Create Ape

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I’m the director of the UX design and research team at West Corporation, a communications company specializing in communication between schools, school districts, and parents. All communications related to low lunch balances, bus delays, snow days, emergencies, and other school-related topics go through us.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with Create Ape?

We had a very powerful solution used by about 55% of the schools in the US and 65% of the schools in Canada. However, this 20-year-old software program was originally designed by its developers, which was readily apparent to our users, so we started losing business to the competition. Therefore, we decided to invest money in updating our application’s code base and UX.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

We had very little documentation to start the project with, so Create Ape first conducted design-thinking workshops, heuristic evaluations, and customer and stakeholder interviews to define the challenges and problems our app had. Since then, Create Ape has been helping us create UI/UX designs using Figma.

Our main goal was to redesign our app, but we ended up redesigning the look and feel of our entire product suite. Recently, Create Ape also started helping us rebrand our company, and we’re now running their designs through our marketing team to see if we can implement the new brand.

What is the team composition?

We have four dedicated people from Create Ape working on our project, and we work with others as needed. Their team has included a project manager, two graphic designers with engineering backgrounds, a user researcher, and a UX writer.

How did you come to work with Create Ape?

We found them on Clutch.

What is the status of this engagement?

We started working together in August 2022, and our engagement is ongoing. Currently, we’re also planning for Create Ape to take over a massive project in Q2 2023.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

Create Ape has delivered contemporary and fresh designs, and our sales team is extremely excited about those; they’re eager to sell this product. Additionally, they’ve delivered designs consistently so that our developers have things to work on and can meet the deadline.

As general feedback, Create Ape has delivered much more than we originally requested. When we started the project, we had specific objectives in mind. However, they’ve worked so efficiently and delivered such quality work that we’ve kept working with them.

Throughout the project, they’ve offered us better solutions, which have been very helpful. Moreover, they constantly come up with new and impactful ideas, so we feel they’re as excited about our products as we are.

How did Create Ape perform from a project management standpoint?

Create Ape has delivered their work on time, and we’ve been impressed with how cost-effective they are. Additionally, their communication is phenomenal; we never wait more than two minutes to get a response from them on Slack.

We have two standard weekly meetings with Create Ape to ensure everyone is aware of what is happening. Besides Slack, we use Microsoft Teams and Google Meet to communicate, depending on who initiates the meeting. Additionally, we use ClickUp for project management.

What did you find most impressive about them?

We’ve been very impressed with Create Ape’s work overall. The way they work with each other instills confidence and creates a very friendly working environment — we enjoy working with them.

Are there any areas they could improve?

No, not really. They’re fabulous and deliver quality work.

Do you have any advice for potential customers?

If you come really prepared for the project, Create Ape will follow your guidelines and suggest small adjustments. Still, if you’re not prepared, they’ll help you figure out the core problems and how to solve them. Moreover, be comfortable and have confidence in them; let them offer solutions. Even if you don’t know exactly what you want, they’ll help you get there.

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I was the director of product management at Formation, an application that enables marketers to send one-to-one, highly targeted, and multi-step-personalized offers to their customers. This app is primarily focused on retail clients.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with Create Ape?

Our is a complex and highly nuanced SaaS platform. Thus, we needed to create a way to make its onboarding process better. To achieve this, we wanted to provide users who were using the app for the first or second time with cues and guides on where to go next based on their current setup and activities.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

Create Ape helped us create a guided onboarding flow for the primary two sets of users that we were targeting. One workflow was for our technical-integration users. These users work through API documentation, connecting their data to the platform and then connecting the platform’s data back into their systems.

The other workflow was created for our marketing users. This workflow guides users on creating campaigns, defining offer rules and guidelines, creating individual offers, grouping those offers into campaigns, assigning audiences to campaigns, and reviewing, launching, and tracking those campaigns.

Create Ape helped us create the UX so that when those users came into our app for the first time, they could be guided to the right workflow for them. They also designed easy ways to take users from activity to activity and skip the ones irrelevant to them.

Moreover, we worked with Create Ape to create a global onboarding checklist through a dashboard so that users could see what had been done and what hadn’t. Using that dashboard, they can quickly go to the tasks that are ready for them to do.

