DD.NYC®

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and your position there.

I'm the Executive Director of the Julia Robinson Mathematics Festival, a math education non-profit on a mission to empower communities to create magical math moments for students.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

For what projects/services did your company hire DigitalDesign.NYC, and what were your goals?

We wanted a website that was easier to navigate for our audiences and better showcased our services and programs. We hired DigitalDesign.NYC to design a new website for us from the ground up with a new UX and incorporating new branded elements.

SOLUTION

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

We connected with DigitalDesign.NYC through Breef, an organization that matches non-profits with contractors. Our main deciding factor when choosing to work with DigitalDesign.NYC was their experience with doing design, backend, and UX work for websites. We also chose DigitalDesign.NYC because of their passion for our project. DigitalDesign.NYC helped us raise $20,000 for our new website, which was the only reason that we could afford to work with them.

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

We had a kick-off meeting to discuss our goals for the new site. We started by identifying the key audiences we wanted to focus on with the new site and how we could organize the architecture of the site to make finding content easier for each of our main audiences. DigitalDesign.

NYC then created mock-ups of webpages through Figma. Through follow-up meetings and comments via Figma, we collaborated on the visuals and UX of the site to produce a website mock-up that would better serve our audiences. We finalized the design of the site last week, and they are now at the stage of building out our site in Wordpress.

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

We had two main points of contact from the vendor's team: the director of DigitalDesign.NYC and our project lead. We also worked with a designer and backend programmer from the team.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

We're still in the process of building our site. Although I don't have any metrics yet because the site hasn't gone live, our site is much more beautiful and considerate of the different audiences in our community. I think that it'll make a huge difference in people learning about our organization and being able to find what they're looking for.

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

We communicated through weekly meetings and through collaborative comments via Figma. Their team was incredibly responsive and would get back to us with answers to our comments and questions within a day.

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

DigitalDesign.NYC is incredibly committed to the customer experience and ensuring that they are passionate about the projects they take on. We're a small non-profit with a limited budget, but the director of DigitalDesign.NYC, Anjelika Kour, worked with us to make sure that we could afford working with them. She did this by helping us raise $20,000 for the project and setting up a flexible payment schedule so that we could distribute the cost of the site across the year.

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

They've been very excited about the project and producing something that we'll be happy with, which is great. But sometimes this has led to scope creep and a more complex project than they were expecting. Helping us gauge when scope creep was taking place would have been very helpful.

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I’m a manager of an apartment company that manages apartment complexes.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with DigitalDesign.NYC?

They provide website design and development. Websites are important nowadays for all business types, and especially for us, in that we’re not your typical apartment community. Rather, were fully furnished and all-inclusive, including community events.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

This is a sensitive project for us, so we started with onboarding calls to describe what exactly we are. DigitalDesign came with suggestions that improved the ideas that we thought would be helpful, making them even more so. We also showed them our existing website.

Post-launch, they’re now maintaining the website, as well as providing more web development to support specific marketing campaigns.

What is the team composition?

We’ve worked with a number of the founders, and of course several developers and designers.

How did you come to work with DigitalDesign.NYC?

Our marketing director had worked with them on prior projects.

How much have you invested with them?

We’ve spent around $25,000 so far.

What is the status of this engagement?

We’ve been working together since October 2021.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

We haven’t lost any traction as far as acquiring leads and the quality of leads. We’re very happy with them.

How did DigitalDesign.NYC perform from a project management standpoint?

We received quotes that were much higher than DigitalDesign’s, and those timelines were much longer. DigitalDesign has done a dynamite job.

They’re pretty responsive. We communicate over email and photo sharing of layouts.

What did you find most impressive about them?

Their communication and time management have delivered an impressive timeline.

Are there any areas they could improve?

I wasn’t as much involved in the day-to-day as other people were, so I don’t have anything to say. What was reported to me, however, was that everything was good.

Do you have any advice for potential customers?

Be honest; they’re good people who’ll get back to you with whatever they can deliver. Honesty is the best policy to get an accurate quote and timeline.

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I am the building manager at TenTen Glendale, an apartment complex. 

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with DigitalDesign.NYC?

We hired DigitalDesign.NYC to update our website's design.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

DigitalDesign.NYC updated our website design, adding new images and virtual tour capabilities. Once we finalized the design, it was launched and DigitalDesign.NYC connected us to our web server. 

What is the team composition?

