Duro Compagnie

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and your position there.

I'm The Owner/Creative Director of Digerata. Founded in 2003, we focus on creating great digital experiences in Hi-tech consumer, and B2B corporations on their Brand Identity, Web Development, Social Media, Product roll-outs and all customer touch points.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

For what projects/services did your company hire Duro compagnie, and what were your goals?

Guide-Rails is a complex product specifically for CI/CD [Continuous Integration/Continuous Development] for software platforms. The goal was to communicate a multi-tiered product in an animated 10 minute video, that visually, and dynamically showed all the aspects of Guide-Rails implementation from first line of code to full customer roll-out and deployment. Additionally Duro was responsible for the design and CG assets, storyboards, user flow and final web-ready renders. Duro also was contracted for quarterly animated shorts presenting speakers at Developer+ online Seminars

SOLUTION

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

Digerata has a 10 year relationship with Danny on projects and is always my go-to studio for all video/animation project needs. His breadth and talent of the animation process and environmental illustration scenes in 3D are always above and beyond expectations. More importantly he brings years of experience to storytelling and effective communication thru animation flows.

Describe the video(s) and the process in detail, including the project steps and all stages of production.

Much like the other video world, the process is similar and follows best practices for best results. The process starts with a kickoff, goal definition, mood boards for Duro to consider visually what we are thinking, rough storyboards are generated, a script and all is handed off. A first deliverable can be defined as rough animations and or different levels of fidelity. Danny can work dynamically and in various stages allowing for great collaboration.

Who did you work with and what was the feedback process like?

As CD, I work directly with Danny. It's a relationship of trust and respect for talented pro's that I adopt and feel it offers top results. I trust his passion for top level work that communicates.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

Danny can offer a full presentation of the project. The project was a complete success, meeting all client goals for this product rollout. The product was shown as an advanced platform like no other and ultimately met its goal of being acquired.

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

Everything that's required. Multiple communication channels, interactive zoom sessions, and high sensitivity to schedules and deadlines. Real-time chats, and access to all the latest tools available to designers.

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

Danny can quickly grasp a direction. He's professional on all calls whether with clients or 1-0n1. I encourage his participation with my clients on calls and know he will add value and make me look good. His UI/Ux design are on par with the best and look to him for collaboration that only makes the work better.

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

It's always about speed and time to market. In the past it was harder to find additional help when a project required additional hands. Danny now has more access and a roster of talented illustrators pending project/budget and schedule needs.

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I am a senior creative director at a consulting firm.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with Duro compagnie?

I worked with them in my previous position and now, in my current position, we contract out some parts of the projects that we do for our clients to them. 

We hire Duro compagnie when we have a special need such as if we don’t have in-house capacity to do branding and logo design. In terms of video production, we don’t have that capability so Danny (Owner, Duro compagnie) is one of our go-to people for that. 

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

Danny primarily does video animation for us including 2D, 3D, and custom illustration. This also involves conceptual, storyboarding, music, and voiceover work. He’s also done brand logo, identity, and look and feel for a number of our clients. 

Recently, I hired him to work with us on a year-long campaign which required seven different animations that included custom illustrations and voice-overs. A couple of those animations also required custom music. 

He also did logo and keyframe art that was used to define the look and feel of the entire campaign. He did all of this work for the entire year that we were working with this particular client.  

What is the team composition?

Danny is our main point of contact. He does have a larger team but sometimes the work is done behind the scenes. We’ve worked with two other teammates, one of whom has helped us with music, and Danny adjusts the team composition depending on his capacity.

How did you come to work with Duro compagnie?

We heard about him through word of mouth because he’s known to be one of the best in town.

What is the status of this engagement?

I started working with him in January 2016 and we continue to work with him and his team on an as-needed basis.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

I attribute the success of our 2019 campaign to their work. Thanks to Duro compagnie, we will be working with the client I mentioned on a second phase of the project in 2020. This milestone speaks to how good Danny and his team are as well as to how good our partnership is.

How did Duro compagnie perform from a project management standpoint?

Danny works specifically with me and my project managers to keep everything on track and we communicate via email or meet in person.

What did you find most impressive about them?

I am impressed by the breadth of his capabilities. He knows everything from illustrated animation, to photo-real animation, to editing, to voiceover, to music. His creative director and designer expertise along with his broad capabilities allow him to take an idea to all lengths.

Danny brings so much to the table and that’s what sets him apart. He’s a great person who goes above and beyond because he’s a perfectionist. He’s extremely passionate about and talented at what he does, which shows in his incredible work. He always gives more than is asked of him.

Are there any areas they could improve?

He should get a project manager but other than that, there’s nothing he can improve on. 

Do you have any advice for potential customers?

Hire him because he’s great. Communicate openly and frequently because it’s challenging to work with vendors who aren’t on-site or full-time staff. Also, be clear about timelines and budgets.

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and position.

I am the Executive Producer of BLC

Describe what your company does in a single sentence.

Creative agency and production company.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What specific goals or objectives did you hire Duro Compagnie to accomplish?

• Creative Design
• Storytelling
• Enhance the creative

SOLUTION

How did you find Duro Compagnie?

Referral

Why did you select Duro Compagnie over others?

High ratings, Great culture fit, Good value for cost, Company values aligned, Other

What was your primary form of communication with Duro Compagnie?

Email or Messaging App

Describe the scope of work in detail. Please include a summary of key deliverables.

Motion Design and Creative work for a global campaign.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

What were the measurable outcomes from the project that demonstrate progress or success?

• Client pleased with the work
• Budget
• Campaign a success

Describe their project management. Did they deliver items on time? How did they respond to your needs?

Danny always delivers on time and within budget. He is collaborative and solution-driven.

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

Collaboration and design vision who can take a project from concept to completion.

Are there any areas for improvement or something {provider_name} could have done differently?

Carbon copies of themselves.

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and your position there.

Big Picture Lab is an agency that specializes in video production for the technology industry.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

For what projects/services did your company hire Duro compagnie, and what were your goals?

Animation services, both 2D & 3D.

SOLUTION

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

Duro Compagnie's production value is excellent, and they keep their skills and offerings up to date and timely.

Describe the video(s) and the process in detail, including the project steps and all stages of production.

We collaborated on look/feel, storyboards and animation production.

Who did you work with and what was the feedback process like?

Danny was our main point of contact and he did a great job of managing the process and keeping us looped in to progress along the way.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

We were really happy with both the process and the end product. Danny and his team are consummate professionals, great at problem-solving, and deliver a top-notch product.

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

Danny and his team are adaptable and always quick to respond, whether that be via email/phone/Slack/etc. This flexibility and responsiveness is appreciated and ensures that when we need a quick answer we can count on them.

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

Consistently great production value. Danny and his team really care about staying on the cutting edge and it shows in their work.

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

Not that I can think of at this time.