We used Figma from start to finish to create and share designs, enhancements, and comments. We also gave Create Ape access to our app so that they could use it to create the workflows.

In addition to those designs, Create Ape did a lot of copywriting for us. We initially didn’t know we needed it, but they suggested bringing in a copywriter to work with us on updating some of our content so that all of our copy could have a very consistent tone and language. Throughout this process, the copywriter also found and fixed a lot of typos we didn’t realize we had.

What is the team composition?

We worked with 6–7 people from Create Ape, including two project managers, two designers, a head of design, the CEO, and a technical writer.

How did you come to work with Create Ape?

I found them on Dribbble. One of the main reasons I chose Create Ape over their competitors was that they worked on US hours, and I had around a one-hour overlap at the beginning or end of my day with some of their resources. Having real-time communication throughout my workday was a big deciding factor. Additionally, they guaranteed that we would have a consistent design team throughout the entire project, avoiding turnovers and the need to train new resources amidst the engagement.

How much have you invested with them?

We spent around $27,000.

What is the status of this engagement?

We worked together from April–June 2022.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

Thanks to Create Ape’s work, we saw fewer questions coming in from people using our app and their various screens. We achieved to reduce the users’ uncertainty about the platform, as well as the number of times we needed to work with them to get them going.

One of the specific deliverables was some onboarding cards so that users could see what they could find when clicking on certain parts of the app, which made the flow very flexible for us. In some cases, we only added text; in others, we added images or animations. This feature also allowed users to get a little preview of what they were about to click on. 

Additionally, Create Ape helped us identify missing opportunities to engage with our users. Thanks to them, we identified 2–3 other screens unrelated to the user onboarding and improved their UI.

How did Create Ape perform from a project management standpoint?

Create Ape delivered on time and according to our expectations. We had a flexible budget because the project had a lot of unknown challenges. Still, they did a great job at communicating when things were going slower or faster than expected.

Additionally, they took our feedback very well, and they were great at explaining things to us. It was very easy to work with them and get things done because their team was great at responding to change requests and prioritizing tasks.

Our collaboration was virtual. We had a weekly project meeting that lasted around 40–60 minutes, which allowed us to know where everything was at all times. Throughout the project, Create Ape was always available, and we could talk with them multiple times throughout the day if needed. We communicated via Slack and Figma.

What did you find most impressive about them?

Create Ape took the time to understand what we were building and why, as well as to understand our users. Their founders come from a product development background, and it shows in their DNA. Their team was actively thinking about and engaging in the project to make things happen. Additionally, Create Ape’s copywriting services were a surprise bonus we really appreciated.

Are there any areas they could improve?

No. Whenever we had issues with particular designers, Create Ape addressed those issues. Overall, we had a solid working relationship and a great experience; they were very easy to work with.

Do you have any advice for potential customers?

Providing direct and early feedback is the best way to work with Create Ape. They don’t have egos; they just want to deliver a great product. Iterate with them quickly and talk with them about what you like and dislike because an iterative design approach will get you to the right destination faster.

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and your position there.

I am the Director of Communications and Marketing. My position is managing and directing all communications for business development, C - level executives, and the product team.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

For what projects/services did your company hire Create Ape?

We worked with CreateApe on a variety of different projects and services such as rebranding our company website, creating slide decks for business development, and brochures. They also did development for our products and website.

SOLUTION

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

We chose to work with them because they are very good at communicating and willing to adjust to our company's needs. They were also flexible on pricing. They also had exceptional design work. Al was a great manager and he helped us with anything we needed.

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

The biggest project we worked together on was the rebranding of 2 brands. They gave us some design options and we chose which one we liked the most. Then they gave us a timeline and started to create the designs. Since they used figma we were able to make comments as they designed in real time. We also made updates as they were needed and they were always quick to respond and get things done.

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

2 Project managers, 1 lead designer and 4-5 other designers. Victor was the rockstar!

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

Our website has more traffic and the new look and feel have received compliments from our customers and investors. Our products have also improved due to the creative designs.

How effective was the workflow between your team and theirs?

Communication and workflow were one of the best things about working with CreateApe. From the beginning, they set up a slack channel and had a very clear and quick communication with my whole team.

