Fram Creative

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and your position there.

Sphera International is a boutique consultancy company, specialising in helping clients to take advantage of the opportunities available to their businesses through the adoption of new technologies, technology. I am the owner/director of the company.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

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

There was a need to completely redesign the company website in order to adjust for the market focus moving to digitisation and digitalisation. Sphera remains a technology strategy and tech led transformation company, but the website needed to re-centre on prospective customers change in business driver.

SOLUTION

How did you select Fram Creative and what were the deciding factors?

We were comfortable in our focus and capabilities, but very aware of our short-comings in creating a website that is visually attractive, logically designed and provides clear messaging; not just purely functional. Fram have excellent design capabilities. They were able to demonstrate their knowledge of design options and to explain the advantages of each approach, offering a tailored choice of approach - not a cookie-cutter.

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

There were 2 initial meetings used to understand Sphera's business model, typical clients and our USP. We were also presented with a range of existing websites to review and comment on. There was then a meeting where a high-level design concept was presented by Fram - and then reviewed and evaluated by both Sphera and Fram consultants together. After this we moved to a WordPress prototype and then a series of iterative short meetings, both in person and on-line, adding content and adjusting the design. This culminated in a sign-off meeting to approve the website going live.

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

Over the development of the website we worked with Fram's CEO, a designated project lead/lead developer, plus two additional digital artists who assisted in creating some of the graphics in Adobe XD.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

The final website is an excellent mix of design, creative graphics and useful content. It perfectly represents our company to the market, it is engaging to look at and use, and is still functional. Website traffic and linger times have been many times greater than we had previously achieved.

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

Project management was relatively informal. Once we had completed the first two meetings at Fram's office, the project lead took control and kept us regularly updated on progress, asking for clarification as and when it was required. This project approach mirrored the iterative approach to designing and building the site itself.

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

The team were both creative and technically skilled. They listen, reflect and add ideas very professionally, and can then quickly realise decisions taken in the product itself. Professional engagement without pragmatism.

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

Honestly no. They dealt with us as an "I'm not really sure what I want" client exceptionally well. The process felt natural and facilitated, but always that we were moving forward.

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and your position there.

I am the president and will be managing director of a software ERP product we've developed for our market to the next level. We expect to scale this product to work across any platform and any business.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

For what projects/services did your company hire Fram Creative?

We need to take a strong Windows Forms based application and redesign this to be come a fully responsive, progressive, mobile first application that works across any device/platform and be occasionally connected. We hired Fram to not only design the UX experience to also consult with us the roadmap to achieve our goals.

What were your goals for this project?

The goals are both business related and development related. The dev goals were to design all aspects of the UX and create the underlying display standards that could be walked right into the hands of the coding team.

Fram achieved this with flying colors. This in turn will help us to reach our business goals of raising the bar of ERP products within our industry and drive our revenue 20x of what we currently enjoy within 3 years. We are on track to achieve this thanks to our work with Fram.

SOLUTION

How did you select Fram Creative?

We utilized reviews and personal references. We looked at many companies. Fram came very highly recommended and I can attest that they did not disappoint. The Fram team has been a pure joy to work with. It was more like they were partners on our project rather than merely subcontractors.

Describe the project in detail.

We needed to take a mature Windows Forms application and primarily port this to a modern design architecture from the ground up. We also had to either improve the UX or create entirely new elements based upon the evolution of ERP within our industry. The project consists of Analytical/active dashboards that dynamically adjust by role.

The software drives workflows for normal business processes and logistics including Stock Control, Asset Management, Asset Maintenance, HR planning and maintenance, Regulatory compliance, Expense and purchasing reporting/control all through work flows driven through a common work list.

All of these mini-apps have to conform to a very dynamic user environment integrating the ability for the end user to drive layouts, views and choice of collation tools (kanban, draggable grid views, self-referencing trees, etc...) all while isolating the user from themselves in the sense of employing the underlying business rules to ensure the integrity of the data/work-flows.

Additionally, we tasked Fram with integrating modern collaboration tools into the product which helps the end user but also opens up the product to future growth in that we can create api's that expose data/UX to channel partners and outside users to drive additional revenue.

What was the team composition?

