We Are Solid Cactus

When I started trading IM’s with co-founder Joe Palko five years ago, I never imagined this,” says Creative Director Andrew Smagin. Andrew is one of the four original Solid Cactus employees, and his design team is now larger than the original company. Andrew took an improbable route, coming to Solid Cactus from Kyrgyzstan. “Now I can’t wait to see what tomorrow brings,” he says.

Andrew supervises the creative process at Solid Cactus. He designed how Solid Cactus looks as a company, and he leads the team that gives each Solid Cactus client’s website an individual look and feel. “I design our design process,” he says with a laugh. But good design isn’t just about looks. Aside from his creative background, Andrew has a master’s degree in economics from his home country. His designs have to be pleasing, but they also have to work. “It’s where my economics and business background come in,” he says. “Solid Cactus designs have to be functional, usable; successful in some way.”

Andrew is growing along with Solid Cactus. “We have more opportunities now and larger clients. I’m growing professionally and personally.” Since coming with Solid Cactus he’s had two children and a new country to call home. He says he couldn’t have predicted any of it. “I thought the chances of living in America and working for a great company were like walking on the moon,” says Andrew Smagin. “Now, who knows? Maybe I will walk on the moon someday.”