ArtVersion

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there

I’m the CEO of Heritage Werks. We specialize in establishing and maintaining state-of-the-art archival and heritage programs for companies, sports teams, celebrities, and other influential brands.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with ArtVersion?

Our existing website had served us well for several years but became dated and less relevant as our capabilities expanded. We wanted to revise what wasn’t working while persevering what was, in addition to giving us a dynamic, modern look.

SOLUTION

What was the original scope of their involvement?

ArtVersion created initial design concepts (including a complete refresh of our brand visuals), took custom photos of our offices, and created some original artwork for the site. They executed the entire site design, including multiple rounds of image revisions as we worked on client permissions.

What is the team composition?

At first, we worked with the Creative Director and the Director of Design. Later, we worked more closely with the Director of Visual Services. While other designers worked on the project, our communication with the team was streamlined and simple.

How did you come to work with ArtVersion?

We had a great agency we’d worked with previously but did a Google search to consider alternatives. We were impressed by the look and feel of ArtVersion’s website. It was different from anything else we were seeing, and we resonated with their approach.

How much have you invested with them?

We’ve spent less than $50,000.

What is the status of this enagement?

We worked together from December 2017 until July 2018.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

We only just launched the site, but we’ve already noticed an increase in lead generation in response to our recent marketing efforts. The site is more noticeable and more successful at converting visitors into leads than our previous site was.

How did ArtVersion perform from a project management standpoint?

We were not the easiest client to manage. Our project timeline ran much longer than we expected, and we had multiple rounds of feedback. There were also several last-minute changes related to client permissions. ArtVersion remained responsive and easy to work with through all of our schedule and direction changes.

What did you find most impressive about them?

We wanted to keep a lot of what was working for us from our past site, which can be challenging for many firms. ArtVersion was a true collaborator, responding to our unique needs and helping us make the best decisions. The site is markedly more beautiful than it would be if we’d done the work ourselves or with a different partner.

Are there any areas they could improve?

No, there aren’t. The entire process was terrific, and we were excited about the outcome.

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and your position there.

I’m the marketing manager at TribalVision. We provide outsourced marketing services to help organizations implement and execute intelligent, flexible, and cost-effective strategies. I’m responsible for project planning and managing various client accounts.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

For what projects/services did your company hire ArtVersion?

To help with a redesign initiative for a client’s website, we decided to bring in additional expert resources.

What were your goals for this project?

We needed a partner with UX knowledge to create a cutting-edge interface. Ultimately, we wanted to elevate the face of the website to improve performance metrics and lead generation.

SOLUTION

How did you select this vendor?

We looked for design-focused vendors with relevant portfolio examples. We compiled a list of candidates and reviewed their proposals with our client to determine the one most suited for this project. ArtVersion’s past work aligned with our goals and the team was highly responsive during our first interactions.

Describe the project in detail.

After confirming the website specifics in a proposal, we met with the ArtVersion team to kick off the project. They helped us select the optimal WordPress theme to be the framework for the platform. Then, they helped us chose several customized modules. We shared the sitemap and content with ArtVersion, and they designed corresponding wireframes.

Once all of that information was in place, the team started development and integrated the lead pipeline with our marketing automation platform. They set up the modules to add a layer of interactivity to the platform. One specific feature tells the story of our company’s history. They developed iteration over iteration until we were happy with the end product.

What was the team composition?

We worked directly with a project manager, who handled our day-to-day needs. ArtVersion also added a few specialists to our account whenever it was necessary.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

The ArtVersion team met our expectations with the finished product.

How effective was the workflow between your team and theirs?

Their entire team is highly knowledgeable and responsive. They were quick to reply to emails and frequently offered to call us to share more details. We appreciated the unique skill set each member of their team brought to the table. It was a perfectly balanced collaboration.

What did you find most impressive about this company?

We gave them an outline, and they brought it to life. Beyond their capabilities, we appreciated ArtVersion’s personal investment in our project. We pride ourselves in our ability to manage cohesive relationships with both our clients and our partners. ArtVersion embodies our same ideals, which allowed for a seamless working relationship.

Are there any areas for improvement?

Because we rely on ArtVersion for design and technical expertise, it would be nice if they provided additional context on how and why they make decisions. If we had more insight into their processes, we could implement them in the future. With that said, it’s not a real problem because we usually follow up with questions anyway.

