Creative freedom with no- and low-code

An introduction to no- and low-code

Mikkel: If you boil it down, no, and low-code is about putting design and creativity first, not being dictated by the old CM systems like Drupal, Umbraco, and Sitecore. By using software like Webflow, the code is made from the design. We only have to code the last 10-20% to make a creative vision come true. Customers no longer have to pay a huge development team to create a trivial article page. Developers are now a part of the creative process.

Customers no longer have to pay a huge development team to create a trivial article page. Developers are now a part of the creative process.

Today we start with the idea and the concept. Later we find out what technology can get us to the goal. No, and low code is not a specific piece of software. It's a way of being creative without being restricted by a specific CMS, insanely high budgets, and enormous development teams. 

‍Knowing what we want to accomplish, we choose the systems that can take us there. As a certified Webflow expert agency, we love designing and prototyping in Webflow, and adding code or other technologies like WebGL or data integrations on top to make the design stand out.

“Now changes and new ideas are a vital part of the process”

For our clients, it's an entirely different, transparent way of working together. Before, we were forced to present designs in flat PDF or Photoshop files combined with comments like "And imagine this part is rotating as the mouse hovers." Many agencies still work this way. Now we share a link to a website where changes don't equal budget raises. Now changes and new ideas are a vital part of the process. The client is a part of the creative team, following the work as it evolves from early sketches to more advanced designs with 3D, interactions, and parallax effects.

What can I, as a client, gain from no- or low-code?

Frédéric: I really like that we can design with their content from the beginning. Now it's like working as one team. The clients tell us they feel more involved in the process. Before, there was less contact and exchange, to be honest. Involving the clients in the ideas and decisions changes our relationship. We're building the solutions together. The client brings insights about the organization, the business strategy, and the target group. We add creativity and the skills to create engaging online experiences.

‍Mikkel: Another advantage is that the clients no longer have to imagine the ideas. Before, they had to guess what we meant. Now we'll show it and get their feedback! All done in a fraction of the time it took before.

With low code, we can go much faster from the idea to the final result, using a fraction of the budget.

It also shifts how we think about website projects. If you spend huge budgets on a website that took years to develop, it needs to be "future-proof." But nothing is future-proof. With low code, we can go much faster from idea to the final result, using a fraction of the budget. So now there's room to dare create things unique, bold, and exciting. It gives the client much more freedom to make their brand stand out. And also very important, working on the projects is much more inspiring and fun, we love that.

How did the world of web look like before?  

Mikkel: How we worked before was a fundamental reason for starting Granyon. Earlier, we had to make all ideas fit into the CMS template. And if we tried to challenge the technology based on new ideas from the insights about the organization and the target groups, the development team would most often give the standard message: "Well, great idea, but we can't do that in Drupal" or "Funny idea, but that will disrupt the timeline and budget, please just stick to the specifications." So when we started Granyon, it was to change the relationship between creativity and technology. We wanted the design to dictate the solutions, not the chosen CMS.

“No- and low-code has given us and our customers much more creative freedom.”

With Granyon, we went 100% in on no- and low-code. We created a design process based on prototyping. We focus on what the client wants to accomplish, and instead of the usual long, detailed specifications, we can get ideas and try them out as we go along. No- and low-code has given our customers and us much more creative freedom.

And what about from the designer’s point of view?

Frédéric: As designers and creative technologists, we skip all the unnecessary technical parts, meaning that designers don’t have to go to a developer to ask for changes. You don’t have to wait for the coders to give you feedback. What you see is what you get. This makes the process much quicker and smoother for everybody. And now the code is design too.

‍Mikkel: It gives the designer more freedom. We don’t have the (expensive) middleman. Today, there’s very short from idea to the actual design and finished solution. That’s a massive shift. With low code, we got the playfulness back. We dare try out new, bold things and can share them and get feedback from our customers.

Today, there’s very short from idea to the actual design and finished solution. That’s a massive shift.

How will impact Granyon in the future?

Mikkel: Low-code, already at this point, has an impact because it narrows the space between an idea and trying it out. In general, I think no and low code will democratize future ideas.

Some businesses and organizations wouldn’t be possible five years ago because they would need big budgets to get noticed or to build an early prototype. Today, you can have a crazy idea and try it out in a month or two.

If we go high level, it positively influences creativity and innovation in our world. And by creativity and innovation, I don’t only mean in terms of websites. No-code isn’t just about websites. It’s a way of thinking.

We never had as many possibilities as we have today. We can create nearly anything we can come up with. So why not make sure we build something that matters and makes a positive difference?

The designers now have the power. And with power comes responsibility. We have to be aware of that and use this power thoughtfully. We never had as many possibilities as we have today. We can create nearly anything we can come up with. So why not ensure we build something that matters and makes a positive difference?

Interested to hear how Granyon can help you with your new website?

Don’t hesitate to reach out to CEO Mikkel Noe Westh