ArtVersion

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and your position there.

The Virginia A. Groot Foundation promotes 3-dimensional art by giving award grants to sculptors, institutions and curators. The awards allow for the development of new work, art residencies, visiting artist positions and curated presentations and publications. I am the President of the Groot Foundation.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

For what projects/services did your company hire ArtVersion?

We reached out to ArtVersion for a website redesign as our website was outdated and we could not market the exciting partnerships and grants properly.

SOLUTION

How did you select this vendor and what were the deciding factors?

They came highly recommended on the Lake Forest Services page on Facebook. When we met with them we were impressed with their professionalism, their ideas, and their excitement to be working on this project.

They really took the time to research the Foundation, get to know our Board, the legacy of our Founder and research the grant recipients and their work. The fact that they took the time to get to know us and their excitement to work on this redesign was a deciding factor.

Describe the project in detail and walk through the stages of the project.

1. Phone call to discuss the Foundation, who we are and what we were looking for.
2. In-person meetings to learn more details of what we were looking for and who we are and who our founder was.
3. Updated wireframes of the redesign shared as it developed.
4. Going through the details of the web redesign
5. Soft launch on Friday before a holiday weekend - the ArtVersion team worked late that day to work out any issues. So amazing of them!
6. Launched!

How many resources from the vendor's team worked with you, and what were their positions?

In total, we worked with 5 team members and I know that more were involved behind the scenes. Principal of ArtVersion Art Director Executive Director of Art Director of Web Development Content Strategist Brand and Communications Strategist

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

Can you share any outcomes from the project that demonstrate progress or success?

The website redesign was absolutely AMAZING! What they created elevated how the Foundation is represented online. We received a comment from a user that said "the new website is a sculpture in and of itself!" The Groot Foundation focuses on 3-D art and the ArtVersion team created a website so fitting for our niche - I think the user comment sums it up perfectly!

How effective was the workflow between your team and theirs?

The ArtVersion team has some of the best communication practices of any company I have worked with in the past. They should take pride in that! Emails and scheduling were professional with many options for meeting times.

What did you find most impressive or unique about this company?

Where to start? The time they took to get to know the Foundation, the Board, our founder (deceased) and our artists was beyond what we expected or have experienced in the past. The product that they produced was an outstanding digital representation of our foundation. Their excitement to work with us!

Are there any areas for improvement or something they could have done differently?

No - we were very pleased with the entire experience and continue to work with them on various marketing needs.

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I’m the VP of marketing at a multi-industry global trading and investment company.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with ArtVersion?

We needed a separate website to promote the raw materials we were selling across our target markets.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

ArtVersion initially devised wireframes and web layouts and sought our team’s assistance in procuring content. Their team then secured our domain name and kicked off the deployment process, incorporating features that gave users access to our brand information and the industry-specific technologies we used to execute our services. Additionally, ArtVersion designed our landing page based on our vision and structural preferences.

What is the team composition?

We worked with Goran (Principal), Erin (Executive Director of Design), Petra (Art Director), and Anna (Graphic Designer).

How did you come to work with ArtVersion?

We asked our internal department for recommendations, and ArtVersion was one of the three referrals they came up with. Their team stood out because of their confidence, proposed timelines, and skill set.

How much have you invested with them?

We spent about $35,000.

What is the status of this engagement?

The project ran from September–November 2021.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

What evidence can you share that demonstrates the impact of the engagement?

ArtVersion built an astounding website that mirrored our company’s mission and vision and promoted the core of our brand identity. Their outstanding work spoke for itself and exceeded our expectations.

How did ArtVersion perform from a project management standpoint?

We communicated via email and Microsoft Teams. ArtVersion’s was a proactive team with efficient project management skills — they delivered what we needed and more when we needed them.

What did you find most impressive about them?

ArtVersion’s confidence and collectedness effectively took away any pressure or tension from our end, which made for a smooth-sailing partnership. The cherry on top was their capacity to deliver quality results within impressively quick turnaround times.