We were assigned a lead and two additional UX designers. The Fram team answered to myself as the internal project lead and another subject matter expert that shared some of these duties with me. I have never worked with a tighter, more productive team!

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

Our product is deep and of very broad scope. Even though it is ultimately and ERP product of which there are many to review, our product is designed (initially) for a very small, niche industry. Fram had to understand this at the most important level and design the UX to account for our special niche.

At the same time, they were equally tasked with accounting within the design the ability to scale beyond our initial markets. Fram worked with us across time zones, during COVID. They accelerated our design curve, delivering ahead of time and under budget. They brought to the coding stage with an incredible degree of confidence.

How effective was the workflow between your team and theirs?

In a word? AMAZING! Again, we had to work against considerable barriers/hurdles including 3 or 4 time zones, different management input and designing a oversight system that allowed both collaboration and independent productivity. In fact our workflow was so successful that we realized we needed to model aspects of our workflow and tools into our product designs. It was magical.

What did you find most impressive about this company?

Their team. The personalities allowed us to work as partners or a healthy family. They used their experience and intuition to help us help ourselves. This allowed them to take our crude concepts and refine them to exceed the vision from which we were originally aiming for.

Are there any areas for improvement?

From our perspective. None. Fram was truly a dream to work with and I will relish greatly any opportunity I can to work with this amazing company and team!

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and your position there.

I am part head of marketing and product at Head Ventures, an investment firm with in-house development initiatives.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

For what projects/services did your company hire Fram Creative?

We hired Fram Creative to create UI/UX design for one of our websites, specifically a gallery display/art store website.

What were your goals for this project?

Our goal was to create intuitive web designs that look great and emphasize our brand identity.

SOLUTION

How did you select Fram Creative?

We are working with a web development agency that recommended Fram Creative for our project

Describe the project in detail.

At the onset of our project, Fram Creative learned about our product and brand to have a better understanding of our goals and expectations. The next step was sending requirements and wireframes that illustrated the desired functionality and user flow.

Based on these requirements, Fram Creative created live wireframes for us to review. Through quick iterations and very good communication, we managed to achieve a finalized design version in a rather short time.

What was the team composition?

We worked with a manager and designer dedicated to the project.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

We reached finalized web designs that allowed us to move on to front-end web development in a short amount of time.

How effective was the workflow between your team and theirs?

The communication between the teams was very good, using standard tools such as Adobe XD helped streamline the process.

What did you find most impressive about this company?

We were impressed by the fact that the team was brought up to speed very quickly and was ready to go.

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and your position there.

I work as a COO at an online educational company headquartered in Sofia, Bulgaria. Our company has about 30 employees.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

For what projects/services did your company hire Fram Creative?

We hired Fram Creative to develop the design of our corporate website.

What were your goals for this project?

We needed a good-looking and modern website.

SOLUTION

How did you select Fram Creative?

Their cost/benefit ratio was the best among the many offers that we received. Their portfolio was also very professional.

Describe the project in detail.

We received a series of three initial designs. After each of them, there was an iteration of internal meeting discussions and discussion with the company's design team that aimed at improving the website version.

What was the team composition?

The team consisted of two web designers and a back-end developer.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

Within three months the website was fully operational. We are still in the process of building up the traffic.

How effective was the workflow between your team and theirs?

Very effective. We managed to communicate the issues from our side and Fram made the corrections.

What did you find most impressive about this company?

They are very creative (As the name of the company suggests). In addition you cannot get more value for the price you pay than what their company offers.

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and your position there.

I'm a freelancer, helping entrepreneurs save time, money, and heartache in their search for product/market fit.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

For what projects/services did your company hire Fram Creative?

I needed a prototype developed for a client of mine, who is working on a BI SaaS for a specific domain. The prototype included many views and actions and needed to be user friendly yet fully-featured. This is the second project I'm working on with FRAM

What were your goals for this project?

Deliver my customer a working prototype that met their needs and exceeded their expectations. The prototype is now used to get more feedback from potential customers and show to potential investors.

SOLUTION

How did you select Fram Creative?

I had previous experience with them and got very good recommendations from a colleague.

Describe the project in detail.

It's confidential, but I can share it's a prototype SaaS that allows the user to make decisions based on data from multiple sources. The prototype included 4 main screens for updates, projects, insights and integrations. Each main screen add different elements and functionalities.

