Dogtown Media

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I'm the CTO of Innovengine, a private incubator and fund for new technology.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with Dogtown Media?

I needed to find a vendor willing to take on a software development project that had never been done before.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

Due to the privacy of the project, I can't share many technical details, but Dogtown Media basically developed a mobile platform from scratch, including software and hardware, based on a hunch I had of how to go about it. Within a few weeks, they were able to come up with a solution and develop a visual search and augmented reality software. Although it was considered technically impossible, their team was able to solve the problem and scale it up very quickly.

What is the team composition?

I mainly work with Sean (VP of Engineering, Dogtown Media) and Rob (CTO and Co-founder, Dogtown Media), but there's probably another 10–12 working on our project as well.

How did you come to work with Dogtown Media?

Another company I used to work with was very pleased with their experience with Dogtown Media and recommended them. I made it clear that I wanted to work with a vendor willing to do whatever it takes (i.e., hiring new talent if necessary) to pull it off, and they were willing to do it.

How much have you invested with them?

We've invested between $500,000–$1 million.

What is the status of this engagement?

We started working with them in January 2018 and finished the first project. We're now moving on to the next two phases of development.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

Dogtown Media developed a solution for a project considered impossible to do in the tech world. They've taken every goal we've had and delivered above and beyond our expectations, beating our requirement of achieving a 50% accuracy rating on visual search capabilities with a software that is over 90% accurate.

How did Dogtown Media perform from a project management standpoint?

We have regular weekly meetings either in-person or over Zoom with their team to go over milestones. They never underdeliver or fall short of meeting our goals. 

What did you find most impressive about them?

They don't fail or turn down a challenge; their deliverables dramatically exceed expectations, and they do it quicker than anyone I've ever worked with.

Are there any areas they could improve?

No. They're literally the best company I've ever worked with.

Do you have any advice for potential customers?

They seem to thrive when challenged, so don't be afraid to come to them with something that's never been done. They're uniquely positioned in their industry to overcome more than most are capable of.

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I'm a consulting engineer and program manager for Biotronik. We are a biomedical company primarily involved in cardiac rhythm management. 

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with Dogtown Media?

We first contacted Dogtown Media three years ago for support with a patient app for our cardiac rhythm management devices. Just this past year, I worked as a consultant on an upstream project that needed basic market research on patient acceptance of new concepts. The company we had been using for market research did not have the bandwidth, so they recommended Dogtown Media. 

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

We came up with the original structure for how to conduct the interviews and fine-tuned the question lists with Dogtown Media. They provided feedback to make the interview process as patient-friendly as possible. Only engineers from our company are involved, so they helped us with the human interface aspect. 

Based on our list of patients to consider, they contacted, interviewed, and selected finalists for us to approve. From setting up the location to running all the interviews, they managed all the logistics. They also created graphics designs to use in the patient interviews. Once complete, they provided the audio transcripts and videotapes. The final report showed a detailed analysis of the results based on specific areas of interest we identified. 

Dogtown Media handles financial compensation to keep everything in order regarding safe harbor laws. We split our process into two cohorts. The outcome of their report on the first convinced us to pursue a second, larger cohort with their team. We felt reasonably pleased with the initial results. They covered everything we needed and could clearly handle a larger group, so we moved forward. 

What is the team composition?

Dogtown Media assigned us two specific resources to develop and run the interviews. One of our employees actively participated in the patient interviews.

How did you come to work with Dogtown Media?

Dogtown Media made the shortlist of companies who bid on our patient app project. We needed a team who could support us in designing the UI and infrastructure, build the product, assist us with getting the verification and validation through the FDA, and host and maintain the app on an ongoing basis. 

While we didn't believe they had the capacity for long-term maintenance, we felt confident in their UI design abilities. While we didn't choose them for that project, we hired them based on a referral for last year's market research project and have an ongoing engagement in progress.

How much have you invested with them?

The first-round cost $18,960, and the second round is budgeted at $27,000. 

What is the status of this engagement?

We've been working together since July 2018. 