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

I was most impressed with their ability to work creatively with few guidelines and create something innovative and functional. We saw this many times and as the relationship grew their team could produce good quality and fast products.

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

The only area of improvement would be time management and reporting. When managing multiple projects, it would be hard to get an exact estimate of when things would be done. We worked on this by managing priorities.

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and your position there.

I'm the LMS Administrator for a direct marketing women's fashion label.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

For what projects/services did your company hire Create Ape, and what were your goals?

The LMS platform we use is very complicated and our end users have had many problems navigating it to find the training they need. Our end users also vary in their levels of digital literacy and confidence using web-based technologies. Therefore, we asked Create Ape to design and build a dashboard or landing page that a range of end users would find intuitive easier to navigate.

SOLUTION

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

I was not directly involved in selecting Create Ape, but they were working with another one of our teams at the time.

Describe the scope of work in detail, including the project steps, key deliverables, and technologies used.

We met to discuss our end user characteristics and needs, the goals of the project, and the characteristics of the LMS. We had weekly meetings throughout the project to discuss details and make refinements to Figma mockups, and then they worked on development in the stage site of our SumTotal LMS implementation. Other technologies included Java Script, CSS, HTML, and SumTotal's API and reporting capabilities. Our end product included enhanced search features and sections directing users to their assignments, featured training, in progress training, the main topics in the course library, recommended courses, recently added, and completed courses.

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

My main contact was the project manager, though we worked with 1 designer and 2 other developers.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

Can you share any measurable outcomes of the project or general feedback about the deliverables?

I'd never had much positive feedback from our end users before, as the LMS was very complicated for them, but I've heard nothing but positive feedback from them about this new dashboard.

Describe their project management style, including communication tools and timeliness.

We had weekly meetings with the project manager and team as needed, with email and Slack messaging in between as needed. The project manager was very involved in coordinating at every step.

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

They really listened and understood what we needed, delivering a product that works, within the complex environment of the LMS, while pleasing both our corporate teams and the field of end users.

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

We had a bit more back and forth than I'd originally planned for to meet brand standards in the design phase, and they could've been a bit more responsive to email threads from SumTotal support, where I had to facilitate (a requirement of SumTotal) but they were cc'd to answer the more technical questions.

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I’m the founder and CEO of a data collection company.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with Create Ape?

We hired them for UI/UX design.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

For the past two months, Create Ape has been analyzing everything on my current site, breaking down the data. They've sent 20-question surveys to researchers we work with in other countries and have conducted user interviews. The team has provided us with a 90-page report outlining where the strengths are. They're using Figma to show us mockups, and they've also used WordPress. The team will also be doing the website design and development. 

What is the team composition?

I've worked with Alessandro (Founder). 

How did you come to work with Create Ape?

I believe I found them on Clutch. We interviewed a few UI/UX designers. Right away, Create Ape seemed to get what we were doing, and Alessandro was on all the calls. Ours is a very international project, and they have folks in other countries, like Nigeria, the Philippines, and Venezuela, which was very helpful to what we're trying to do. 

As soon as I officially decided to move forward with the project, I re-engaged them. They offered us the option to sign up for the whole project off the bat or make a sprint to come up with a design plan and decide what we needed, and we went for the latter option.

How much have you invested with them?

So far, we've spent $7,000.

What is the status of this engagement?

We started working together in May 2022, and the engagement is ongoing.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

Create Ape has really helped us hone our business model, which we appreciate. We were looking for folks with expertise, and Create Ape does a good job of combining their designers and the engineers with their marketing folks — they’re an all-in-one shop. This approach has saved us time. 

Moreover, the first phase was very helpful for us in terms of perfecting our plans for the website. There are things they understand and have suggested to us that my partner and I hadn’t factored in. Although the estimated budget has tripled, I’m okay with that because I feel like I have a much better plan, thanks to them. Overall, I have confidence in Create Ape. 

How did Create Ape perform from a project management standpoint?

They’ve been great at meeting deadlines and staying within budget. We use Slack, Loom, phone calls, and many emails to communicate, which has been very effective. I’ve had no trouble communicating with them. They take feedback from our stakeholders very seriously; the surveys have been a good way to get information, and they’ve incorporated the feedback into their work. 