Are there any areas they could improve?

We had zero complaints about ArtVersion’s work.

Do you have any advice for potential customers?

Come up with a clear vision and identify your target audience to help ArtVersion generate tailored solutions for your goals.

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I’m the CMO of a consumer goods manufacturer. 

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with ArtVersion?

We recently went through a brand and company repositioning project to connect with a wider set of audiences since our industry had a reputation; people had preconceived notions about it. I was from outside this industry, and I wanted to bring a different feel and voice to it in terms of marketing. That was why I hired ArtVersion. 

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

We specifically were redoing our e-commerce website, and ArtVersion was focused on frontend development. To do this, they conducted discovery sessions and user research. Their team created user-centric designs while developing user flows and buyer personas. Then, they implemented the visual designs, copy, photography, and everything else on WordPress. 

On top of that, we leaned on ArtVersion for some backend development tasks. Our company worked with another third-party vendor for the backend, and that vendor needed ArtVersion’s assistance. In other words, we extended their scope of work. 

What is the team composition?

We worked with a core team of six people, but at times the team composition expanded to 8–10 people.  

How did you come to work with ArtVersion?

We chose ArtVersion because I was impressed with their portfolio. They also seemed to have a sincere interest in our vision of doing things differently in the industry. We wanted to create something special, and they felt like an extension of our team from the get-go. Moreover, they were truly dedicated and highly skilled in terms of visual designs and technical work. As a result, we hired them. 

How much have you invested with them?

We spent between $75,000–$100,000. 

What is the status of this engagement?

Our engagement lasted from January–July 2021. They completed the website at the end of June 2021, and then it launched in mid-July 2021 after receiving approvals and final tweaks.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

What evidence can you share that demonstrates the impact of the engagement? 

On a tactical level, our bounce rates decreased and we saw higher user engagement. We also received positive feedback from our social media followers. Moreover, the project's completion was quite fast given that the project was a large undertaking. 

How did ArtVersion perform from a project management standpoint?

ArtVersion’s project management was wonderful. We had weekly meetings, and everybody on the team was on every call — everybody was always in the loop. On top of that, they had specialized team members we could ask if we had questions. Nonetheless, everybody in their team had multiple functions, which was also good for us. If the person responsible for a question couldn’t answer, somebody else could answer it. They were also open and transparent, and members were always on schedule. 

Moreover, their team stayed on our account the whole time. This was invaluable for us because the whole team knew what was happening every step of the way. For instance, the people who worked on user flows and strategies in the beginning stayed involved towards the end. As a result, the project moved faster and was truly holistic. 

With other agencies, we’d go from one department to another like we were on a conveyor belt in a manufacturing line. As we went from team to team, a lot was lost in translation. By contrast, ArtVersion gave us a team that was engaged the whole time. Feedback and discussions weren’t lost in the process, so it was amazing. Overall, their members were highly involved; it wasn’t a large team, but it was worth every penny. 

What did you find most impressive about them?

ArtVersion had passion and enthusiasm; they loved partnering with clients. Their team loved creating great experiences and doing great work. Members didn’t do average work; ArtVersion truly wanted to do something amazing. In the end, they were exceptional. 

Are there any areas they could improve?

One of their team members left, and I thought they should have informed me of the reason or where he was going. 

Do you have any advice for potential customers?

Be clear and take the time to tell ArtVersion about your vision and goals, what you want to build, and where you want to be in the next five years or so. That way, ArtVersion will be truly immersed in your company’s goals and brand.

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and your position there.

I am the director of a technology company.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

For what projects/services did your company hire ArtVersion?

ArtVersion provided content, design and site development for a Digital Heritage Museum that focused on the history of two companies before a merger.

What were your goals for this project?

The goal of the project is to create a digital experience for client employees and customers to honor and celebrate their respective company histories. The primary focus was to share stories about the people and key milestones over each company’s evolution.

SOLUTION

How did you select ArtVersion?

We reviewed and compared various vendors and were impressed by their ideas.

Describe the project in detail.