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

The most significant measurable result was Dogtown Media's analysis of the first cohort. They secured the required number of patients and interviewed them all within the timeframe we provided. The team was very responsive to our suggestions for their initial draft.

Dogtown Media met our challenging schedule requirements with high-quality work. The final report they delivered accomplished everything we hoped. It was very well done and covered every relevant area of analysis. Its quality level made us comfortable briefing senior management on the project progress and in expanding the scope of the project. 

How did Dogtown Media perform from a project management standpoint?

For this specific project, I'm the program manager. I hold the reins and interface with Dogtown Media and our fulltime employees about our progress. They're very responsible and manage the schedule well. The project is currently behind, but that's entirely due to internal factors. They've met every commitment they've made, for anywhere from 24 hours to two-week turnarounds. 

What did you find most impressive about them?

As a program manager, having Dogtown Media always deliver on their promises is a big plus. They've never let me down. I also appreciated their ability to generate a report in the fashion requested. It serves everyone who works on the detailed aspects of the project and gives staff at the senior management level an overview of progress. We were very pleased with their work. 

Are there any areas they could improve?

This project is basic market research, so I don't feel it's too challenging. There's nothing I would ask them to improve. I'm interested to see how they on perform on a more resource-intensive project that requires more than two people from their team. 

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I work for a B2B, cloud-based platform that provides digital-asset management. We provide a controlled-housing space for photos, logos, and PowerPoints. I lead the project management for our mobile product.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with Dogtown Media?

We needed to rebuild our old app to support our newest product offering and enable feature parity.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

Their sales leader first reviewed our mockups and the overall features we wanted. They helped with estimates: how long the development would take and a QA plan. Then, their team worked with us daily to create a beta app for iOS and Android.

Their team created an asset-viewer feature that allows users to see a fullscreen image, video, or PDF. They also configured the project management portion of the app, which allows users to save their data to their local device, move the asset around the app itself, and send it via e-mail. As part of this, they implemented a simple search engine for users to easily find assets.

Their developers communicated daily on different changes to the features and increases to the scope. Throughout the project, I provided the stories, and they developed the code and helped with QA. After finalizing the launch, they helped with post-launch maintenance.

What is the team composition?

We worked with up to seven developers, including two lead Android and iOS developers.

How did you come to work with Dogtown Media?

We found Dogtown on Clutch.co. At the time, we were vetting about six different organizations. I had a great experience with Dogtown's sales representative, and they seemed to understand our product. We reviewed their past project experience and saw that they worked on projects with asset components, which not a lot of other companies had done before. Their timelines and cost were also in line with our projected plans.

How much have you invested with them?

We invested $330,000 in total.

What is the status of this engagement?

We started in June 2017 and ended in January 2018.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

Overall, the feedback for the new app was extremely positive. The app was a massive improvement in terms of look and feel and function from our previous app—more in line with our current products. Dogtown's work created a great foundation for us to build upon. The approval experience, as part of the project management portion of the app, improved significantly. They helped us bring the app into the modern era.

How did Dogtown Media perform from a project management standpoint?

From a project management standpoint, it was a combined effort between their product managers and me. They were always on top of our mockups, deadlines, tracking milestones, and updating on progress. Their project manager communicated daily and weekly to provide heads up on their thought process and work done. We were never taken by surprise. They always gave me the option to either scope down or add on extra time if things got more complicated.

What did you find most impressive about them?

Their communication and collaboration style was impressive. They were extremely responsive and supportive and I never felt like I was working on anything on my own. If I asked for feedback or multiple opinions, they were always there. They even helped with some difficult legal issues to be resolved by establishing touching points with our leadership. There was never any animosity, and everyone wanted to work together to find a solution. Our collaboration was wonderful, and they didn't feel like an outside vendor.

Any advice for potential customers?

Include them and share as much as possible—as early as possible. Ask them for feedback and thoroughly explain your ideas. Collaborate with them, as the best decisions will come from working together to find a solution. Get as granular as possible, because this will help with estimating more accurate timelines and cost.

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I work for a large university in both student experience and IT.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with Dogtown Media?