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I am the former executive editor at a daily news outlet.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with ArtVersion?

We contracted with ArtVersion for a web development and branding project.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

We trusted ArtVersion fully to design and build the architecture of the site. We had ideas, certainly, but they made them come to life. It was WordPress-based and customized to utilize MailChimp, Google Ad Manager, and Google Analytics. I’m no longer there, but it’s my understanding that ArtVersion still maintains the site.

What is the team composition?

Our team consisted of four people.

How did you come to work with ArtVersion?

I had worked with them at a previous job, and I was so confident in their work that I brought them in to help with this website project.

What is the status of this engagement?

Our engagement began in August 2014 and remains ongoing.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

The website received positive reviews from users and internal staff. It was easy for us to manage and make changes ourselves at times, and it was intuitive for end users to navigate.

How did ArtVersion perform from a project management standpoint?

We met in person fairly regularly, but while working remotely, I found them to be very communicative and accessible. All of our problems or questions were addressed quickly, which we appreciated.

What did you find most impressive about them?

They’re very professional and responsive. They have a creative approach to problem-solving. There was never an idea that we brought them that they couldn’t facilitate.

Are there any areas they could improve?

I would work with them again if I had the opportunity. I see no areas for improvement.

Any advice for potential customers?

As a creative team, they bring strong ideas to the project. If you go to them with hard and fast standards for what you want, I think you’d be missing out on all that ArtVersion can provide.

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with ArtVersion?

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

We’ve produced three major projects together, including reports, a direct and digital mail piece, and other print materials. We started the report with a white paper and extensive documentation from our actuaries. We provided graphs, survey information, and some call out quotes. I provided ArtVision with some direction on the look and feel I wanted for a final printed piece along with some information related to our intended target audience. They produced three design mock-ups to choose from. We then worked together directly to fine-tune the end product and bring it to fruition.

​​​​​​What is the team composition?

How did you come to work with ArtVersion?

What is the status of this engagement?

We started working together in February 2017 and the relationship is ongoing.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

How did ArtVersion perform from a project management standpoint?

What did you find most impressive about them?

They’re cost effective, professional, prompt and very service oriented.

Are there any areas they could improve?

Do you have any advice for potential customers?

Be as specific as possible with your expectations and the scope of the project from the beginning.

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I’m the manager of research for CASEL (the Collaborative for Academic Social and Emotional Learning). We provide national support to schools interested in implementing social-emotional learning, programming, and practices. My specific role involves a broader project that includes organizations outside of CASEL. It’s a three-year project that aims to advance understanding around the use of assessments for students’ social-emotional competence.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with ArtVersion?

When I came onto the project, we were already working with another web developer, but we knew we would exceed our limited budget. As a result, we needed to find another cost-effective agency to develop our project’s website and online assessment guide. We initially envisioned our site to be fairly straightforward and not functionally-intensive, so we only needed resources to build the tools and create the overall designs, including the logo and color schemes.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

One of our project leaders provided them with a page of sketches, detailing his vision for the website and assessment tool. They expanded upon our ideas and translated them into a functional site, creating the logos and color palettes to our specifications. We relied heavily on them for the first designs but provide more input over time.

What is the team composition?

As the beginning, I coordinated with their director of design who performed the initial consultation and made sure that their team met our needs. Afterward, I primarily worked with their director of visual services who also served as our main point of contact. She relayed our requests to the developers to write and implement the code.

How did you come to work with ArtVersion?

As I’ve mentioned, we were looking for an agency that could work within our smaller budget, so we wanted to get some estimates. I searched online for the top web design companies in Chicago and reached out to a few. Compared to the other companies we considered, ArtVersion was responsive and easy to contact. We scheduled an informational interview to see if they could meet our needs and went from there.

How much have you invested with them?

We spent between $30,000–$50,000.

What is the status of this engagement?

Their work lasted from March–September 2017.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

Since we’ve launched our site and assessment guide in mid-2017, we’ve increased our user base by 80%. We’ve also seen a significant rise in traffic numbers with 15,000 individual visits and 25,000 unique sessions so far. In total, we’ve had 60,000 page views. Additionally, the site allowed users to sign up for weekly emails about our blog announcements. Their work on the site coupled with our project outreach resulted in 1,500 subscribers across all 50 states and 59 countries.