Create a digital heritage museum to honor and celebrate the legacies of two companies. They executed discovery, strategy and story development to understand the content before designing, wireframing and ultimately building the website.

What was the team composition?

We worked with a cross functional team from ArtVersion.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

Can you share any outcomes from the project that demonstrate progress or success?

The feedback we’ve received from our employees has been 100% positive. We were able to condense 70 years of history into one web design that honors our history through visual storytelling. We knew we had an aggressive timeline from the get-go and stuck to it, executing a complete build in 6 weeks.

How effective was the workflow between your team and theirs?

Their response time and availability were phenomenal. I was able to reach someone on their team at the drop of a hat. They were always available to jump on the phone for a quick chat or provided answers and clarity via email in a timely manner

What did you find most impressive about this company?

I appreciated their ability to take large amounts of information and distill it without losing any of the important details. They were able to take a really tight timeline and adjust to an agile revision process, remaining super flexible in making edits, right up until the moment we went live. This project had a number of stakeholders, sometimes providing competing priorities, but they did a fantastic job of meeting everyone’s expectations. Overall, the process was almost seamless and very positive.

Are there any areas for improvement?

One area of opportunity is stronger management of meeting time. We did have a very large team on both the vendor and client side, which could have caused this issue.

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I am the director of communications for SOS Children’s Villages Illinois. We are a nonprofit child welfare agency that helps children in foster care. We also do preventative work for children at risk.

Our focus is on keeping siblings together. We do that by putting them in the care of a full-time professional foster parent. The single-family homes are provided in clusters, and they’re surrounded by a village that offers supportive, comprehensive wrap-around services. That village includes the village director, caseworkers, a clinical team, and a number of educational support and activity coordinators.

Since we have an alternative model, there are over 550 villages around the world. In the United States, there are only four villages (three of them are in Illinois and one is in Florida). It’s an alternative style because it’s focused on putting more resources into full-time foster parents and having single-family homes in clusters together. It takes more resources on the frontend, but we always say that our outcomes tend to do a bit better than the average outcomes for foster care.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with ArtVersion?

We needed to redesign and update our website. It wasn’t completely responsive, and there were some tweaks that were made to the old design.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

They helped us do an overhaul on our website to make it more updated.

They helped make sure our pages would support our investment in SEO and paid advertisements.

We walked through which design elements we wanted considering our existing branding guidelines. We also discussed ways we might be able to branch out and expand our branding. 

They created the wireframes, and we had the backend design. As we narrowed down their design options, they began to build out each of the designs. We were able to go in and make notes of things that we liked or wanted to change. 

Through the design, they helped us better communicate our story through fewer words. (This is important because we have a very complex mission.) We wanted to make a shift from text-heavy design to explore our mission more visually.

We had a number of components to highlight. For example, the foster parent role is a very important position to sell. We needed to add information that would keep them engaged and moving onto the next steps. There are a lot of specifics around that, and they worked a great deal on those pages. 

The last part concerned donors. Initially, that page was nothing but text, but ArtVersion focused on making it very engaging. For example, they created different icons and pages that provide an overview. 

How did you come to work with ArtVersion?

When we were looking at this project at the end of 2018.

We got a quote from our current provider along with two others. After doing some research, ArtVersion came up on several lists, and we saw they were doing great work. So, I reached out to them to get a proposal. 

When they provided their proposal and we had a chance to talk, I felt they understood our mission. They were excited about the work we were doing, and we saw that they could help us translate that into a website.

Also, I knew that they had the required skills based on online reviews. We looked at other designs of the websites that they had done, and we really liked the work they did. I knew they’d be able to help us refresh the look of our site. 

How much have you invested in them?

Overall, the cost of the project was $20,000 based on the quote they gave us, but some of that was based on us being a nonprofit.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

What evidence can you share that demonstrates the impact of the engagement?

Overall, they did a great job of helping us tell each part of the story we needed to tell in the best way possible.