We worked with several teammates from DigitalDesign.NYC, including Anjelika (Managing Director). 

How did you come to work with DigitalDesign.NYC?

My colleague found DigitalDesign.NYC, and we hired them because they had a lot of positive reviews. 

How much have you invested with them?

We've invested $25,000 with DigitalDesign.NYC. 

What is the status of this engagement?

Our engagement with DigitalDesign.NYC began in November 2021, and it's ongoing.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

Our website engagement has increased since the launch of the new site design. We're getting more leads, although I don't have specific numbers. 

How did DigitalDesign.NYC perform from a project management standpoint?

DigitalDesign.NYC has been very easy to work with and responsive to our edit requests. We typically communicate with them through email and phone calls. 

What did you find most impressive about them?

I haven't worked with many other vendors in the web design space, so I don't have anything to compare their work to, but DigitalDesign.NYC has been very easy to work with.

Are there any areas they could improve?

I don't have anything for DigitalDesign.NYC to improve. 

Do you have any advice for potential customers?

I'd advise customers to provide DigitalDesign.NYC with regular feedback to ensure the final product is what they need. 

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and your position there.

I am the VP of Marketing for our organization. I handle digital marketing, communications and fundraising efforts.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

For what projects/services did your company hire DigitalDesign.NYC, and what were your goals?

We hired DigitalDesign.NYC to launch a new website for our rebranded identity.

SOLUTION

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

We worked with marketing scouting agency Breef, and DigitalDesign.NYC submitted an RFP for consideration. We chose them out of all the dev agencies because they had a strong belief in our mission, they were quick to brainstorm ideas with us, and they had a strong portfolio. They felt like a partner to us before we even signed a contract.

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

We had a kickoff meeting to discuss our goals and objectives. From there the team delivered mockups and wireframes for our site. After a few iterations, their team began the designed the Wordpress site. They are still developing the site in Wordpress. They are also handling all the iconography and photo design.

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

4 people total -- the owner/CEO, project manager, UI/UX designer, and a web developer have worked with us.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

We have not launched our site yet, so metrics are not possible to share. However, they have gone above and beyond expectations on the scope of the project and have helped customize our site experience to our specific, niche needs.

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

We have weekly status meetings to go through current iterations of pages, and also use Figma to view design, add comments and mark approvals. We also use email but Figma has been the biggest communication tool for us to date.

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

They truly care about the longevity of our organization. We wanted a very specific platform based on a previous web iteration, and they respectfully told us that Wordpress would be much easier to build and manage over the long-term. They probably could have made more money from us by going with the original platform, but they wanted to ensure that we were getting a final product that would make our nonprofit's limited resources the most effective.

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

Some of the design choices they made did not align with the brand standards we provided to them. We went through a few iterations of design before we landed on one that fit the overall brand identity.

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I’m the marketing and leasing manager for TenTen Oceanside. We’re a luxury apartment complex in the heart of downtown Oceanside.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with DigitalDesign.NYC?

We were trying to update our website. It looked outdated, and we wanted to make it more eye-catching.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

DigitalDesign.NYC has worked on web design for our website and the websites for our sister properties. They’ve done it from scratch, and the team has posted some content that we provided. Additionally, DigitalDesign.NYC has come up with copy and photos of their own.

What is the team composition?

We mainly work with Anjelika (Managing Director). She’s the founder.

How did you come to work with DigitalDesign.NYC?

Our sister property, TenTen Wilshire, referred them.

What is the status of this engagement?

We began our relationship in January 2021. Right now, they’re patching up a few details. Once that’s finished, the partnership will be done. 

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

They’ve delivered on what we wanted, which was a more appealing and better-looking website.

How did DigitalDesign.NYC perform from a project management standpoint?

We communicate primarily through email.

What did you find most impressive about them?

They’re a woman-led business, which is a remarkable aspect of their team. It drew me to them.

Are there any areas they could improve?

We’re still in touch with them about some final details, but there haven’t missed anything major.

Do you have any advice for potential customers?

Tell them precisely what you want and what you’re looking for, even if you don’t have the content on hand — they’ll find it somehow. We didn’t have the best photos, and they were still able to provide something that matched the feel of our building. In general, be comfortable with them and put everything in their hands; they’ll take care of the rest.

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I’m the founder of Sevenupp, a hotel-booking platform startup.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with DigitalDesign.NYC?