Overall, we were happy with their quality of work. However, we felt like there were occasions when they could have been more proactive in identifying our design issues. Although the team followed our instructions faithfully, we didn’t know that much about web design. As a result, some of our suggestions might not have worked as well once implemented. We wished they could have considered our inexperience and provided more input. Ultimately, we realized that we wanted them to guide us a bit over time by providing more active design work.

How did ArtVersion perform from a project management standpoint?

For the most part, we communicated through email. They regularly checked in with us on the phone, which was always helpful. We also met in person after reaching certain milestones or when we had larger requests to discuss.

What did you find most impressive about them?

While my team didn’t have much experience using other providers in the past, I appreciated ArtVersion’s exceptional responsiveness. They were always available and were very easy to get a hold of. If we had any urgent issues that needed to be addressed quickly, they promptly took care of them.

Are there any areas they could improve?

Adding to what I said earlier, it might benefit them to leverage their in-house expertise to take a more active stance rather than following the client’s suggestions. They should play up their expertise and not hesitate to make recommendations, even if they’re different to what the client is asking for.

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

The Golden Triangle is a high-end furniture store that offers antique, modern, and rare furnishings. I'm the webmaster, graphic designer, and photographer, so I manage our web development, online graphic design, online transactions, and some sales.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with ArtVersion?

We wanted to rebrand ourselves a bit by redesigning our website. We also wanted to add a shopping cart feature, so visitors could checkout directly online. 

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

ArtVersion's team redesigned the website and added a shopping cart feature. Our original website was built on DreamWeaver, and ArtVersion rebuilt it on Magento and WordPress, updating and adjusting the backend.

Their team took some photos that were used temporarily on the website, made the site mobile-friendly, and created a sticky bar that follows the user on either a PC or mobile device. They continue to maintain and update the site as needed.

What is the team composition?

We work with a creative guru on branding, a developer, and a project manager.

How did you come to work with ArtVersion?

One of our clients, an interior designer, referred ArtVersion to us. We met with a few companies and ultimately chose to work with them, because we felt that they understood our brand and creative direction the best.

How much have you invested with them?

We've invested $50,000–60,000.

What is the status of this engagement?

We started working with them on development in early 2016 and launched the website around October that year. We continue to work with their team on a retainer for critical plugins, updates, or security patches as needed.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

After ArtVersion's redesign, our bounce rate decreased and the duration of visitors on the site and number of pages visited saw a significant improvement. We're very happy with all the changes they've made and have noticed more sales overall. The finished product is beautiful.

How did ArtVersion perform from a project management standpoint?

They've been very hands-on, acting as genuine partners every step of the way. During the initial stages, we met weekly in person for hours at a time. They provided us updates throughout the test trial and gave us access to test out the new features for ourselves. They continue to be very responsive and stay in constant contact with us, often driving up to meet with us in person.

What did you find most impressive about them?

I'm most impressed by their high level of communication, openness, and responsiveness. They also have great design concepts and ideas that we feel line up with our own.  

Are there any areas they could improve?

No.

Do you have any advice for potential customers?

Have an idea of what you want as a company (your voice, your vision, etc.) and what you want the end user to see and experience.

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I’m the founder and owner of a 3D scanning and documenting company. We primarily work with the architecture, engineering, and construction (AEC) industry. We document existing conditions and provide models, floor plans, and elevations to players in the industry.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with ArtVersion?

I needed an innovative design company that could make our online presence more unique. I wanted something functional that would appeal to the AEC industry.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

They used WordPress as the primary platform for the website design. They also used a series of templates specific to architects for the functionality and its look and feel. They incorporated a lot of my work into the site to make it relatable in the industry. They were flexible with the features, including pages for our services, our portfolio, and for online publications and webinars. The design was unique and tailored to our brand.

They listened to my needs for the colors, organization, and overall feel of the site and addressed everything quickly. They also showed me how to make minor changes in the backend. There are a few other things I want to add to the site and to our social media presence, so I plan to use them for additional services in the future.

What is the team composition?