We’ve heard nothing but rave reviews from our board members, other affiliates of the organization internationally, as well as our donors and those engaging with the site.

I can also speak to the length of time people are spending on the page. Over the last few months, we’ve seen a significant increase in website visitors. The number of pages people are visiting continues to increase, as well as the length of time that people are spending on the website. 

These metrics point to a number of successful things about the design. People are finding what they need and are getting to the pages they need, as well as staying longer.

How did ArtVersion perform from a project management standpoint?

They did a really wonderful job. Whether you are talking to them on the phone or in person, you get the sense they are giving you all of their attention, and they fully understand what your goals are. They’ll translate your mission into what you need in this medium. 

It’s a creative process, but there is a science behind it, and they do a wonderful job of combining those two aspects. They have a lot of expertise, but their people skills help them understand the clients’ needs and mission. 

As a client, you feel that you are in good hands. You have confidence in them the whole way through. You’re never at a point where you’re questioning the design or worried you aren’t going to get the best product. 

The collaborative process was easy. It was a very good back-and-forth working relationship. They gave us their expertise and suggestions when it came to which design would work well.

As far as project management tools, During the wireframe stage, we used Google Docs during the wireframe stage. Also, we could go in and put notes on the actual design. 

What did you find most impressive about them?

When you’re looking for someone to update your web design, it’s hard to distinguish from the different companies. 

Their reviews are there for a very good reason, and word of mouth has just as much of an impact. Being on Clutch markets them more than just putting their name out there and getting people to look at their designs. 

You can see that time after time, there is a history of clients being happy. They are recognized and distinguished year after year, and it is for a good reason. I think that sits well with people, and people should feel good about that.

Are there any areas they could improve?

I had no issues at all with anything on their end. We initially thought it would be a four-month project, and they were very understanding when the project ended up extending a bit more.

They were very professional and helpful, and they stayed with us the whole time. They wanted to make sure the product we received matched what they had said at the beginning.

Do you have any advice for potential customers?

There is a history of them performing well, working well with clients, and producing great work. That combination should be helpful for any client when they're trying to determine who to hire.

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I’m the executive VP of institutional sales for Chicago Crypto Capital. We’re a crypto-watch and advisory firm based out of Chicago. We’re involved with early-stage projects for tokenization, illiquid assets, and a hedge fund launch.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with ArtVersion?

We were seeking the development of image advertising and other marketing pieces.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

Starting with enhancing our logo, ArtVersion revamped our website. They also delivered brochures and overviews. While they maintained some parts of our old color scheme, they introduced many new visual elements.

What is the team composition?

We worked with a team of about 5–7 people.

How did you come to work with ArtVersion?

I found them on Clutch! We were looking for an affordable service provider since we’re still a young company.

How much have you invested with them?

I believe we spent somewhere between $25,000–$50,000.

What is the status of this engagement?

We started working together in May 2019, and the work is still ongoing.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

What evidence can you share that demonstrates the impact of the engagement? 

They really read our minds in terms of our design vision. Their marketing pieces are attractive and have been extremely well-received. It’s important for us to send the right message, and they understood the precise audience that we’re going after. They were able to present us creatively while staying true to the world of finance. I found them to be a very talented, hardworking group.

They were also very reasonably priced compared to their competition. We were looking at another vendor, whose price was about two or three times more for the same services. They're very cost-effective.

How did ArtVersion perform from a project management standpoint?

They were very responsive. We communicated over email and phone, but I also saw them in person because they’re a local company.

What did you find most impressive about them?

I think the team lead, Goran (Principal, Creative Director) is a visionary. Even at our meetings, we could see his creative wheels turning. He anticipates and understands our needs. With his creativity and responsiveness, he was a phenomenal partner.  

Are there any areas they could improve?

No, I can’t think of anything.

Do you have any advice for potential customers?

Make sure you follow up with them. There were times when they were left waiting for direction because of the delay on our own side. Try to stay on top of things to enable them to do the best work.