We wanted to present hotel rooms with less friction to the users.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

We used DigitalDesign.NYC for the UX/UI design of our platform. The onboarding process was quick and easy, and the scope of the project was done in about a month. They used Figma for the design, and maybe other essential programs such as Illustrator. 

What is the team composition?

We had 3–4 people on the team, including Anjelika (Managing Director).

How did you come to work with DigitalDesign.NYC?

I knew Anjelika from our days in New York, so I was familiar with the agency. We always wanted to do something together, and Anjelika had a business, tech, and creative mindset. Also, she’d done ventures herself, and that was super important to me.

How much have you invested with them?

We spent somewhere between $5,000–$10,000.

What is the status of this engagement?

We began our partnership in April 2021, and they delivered the prototype in May 2021. We’re currenly thinking about doing another project with them.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

We haven’t launched yet. However, we liked the simplicity of the flow — it was very intuitive and easy to work with. Since the first version, it was right on point, and the turnaround time was pretty quick.

How did DigitalDesign.NYC perform from a project management standpoint?

Project management was excellent. The communication was very professional and clear. They were punctual and tactical. Everything was exactly as it should be.

We specifically communicated with Anjelika through WhatsApp, email, and Zoom.

What did you find most impressive about them?

At the end of the day, they were a creative agency, and what makes an agency great is the quality of the people and its management side. The creative process is where people can be different about understanding the client and their needs. We told Anjelika from the beginning that it had to be finished quickly, so they ran as fast as they could. Overall, what set them apart from others was their management side and the contact they had with clients.

Are there any areas they could improve?

I wasn’t familiar with their internal process. We got what we needed, when we needed it, so I don’t know where they could improve.

Do you have any advice for potential customers?

Be clear on what you want to build and the financial structure; they’re great at that. Also, don’t beat around the bush. If you want to move forward, do it. If you have a match with the person, then move forward with them.

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I am the COO of a real estate holding company with assets in former manufacturing lofts in Midtown Manhattan. 

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with DigitalDesign.NYC?

We needed assistance with digital marketing, including SEO and PPC. 

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

DigitalDesign.NYC is establishing our digital footprint based on branding we've developed with their team. So far, they've completely redesigned and developed our website, providing several site layouts for us to give feedback on. Their team has a keen eye for design and is focused on creativity; we've analyzed color schemes and layouts before finalization for each project. They're developing written and visual content for our digital marketing efforts. Right now, we're waiting for them to take new photographs for our spring campaigns. 

They're also developing landing pages for our social media campaigns on LinkedIn, Facebook, Twitter, and YouTube. DigitalDesign.NYC is designing our print collateral, like business cards and letterheads. Additionally, a team from DigitalDesign.NYC is spearheading our SEO efforts.

What is the team composition?

We work with 6–7 teammates from DigitalDesign.NYC, including Anjelika (Managing Director) and a project manager. 

How did you come to work with DigitalDesign.NYC?

We found DigitalDesign.NYC on Clutch.co. 

How much have you invested with them?

Our budget for this project is $10,000–$25,000. 

What is the status of this engagement?

Our engagement with DigitalDesign.NYC began in November 2021, and it's ongoing. 

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

We're still in beta testing, but everyone who is a part of this project is very excited about it. All of the deliverables from DigitalDesign.NYC are cohesive and professional — they've reflected our reputation and the design of our project's building into a professional website. 

How did DigitalDesign.NYC perform from a project management standpoint?

DigitalDesign.NYC has strong project management. There haven't been any significant delays in our project. Typically, we communicate via DigitalDesign.NYC's collaboration tools, emails, and Zoom meetings; occasionally, we meet in person. 

What did you find most impressive about them?

It's excellent that we can use a woman-owned and led company that is amazingly talented. DigitalDesign.NYC's design aesthetic and presentation set them apart from their competition — their work has been on par with my expectations. 

Are there any areas they could improve?

I have nothing for DigitalDesign.NYC to improve; they've done an excellent job so far. 

Do you have any advice for potential customers?

I'd advise customers to have an understanding of where they want to go and share goals and expectations with DigitalDesign.NYC.

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I’m the CTO of an early-stage startup company that’s funded but doesn’t have a publicly released product yet. 

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with DigitalDesign.NYC?

We hired DigitalDesign.NYC to design our first product.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

We initially described the product we were building, and then DigitalDesign.NYC created design files via Figma. They organized the files for us to work with them easily. 