I met with their whole team upfront to discuss my needs, including Goran (Principal, Creative Director, ArtVersion), Erin (Director of Design, ArtVersion), Eileen (Director, Visual Services, ArtVersion), and Dushan (Director, Web Development, ArtVersion), among others. They went through the whole process and talked about my goals.

How did you come to work with ArtVersion?

They assisted with the architecture website for a family member and came highly recommended. We knew they had a background in our industry and saw some of their past successes.

How much have you invested with them?

The total is around $6,000.

What is the status of this engagement?

We had preliminary meetings in July 2017. We had a soft launch at the end of October or early November 2017 to make sure everything worked and then wrapped everything up a few weeks later.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

The way they presented the website allows for more growth and is a good example of what my company stands for. They’re great at branding for the industry and found ways to make the biggest impact. It’s not overly technical or generic, but is still relatable and appropriate for the field. The site is reliable and fits our company perfectly.

How did ArtVersion perform from a project management standpoint?

They updated us every week with progress reports and information, and we spoke on the phone at least every other week. They were great communicators and proactively engaged us to make sure our delivery dates were met.

What did you find most impressive about them?

The biggest positive is the personal attention they give and their willingness to customize our site. They were willing to assist with any needs I had and were able to work with us in ways a larger web developer wouldn’t.

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I'm the CEO of SRC solutions, a business process re-engineering company in the education space. I founded the company in 2001, and we’re based near Philadelphia, PA.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with ArtVersion?

We're currently working on the fifth version of our platform. Following current trends, we wanted used mobile technology to drive the UI/UX perspective. We haven't decided whether outsourcing the development since we have a pretty robust internal team. I always trust ArtVersion to produce excellent design deliverables.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

For this project, we specifically hired ArtVersion for UI/UX design. The designers used fresh, creative thinking to create strong solutions for our whole Gateway suite. They offered creative, fresh thinking and really beautiful designs. We segment and connect their artwork to improve our app’s flow. Notably, they established new dashboard capabilities.

Our software framework allows our customers, specifically school districts, to simplify and automate processes. Using a Lean Six Sigma philosophy, we find eco-friendly, efficient alternatives to manual data entry, record keeping, and compliance systems. In just a few minutes, our platform electronically completes multi-day tasks that would have consumed 15 sheets of paper.

The developers started programming using Flex, then transitioned to HTML 5. They made our entire platform mobile responsive. We’re about to implement the entirely rebranded, fresh look. The team clearly explained the rationale behind logo and color choices.

What is the team composition?

We work directly with Goran (Principal, Creative Director, ArtVersion) and three other resources from that team including Erin (Director of Design, ArtVersion).

How did you come to work with ArtVersion?

The deliverables they’d created for a previous project exceeded my expectations. I was quite impressed by the team’s timeliness and responsiveness. Working with them was a really great experience.

How much have you invested with them?

We began this project in March 2017 and our engagement is ongoing.

What is the status of this engagement?

We've spent between $50,000-$70,000 so far.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

As part of our sales process, we showcase coming attractions and new products to our established and potential customer base. Consumers expressed that software looks beautiful and is very easy to use. We want to produce products that anyone can use. Especially in the education market, accessibility is a deep concern.

These systems reach millions of people, so we've really focused on making it user-friendly. ArtVersion's approach enables us to earn new business and improve results for our existing accounts. The work they've done is integral to achieving those objectives.

How did ArtVersion perform from a project management standpoint?

After our kickoff meeting, we met for an organized set of events over the first 30-60 days. We went through an iterative process. ArtVersion invested time and effort to understand our business and the marketplace. With our internal product manager, they strategized an effective method to improve the product’s first iteration.

We use a couple of different tools. InVision was our primary communication platform to markup work and request new features for the UI. It was a very cool tool. Six of our in-house staff used it to assess different versions. We held conference calls on a regular cadence to review our status and direction.

What did you find most impressive about them?

ArtVersion took the time to cultivate a substantial conception of the education industry. They asked questions focused on our customers. It was clear they had conducted extensive research before presenting their ideas. The team observed multiple product demonstrations and even listened in on customer presentations. Their role wasn't limited to producing a fresh, modern, pretty UI.

