Edelmade

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and your position there.

I am the owner of a family law firm.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

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

I hired Edelmade to build my website from scratch and also to help me with some branding. I had no experience in either of these areas and my goal was to do complete the project fairly quickly and have a classy, minimal but effective website and brand to launch.

SOLUTION

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

I knew of their work from my previous firm. I spoke to 2 other web developers but went with Edelmade because I felt they understood my vision and specific needs for the project.

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

We had an initial phone call, we used a mood board to narrow the vision, then they offered me 2 directions to choose from for the final product. Different technologies were used that I found to be very helpful and efficient.

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

I worked mostly with Lauren but also spoke to her partner and designers in the early stages.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

As soon as I launched my new firm, I had my website ready to go. I have had several colleagues and clients comment on how much they like my site and I feel that it has really helped me market myself and set myself apart.

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

The project was led by Lauren and everything was extremely timely. I never had to follow up or make sure things were being done. Communication couldn’t have been better.

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

They really listened to me and my goals, delivered a product within my budget, helped me identify how I want to present and brand myself, and were really on top of everything. They also helped explain how I can update things with my website on my own.

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

N/A

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and your position there.

I am the Senior Creative Director at WETA, the nation's third largest public television station based in the Washington, DC area and a leading provider of programming, documentaries, and films to PBS and its member stations.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

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

I worked with Edelmade first to breathe new life into Well Beings, our youth mental health initiative. As the program was going to grow beyond mental health into other topics such as healthcare access, we needed to build out the brand with additional elements to help define the categories and be more consistent in our social media presence.

Second was assistance in developing brand guidelines and collateral for our corporate rebrand. Having never had a fully defined style for WETA, we needed guidance on building rules for logo usage, colors, and typography as well as redesigning elements like letterhead and business cards. Edelmade also was instrumental in our first out-of-home media campaign since the rebrand, designing billboards for buses and bus shelters in the Greater Washington DC area to highlight our local and national programming.

SOLUTION

How did you select this vendor?

I was referred to Edelmade via a mutual contact when looking for help for the Well Beings brand. Looking at their portfolio and seeing they had some experience in the healthcare branding and design space, they seemed like a good fit to help with this project. I was so satisfied with their work, I have gone to them for additional projects as they have surfaces.

Describe the scope of their work in detail, including any steps and the final deliverables.

For a majority of our projects, I have been able to hand over some very rough initial thoughts and concepts to the team at Edelmade and trust them to build out the systems and elements needed for us to use at WETA. We typically will have an onboarding chat and a few meetings in between to go over drafts and designs. They provide us with source files we can finalize at WETA and then go out to the public with.

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

I worked directly with the co-founders and indirectly with their graphic designer.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

The Well Beings brand extension was a huge step forward in growing the content and digital/social media presence. Working with so many external partners, having a set of guidelines and a toolkit was invaluable as the project grew and helped the brand visuals stay consistent regardless of who was designing them.

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

Edelmade was incredibly organized and efficient, sending over mood boards with audio annotations and they are very quick to reply or provide revisions when necessary.

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

I admire the design aesthetic Edelmade brings to all of our projects. They clearly stay on top of industry trends and help us compete with much larger competitors in a very crowded media marketplace.

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

I have found most of our growing pains are internal at WETA as we work to find an efficient approval flow.

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and your position there.

I am the founder of Scribble, a unisex lifestyle apparel brand for babies and kids.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

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

I hired Edelmade to do a rebrand for me. The previous branding was “piece meal” effort and did not tell a cohesive story. Edelmade was able to develop a cohesive brand for Scribble from social media to packaging collateral. They also developed custom textile prints for the garments.

SOLUTION

How did you select this vendor?

I had followed Edelmade and their projects a few months before reaching out.

Describe the scope of their work in detail, including any steps and the final deliverables.

We began with a kick off call where we discussed the branding I had in place, my overall goals/vision for Scribble rebrand and ways they could come in a full the holes. Lauren created a project timeline that they stuck to for the entirety of the project. They developed cohesive imagery that would tell the Scribble story through social channels as well as labels, hang tags, packaging etc that will help enhance the customer experience from website to delivery. Eventually after seeing how well they understood my vision, I asked them to help developed custom textile prints and they were able to add that on as well.