We needed help improving an existing mobile application. We wanted to do some innovative development and push the technology further than we were able to previously.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

They started with a deep dive where they came onsite to meet with us for a week. They focused on understanding what our business does and who our customers are. Then they huddled up and came back to us with their ideas. We came to an agreement on the budget and on features, and then they got to work. The app, which is for both iOS and Android, is currently a hybrid. We have plans to go native in the future but hybrid is a result of the limitations from the previous developer.

They've been working on a lot of geolocation features. The app offers us a way to provide our students with a safe ride home on the weekends. They can use the app to call a cab, which the university provides if the student is within a certain distance from the university. That requires the app do significant authentication to know where they are. Now we're adding new features heading into the new school year.

What is the team composition?

I work with a project manager and a relationship manager, as well as one of Dogtown Media’s founders who I go to if we need high-level help. The lead developer helps us put in tickets on the IT side, and 1–2 other developers work on the project.

How did you come to work with Dogtown Media?

We did a pretty extensive search of firms in Oklahoma, Texas, and California. We ended up meeting in person with five companies in Texas and five in California. Dogtown Media flew up from Los Angeles to meet with us in San Francisco. We just clicked right away. They seemed to get what we wanted, and they came up with some fresh ideas from the very beginning.

How much have you invested with them?

We’ve spent a little over $100,000 to date.

What is the status of this engagement?

We started working together in September 2017 and the engagement is ongoing.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

Dogtown Media has done a great job of pushing the technology as far as they can. Our users notice the app’s faster screen loading times. Their work has made my life easier by automating features in the app that I was doing manually. They've significantly cut the down backlog of things that needed to be addressed.

How did Dogtown Media perform from a project management standpoint?

I don't believe they've ever missed a deadline. They deliver everything without spending a single dollar over the budget. We have weekly standup meetings but we don't have to wait until the meeting to get questions answered. We're usually chatting back and forth all week long in an ongoing conversation.

What did you find most impressive about them?

From the very beginning, we felt like they care about our mission of making the college experience easier. They have lots of ideas and spark great conversations. Sometimes firms start out with a lot of energy and then it dies away, but that hasn’t happened with Dogtown Media.

Are there any areas they could improve?

There has been some pain when staff turns over. They should figure out a way to seamlessly transition from one project manager to the next. Also, there are some challenges to working with a remote team. It would be nice to be able to meet with them more often but they do the best they can.

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I’m the manager of the cardiovascular emergencies program at the Minneapolis Heart Institute, which is in the Abbot Northwestern Hospital.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with Dogtown Media?

Although we’re one of the nation’s largest healthcare organizations, we’ve never had a mobile app. Our program realized that the 40 hospitals that send us patients have been using hard copy protocol sheets for nearly 15 years. This practice required my predecessors to constantly replace those materials whenever our admitting protocols changed. We decided that a mobile app was the ideal alternative.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

We conceptualized the app for a few hundred users, which were the 2-3 main ER doctors at each of the 40 participating hospitals. The team built the app on iOS and Android to hold cardiovascular emergency protocols that smaller community hospitals would follow. These protocols included: medications, radiology, imaging labs, and other patient prep prior to transport.

Organizing the information and scope were the toughest challenges. We spent approximately 3 months updating the protocols so that end users would have the most current version. They then built in the app – with PDF functionalities – in short order; that process only took a few weeks. They beta tested the app using HockeyApp and TestFlight on a group of physicians. The team made a few minor adjustments based on the doctors’ feedback.

Since launching the app, we released an updated version and are about to commence and second upgrade. While the first version was for emergencies only, we added non-emergent cardiac content to the second iteration. The next update will include additional information and added features that we couldn’t afford previously.

What is the team composition?

I worked primarily with Tyler, the senior vice president, and another employee who is no longer with the company.

How did you come to work with Dogtown Media?

I discovered them through a Google search, read their reviews, and requested a quote. I spoke with Tyler and found him responsive to our needs and budget. He explained how his team would tailor development to our project’s parameters.

How much have you invested with them?

We spent $10,000 for the initial project and $8,700 on the updated version.