I appreciated how well they avoided using a formulaic layout or relying on habits and biases. When you work with the same design agency multiple times, the artistic component tends to become predictable. There was virtually no overlap between ArtVersion’s designs for our discrete engagements.

Are there any areas they could improve?

Timelines occasionally got a bit off, but those delays could have arisen internally. I wish I could have a face-to-face relationship with them. I've never met them in person since they're based in Chicago.

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

We’re a manufacturing business that specializes in sheet metal fabrication and precision machining. I am VP of operations. I handle everything from sales to customer interface and quality issues.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with ArtVersion?

We wanted to stand apart from generic manufacturing sites. Our old site was very basic, without a great look and feel. We wanted someone outside our realm to give us a fresh view on our business.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

They built our new site in WordPress and made it much more visual. Instead of just lists of the machinery we offer, we now have interactive options to hover over and jump to. It’s much easier to look at than just clicking through menus. They set up the site so users get a much quicker impression of our business. They also helped us rethink the logos we used since the beginning.

What is the team composition?

Erin (Director of Design, ArtVersion) was our project manager. The rest of the team usually communicated through her. We had a storyteller, a creative lead for pictures and videos, and a web development specialist. We had three people on our side who coordinated with them.

How did you come to work with ArtVersion?

We did a web search for local companies. We wanted someone who could come onsite and get a good feel for our facility and the products we sell. ArtVersion is about half an hour away from our location.

How much have you invested with them?

We’ve spent $18,000–$20,000.

What is the status of this engagement?

We started working together in late spring 2017. Due to delays on our side, we went live near the end of November 2017.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

The website has been up for about three months. When we first launched, we told some of our existing customers about the change. The new site uncovered some of our processes and features that customers weren’t aware of. Potential customers have a better understanding of our business right from the start.

How did ArtVersion perform from a project management standpoint?

They were very good. We had some delays on our side, but they took time to do extra approaches at the beginning. We went back and forth to get what we were after. They listened, which is an important part of communication. They integrated a lot of our ideas into the process and never made us do something we didn’t want to do.

What did you find most impressive about them?

Their staff is a major asset. They have everyone we need to complete a project within their team. There were no worries about outside contractors or communication gaps. All the features were there, which is a big deal.

Are there any areas they could improve?

After the project finished, they provided a little training on making site modifications. It was just a short session to go over the basics. More training would have been helpful to really solidify that information for us. They’re always available to answer calls or questions, but we would have benefited from a more in-depth final process as part of the package.

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I'm the communications coordinator for a public school district in the Chicago area. I'm responsible for publications, mailings, annual reports, and any other materials sent out to the community.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with ArtVersion?

We needed to redesign our annual report for the 2015–2016 school year. Previously, our annual reports had been very text-based, so we were looking to make them more professional and visually appealing.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

In the beginning, their team met with us to go over the projects and to learn more about our organization and what our goals were. From there, ArtVersion's team designed our annual report for the 2015–2016 school year and were rehired to design this year's. They also continue to work on various design projects, including postcards, school signs, and an internal organizational chart.

What is the team composition?

I work with two to three people.

How did you come to work with ArtVersion?

I researched different vendors in the area. ArtVersion's website stood out to me the most; I liked the previous work they had done.

How much have you invested with them?

We've invested around $15,000, with each annual report costing $5,000.

What is the status of this engagement?

We started working together around August 2015 and continue to work with their team on various design requests.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

With the postcards we used to design internally, we were lucky to get a couple dozen people in the community to show up to one our banquets. After sending out ArtVersion's beautifully designed invitations, the turnout to events significantly increased. The last retirement celebration saw 50–60 people.

Across the board, ArtVersion's work has helped engage our community better. I've received positive reviews from our faculty, Board of Education, and community members.

How did ArtVersion perform from a project management standpoint?

Since our design requests are pretty straightforward, most of our communication takes place over email. For special projects, I might give my representative at ArtVersion a call. Their team has been easy to work with and get ahold of. They've also been transparent about the costs of various projects and are always up front if they're concerned a task might exceed its original estimate.

What did you find most impressive about them?

Their designs are highly professional. They're really good at taking a basic concept and turning it into a work of art.

Are there any areas they could improve?

Their prices are a little higher compared to other graphic designers I've found, but I think you get what you pay for. ArtVersion provides highly polished work.