Funkhaus

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I’m the CEO of a project management company for construction. We represent several clients all over the world, particularly focused in the US. We have offices all around the country, with a small office in London.

We do the owner’s representative work in terms of project management, working directly with clients who own the property or development. We represent them from day one to completion, appointing architects and builders. We’re responsible for budgeting and scheduling for projects for different industries, including hospitality, medical, and government.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with Funkhaus?

We’ve used a number of software systems to help us manage the process for construction, and we didn’t find anything suitable for clients. There’s a number of systems that benefit the architect and contractor. Still, it’s hard to find an auditable system that only has the clients’ interests and facilitates the team to perform well.

We wanted to create something that would meet that need and allow us to perform at the very top end of our services, but also good for clients to have visibility on the process.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

Funkhaus built the system from scratch, including the design and visuals. It’s a cloud-based system, available for an iPad or mobile, that stores information. It also helps us run key performance metrics for anyone that’s involved in the team.

We’re in charge of running the system for the client, but they get access to everything. It allows us to invite team members, like builders and subcontractors, to the system as they’re onboarded onto a project.

What is the team composition?

In total, we work with five people. There are others behind the scenes, but I didn’t personally meet with them. I believe they also worked with one of their partner companies for development.

How did you come to work with Funkhaus?

We’ve been a fan of their work for quite some time. I know Drew (Founder & Technical Director) through a mutual friend. Their company is branded well, and they’re a young company with their head switched on.

When we met with them, they elevated themselves above everyone else. Funkhaus was by far the most impressive group. They understood our concept immediately, delivering quickly on their promises.

What is the status of this engagement?

Our engagement with Funkhaus started in February 2020. It will be ongoing for many years as we build upon the system and maintain it.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

Within four weeks, we had a system up and running that was already superior to what we felt was in the market. Now, we’re building on it regularly, improving it with additional features.

We’re already generating revenue with our most important clients. It didn’t take a lot to sell this system to clients once it was operational. Being in construction where technology is notoriously slow and behind the times, it’s far superior to anything I’ve seen. It was easy to sell to clients with a quick demo.

If any issues or bugs come up, they’re quick to respond. The value speaks for itself.

How did Funkhaus perform from a project management standpoint?

They’re very communicative. We would meet face to face when we could, but if not, we would jump on a Zoom. I know they’re busy, but they would always make time for us, which we appreciate.

When something was outlined as an improvement that needed to be made, they’d be very clear about the steps they needed to take and the timeline. They hit every deadline.

What did you find most impressive about them?

The pace at which Funkhaus works is impressive to me. They have a creative design eye. They’re also honest, which is an essential factor. They’ll tell you how it is straight, whether you like the answer or not. When they give dates and budgets, they stick to those.

Are there any areas they could improve?

I’d like to see their business scale up and grow—nothing bad to say about them.

Do you have any advice for potential customers?

Meet with them face-to-face. Funkhaus brings honesty and integrity, which is huge in my business. Don’t be afraid to listen to what they say to you. While you might not like something initially, be open to what they’re telling you. Be guided by their expertise.

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I’m the director of development at PRETTYBIRD. We’re a production company that makes commercials, branded entertainment, and music videos. We also have interactive content, as well as a sister company called Venture Land, which is a creative development arm. They create original IP including episodic content, TV shows, and feature films.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with Funkhaus?

We already had an existing website that another company had built but it was very dated. It was functional but lacking in design. As a company that’s all about presentation and selling our art directors — we have a roster of filmmakers we represent — we needed a new set of eyes.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

We’ve gone through two rounds of websites with Funkhaus. The first was in 2012 and then we did another redesign with them in 2015. They helped us with everything, including design and programming, on both iterations on the site. They were both involved with coming up with an aesthetic that best represented our brand and the actual programming of the site.

Since then they’ve done identity work for us including redesigning our logo and coming up with identities for a couple of other divisions of our company.

What is the team composition?

I worked with Nick (Partner & Partnerships Director) and Dave (Partner & Creative Director), the two partners in the company, and I’ve also worked with Dylan (Operations & Client Development) in his project management role. Dave and Nick are my two main contacts.

How did you come to work with Funkhaus?

