Author
Scott Hooten
Founder & Principal · Creative Director · Brand & Digital Product Designer
"Design-driven technology for nonprofits, lifestyle, and technology brands."
Tools & Platforms
Biography
Scott Hooten is the founder of Hooten Design + Technology, a design-driven agency built around a curated network of senior designers, technologists, and strategists. He brings more than 30 years of creative leadership to every engagement, drawn from his experience at top agencies serving global brands.
His work spans brand identity, corporate and nonprofit websites, mobile applications, product configurators, annual reports, and product launch campaigns for clients including BlueStar, SETI Institute, the Michael J. Fox Foundation, Mary Tyler Moore Vision Initiative, Carrom, DeLonghi, Adidas, TrailLink, and IFS Industries. Scott pairs Swiss design principles with modern web engineering and AI-assisted workflows.
Scott writes about web design, brand strategy, design theory and the intersection of design and technology, drawing on three decades of creative work. His sweet spot is mid-size, design-led organizations that expect the quality and insight of a large agency without the overhead.
When not working, you can find Scott running or riding around the Boulder, CO roads and trails. As a lifelong runner, Scott has competed at everything from the mile to the half-marathon.
Writing
Recent articles by Scott
Accessibility
How to Make an ADA Compliant PDF in InDesign and Acrobat
A practical guide to accessible PDFs in Adobe InDesign and Acrobat Pro: tags, reading order, alt text, tables, export settings, and manual testing.
Accessibility
The ADA Website Deadline Is Coming: What State and Local Agencies Need to Know
The DOJ Title II rule requires state and local government websites to meet WCAG 2.1 Level AA, with deadlines in April 2027 and April 2028. Here is what the rule covers, how to test, and a realistic path to compliance.
Nonprofit
Nonprofit Websites That Build Trust & Drive Donations
What separates a nonprofit site that builds donor trust and quietly grows giving from one that drains staff time, plus the fundraising platforms actually worth using right now.
Design Psychology
Symmetry & Order
The brain is not looking for what is there, it is looking for the simplest explanation of what is there. The seventh and final principle in our Gestalt design series.
Strategy
Small Agency vs. Large Agency: What Marketing Directors Actually Need
Why marketing directors are pairing small, agile agencies with their large agency partners, and when a small agency is the better choice on its own.
Design Psychology
The Law of Common Fate
Elements that move together are perceived as a group. The sixth principle in our Gestalt design series, and the most powerful grouping signal the brain knows.
Work with Scott.
If you're a nonprofit, lifestyle brand, or technology company looking for a senior creative partner, let's talk.