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

I worked with Lauren, Mike, Rachel and Marin. They were included on all calls, communication was excellent and they helped me understand their creative process and they worked on my project. Their talent was incredible, and they worked very well together as a team.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

As I prepare to launch, I feel much more confident in what I will be offering and the ability to create a unique type of buy in from potential customers.

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

I was impressed by the high level of communication and follow through on deadlines. Lauren did a great job of creating a project timeline that they were able to manage effectively and deliver on without it seeming like an internal challenge or rush on their end. I felt like they actually did what they said they were going to do as a team and that helped me build trust with them which is key when developing something.

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

I’m so grateful that they truly understood and bought in on my Vision for scribble. I had been working with other vendors that I could tell didn’t fully grasp what I was trying to do through project deliverables. Edelmade was able to execute my vision with minor tweaks and I could tell from the first vision board that they just “got it”. And while that may be their job, in my experience, I wasn’t able to find that until working with Edelmade.

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

I honestly can’t think of anything. While that may seem indifferent, the results I was looking for and paid for are exactly what I wanted. I am extremely satisfied with selecting Edelmade and again, feel confident in the direction my brand is going.

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I’m the co-owner of a southern restaurant.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with Edelmade?

We wanted to enhance our business’ branding.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

Edelmade provides branding services for us. We started by meeting with them to share our vision regarding the restaurant’s look and feel for our clients. After that, they helped us design our logo and other collateral materials for the inside of the restaurant. We also provided them with a brief of our brand guidelines so they could have somewhere to start.

In addition to that, they’ve helped me with web development using Squarespace.

Currently, they help us with ad hoc to our needs.

What is the team composition?

We’ve been working with three members of their team, including Lauren (Principal), Mike (Creative Director), and Rachel (Designer).

How did you come to work with Edelmade?

They were referred to us by someone who used their services in the past.

How much have you invested in them?

We’ve spent around $8,500 with them so far.

What is the status of this engagement?

We started working together in January 2019, and the engagement is ongoing.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

Our website traffic has increased, and we’ve received many compliments from people on our site and branding. People come inside our restaurant and post things online, saying how awesome the place looks.

How did Edelmade perform from a project management standpoint?

Project management is awesome! They’re very responsive and helpful. Regarding tools and communication, we use in-person meetings and Zoom calls.

What did you find most impressive about them?

They always assist us with our requests and make everything very clear to us.

Are there any areas they could improve?

I don’t think they can improve on anything — they’re a great team to work with.

Do you have any advice for potential customers?

Be open with them about your vision and expectations.

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I’m the founder and owner of BoxFull, a company that sends care packages for various occasions. 

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with Edelmade?

Since we were a brand new startup, we didn’t have a brand voice and logo that could identify us and our products in the market. As a result, we worked with Edelmade on our concept and branding.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

Initially, we needed Edelmade’s services for our packaging. Our initial package designs were homemade, so we wanted something more joyful and something that the recipient would get excited about. 

From packaging, the engagement’s scope evolved to cover more of our branding needs. We determined what colors we wanted BoxFull to be identified with and what logo to use. From a deliverable standpoint, their work turned into a holistic brand development project. Once the brand was determined and they came up with logos and catchphrases, they started working on our packaging. They came up with a slogan that helped us create our identity, which they translated into the packaging of the boxes we were shipping. 

Other than packaging and branding, they’ve also helped me with ad hoc tasks that come up. For one, they’ve created graphic design and marketing elements for us, such as a pitch deck that I can use with investors. They’ve also helped us create social media posts on Facebook and Instagram; I lay out a calendar and give them key dates and milestones, and then the team creates posts.  On top of that, they’ve also created a brand ambassador kit that I use when I reach out to and engage with influencers.

The next phase of our engagement is website development. Apart from that, Mike (Co-Founder & Creative Director) has also been helping me in running the business in general. He’s offered help in brainstorming about how I should prioritize my time and goals.

What is the team composition?

Apart from Mike, I also primarily work with Lauren (Principal & Co-Founder). They also have a graphic design intern, and she helps with the creation of ad hoc items we need for our social media posts. Edelmade leverages the design intern to help me as a small business owner in a way that works well within my budget. 

