Quality assurance, testing, debugging, bug hunting, etc. Whatever you want to call it, it sucks. It’s difficult to do, it’s not any fun, but it is an essential step of launching a web application.

It usually goes something like this: you write up your test cases to include actions that should work and some that should fail. You do black box testing and you do white box testing. Then, rinse and repeat.

Eventually you get to a point where you feel comfortable launching, but it does not stop there. Because this is web, we are not building software to be implemented in one company or institution or even across a single industry. Rather, when we decide it is time to launch a site, we instantly open ourselves up to a world of many different people with many different skill and experience levels.

Herein lies the difficulty. All of us internally, as well as the client, have a great understanding of the system and how it should be used, even if we have an opportunity to have some outsiders test the app, there is no way to predict how each individual will use it. Simply put, it is an incredibly difficult task to consider all the ways in which a user can possibly use each function of a web application.

Recently we launched an online store for a client. The client came back with one of their customers reporting that they got an error message when trying to checkout. After a good while attempting to reproduce this problem (and failing to do so), I realized that the user was using the site in a way that had originally never crossed my mind. Worst of all, the user’s actions were very logical. The site was designed so that there was no way to get to the final checkout stage unless you had items in your cart and you had entered all of your billing and shipping data. But once this was done, you were taken to a page that displayed your cart and a form to enter a payment method and checkout. I surmised that the user arrived here, decided they were not yet ready to purchase and bookmarked this page to return later. Like I said, a very logical action. However, upon return their session-based shopping cart and user data was gone, resulting in an error message.

Just one example of how quality assurance in web means being prepared for every user.

Note: I just wrote this article without mentioning the fact that we also must deal with things such as screen resolution, operating system, web browser, browser settings, plugins installed, etc. Yes, there are still people out there using Windows 98 and IE6 with cookies disabled and flash not installed. And, we’ve got to be ready for it.

Dynamit was honored as one of the “Best Places to Work” in 2010 & 2011 by Columbus Business First newspaper and Interactive Agency of the Year. Times are even better in 2012 and we’re hiring a Web/Graphic Designer for our aggressively growing team.

This is an exciting opportunity to work on cutting edge projects for well-known brands in a dynamic, entrepreneurial and highly creative environment. Please email resumes/cover letters and portfolio information (documents or links to online examples) to Gary Moneysmith via gmoney@dynamit.us.

A web/graphic designer on the Dynamit team will:

• Be well versed with Adobe Creative Suite: Strong knowledge of Photoshop, experience with Illustrator and InDesign.
• Have a strong understanding of Usability & Web Trends: Experience with user interface design, knowledge of best practices & examples of this in a portfolio or live site/application design. They will also be up-to-date on web trends and design tactics with examples.
• Have experience in user experience design (UXD) designing application and system interfaces. This experience is crucial for this position.
• Have Basic Programming Knowledge: We’re not looking for a developer here, but the designer should have the ability to design for web with a knowledge of the boundaries and how to design for execution by a programmer.
• Have a Strong Portfolio: We’d like to see much more web work than print.
• Be eager to learn, with a passion for design & the web. The designer should have a strong internal drive for industry knowledge and be committed to furthering the craft.

Experience is important, but personality is key. Our culture is what drives us, and we’re looking to build our team with someone who both fits and contributes to it.

The position is full time at our office in the Arena District in Columbus, Ohio. We offer a competitive salary and benefits package as well as a fun, high-energy, intellectually-stimulating work environment.

Benefits Include

• Competitive salary (compensation will be based on skills and experience)
• Fully paid medical/dental insurance for employees
• Paid parking
• Unlimited vacation time (within reason)
• Office bar + climbing wall — not recommended together

Don’t sit back. If you want to work in a fast paced work environment with great people who love what they do, apply today.

About Dynamit
Dynamit is a digital agency based in the Arena District in Columbus, Ohio. We work with clients and brands on digital initiatives that include strategy, design, user experience and development. We influence communication and commerce. Client work includes Hilton Worldwide, Charley's Grilled Subs, McGraw-Hill, British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC), E-Z-GO, American Electric Power (AEP), Columbus College of Art & Design and the Ohio State Medical Center (OSUMC) to name but a few.