What is the status of this engagement?

Work started May 2016 and ended October 2017.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

Due to our smaller budget, we could only produce a simple app. However, users were happy with this outcome because the design reduced the amount of clicks needed to access information. While we initially expected a few hundred users, we’ve hit 4,300 downloads to date. The app performs well, according to Google Analytics, and has also garnered international attention through industry conferences.

Those metrics helped us secure additional funding for future updates. Medical industry companies are interested in financing the project; we decided to work with one pharmaceutical company. We’ve also been approached by other cardiology groups that are interesting in duplicating this app.

How did Dogtown Media perform from a project management standpoint?

They responded well to our budget and offered a solution when other firms wouldn’t have engaged for under $20,000. Likewise, the team was quick to answer questions and guide us through development. The beginning stages may have been a little clunky for them because we didn’t know what we were doing.

What did you find most impressive about them?

They provided a personal experience, giving me their cell numbers. I appreciated that I could call or email any time; I didn’t need to use an 800 number or submit an online query. Our relationship, especially for a tech novice like myself, was very gratifying.

Are there any areas they could improve?

We don’t see any areas for improvement. They’re new to the health care industry, but have demonstrated a clear interest to grow in that space.

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I’m project manager at Revision Military, which manufactures protective gear for military and law enforcement. Our products include: ballistic helmets, eyewear, face shields, communication headsets, and mandible guards. My responsibilities include marketing.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with Dogtown Media?

The intent was to create an app that soldiers could use to configure their Nerv Centr SharePack lithium-ion battery and power management system. The SharePack has a built-in LCD screen and buttons to configure settings. We wanted to leverage the screen size of the end-user device and allow full functionality and configuration of the battery through mobile phone or tablet.  

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

Initial wireframes focused on the app’s interactive concept. The team subsequently built a rudimentary version that they tested on military end users from the National Guard. They asked the soldiers pertinent questions and derived critical insights that resulted in significant developments and UI/UX improvements.

The team’s UI/UX work also maintained our brand identity and messaging. They developed the app for Android and optimized it for Galaxy S5 and Note 5 devices. However, the app will have springs to make it compatible with other Android devices.

The project moved from functionality to design with consultations on the font, font size, coloring, and styling. The team continues to improve iterability as we make these aesthetic decisions.

What is the team dynamic?

They’ve had two project managers, three designers, and one lead creative with some turnover since engagement began. A project manager left for personal reasons and a new designer recently on-boarded to assist the lead designer. The current project manager is our main point of contact.

How did you come to work with Dogtown Media?

My predecessor hired them. Initially, he searched for firms in the Boston area and the East Coast. I believe he was referred and found their competitive pricing and track record appealing. I started at Revision Military about six weeks into the project.

How much have you invested with them?

We’ve spent $45,000.

What is the status of this engagement?

Work started in May 2017 and is ongoing.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

They created an intuitive and aesthetically pleasing design that matches our brand identity, which we pride on being strong and recognizable. Their work exceeded my expectations and was much less expensive than I anticipated.

How did Dogtown Media perform from a project management standpoint?

I communicated directly with the designers in early summer 2017, but have interacted with Lauren [Project Manager, Dogtown Media] exclusively since August. Limiting communication to the project manager works better. We use Slack for group chats, Zoom for meetings, and JIRA for ticket items.

A deliverable during the design phase was delayed by about a week and a half, but it didn’t matter in the end because we ran into different issues that bottlenecked the project elsewhere. But they have been responsive throughout, especially in regrouping to avoid other delays.

We work on opposite coasts, but I get immediate responses whenever I reach out. The time difference doesn’t impede progress.

What did you find most impressive about them?

It’s hard to make a meaningful comparison because I’ve never worked with this kind of provider before. But their enthusiasm comes through in person, over the phone, and in Zoom meetings.

Do you have any advice for potential customers?

Implement weekly or biweekly sync meetings early in the engagement. Relatedly, design meetings easily run over time. It’s important to set time constraints on those discussions.