How much have you invested with them?

We’ve spent around $6,500. 

What is the status of this engagement?

We started working with them near the end of February 2021, and the engagement is ongoing. 

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

I personally haven’t developed any specific success metrics other than my satisfaction. Given that, I love the boxes and I’m happy with Edelmade’s output. Of the 180 reviews we’ve had, around 25% of them specifically mention our packaging. They describe how professionally packaged the boxes are; they’re happy with it. 

On top of that, I have a small business, and I’m doing everything myself so I feel a little overwhelmed. As a result, having those brainstorming sessions with Edelmade is truly helpful. Getting the value of their experience and perspectives has been good for me. 

How did Edelmade perform from a project management standpoint?

Edelmade’s project management is awesome, and they’re always responsive. I’m likely not their biggest client in terms of budget, but I never feel that way with them. They lay out a timeline and deliver within it. In fact, they’ve been ahead of our schedule. Overall, they’re highly professional and we always feel like we’re a priority.

We primarily communicate through emails. Once many of the deliverables are done, they set up a Google folder, which they continue to update and add content to as we engage with them. 

What did you find most impressive about them?

BoxFull is my idea — it’s like my baby — but I’m not skilled on the branding side of things. Considering I’m not an expert, Edelmade still values how much I care about my business. They’ve been patient and open to feedback. In fact, when we’ve come back and forth about our color schemes, I haven’t been able to articulate what I like or dislike; I simply know when I don’t like the combination of colors I see. Despite that, they’re still so patient and keep on coming back to me until we land on something that I love. 

In other words, even though they’re the experts, they still collaborate with me and ultimately go through iterations until I’m happy. It doesn’t feel that they’re only doing their job and pushing it to me; it feels like I have a marketing team that solves problems with me instead of simply telling me what I should do. 

Are there any areas they could improve?

I would like them to help me with my elevator pitch. We have a truly special product, and I’m not doing a good job selling it right off the bat. Other than that, I don’t know anything else they can improve on in their job.

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and your position there.

I am founder, creator, and farmer at Fox Whistle Farm, a small organic vegetable and egg farm.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

For what projects/services did your company hire Edelmade?

I needed to brand my farm. From missions statement through to logos and additional assets. This was my starting point for launching my farm. Beyond growing food - marketing is most important!

What were your goals for this project?

I wanted to make sure my farm was branded to match my mission of sustainability and also still feel very current and appeal to my wide demographic of people who interact with the farm.

SOLUTION

How did you select this vendor?

They came highly recommended by a friend and fellow business owner who had also used their services.

Describe the scope of their work in detail.

Mike and Lauren blew me away with their process. I felt 100% involved in every step. The first meeting was intense, they had SO MUCH passion for my farm and my mission. This wasn't some dog and pony show either.

Both of them immersed themselves in my mission, asking questions, wanting to learn about the farm and more importantly the farmer and the journey I took to become Fox Whistle Farm. Later to find out that they weaved my mission statement based on all of the feelings and passions I had shared with them.

Every meeting after that they presented me with details that I weighed in on. They hit the nail on the head everytime. I constantly get compliments on my logo and assets that they have created for me. I am so incredibly happy with all of it.

What was the team composition?

Mike and Lauren were working on this as a team from beginning to end. Both having their strengths of course, but together they make a powerful team.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

It's hard to measure metrics past compliments for a small farm. This also being my first year with the branding it's hard to gauge brand awareness just yet. Returning to the market this season, I imagine I will have a better understanding.

How effective was the workflow between your team and theirs?

They were fantastic to work with. Fast replies, detailed responses to any questions I had. Being just the three of us we didn't need to implement any workflow management tools. Confident if we needed to, they would have created a system.

What did you find most impressive about this company?

Their passion. They love to learn about their customer and what they are doing and why. I know that this passion translates to their incredible work. They actually care about your company and the product they are creating for you. I strongly believe a mom and pop shop is better than a huge corporation that you as a customer can get lost in.

Are there any areas for improvement?

Honestly, I can't think of anything I had wished different.

