Firewheel Design creates sophisticated interfaces for web applications, software, and mobile devices. We craft exceptional brands for digital media. We are icon design experts.

Happy day! On April 8, we'll be graced by the addition of an Apple Store about 100 yards from our front door. The facade went up a couple days ago, as did the DWR signs next door. We're also getting a Cheesecake Factory and a 14-screen theatre within walking distance. And once again, productivity drops around the office.

Sometimes I wonder if we'd be hipper and trendier if our office was in Mountain View or Palo Alto, but then I'm reminded that we enjoy some wonderful perks here as we labor away in the obscurity of Southlake, Texas. Like really kick-bootie Mexican food. And the Starbucks downstairs. It's funny, because we're the only business in our building that's not retail, or a mortgage, real estate, insurance, or financial-planning company. And every day when I walk down the hallway past the suits, they give me this stare as if to say, "Who let the hooligans in, and just what exactly do they do in that office painted green at the end of the hall?" It's a lot of fun actually. In fact, we have tons more fun than they do.

The other day a friend from a (really slick) web start-up stopped by to chat, and he pondered openly about their current company discussion on where they'd like to locate their business. Dallas / Fort Worth may not be the coolest, most cultural place in the world, but it's got a lot going for it. And in two weeks, we'll be the proud neighbors of Steve's Wonderful World of High-Tech Goodness.