The Digital Panda

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and your position there.

We're an electric off-road vehicle company. I was the VP of Marketing during the project.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

For what projects/services did your company hire The Digital Panda, and what were your goals?

We hired The Digital Panda to design and develop a website for the launch of our first vehicle. Our challenge was to design a website that executed on our brand strategy and drove pre-orders of the vehicle.

SOLUTION

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

We searched for website projects in Canada that matches the style we wanted for our site. We landed on The Digital Panda because of the quality of their work and their high level of organization. Their process to complete the project was very clear.

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

The project included strategy, moodboarding, wireframes, design, and development. Key technologies used included Slack for communication, Google Sheets for project management, Webflow for web development, and Invision for prototyping.

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

We worked with three individuals directly, the CEO, Creative Director, and Account Manager.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

Deliverables we’re completed on-time and to a high degree of quality. The design was excellent and executed well on the brand strategy.

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

They managed the project through an ongoing spreadsheet with milestones and dates that tracked which stage we were in and was adjusted as necessary. They were always on time with their milestones and brought clear deliverables to us for review at each stage.

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

Their ability to execute a high-level strategy creatively was their most valuable skill.

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

The only challenging time working with them was a bit of a rush right before launch. A little more preparation would have made for a smoother week leading up to the website going live.

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and your position there.

Role: GM of Semantik Invoice (Business Unit within Ephesoft)

Company Name: Ephesoft

Company Description: Intelligent document processing, B2B, Enterprise Software, subscription

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

For what projects/services did your company hire The Digital Panda, and what were your goals?

Ephesoft decided to create a new business unit focused solely on its new product, Semantik Invoice. The purpose was to unravel from the larger company and move quickly. As such, we needed to quickly build a new website that was more modern, approachable, and high-converting for our target customers.

SOLUTION

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

We found The Digital Panda on Webflow. We evaluated them not only on their previous work, but their culture and communication style. The portfolio was diverse and it was easy to tell how talented and capable this team is. What I was even more impressed by was how communicative and efficient the team was.

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

We started with a kick off meeting to align on goals, which was to create a website for Semantik Invoice as soon as possible. Because the business unit was newly established, we didn't know the branding of Semantik Invoice. The Digital Panda team took us through an exercise to help us define who we wanted to be. Next, we designed structure and creative elements accordingly. During this process, we were never left to question when things were getting done and what was happening. The Digital Panda stayed in lockstep with us using various tools and technologies including Miro, Slack and Around.

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

We worked with 3 people. The founder, creative producer and creative director.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

After launching the site, we earned gained customers for Semantik Invoice in one quarter, than the entire year before.

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

Weekly meetings with Digital Panda team. Daily communication (if needed) through Slack. Exceptional communication and timeliness.

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

They were all-around great people that want to help us achieve our goals, even if that meant less work for them.

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

No, we had a great experience.

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I’m one of the three co-founders of a bamboo straw company. We’re a women-owned company based in Vancouver that started operations a year and a half ago, and we import bamboo fiber straws and cutlery.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with The Digital Panda?

We needed help with branding, website design and development, and retail packaging design for our products.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

The Digital Panda has designed our branding, logo, and website. We created everything from scratch in a collaborative effort. Initially, we provided them with ideas about what we wanted, along with a mood board and a Pinterest board we had created to give them a clear idea of what we were looking for. Taking our input, they helped us steer our ideas in the right direction.

Then, The Digital Panda conducted a full-day strategy session where they got to know us, our company, what we did, and who our target audience was. Based on their findings, they helped us develop our brand and design our website and product packaging. As for the technology used, they built the site on Webflow.

In addition to those deliverables, The Digital Panda has also helped us create many print marketing materials, such as banners, sales sheets, flyers, and more, which we’ve used for many tradeshows. Currently, they’re helping us develop our e-commerce store. Initially, we weren’t sure if we wanted to create an online store, but we recently decided to do so.

What is the team composition?

I’ve worked with the owner, a project manager, and a developer.

How did you come to work with The Digital Panda?

I found them on Instagram, went through their website, and saw that they did a lot of great things. We also talked to a few different companies, but we chose The Digital Panda because we had a better connection and work relationship with them. They were really easy-going, easy to talk to, and open, which we really liked.

How much have you invested in them?

To date, we’ve spent about $55,000 CAD (approximately $43,000 USD).

What is the status of this engagement?

We started working together in January 2021, and our engagement is ongoing.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

The Digital Panda has truly listened to us, helping us achieve what we were looking for. Initially, we didn’t know what we wanted, but they asked us really good questions to help us establish our target audience and create great designs for our brand and product packaging. My partners and I are very happy with what they've delivered so far.