What did you find most impressive about them?

I’m impressed with the internationalism of Create Ape’s team — it’s a very important tool for my project. There are significant differences in how the data we’re putting together is processed continent-by-continent. On every call I’ve had with Create Ape, 3–4 continents are represented, and they each give their point of view on the decision-making. I also appreciate how quickly they understood my idea. 

Are there any areas they could improve?

I can’t think of anything they need to improve off the bat; I’ve been really pleased with them.

Do you have any advice for potential customers?

When we started, I was eager o sign the entire web design contract. However, it was very useful to take the sprint approach because it turned out my idea wasn’t as fleshed out as I thought it was. If we hadn’t gone for that, we would have found gaps. Instead, we delayed the process a bit, and now I feel we’re completely on the same page. Even though it increased my budget, it gave me a lot of faith in the project. Create Ape’s suggestion for the sprint option turned out to be time and money well spent, so I would advise that if they offer it to you, take them up on it, especially if your idea could use some honing.

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and your position there.

I'm the director of product marketing for Clarity Security, a SaaS cybersecurity platform.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

For what projects/services did your company hire Create Ape, and what were your goals?

Our website was initially created on Wix and was lacking a lot of functionality and customer centric design. We are a tech startup and needed help developing a site that would help convert visitors into leads or customers. We wanted a unique site that made our branding (which Create Ape also worked on) stand out from competitors.

SOLUTION

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

We had previously worked with Create Ape on a software development project and enjoyed their design team and decided to work with them again for the site redesign.

Describe the scope of work in detail, including the project steps, key deliverables, and technologies used.

The project started as a website redesign/development and evolved to include logo creation and an additional e-commerce portion of the site. We wanted a custom WordPress site that would be easy to manage and update afterwards that also include some animation, a chat feature, contact form, and a robust and interactive pricing page.

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

We worked primarily with Virginia and Guillermo who are both incredible. Guillermo did a great job as project manager and kept everything on track even when we gave rather confusing directions and tight deadlines. Virginia was the main designer we worked with and she did an excellent job, we approved the first design iteration she showed us. We also worked with a few members from the marketing and development team.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

Can you share any measurable outcomes of the project or general feedback about the deliverables?

Our site has seen double the amount of traffic and we've seen inbound lead conversion in addition to increase in session time and decrease in bounce rate.

Describe their project management style, including communication tools and timeliness.

Excellent communication, the team was easy to reach through email and Slack. We saw design iterations and proof of concept via Figma which was really nice. We were provided with a weekly burn report that was very detailed and felt like they were very respectful and cognizant of timeline, budget, and other requests.

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

The transparency regarding time spent on project and were very organized., they were very flexible and accommodating when we had sudden changes or noticed issues. I also appreciated that when we would ask for changes, the team wasn't afraid to tell us our request was not best practices or would not have the intended effect. I liked that they always kept our goals top of mind even if it meant telling us "No" or "Let's try this instead".

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

None. We had some issues with a previous project manager and they quickly brought in Guillermo to support our project and her did great. They're a very responsive company that cares about customer service.

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and your position there.

I am the Vice President of Marketing at a health technology company that empowers healthcare organizations to build, manage, and optimize provider networks, from inception through monitoring, across the entire US market, using industry-leading data and intelligent workflows.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

For what projects/services did your company hire Create Ape, and what were your goals?

Our website needed to be evaluated from a user experience perspective. Create Ape provided much needed insight into what pages were performing best, time on each page, bounce rates, etc. Our goal was to ensure we were creating the best possible user experience on our site so that our key target audience understood who we are, what we do and why they should do business with us.

SOLUTION

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

I had worked with Alessandro, the CEO and Founder at Create Ape previously and knew that he and his agency were highly skilled and experienced in UX/UI. It was a no brainer to reach out to him when we decided to start doing this work.

Describe the scope of work in detail, including the project steps, key deliverables, and technologies used.

We began with a meeting to discuss what our ultimate goal and objectives were. The Create Ape team then created a heat map of our website, using Hotjar, to see where we were getting the most traffic and where we weren't. We had limited budget and so decided to only focus on the top 3 pages that needed updating.