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and your position there.

I am the owner & founder of a beauty boutique called Launch Party. I curate and sell prestige quality beauty products sourced exclusively from independent beauty brands. I currently operate as an ecommerce platform and I also sell at pop-up events at locations around Cincinnati, Ohio.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

For what projects/services did your company hire Edelmade?

I hired Edelmade to concept and design a visual brand identity for my store.

What were your goals for this project?

As a brand new company my goal at the end of the project was to have a logo and visual identity that would represent my vision for the store. The identity was crucial to gaining attention–ultimately attracting and connecting to my target market.

SOLUTION

How did you select this vendor?

I knew I wanted to work with a boutique agency that could work within my budget. My project was a small job, but it was very important to me and I definitely didn't want it to get cast aside for more lucrative work at a bigger agency. It was also very important to me to work with a design firm in Cincinnati where I live. I researched agencies online and on Instagram. I started following Edelmade and felt like I got a good sense of Lauren and Mike's personality through their posts. I decided to hire Edelmade because of the quality of their work. I also really felt like their personality and mine would be compatible and ultimately help the communication and design process.

Describe the scope of their work in detail.

The process began with an initial meeting where I described my store concept, offering, goals and potential target market. We had a round discussion on the topic and time to get to know one another. Our next meeting was to brainstorm and do what Lauren & Mike call "Brand Magic." The process involved a brain/word dump exercise that helped me to vocalize some of the things that I had in my mind about my concept and it helped them better understand the direction I wanted to take the brand. I thought this process was probably as helpful for me as it was for them! It helped me start to put guiderails around the story I was creating. Next Lauren & Mike put together visual & tactical mood boards and we met in person to discuss what I liked and didn't like to begin to understand the graphic general direction of the logo. In our next meeting Lauren and Mike presented to me 3 logo concepts complete with color story, store signage, and 3 distinct social media treatments. The way they brought the logos to life in it's digital and physical environment was amazing! It really helped me to get a sense of what would work, and what wasn't working for me. There was another couple rounds of design based on feedback. Not long after that we compiled my favorite logo concept with my favorite social media treatment and they worked that into a final concept. I shared with Lauren & Mike some photo assets and when they delivered the brand bible they also delivered 10 instagram-ready posts that I could use to start an account which was above and beyond the scope of the work we discussed.

What was the team composition?

I worked directly with Lauren and Mike which is exactly why I wanted to work with them.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

I have heard countless compliments from customers that they love our logo! During pop-up events I have participated in, I've had people stop by the booth and tell me that they love the branding and that it makes them happy!

How effective was the workflow between your team and theirs?

Lauren was my point of contact but I always felt like speaking to her was like speaking to the team as a whole. We conversed over email and sent files via email when it was appropriate. It was not a problem to speak in person when needed. Lauren & Mike were super receptive to my feedback and accommodating in going down exploratory paths for me. They never made me feel like I was asking too much or that they weren't interested in showing me something that I thought I needed to see.

What did you find most impressive about this company?

I was impressed with how quickly they seemed to just "get it." They were on board with my idea and concept from the beginning. It was clear to Lauren that in fact, she was also my target market, and so she was able to articulate ideas as a design professional, but also use her instincts as a consumer to offer valuable thoughts about my concept. I think what distinguishes Edelmade the MOST, is how they invested themselves into the success of my brand. When I launched my brand they used their social media account to spread the word. They talked about my store to their friends. They ordered product. When the holidays were approaching they used their connections to get me a spot in competitive holiday market. They didn't have to care about what happened to me, months after the end of the project, but they did. I have honestly thought on multiple occasions that hiring them was the best thing I ever did for my company.

Are there any areas for improvement?

Not that I can think of.

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and your position there.

Iron Wing is a film production and sound design company based in Cincinnati, and I am the owner and primary filmmaker.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

For what projects/services did your company hire Edelmade?

Edelmade was hired initially to help with a logo design. We enjoyed working with them so much, we continued on for a full re-brand and consulting on our multiple aspects of our branding and marketing.

What were your goals for this project?