Additionally, The Digital Panda was able to deliver the designs just in time for our tradeshows. A few months ago, we launched our retail product packaging at one of those tradeshows, and the response from people who attended our booth was very positive. Everyone loved our packaging and told us it looked very cute and colorful.

Thanks to The Digital Panda, we’ve also noticed more engagement and followers on our social media. Overall, they’ve been great to work with, and the quality of their work has been amazing.

How did The Digital Panda perform from a project management standpoint?

The Digital Panda is very good at managing the project, and their communication is very clear. They’ve delivered everything on time, especially the marketing materials we needed for the tradeshows. We attended those tradeshows very last minute, but they were really flexible and worked as hard as they could to help us get those materials designed and printed on time. It was very nice and accommodating of them because I know how stressful working under a time constraint can be. We communicate via email and have phone calls for progress updates.

What did you find most impressive about them?

The Digital Panda is very creative and has a lot of great ideas. For example, they originally presented three mock-ups for our branding that were very different from each other, giving us excellent options to choose from.

Are there any areas they could improve?

I can’t think of anything they could improve on — we’ve been pretty happy with them.

Do you have any advice for potential customers?

If you’re looking for amazing and creative design work, I highly recommend working with The Digital Panda. Be clear and open with your communication and tell them exactly what you’re looking for. They’re very flexible and accommodating to your needs.

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I’m the owner of a liquor store.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with The Digital Panda?

We needed help with branding, web development, and marketing.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

The Digital Panda has helped us with our branding and marketing, and they’ve built a website for us from scratch. Currently, they’re setting up an online delivery service within the site.

Initially, they asked me about my business, came to our location, and checked out the demographic. Then, they built our brand based on that. This process has included everything, from taking photos and videography to developing the branding assets and the website. Additionally, they provide us with consulting services around our branding on an ongoing basis.

In addition to those services, The Digital Panda has also helped us with SEO, Google Ads, and social media marketing. As for SEO, we’ve collaborated in content creation, for which I provide input about my business.

What is the team composition?

I’ve worked with the owner, a project manager, and a developer.

How did you come to work with The Digital Panda?

They were a referral.

How much have you invested with them?

We’ve spent close to $60,000 CAD (approximately $46,000 USD).

What is the status of this engagement?

We started working together in February 2022, and our engagement is ongoing.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

The branding created by The Digital Panda has worked well with our location. We’ve been in business for six months, and we’ve seen sales growth every month. During the first month, we were doing half of what we do now.

How did The Digital Panda perform from a project management standpoint?

The Digital Panda is always available, and they answer all of my questions. They’re also very efficient in getting the project done. We communicate via phone call and email.

What did you find most impressive about them?

The projects that The Digital Panda has done are more professional and modern than those of other agencies. Working with them, clients get what they pay for.

Are there any areas they could improve?

No.

Do you have any advice for potential customers?

I don’t have any particular advice; we’re very happy with their service.

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I am the founder and CEO of Menuburst. We are a tech startup in the machine learning and augmented reality field. We’re based in Vancouver, Canada.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with The Digital Panda?

We have tech development expertise, but it’s primarily on the backend, so we needed help with UI design. We launched an application in January 2020 within the restaurant sector, but the global effects of COVID-19 on the restaurant industry really impacted our business. We shut that vertical down and had to pivot and readjust our business plan.

I had done the UX for the initial application, but I needed a The Digital Panda to help translate the UX into UI designs so we could build out the new app and essentially get a minimum viable product to market-ready stage.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

We initially interviewed the founder of The Digital Panda to determine a couple of things. The first was to ensure a cultural fit. The second was to see if the two teams could work together seamlessly because the handoff had to be well-coordinated with minimal issues. 

We redesigned and built new business rules for the app in a new vertical. It’s primarily a mobile-first application. They worked on the UI design component for us by translating our work into visual displays. They submitted the designs through InVision, and I know they worked with Figma and other platforms. 

What is the team composition?

I worked with four people: the CEO, a project manager, a lead designer, and a technical designer.

How did you come to work with The Digital Panda?

I needed to work with a local partner because I wanted the ability to meet at a moment's notice. I did a Google search for local companies and read reviews from a review site, which may have been Clutch. There were 20–30 companies on the platform, so I dwindled it down to a few and reached out to The Digital Panda. 

I met with Ilya (CEO); we had a great conversation, and our philosophy aligned. They saw the opportunity in the technology we were building, and we developed a close working relationship from there. 

How much have you invested with them?

We’ve invested about $50,000 CAD (approximately $39,000 USD). 

What is the status of this engagement?

We started working together in May 2021, and the project wrapped in August 2021.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

The Digital Panda was instrumental in helping us translate our existing technology into visual displays. They were also integral in helping us realize the possibilities for the application. 