After our first website, we knew we needed someone who was stronger from a design perspective. We started looking up websites that we liked and found Funkhaus. They had an aesthetic we liked and they seemed like the right fit after a couple of calls with them. Their experience working with other commercial production companies attracted us to them.

How much have you invested with them?

The first redesign was around $31,000 and the second, which included a complete rebuild of the website and additional functionality, was around $57,000.

What is the status of this engagement?

We worked together from June 2012 until August 2015.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

With both websites, and especially with the 2015 site, we started to see some knockoffs. Other companies would borrow our functionalities and design elements, and this let us know we were onto something.

We’ve also gotten a lot of positive feedback from clients. I can’t speak to exact analytics but we’ve seen an increase in visitors with each new build. One of the big features in the 2015 redesign was a newsfeed on our homepage. It doesn’t sound that innovative but we were piping in social media feeds from Instagram and Twitter accounts of the directors we represent. A lot of our creatives are celebrities in their own right and we wanted to create a hub where fans can keep track of all of our creatives. This has certainly had a hand in our increasing traffic.

How did Funkhaus perform from a project management standpoint?

They’ve been great. We’ve done some other side projects since, and we wouldn’t be working with them if we didn’t have a great rapport with Nick and Dave. Early on we had some in-person meetings to do our first website but since then we’ve mostly worked over phone and email.

We vibe with them on a personal level and trust their design instincts. They have a great eye and understand our brand and aesthetic. It’s always super easy to work with them. We have high expectations and are very particular about our brand image so we give lots of specific feedback but they’ve always embraced it.

What did you find most impressive about them?

They have a really strong design aesthetic. I follow all the work they do and am constantly tracking other sites they’re building to see what they’re working on. The fact that they work with so many other production companies and agencies in our industry speaks to their creativity. I think their motto is “The creative shop that creatives go to,” and there’s a lot of truth to that. I think it speaks volumes.

Are there any areas they could improve?

As someone as interested in web design as I am I noticed a lot of the little things other people wouldn’t. I’ve noticed certain of their trademarks across websites they’ve designed for other companies in the industry. Remaining unique and creative is a challenge for any designer, and especially so when you’re working with numerous companies within a given industry.

We’re definitely going to reach out to Funkhaus when we need to design our website again, but one of the challenges we’ll give them is to make sure that our site feels unique to PRETTYBIRD.

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and your position there.

The Lift delivers filmed advertising content services in Mexico. I am the managing partner for the international advertising division.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

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

Our goal was to re-position The Lift's brand as the foremost production service firm in Mexico and to elevate our marketing and communications strategy to better encounter our clients' culture, needs, and voice.

The projects for which we hired Funkhaus were:

• Website development
• Brand positioning and designing collateral
• Marketing and communication strategy
• Editorial and content creation
• Community management
• Hospitality and customer journey consulting

SOLUTION

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

We consulted with our most trusted clients and looked at the best production companies in the US (at the time some were our client's others were not) and who had developed their website, one name consistently came up: Funkhaus. We didn't even have a second choice, we knew it had to be them.

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

We wrote a detailed brief with everything we had in mind as the project scope of work, the two big items were the rebranding and the new website. Funkhaus was then able to re-articulate our brief and come back with a perfect proposal for us which basically involved re-building the brand from the ground up in terms of identity, design, and marketing strategy.

Nick and Dave flew to Mexico a couple of times to really dive into what we were all about, they were as invested in the project as we were. In the end, the process had to do more with building a new and strong brand identity as well as a unique voice to engage in meaningful conversations with our clients.

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

Over the years we must have worked with over a dozen people at Funkhaus. Nicholas (director of client services) and David (creative director) have always been at the center of our relationship. We have also worked with operations managers, content creators, community managers, editors, designers, and programmers.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

Since relaunching our brand and website in 2014 we have seen exponential growth in leads and sales. Leads have consistently gone up over 35% from year to year and sales an average of 30% yearly. We were also able to capture our desired client scope and are now working for the top 30 production companies in the world.

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

They have always followed a very clean and detailed project management style, which includes deadline calendars, work plans, rollout stages, and exceptional customer service. They have always delivered every project we have done together in time and form.

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

The personal relationship that we have built over the years. We don't see Funkhaus as a vendor, we see them as an important partner. Also, their impeccable taste when it comes to design and how they apply technology in a subtle and seamless way into everything they do.