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I’m the chief communications officer at Knight Engineers and Architects, so I manage internal and external communications, branding, business development, proposal preparation, and marketing functions. Our company is a regional engineering and architecture firm that focuses on large public infrastructure projects. We have four offices in total, located in Illinois and Wisconsin.  

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with ArtVersion?

Our website was very old and no longer represented the dramatic growth our company has seen in the last five years. We needed a complete site overhaul and brand refresh.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

We adjusted just about everything but the logo in the front- and backend development. The branding element involved making sure that the website represented that we wanted it to. Their team was tasked to take our identifiers and create a more cohesive portfolio of graphic imagery on the site. It was mostly to ensure that the content was representative of our brand.

They did all the technical work for the site to reflect us well, managing our brand to look fresh. Their team also optimized the site for SEO, but we did not heavily focus on that aspect. They were able to convince me why it was important, though. 

What is the team composition?

There were 4–5 people on their team, including Erin (Director of Design, ArtVersion) and Goran (Creative Director, ArtVersion). 

How did you come to work with ArtVersion?

They were recommended by one of our senior staff members, who knew them. Including their team, we spoke with three separate firms and received proposals from all of them. We decided to go with ArtVersion after that process.

How much have you invested with them?

We spent somewhere between $30,000–$40,000.

What is the status of this engagement?

We accepted their proposal around November 2018, but we didn’t truly begin the overhaul until March 2019. The project wrapped up in September 2019, when we went live.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

What evidence can you share that demonstrates the impact of the engagement?

They offer the right mix of technical skills and the ability to figure out what the client wants, packaging their storytelling every effectively. One of our most challenging clients went out of his way to contact us about how much he enjoys the new site and design. A few of our clients have also contacted us with praise as well.

One of the major goals for the site was easy recruitment of young engineers and talent. The HR department has reported that young people in colleges are sending them resumes and asking about internships in greater volumes. So far, ArtVersion is right on track for exceeding our expectations.   

How did ArtVersion perform from a project management standpoint?

They were incredibly responsive, challenging me to look at things I hadn’t before. There were times that they came to me with their own ideas and suggestions for improving the project, and they were great. Their team was helpful and efficient in conducting focus groups, conducting research to accurately represent our customer’s expectations in their work. They used that research to make sure they left with actionable information. 

We met in person frequently to discuss their progress, either going to their office or having them visit ours. Because of their location, they were also able to host a photo shoot for our staff members. They made everyone very comfortable. 

What did you find most impressive about them?

Their willingness to dig into and understand our firm was helpful. When we were making our decision to hire them, their focus on what we wanted to accomplish and their carefulness to avoid cooperating things we didn’t want stood out. They understood that we wanted to keep our identifiers and didn’t try to change them. Their team focused on elevating how we told our story rather than changing the whole story itself. That’s why we selected them, and they delivered on that promise.  

Are there any areas they could improve?

Some of the narrative content work could’ve been a little less scattered. There were times when it felt like they didn’t have enough time to digest all of the narratives. Of course, their output was based on the information we gave them. Everything, for the most part, came out very well. 

Do you have any advice for potential customers?

Don’t overload them with narrative content immediately. Make sure you’re honing the content before you deliver it to them, for clarity.

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and your position there.

I am the CEO of a personal care company.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

For what projects/services did your company hire ArtVersion?

We engaged with them for brand development. We also did competitive analyses that led us to design, web and digital involvement.

What were your goals for this project?

We wanted a fresh and innovative vision for our brand. We needed a partner to help us articulate our position and emphasize the cutting-edge theme we were looking for.

SOLUTION

How did you select this vendor?

We reviewed and compared portfolios from several agencies and decided to meet with ArtVersion. After our initial briefing, we were impressed that they knew what we needed.

Describe the scope of their work in detail.

During the discovery phase, they created user personas and pathways for our website and for packaging design and marketing collaterals. They listened, analyzed, and created strategies and a purpose before working on design and iterations. Their work included iterative design methods, which builds the brand through cohesion between the physical product and the website.

What was the team composition?