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I’m the creator of a mobile application that assists veteran caregivers in managing their responsibilities within that role.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with Dogtown Media?

I needed a company that would not only develop my app but would also guide me through the steps of bringing my idea to fruition.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

I presented my app storyboard to Marc Feder [Director of Business Development, Dogtown Media], who acquainted me with the process of getting my app developed. He came up with a proposal and gave me an estimate of what it would cost to develop a prototype. I then spent about nine months fundraising to cover the cost. Marc was very present during this time, continuing to touch base with me via email and phone to see how my efforts were coming along and making suggestions to further assist me in fundraising.

Once I raised the money, Marc picked George Renfro, a designer from his team, to build the prototype. I drove from my home in San Diego to their office in Los Angeles to further discuss my idea with both Marc and George. Shortly after, we had another meeting remotely through Zoom video conference where they asked that I consider changing the app’s original name to make it more marketable, which I did. They also asked that I decide the app’s logo and color scheme. We continued to use Zoom for all subsequent meetings, where we discussed marketing strategies and the progress of the prototype. I was also able to give them my feedback and edits. 

After giving them my final edits, George and Marc gave me the final deliverable. Now I’m currently working with Marc to get my URL secured and work on my prototype pitch to present to potential investors.

What is the team dynamic? 

I work exclusively with Marc and George.

How did you come to work with Dogtown Media?

I found them through reviews online. They had an impressive website and portfolio, so I decided to reach out to them. After speaking with Marc and learning about his personal connection to my app’s purpose, I decided to work with them.

How much have you invested with them?

I invested $15,000 for the prototype.

What is the status of this engagement?

We began working together in November 2016. I intend to continue working with them through the final stages of development.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

People who have seen the prototype are very complimentary of it. They’ve told me it looks professional, clean, and calming.

How did Dogtown Media perform from a project management standpoint?

Marc has been incredibly supportive and easy to work communicate with. Despite his very busy schedule, I always get a quick response when I reach out to him, so I never feel forgotten or overlooked. Both he and George are wonderful listeners who are very down-to-earth. They understand what I need and give me honest feedback. They’ve patiently walked me through every step of this process, assisting me in whatever way they can.

What did you find most impressive about them?

They’re very knowledgeable from a technological standpoint, but they always received my ideas with kindness and positivity. They never belittled me; instead, they patiently guided me through the process. We are able to strike a good balance, as I speak to them from a caregiver standpoint, while they speak to me as experienced mobile app designers.

Do you have any advice for potential customers?

The process is extremely time-consuming, but remain patient and persistent to see your idea come to fruition.

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I am a founding partner for an upcoming social platform and map app.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with Dogtown Media?

We had a vision for a social activity and event-focused mobile app and website and needed web and app developers to turn that concept into reality.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

They built both the website and the app prototype from the bottom up. We have not yet put the prototype into testing or the market for lack of investment capital. The ultimate goal of the end product was to allow people to search for nearby activities or events by location.

Our central conception involved making the mobile app interface look like a globe that would allow people to scan through events across the world, or allow them to zoom in on one specific location. One additional facet of the app was a store that would allow people to sell things in their immediate location, rather than on other generic bulletin board-esque apps and sites.

Additionally, the social capital on the platform would not be dominated by social media stars with thousands of followers, but would instead be determined by the number of views any individual event or activity received. The search function was complex to build because it required the ability to narrow searches not only by location, but also by gender of the poster, as well as other various qualifications. Finally, the events would all automatically dissipate after a twenty-four hour period, to underscore the app’s focus on immediate information and current events.

What is the team dynamic?

Our initial meetings were with Marc Fischer [President and Co-Founder, Dogtown Media], and he stayed involved throughout the process. Our project manager, George, led the design team.

How did you come to work with Dogtown Media?

My partner used Google to find three well-reputed app development service providers, and we sent inquiries to all three. Dogtown Media’s approachability and ease of manner made them the clear frontrunner after only our first contact.

How much have you invested with them?

We have invested $20,000.

What is the status of this engagement?