Iron Wing had transitioned, many years prior to working with Edelmade, from a recording studio to a film production studio. While our work had transitions, our image and online presence was severely dated and in need of a refresh. The goals started as a new logo and grew into a full re-brand. Edelmade's process got to the heart of who we are. From there they designed assets, wrote copy, and molded our brand in a way that far exceeded our expectations

SOLUTION

How did you select this vendor?

Edelmade submitted to an RFP we had posted through LinkedIn. We had a number of other vendors, but after meeting with Edelmade, we knew we could trust them with this most important project.

Describe the scope of their work in detail.

Edelmade's process started with a few meetings to help us find our voice. They listened to all of our input and helped keep us on track to find how to reach our ideal client. The progress went at an ideal pace. They didn't rush us, but didn't let us drag our feet either. From there they spent time creating.

We had a follow up meeting where they present their work. We made selections on colors, design, and copy, then gave our feedback. After a couple of rounds of minor revisions we had a final logo, brand guidelines, and a refined mission and focus.

What was the team composition?

The team was Mike and Lauren. They were excellent points of contact, and did a fantastic job.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

One of the best examples I can give of success of the project is creating hats with our Edelmade designed logo. People love these hats. We had to go into a second printing just to keep up with demand. This has everything to do with Edelmade's incredible eye for design. Another outcome we are very proud of is our online presence. Edelmade help us transform from something we are ashamed of to something that actually helps generate work for us.

How effective was the workflow between your team and theirs?

The workflow with Edelmade was excellent. They were able to guide the project along at a very good pace. They took all of our feedback to heart and incorporated all revisions we asked for in a swift manor.

What did you find most impressive about this company?

Edelmade is very professional, but they are also very relational. They are so much fun to work with. Their eye for creativity, both in copy and design is so evident. I couldn't recommend them more.

Are there any areas for improvement?

Edelmade delivered, and went above and beyond, for every aspect of our project. There may have been a couple of times I wasn't quite sure where things were with the project. But never had to wait or worry too long before I would have the update I was awaiting.

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and your position there.

Founded non-profit to support the brain banks of the National Institutes of Health in raising awareness of the critical need for brain donation and simplifying the process of donating.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

For what projects/services did your company hire Edelmade?

Needed solid visual branding to target many communities: neuroscientists, people with brain disease, people interested in advancing the science of brain disease, families of those who have a neurologic disorder, and others. Didn't want traditional medical/scientific look.

What were your goals for this project?

A sophisticated looking brand, site, and interface to enable individuals to simply begin the process of becoming a brain donor. Ease of use was paramount. Impressive design was right up there, too.

SOLUTION

How did you select this vendor?

By looking at the diversity of their portfolio - many different kinds of organizations and their branding spoke volumes. A certain approach or attitude or point of view was communicated in their visual design.

Describe the project in detail.

Started with them learning quite a bit about us and what we wanted to accomplish. Then several iterations of logos, color palettes, typeface and the like were presented. Once we nailed down those items (3 years ago and we still LOVE it) we moved on to other pieces - the website, collateral pieces, presentations, etc. This visual imaging has stood the test of time already and we're thrilled to still get many compliments at conferences and exhibits on our terrific design.

What was the team composition?

Project manager, designer and others brought in as needed. Contractors joined this team for video production, motion graphic work, user experience audits and social /digital optimization.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

7500 people have signed up in three years, which is absolutely phenomenal. Site is very user-friendly and simple to navigate. This is an innovative project that requires some education before call to action. Our design communicates everything we need it to. At a recent exhibit, dozens of individuals complimented our visual presence, saying it looked great, didn't blend in like everyone else and elevated the idea of what we're trying to do.

How effective was the workflow between your team and theirs?

Easy and natural - they met milestones and even delivered many more mock-ups than they promised as we worked our way to the final design. Deliverables were on time and they had clearly listened to our guidance.

What did you find most impressive about this company?

We were incredibly impressed with their ability to take a very obscure, scientific concept and bring it to life. We had no idea what we wanted, from the "feel" we were going for to something as simple as colors...and they nailed it.

Are there any areas for improvement?

Not that we can see - contractors were brought in as needed, which expands their capacity while keeping the core team lean and focused. We are beyond happy with their execution and the advice given when we ask for some guidance.