The project was very fluid, and they were very flexible, always happy to address any issues at a moment’s notice. We needed to strategically pivot midway since it was an industry we hadn’t explored yet, and they accommodated quite well.

It wasn't a metrics-driven or deliverables-based project. It was more about helping us flesh out the opportunity for the application because we had already built the backend technology. The transition was smooth and easy, and it felt like they were an extension of our internal team. It was seamless. 

How did The Digital Panda perform from a project management standpoint?

They delivered exceptionally on deadlines and budget. They offered project management tools, but it was a small, intimate project, so we opted for direct communication via email and Google Meet. The project manager was really hands-on and always kept us updated on developments. The deliverables were presented well and done on time. 

What did you find most impressive about them?

I liked that The Digital Panda was local. Sometimes when you work with offshore partners, time zones can make it challenging to work seamlessly. I wanted to work with a local team because of the project's complexity and time-sensitive nature, so that was my main criterion. 

They are also true subject matter experts because they have experience working in AR and VR environments. I would be interested to see what their full capabilities are for UX/UI. They were limited in what they could do because I’d already mapped out the UX. They had some deep insights and bright ideas on blind spots that I had during the project. They were instrumental in driving our business forward. 

They were also within our range from a budgetary standpoint. They ticked all the boxes for our key components. 

Are there any areas they could improve?

I have no criticism, constructive or otherwise. I got everything I wanted from The Digital Panda, and there's nothing I would go back and re-do or revisit with regards to their services.

Do you have any advice for potential customers?

My recommendation to others would be to get carte blanche because they're a talented team. They have more potential than translating something that is already structured, which is what I tasked them with. I would like to see them unleashed.

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and your position there.

I'm the CEO of an early-stage technology startup. We help biotech and pharmaceutical companies discovery better medicines.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

For what projects/services did your company hire The Digital Panda, and what were your goals?

We needed a new brand (and matching website) that reflected our mission and vision as the company, and that would help us attract new partners and clients.

SOLUTION

How did you select The Digital Panda and what were the deciding factors?

We interviewed a number of firms globally. We selected The Digital Panda on the basis of their past portfolio, that they seemed really easy to work with, that they could handle our entire process (rebrand, web design, web development), that they could deliver faster than everyone else we spoke to, and also the competitive price point they offered for the required services.

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

After we defined the scope of the project, we immediately held a kick-off meeting and began iterating on potential directions for the new brand. In parallel, we began scoping the content and structure of the site and playing with different design ideas.

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

We worked with a fantastic project manager and lead designer to keep us aligned on design and heading in a consistent direction. There were also a number of illustrators and developers working in the background.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

We only launched the new brand and website recently but feedback so far has been terrific. We are extremely pleased with the outcome of the project and have been proudly wearing our new brand since the launch.

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

The Digital Panda was EXTREMELY responsive, often answering emails and queries in minutes despite covering 3 time zones between our team and theirs. We were also under a lot of time pressure for this project and were able to go start-to-finish in roughly 3 months, far faster than the other quotes we received.

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

They delivered high-quality branding and a professional site in an extremely compressed timeframe. They were also incredibly responsive throughout the entire process.

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

We could have spent more time discussing design directions before jumping into the work. This was ultimately a by-product of the compressed timeline we were working under and after clarifying our expectations with the Digital Panda team, we were extremely happy with the end result.

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I’m the client experience manager at a financial planning firm. We specialize in serving different market segments. There’s the basic family financial planning and planning for businesses.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with The Digital Panda?

We hired them to help with our web design. Our older site was outdated and a bit too static for our liking. We wanted something more professional.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

The Digital Panda team helped with the web design and the technical aspects, building out the wireframes. The team used Webflow for the design and development.

What is the team composition?

We worked primarily with Ilya (Founder).

How did you come to work with The Digital Panda?

Ilya has a personal connection to one of our team members. When we were searching for different people for the website, we talked with him and decided to go with him.

How much have you invested with them?

We spent just under $50,000.

What is the status of this engagement?

We worked together from November 2019–June 2020.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

Our team enjoys the web design that The Digital Panda team delivered. We thought it was quite creative. The look & feel makes the website looks organized, and it all flows together well.

How did The Digital Panda perform from a project management standpoint?

They were very quick. Ilya was on the ball with sending out any information that was needed and replied quickly. While the project went on a little longer than it needed to be, there was a lot of constant communication back and forth. We were kept up to date with what was happening. As the web design went on, we would add bits and pieces.

What did you find most impressive about them?

I really like their straightforwardness. Ilya cuts right to the point, focusing on what needs to be done. The communication was very clear, which was important to me.

Are there any areas they could improve?

Nothing that stands out.

Do you have any advice for potential customers?