We began work in May of 2017, and they completed the web build and app prototype by the end of July.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

Although they have completed the deck, website, and prototype, we are in a holding pattern until we can sign additional investors. Accordingly, we do not yet have any metrics about the success or efficacy of their work, other than our own satisfaction with the products.

How did Dogtown Media perform from a project management standpoint?

They kept us involved at every step of the process and on even the smallest of details. Anytime we wanted to meet with them in person or speak via phone call, they were readily available. We typically communicated through email, although we also held in-person meetings and used Zoom, a video conference app. Their work was delivered on time and their employees were always available, staying in touch via email even if they were away from the office.

What did you find most impressive about them?

During the development process, they provided three different potential styles for the app, and we continued to revise those options until they had a better idea of our vision. Once they latched onto our main concept, they expanded upon it in a truly impressive way, improving our ideas and bringing them to life. Their designers gave us full creative control, constantly offering suggestions before delivering the perfect product.

Are there any areas they could improve?

One improvement would be for Dogtown to offer some kind of non-disclosure agreement at the outset of any project. We had the unpleasant experience of having two large social media companies release products that were nearly identical in design to the prototype of our app before we could officially launch, and that has negatively affected our ability to attract investment capital. Although we do not know whether or not there was any genuine connection between our product and the other companies’ apps—it could simply be a shared vision—but it would provide much greater assurance and peace of mind if Dogtown had thought to offer an initial NDA.

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I’m the founder of Worldwide Breast Cancer, an American nonprofit that operates virtually and in 22 languages in 70 countries.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with Dogtown Media?

Our site educates people about breast cancer symptoms and detection options, but we wanted to develop an app to personalize the experience. We needed an easy and understandable way for people to answer simple health questions to assess their risk level and receive customized screening recommendations.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

We want the app to integrate numerous features: push notifications/reminders, calendar, location services, self-exam animations and instructions, etc. The app is meant to help women know when and how to perform self-examinations and find locations that provide screening options like mammograms. We’ve developed two animated characters, Mona Lisa and Napoleon, who act as virtual breast self-exam coaches.

Currently, Dogtown’s is working on an iOS and Android app in the first round of dev. We plan to expand this app globally, and Dogtown has experience in internationalization and localization, which we’ll utilize in the future. We also want to develop a future version that’s HIPPA compliant, and that requires a deep knowledge base and experience.

Since I’m a designer, Dogtown mainly does dev, but they also animate some of the visuals in the app. They provide testing and feedback to help navigate any issues that may arise during dev and design. I gave them the screens about two weeks ago, and right now they’re building the first version of the app.

What is the team dynamic?

We’ve worked with everyone from the owners to developers. We have a project manager, Miles, and I work with Brianna [UX Designer] on designing the screens.

How did you come to work with Dogtown Media?

We wanted a provider with experience in the mobile health space, and Dogtown came well recommended by many in that field. I contacted Tyler [Senior Vice President], we discussed our organization’s vision and the app, and he supported it. He seemed engaged in our mission, so we decided to hire them.

How much have you invested with them?

Our budget is $45,000.

What is the status of this engagement?

We began discussions in January 2017, and the work is ongoing.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

The app hasn't launched yet, but so far, Dogtown’s feedback and help has been invaluable.

How did Dogtown Media perform from a project management standpoint?

We mainly communicate through Slack and email, and we build in InVision to facilitate comments and feedback. We're happy with the amount of communication, and even though our feature list has evolved since the initial proposal, Dogtown has adjusted well.

Miles keeps us on task and helps us accomplish our goals. He knows how to appease both the tech team and us to make sure things are on time and in budget while still being possible.

What did you find most impressive about them?

They're collaborative and truly want to be our partner. They don’t just develop, but they offer their opinion, which isn't easy to find in a lot of mobile shops. They have great insight in how to make the design intuitive, and they've been supportive in working with me, as a designer, without butting heads.

They don't take themselves seriously, but they take their work seriously. It creates a friendly and united working relationship that our company highly appreciates.

Are there any areas they could improve?

It would be nice if features could be priced instead of phases, but I understand that’s more about the industry and not Dogtown’s specific workflow.