We worked with creative and design directors, a brand strategist, an art director, a content writer, graphic designers, and web developers.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

Can you share any outcomes from the project that demonstrate progress or success?

We launched our brand, from design to product packaging, within just a few months. We addressed potential hurdles at launch and made adjustments. This helped us close a distribution deal and helped us in a profit aspect.

How effective was the workflow between your team and theirs?

I found it very helpful that I can reach the strategist, designer, or developer directly.

What did you find most impressive about this company?

I most appreciate their attention to detail. They bring innovative thinking and design to the table. Not every design company has a fully integrated approach, from print to digital and web design.

Are there any areas for improvement?

No, I can’t think of anything.

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I'm the director at Center for Reproductive Care. We're a fertility practice.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with ArtVersion?

We were a new company, so we were looking for a vendor to help us develop our brand.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

They did everything related to our brand from creating a logo to helping us choose the colors for the website. Many fertility practices use purple color, but ArtVersion suggested that we use orange because it'd make us look different. We were hesitant at first, but we're now very happy with the color scheme and the overall aesthetics of the brand.

What is the team composition?

I mostly worked with Goran (Principal and Creative Director, ArtVersion) and two of their designers.

How did you come to work with ArtVersion?

We were looking for a vendor in the Chicago area. We talked to about 10 companies and ArtVersion was a top contender. I appreciated their attention to detail and the ideas they brought to the table, so I chose them.

How much have you invested with them?

We spent between $20,000–$25,000.

What is the status of this engagement?

We worked with them between August–October 2018.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

What evidence can you share that demonstrates the impact of the engagement?

They helped us bring things out of the Stone Age and we're very happy with the look of our brand. We've received a lot of positive feedback from our patients about the website and the color scheme.

How did ArtVersion perform from a project management standpoint?

They were very responsive via email and phone. If I sent them an email early in the morning, they got back to me right away.

What did you find most impressive about them?

They made us feel like we were their only client. Also, they have great attention to detail.

Are there any areas they could improve?

I can't think of anything.

Do you have any advice for potential customers?

Know the direction you want to go because that will make the process faster. They will use that information to come up with more specific options for you.

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I’m a private practice attorney.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with ArtVersion?

I needed a website to inform potential clients of my qualifications and the services that I offer.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

ArtVersion designed my first website on a WordPress platform. Because I was working out of a historic office, they incorporated visuals of the current room and what it looked like in the past to add personality to the site. Years later, I moved locations and ArtVersion put together a new design to better reflect my new location. Recently, they did the same thing when I moved to my home office. They also made any necessary updates within that period. They also connected me with an outside vendor to support my email communication efforts.

In addition to the website work, the ArtVersion team designed a suite of professional collateral, including logos, stationery, letterheads, mailing labels, and envelopes. In every design initiative, we follow a collaborative workflow. We work together to come up with ideas; then they bring them to life.

What is the team composition?

The owner was my main point of contact throughout my relationship with ArtVersion, but there’s also a background team of specialists involved.

How did you come to work with ArtVersion?

I found them through an online search for web designers about 11 years ago. I filled out an online form through their website, and the owner responded right away. We’ve been working together ever since.

How much have you invested with them?

I’ve spent between $10,000–$50,000 over the years.

What is the status of this engagement?

We started working with them in 2007, and it’s an ongoing relationship.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

What evidence can you share that demonstrates the impact of the engagement?

I’ve received compliments from clients on the website and my other professional materials. Overall, I’m happy with the quality that they deliver.

How did ArtVersion perform from a project management standpoint?

I’m very happy with their performance. The ArtVersion team is receptive to feedback and consistently responsive. They work efficiently, avoiding any delays in the workflow. They’re sure to ask all the necessary questions to develop a full understanding of my vision.

What did you find most impressive about them?

I’m impressed by their overall quality of service. I’ve never considered working with anyone else.

Are there any areas they could improve?

No, they truly do a great job. If anything, I think they could better promote their services. They’re a skilled team, and I’ve enjoyed watching them grow.