Once we determined that, the Create Ape team began the process of creating designs for each of the pages that we were going to update. We had a few meetings to make updates and changes and once that was complete, they began building the pages. Once all was finalized we launched the new pages.

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

We had a primary project manager, a designer and a developer.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

Can you share any measurable outcomes of the project or general feedback about the deliverables?

Every design that Create Ape developed was infinitely better than what we had previously. Their thoughtfulness for the user's experience, their designers skill at laying out all of our key messages elevated the brand significantly.

Describe their project management style, including communication tools and timeliness.

We had weekly meetings with the Create Ape team so that we could review all of the projects, their status and discuss any new initiatives. We used a variety of communication tools; Slack, email and Basecamp. The Create Ape team was always incredibly responsive.

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

The team has an abundance of expertise and skill. It was so refreshing to be able to say, 'This is what we need' and for them to deliver it beyond our expectations.

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

There was a change over of a few of the project managers, which meant they needed time to ramp up on our business and projects. This is not so unusual for an agency, but at times caused some delays.

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and your position there.

I am the CEO of a Digital Marketing agency called Digital Position.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

For what projects/services did your company hire Create Ape?

We've vetted a variety of agencies that provide services that we don't. This way we can refer quality agencies to our clients based on needs as they arise. Despite reaching out to over 100 of these types of agencies, Create Ape is one of the very few that we ultimately recommend to clients.

SOLUTION

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

CreateApe has a great eye for design & motion in modern e-commerce. We chose them as a partner because they are able to move efficiently and ultimately end up creating really nice end products for websites that really convert. If the website converts better, Digital Position also is able to perform better!

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

First we talked about our goals with the website that we were trying to achieve. We were running PPC Ads and doing SEO, but we knew the website needed to be updated. However, we didn't want to lose the SEO traction that we had built over the first roughly 6 months with the client. CreateApe came in and put design concepts together and presented to the client for approval. We then all moved forward through development and they crushed it. We launched and worked out any kinks within days of launch. It was a nice, smooth experience. We've had many developers drop the ball on website launches, but CreateApe consistently worked out any kinks quickly.

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

We worked with Chelina and Ted as the points of contact, and Al (the CEO) jumped in to ensure the project was running smoothly. Communication was fantastic throughout.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

After launch the client's performance TOOK OFF. We finished 2021 up 133% (!) despite the new website launching in Q4. They had an incredible Q4 and then have followed that performance right into 2022. The conversion rates skyrocketed and the client has since e-mailed us talking about how much we've changed her life. It's a team effort, and those results don't come without an amazing website experience.

How effective was the workflow between your team and theirs?

Super efficient, we talked on slack through any issues and make decisions collaboratively. As mentioned earlier, the CEO Al jumped in to check in to ensure everything was progressing smoothly.

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

Their designs are just really unique and cool. For the premium e-commerce brands we work with, this is really valued. They didn't just make the website "pretty", the website truly stands out among competitors with motion/unique usage of color. They really took the time to understand the heart of the brand and it comes across wonderfully in the design.

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

Nah, the experience was awesome. Any little kinks are expected when you launch a huge new website initiative. The key was that they acted on fixing any little things that came up quickly - they were available and responsive to any questions or concerns. Highly recommend working with Al & Create Ape!

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and your position there.

Buildlane is how busy interior designers do custom furniture. I serve as the Head of Content & Community, working directly with the Executive team to manage all marketing campaigns and creative direction.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

For what projects/services did your company hire Create Ape?

I worked with the team on a quick redesign with a focus on better lead generation.

SOLUTION

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

We had some previous UX work done to the satisfaction of our Head of Product and so he recommended the team to the Marketing department.

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

We put together a project scope and outlined the wishlist first. CreateApe paired us up with a designer after reviewing the scope. We met to go through the scope and outline the necessary aspects of the project. The designer and I met over zoom at various touchpoints until we had revised through to final delivery.

At that point, the files were kicked over to the development team who coded the pages. Then they packaged them up for delivery so our product team could integrate within our existing site setup.

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

Lucho, Project Manger Keegan, Designer Developers on the backend, didn't work directly with them

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

The scope of work was executed, we were happy with the expertise that the designer brought to our wishlist, we met our launch goal under budget.

How effective was the workflow between your team and theirs?