Once everything has been well-organized, the team has continued improving them and their UI/UX flows. The team has also actively recommended colors and typography. At present, we’re still working together. 

What is the team composition?

I work with Veronika (UX Designer) and Angelika (Managing Director). Angelika also serves as the project manager. A dozen or so other people also work on our project at different times. 

How much have you invested with them?

We’ve spent between $25,000–$50,000.

What is the status of this engagement?

We started working with them in December 2021, and the engagement is ongoing.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

We don’t have any quantitative metrics yet. However, DigitalDesign.NYC has been flexible, and they’ve adapted their formal design process to our needs as an early-stage startup. 

How did DigitalDesign.NYC perform from a project management standpoint?

DigitalDesign.NYC is excellent in communication. They participate in our live chat via Discord and answer questions quickly — they’re highly responsive to our needs. The team has also been patient with us when we change our minds about things. 

What did you find most impressive about them?

The team is confident and opinionated but also flexible. These qualities give us confidence that we’re shipping designs that are good. This also means we can move as a team quickly because our requirements change constantly. DigitalDesign.NYC keeps up with us — they deliver results. 

Are there any areas they could improve?

No, there aren’t any. I don’t know whether or not we’re easy customers, but they’ve handled everything well. 

Do you have any advice for potential customers?

Make sure that your needs are clear. When you engage with DigitalDesign.NYC, you have to know what you don’t know and then tell them that. You can also figure things out first and then start working with them. Going into the partnership with more clarity on what you need is going to help the project. 

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I’m the executive director at ISI Newsletter. We publish a monthly newsletter on investing for income.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with DigitalDesign.NYC?

We were looking to improve our digital presence and needed their team to rebuild our website.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

DigitalDesign.NYC has derived our site content from an outdated system to rebuild our platform. They’re in the process of deploying development and design solutions to make our new site user-friendly and modern.

What is the team composition?

We work with two resources from their team, with Anjelika (Managing Director) as our main point of contact.

How did you come to work with DigitalDesign.NYC?

We found them via Clutch and requested a quote from Anjelika.

How much have you invested with them?

We’ve spent about $10,000 so far.

What is the status of this engagement?

Our ongoing engagement started in January 2022.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

We've struggled with identifying our design and development goals prior to onboarding DigitalDesign.NYC’s team, but they’ve helped us finalize those and followed through with exceptional work. Additionally, they work within quick turnaround times to escalate the development process.

How did DigitalDesign.NYC perform from a project management standpoint?

DigitalDesign.NYC has accommodating resources and reliable project management skills.

Are there any areas they could improve?

We haven’t encountered any areas that need improvement.

Do you have any advice for potential customers?

As with any development project, start by knowing what you want.

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I’m the founder of Design Elevated, an interior design firm.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with DigitalDesign.NYC?

We wanted to start a lifestyle blog regarding architecture, interior design, fashion, travel, entertainment, health, and beauty.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

They created a new blog website for us on WordPress from scratch. We started by going through an initial discovery phase where we explained what we were looking for. Their team gave me three different designs, and we combined them to determine the direction we’re heading now. Currently, they’re implementing all of the graphic design and building the platform.

What is the team composition?

We’ve been working with four members of their team, including Anjelika (Managing Director) and Veronica (UX Designer).

How did you come to work with DigitalDesign.NYC?

We found them through an online search, and they were one of the top 10 best website designers.

How much have you invested in them?

We’ve spent around $1,100 with them so far.

What is the status of this engagement?

We started working together in November 2021, and the engagement is ongoing.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

They’ve done a good job getting my message out there through my web design. Also, I can tell that Anjelika comes from an artistic background, so they’re very good at bringing that talent to the table. 

How did DigitalDesign.NYC perform from a project management standpoint?

At the moment, we’re exactly where we thought we’d be, so the budget hasn’t gone crazy. Also, whenever I want to get something changed, they help me with it. They could be a little more on point in terms of schedule because I’m busy with my work, so I don’t have time to supervise everything.

Regarding communication, we use email, Zoom, Google Meet, phone calls, and text messages — I can always get a hold of them, even on the weekends.

What did you find most impressive about them?

I like that they’re an all-women company. Also, their team has determination and isn’t lazy at all.

Are there any areas they could improve?

I’d like to have more in-person meetings, but I know that’s not on them.

Do you have any advice for potential customers?

DigitalDesign.NYC is your best option if you’re looking for a clean and well-design site. Also, do research and look at their work with past clients.