What was the team composition?

I was the project lead and UX designer, providing all requirements. FRAM provided the UX/UI design and prototype development.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

The end result was well received by my customer and also by their potential clients (in demos). We were also to collect important feedback and validate some base assumptions by using the prototype

How effective was the workflow between your team and theirs?

I worked directly with the lead designer which was very professional. Deliverables were on time and of high quality.

What did you find most impressive about this company?

The team is both professional and great to work with. Clear communication and a desire to over-deliver

Are there any areas for improvement?

none that I can think of now

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and your position there.

We are on a mission to build the next generation ideation and planning tool, which will help SMBs to plan and analyze the financial impact of their ideas

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

For what projects/services did your company hire Fram Creative?

Since we are a start up, a great UX and UI are instrumental in our effort to attract investors and bring our first clients on board.

What were your goals for this project?

To visualise our solution and to assess how big of a challenge would be to build it.

SOLUTION

How did you select Fram Creative?

the other co-founder has been working with them on similar projects, so it was an easy decision for us. We made an intro meeting and we quickly realized Fram Creative is a great fit for us.

Describe the project in detail.

Our business idea is made up of several interconnected modules and together with Fram Creative we had to go through several sprints, where during each sprint we tackled a single module.

What was the team composition?

Even though Fram has officially assigned a contact person for every sprint, we know for a fact their whole team got involved into our project. That was awesome and we very much appreciate it.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

Working with them really helped us to further polush and tune our idea, which was probably the best outcome we could have hoped for.

How effective was the workflow between your team and theirs?

Excellent. They were very approachable! On top of everything else, we believe our joint works will be the start of a fruitful professional partnership and friendship.

What did you find most impressive about this company?

Attitude, quality of discussion and delivery. Great team, it was really fun working with them!

Are there any areas for improvement?

It is hard for me to point out. Probably, I wish we could have wrapped up the project a bit faster. After every sprint delivery our confidence in their final output grew in more positive direction, we were becoming eager to finish even sooner.

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and your position there.

Beverage industry. Position Business Solutions and Systems Strategy, Innovation, Capabilities and Communication Manager

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

For what projects/services did your company hire Fram Creative?

Branding of the Digitizing Growth initiative for evaluating startups, participating in the innovation ecosystems with accelerators and venture capitalists and drive innovation within our company internally.

What were your goals for this project?

To establish the brand, to make a good selection of startups and to attract accelerators and venture capitalists to the first event.

SOLUTION

How did you select this vendor?

Prior experience and very high reputation within the company I work for.

Describe the scope of their work in detail.

Ideation for the brand, creation of the brand, creation of materials presenting the brand, communicating the brand, establishing the brand with the first event of its kind, selecting startups, accelerators and venture capitalists to participate actively in the first event, organization of the logistics - alignment with the companies, travel arrangements, event management (full handling of the event), post-event activities - satisfaction survey, video editing, pictures taking and distribution, management of all the presented materials and communication to all stakeholders.

What was the team composition?

The whole Fram team supported the event with very little supervision from my side. It can be described as a fully managed event by Fram. My involvement was only confirming the pre-selected startups in terms of how adequate their product is to the company I work for.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

Very successful event. Tons of positive feedback. A lot of ideas kicked off during and after the event. We are in process of scheduling the next event of this type.

How effective was the workflow between your team and theirs?

They delivered all the work and on our side there was no team. Just me approving their ideas. They drove the whole thing almost on their own. They are a true reliable partner.

What did you find most impressive about this company?

Flexibility. There was nothing I requested that they could not deliver and whatever they delivered outpaced my expectations.

Are there any areas for improvement?

There were lessons learned from the event and I am sure they will take them into consideration. Nothing major, though. I look forward to the next work with them.

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and your position there.

I run a small software development company, based in Sofia, Bulgaria. We help businesses and entrepreneurs on 4 continents realize their innovative ideas and use technology to become leaders in their fields.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

For what projects/services did your company hire Fram Creative?

Visual design of an existing product, that needed emergency work on new features without changing the overall look and feel.

What were your goals for this project?