Easy. We used Slack and it felt quite friendly.

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

Their friendly and enthusiastic team made the entire process fun and easy.

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

I can only think of areas where I could have been a better client to help the process along. They were always waiting on me and my feedback and often compensating for the lack of input and getting things right on their own.

I guess if I were really to pick, it would be cool if they had some sort of organization about the project process and costs etc as a single destination on the web, where I could log in and access relevant files, the project process (in terms of hours spent, etc.), messaging and naturally a checklist for necessary feedback,etc.

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I’m the senior director of creative services at a fashion brand that sells women’s clothing in the US, Canada, and the UK. We work through a network of stylists that develop personal relationships with clients to help them with their style needs and ultimately sell clothes. We have an e-commerce website, but the majority of our sales come from our stylists. I lead the team in executing content for our marketing and branding efforts across the board. This allows me to work with both our internal team and outside agencies. 

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with Create Ape?

We needed to perform an infrastructure review on all of our digital products. We had eight products, and our team wanted a partner with the right experience to review all of our UX designs, challenges, successes, and future needs. 

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

Create Ape did a deep dive with our key stakeholders into the specifics of the digital products that we wanted to evaluate. They interviewed people within our business, including our stylists, to find the good, the bad, and the ugly in our processes. The team also did user testing and product analytics, adding quantitative data research to the process. Create Ape resources also conducted a survey with our stylists and consumer base. 

Moreover, Create Ape did user tests to determine hotspots or challenges in our UX designs. That way, they could provide recommendations in their final report. Then, they gave us the report; they presented us their findings and recommendations in detail, along with survey results. The team also provided recommendations for the implementation of the project. After that, we decided which findings to tackle first and started working on them. 

What is the team composition?

On average, 4–6 people were in our calls, including Create Ape's owner, project manager, strategists, and designers. 

How did you come to work with Create Ape?

We followed an RFP process with five vendors, including Create Ape. They bubbled to the top early in the process, and then we narrowed the list down to three providers. After that, Create Ape and the other vendors gave a full presentation of their expertise, showing us why they felt they were the best for the project. They walked us through their approach and gave us an estimate of the work’s cost. The teams also gave us a timeline of work and described the steps we’d follow within that timeline.

Around 10 of our internal team members participated in the vendor selection process. We went over each vendor presentation, following a matrix that listed our priorities and helped us decide which vendor would assist us best in achieving our objectives. Ultimately, we chose Create Ape. Most of our team members were highly impressed with their approach and thinking. At the same time, they were cost-effective; they weren’t significantly more expensive or cheaper than other vendors. Their timeline also seemed appropriate, so we ended up awarding them the project. 

What is the status of this engagement?

The project lasted from January–June 2021.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

Create Ape hasn't created anything new for us yet, and we haven’t implemented any changes. However, the process of the UI/UX review they conducted for our digital products went well.

How did Create Ape perform from a project management standpoint?

They were amazing. The Create Ape team handled everything well from start to finish, and the team was clear about their milestones and next steps. They were also honest about their asks for every meeting and their availability to attend them. 

Overall, we knew what we could and couldn’t expect from them. On top of that, the Create Ape team stuck with the schedule they established even though our team didn’t always deliver on time. 

We didn’t use any project management tool for this engagement since it was a one-off project. Our team simply gave them the information they needed, and then they evaluated our products. To communicate, we mainly used emails. 

What did you find most impressive about them?

Create Ape took a more personalized approach to understand our business and needs. They didn’t treat us like any other companies in other industries. Our business valued our one-on-one relationships with our consumers, and the Create Ape team took that same approach with us. In other words, they understood who we were as a business and adjusted their approach, ensuring they aligned well with our bigger-picture goals. 

Are there any areas they could improve?

No, there weren’t any. Create Ape met all of our expectations for this project. 

Do you have any advice for potential customers?

Have open and honest communication to effectively set up your future working relationship with Create Ape. Try to personally understand their agency and what they bring to the table. This will help you see if they’re the right fit for your project. If you can’t be on the same page, you won’t be able to cut through the muck and get to the heart of your challenges — you won’t have a successful working relationship. Sometimes, that takes six months to figure out, so you must spend a significant amount of time when having conversations with their members.