Go ahead and contact them. I’m not extremely technical, so they did a great job of explaining why things needed to be done in a certain way. That was a good roadmap. My advice would be to reach out and start the process with them. It’s easy to talk to them.

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I’m the president of AutoBuddy Technologies. We connect users in need of automotive repairs with auto body shops in their area. 

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with The Digital Panda?

We needed help with designing our website.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

The Digital Panda designed our website for both desktop and mobile. After we explained to them what we wanted to do, the team sent us mood boards and wireframes for what to implement. We then went ahead with their designs.

They’re now designing our mobile app, which is underway. They’ve also created a video, flyers, and other materials for us outside of web work.

What is the team composition?

I work directly with the owner. He leads a team behind the scenes, but I only interact with him.

How did you come to work with The Digital Panda?

I looked at a few digital agencies around Vancouver. I specifically explored their websites. After contacting a few, I felt that The Digital Panda was the best fit for us.

How much have you invested with them?

We’ve spent about $60,000.

What is the status of this engagement?

The project started in January 2019 and is ongoing.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

We’ve received really good feedback about their work. We’ve met with a few companies in the same field, and they always ask who does our designs. The Digital Panda has also done a great job on materials aside from our website.

How did The Digital Panda perform from a project management standpoint?

Whenever we need something urgent, we call them over the phone. Otherwise, we use Notion as our project manager. I can post a task, and they comment on what they’re doing to make it happen.

What did you find most impressive about them?

The animated video The Digital Panda created for us was really impressive.

Are there any areas they could improve?

No, I’m happy with their work all around.

Any advice for potential customers?

If you’re engaging The Digital Panda for a design project, it’s helpful to give them a clear, full idea of what they’re designing. It saves the designer from having to ask questions and to do excess work. Having that clarity will speed up the process.

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I’m the company lead of a peer-to-peer fin-tech platform that allows users to easily transfer money. We target ourselves toward a university demographic, where students use us as a form of payment collection at events.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with The Digital Panda?

Our app had an outdated design. It wasn’t very visually pleasing, nor did it fit the millennial aesthetic. We wanted someone to upgrade our app design to make it polished and professional.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

Alia (Owner, The Digital Panda) and I had an hour-long conversation to kick off the engagement. He listened to me to understand how we envisioned our product to look.

After showing me a mood board with different concepts, he worked with me to deliver a design that could appeal to our target demographic. He and his team then used Sketch to redesign the app. 

What is the team composition?

Alia was my main point of contact, but I know that he had a team behind him.

How did you come to work with The Digital Panda?

I reached out to Digital Panda and a few other companies. Alia was the first one to respond, and his immediate interest in understanding our goals really impressed me.

How much have you invested with them?

We spent a little over $15,000.

What is the status of this engagement?

We began our work in November 2019, and the engagement is still ongoing, although we’re just about done.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

Even though they’re not yet implemented, I love the designs he’s come up with. People have responded very well to the prototypes, which is very exciting. From a technical standpoint, they’re extremely skilled; they really know what they’re doing.

How did The Digital Panda perform from a project management standpoint?

Alia was very responsive. We used email and video calls to communicate pretty regularly.

What did you find most impressive about them?

Aside from how talented they are as a team, I was blown away by Alia’s response time. He always got back to me within minutes, making the process so seamless.

Are there any areas they could improve?

No, I can’t think of anything.

Do you have any advice for potential customers?

I’d urge them to go for it! And take your time to explain the direction you want to go with your product.

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I'm the marketing manager at Canature Processing. 

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with The Digital Panda?

When I joined the company, Canature Processing didn't have a website. I reached out to The Digital Panda to develop a website for us and help us with branding. 

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

We had a logo already and I explained to The Digital Panda how I wanted the website to look. After building the wireframes, they designed and developed a website for us. The website has all the basic features and a store finder. We got store lists from our distributors, and now they're available through the website. The Digital Panda also provided their own feedback and made some valuable recommendations on how we could improve the website.

What is the team composition? 

I've worked with two people–a designer and a developer.

How did you come to work with The Digital Panda?

They were referred to me by a friend.

How much have you invested with them?

We've spent about $100,000.

What is the status of this engagement? 

We started working with them in August 2018 and the relationship is ongoing. 

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

The quality of their work is top-notch. I gave them my initial idea, and they made the website far better than I had expected. We've also seen an increase in sales. The website provides answers to common questions, which saves me time when dealing with customers.

How did The Digital Panda perform from a project management standpoint? 

They're very straightforward and easy to work with. We use Webflow, InVision, and WhatsApp for collaboration. 

What did you find most impressive about them?

They work quickly and meet our deadlines. Also, they're very good designers.

Are there any areas they could improve?

No. They've been very accommodating every step of the way.

Do you have any advice for potential customers?

Don't hesitate to contact them.