenue when everything was run manually. Moving to custom software created the conditions for real scale and pushed their projected run rate into the multi-million dollar range. His story showed how early design work, thoughtful user insights, and the right technical foundation can create real momentum for a business. Thank you to everyone who joined us! #HumanCenteredDesign #DesignThinking

Grateful to Purpose Jobs for including Atomic Object on their list of “18 Companies That Make Giving Back Part of the Job.” We’re committed to creating steady, demonstrable impact in the communities around our four offices. In the past year, that’s included supporting 25 community organizations, contributing over $93,800 in volunteer time and sponsorships, hosting dozens of meetups (like the Accessibility Meetup pictured), and growing long-term initiatives like the Baker and Cook Fellowship for graduating BIPOC high school students interested in tech careers. Thank you, Purpose Jobs, for the recognition and for highlighting companies that make supporting local communities a key part of how business gets done! Learn more about what that means for us and other purpose-aligned companies in the link below.

Financials can be intimidating. This room wasn’t. We hosted LiLa (Ladies Investing / Local Angels) in our Raleigh office for a session on capital. The room was packed with sharp, thoughtful women ready to ask hard questions. At Atomic, we’re all in on curiosity, clarity, and building confidence. One conversation at a time.

News worth celebrating: Clutch has ranked Atomic Object the No. 1 software development firm in the world for Fall 2025! According to Clutch, this recognition reflects long-standing delivery excellence, deep technical capability, and consistently strong client outcomes. With a 4.9/5 rating from 46 clients, we’re proud to see our commitment to quality reflected in our customers’ experiences. As Co-CEO Shawn Crowley puts it: “By combining genuine care for people, high standards for our craft, and a deep curiosity about our clients’ businesses, we deliver software that continues creating value well beyond launch.” Nice to see our friends Six Feet Up, Inc. on the Global Leaders list as well! Find a link to the article in the comments below.

We’re teaming up with World Business Chicago to host an evening for product and innovation leaders. Join us for hands-on design thinking stations, good conversation, and a fireside chat with Chicago founder and current Atomic client Tommy Flaim of Silly Pickles. If you’re shaping new products or exploring fresh ideas, this one’s for you. Expect light workshop stations, guidance from Atoms, and plenty of time to meet new people. We’ll wrap with insights from Tommy on how design thinking shaped the Silly Pickles product journey with Atomic. 📍 Atomic Object Chicago 📅 December 2, 4:30–7:30 PM CST 🔗 Link to register in the comments

What a joy to welcome the A2 Women in Health Tech meetup into our space last night! Ayishwariya Menon, Marianna Kerppola, Sunny Lee, and Meghan P. Doyle brought together dozens of SE Michigan leaders eager for connection at the laid-back, content-free event. Follow them on Luma (link below) for details about the winter meetup!

It means a lot to see our core values resonate beyond Atomic. These six principles — Give a Shit, Own It, Share the Pain, Teach and Learn, Think Long Term, and Act Transparently — guide how we build software, support clients, and care for each other. They’ve shaped who we are for more than two decades, and we love seeing them make a difference beyond our walls.

Didn't get the chance to attend #HLTH2025 ? Don't worry, Managing Partner Jeff W. has got you covered. Get a download of his most valuable takeaways about the future of health and technology here.

We’re proud to support Michigan Council of Women in Technology Foundation (MCWT) and their mission to expand opportunities for women in tech. At Atomic Object, we believe diversity drives better ideas and more inclusive products. That’s why we stand behind organizations working to make tech a place where everyone belongs and has the chance to thrive. Several of our Atoms will be at the gala on Saturday, and we’re looking forward to celebrating with others who share that mission.