• support the vision of the product owner
• support the work of a 5-6 person development team with a very tight release schedule and very aggressive new features development
• support the right-to-left, left-to-right internationalization standards
• support the full responsive design of the product

SOLUTION

How did you select this vendor?

1. strong recommendation from a former client
2. in-person talk with their leader Marina
3. small-scale pilot tasks

Describe the project in detail.

on-going project - very complex product, which has been in constant development over the past 6 years. we are using Fram to help us with interface designs for 3 different parts of the system - tasks include new interface in existing visual style and building completely new interface on a new front-end technology

What was the team composition?

- main designer for clarifying the concept - one or two supporting designers depending on the volume of work.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

Specific numbers are confidential. the product has seen significant increase in revenue, as well as much higher conversion rates. development work continues smoothly and we have been able to use design style guides developed by the Fram team to create reusable front end elements save our client tens of thousands of dollars in development and deliver new interfaces in a fraction of the time that we would normally quote.

How effective was the workflow between your team and theirs?

pretty effective.

What did you find most impressive about this company?

As the lead developer for this product, we are very satisfied with the Fram team's work. We have worked with a number of different international design teams in the past and Marina is one of the best. Unlike other designers I've met, they understand how to work effectively with a development team.

Are there any areas for improvement?

Fram is growing pretty quickly, so their areas of improvement include all the usual for a growing small business - version control, clarifying requirements, etc. - all growing pains.

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and your position there.

I am the owner and CEO of Pro-Bit major Slovenian IT company. Our primary activity is the development, distribution and maintenance of business information solutions like ERP, HR and Payroll systems. We have been in business since 1989 and we have more than 1000 clients.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

For what projects/services did your company hire Fram Creative?

We are successful on the domestic market, but we are looking to expand abroad and add more services to our offering. For this reason we needed a major overhaul of our brand and visuals so that it presents our company in the right way.

What were your goals for this project?

We wanted a new website, new brand materials and new brand strategy.

SOLUTION

How did you select this vendor?

I met the Marina, the CEO of Fram Creative on a conference in Germany. She told me she could help us with the task and presented several useful ideas and past case studies.

Describe the project in detail.

They organized several meetings in our premise at Slovenia to understand our business, culture and things that made us successful. Several workshops were organised in order to audit our target personas,customer journey and experience. They also researched competitors and found what works for them as well as gaps that could be exploited.

Based on the results, Fram proposed a new brand strategy that encompassed all digital interactions with the brand. As a first step they went to redesign our website. We worked with UX and UI designer for that. They also reworked our sales and marketing materials. What was the team composition? We worked with a PM who managed the project and conversation. Also we had interaction with an UI and UX designer for their team in the process.

What was the team composition?

We worked with a PM who managed the project and conversation. Also we had interaction with an UI and UX designer for their team in the process.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

The cooperation has been great! The new website design looks stunning! We are now working on implementing the design with our inhouse resources. Also the new sales and marketing materials have greatly helped us on meetings etc. Finally we have a more clear vision and concrete steps on how to develop our brand digitally.

How effective was the workflow between your team and theirs?

Communication was smoothless. They did not save effort to come to our offices for even smaller tasks like organising a photoshoot of the team.

What did you find most impressive about this company?

The speed and quality with which they work are amazing. The team is really talented and well organised. From idea to high fidelity prototype takes less than a week. Also they are very pro-active and challenge us on some assumptions and offering better ideas.

Are there any areas for improvement?

No.

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and your position there.

Founder & CEO of a market leading software company for newspaper publishers

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

For what projects/services did your company hire Fram Creative?

UX for our self-service backoffice as well as banner designs, website designs, etc.

What were your goals for this project?

Increase Market Adoption of our Backoffice and Increase Market Perception of our products

SOLUTION

How did you select this vendor?

Personal Reference Checks + small test projects to get started

Describe the project in detail.

kickoff in person, regular Skype calls, Slack status, emails, regular meetups

What was the team composition?

3 people from us, up to 5 people from Fram

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

-

How effective was the workflow between your team and theirs?

they are very flexible in communication methods and keep a close eye on progress and process updates.

What did you find most impressive about this company?

really open to feedback and they change things accordingly. The really believe in an open feedback culture ... besides the fact that they do great UX and UI

Are there any areas for improvement?

-