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

I can't think of any.

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and position.

I am the Chief Media Officer of Someplace

Describe what your company does in a single sentence.

To be a place where clients and makers can dream again.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What specific goals or objectives did you hire Funkhaus to accomplish?

• Create our company website that brought to life our creative vision and balanced that with the need to be informative for what services we can provide partners.

SOLUTION

How did you find Funkhaus?

Referral

Why did you select Funkhaus over others?

• High ratings
• Pricing fit our budget
• Great culture fit
• Referred to me
• Company values aligned

How many teammates from Funkhaus were assigned to this project?

6-10 Employees

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

We wanted them to build a fully functional website for desktop and mobile.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

We just launched. But we have gotten great reviews on the website so far.

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

They were great partners through the entire process. They took the time to explain things and have work sessions where we worked things out together. We found them very collaborative and patient with us.

What was your primary form of communication with Funkhaus?

• Virtual Meeting
• Email or Messaging App

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

It was a very open process. We liked that we pushed each other to make our work great. That's usually a sign of a great partnership.

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

We talked about everything openly. There wasn't a problem they didn't help us solve. They were great partners.

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and position.

I am the COO of Fela

Describe what your company does in a single sentence.

Film production services for commercials, music videos, film and tv.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What specific goals or objectives did you hire Funkhaus to accomplish?

• Website Design and Company Branding

SOLUTION

How did you find Funkhaus?

• Online Search
• Industry reseaerch

Why did you select Funkhaus over others?

• High ratings
• Great culture fit
• Company values aligned

How many teammates from Funkhaus were assigned to this project?

2-5 Employees

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

Funkhaus completed an entire website re-design for our company. They created a dynamic and sleek website optimized for desktop and mobile viewing. They also consulted and contributed heavily towards our company's branding — creating a cohesive package of fonts, colors, layout and copywriting.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

Feedback on our new website has been resoundingly positive. Internally we are extremely satisfied with the re-design. Externally we have received numerous compliments and positive reception regarding the re-deisgn.

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

Project management was prompt and reliable. They responded well to our needs.

What was your primary form of communication with Funkhaus?

• Virtual Meeting
• Email or Messaging App

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

We were impressed with their great design sensibility and ideas. Comprehensive understanding of our needs. Seamless execution of any ideas which were thought of. Great support and guidance throughout the process.

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

No

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and position.

I am the Owner of Little Ripper

Describe what your company does in a single sentence.

Cafe by Day... Wine Bar by Night.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What specific goals or objectives did you hire Funkhaus to accomplish?

• Rebranding
• New Logo
• New Everything

SOLUTION

How did you find Funkhaus?

Referral

Why did you select Funkhaus over others?

• Close to my geographic location
• Pricing fit our budget
• Great culture fit

How many teammates from Funkhaus were assigned to this project?

2-5 Employees

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

Transform from a small time Coffee shop to a Resturant serving Beer and wine. 

• New Logo with new Colorways. 
• New Coffee Bag design. 
• New Coffee Cup Design. 
• New Beer Can Design.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

The Lookon our Customers faces when they saw how amazing the rebrand looked. We just reopened.. so it a little hard to demonstrate success.

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

Yes, Right on Time. Ready for our reopen. Great communication.

What was your primary form of communication with Funkhaus?

• Virtual Meeting
• Email or Messaging App

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

Their interest in our business and passion for something new were impressive.

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

None that I can think of.

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and position.

I am the Director of Communications of an advertising & marketing company

Describe what your company does in a single sentence.

Creative film editing

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What specific goals or objectives did you hire Funkhaus to accomplish?

• Design new website
• Refresh logo

SOLUTION

How did you find Funkhaus?

We've worked with them before

Why did you select Funkhaus over others?

• Pricing fit our budget
• Great culture fit
• Company values aligned

What was the size of Funkhaus’s team?

2-5 Employees

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

Design a new website and refresh current logo including new brand colors, implement logo across the new website.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

• Amazing feedback on the final project, very happy with the outcome.

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

Very responsive, worked closely with us and always responded to questions with helpful information.

What was your primary form of communication with Funkhaus?

• Virtual Meeting
• Email or Messaging App

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

Impressed by the way they were able to take our thoughts and feedback and give us what we were looking for, happy with the design choices presented to us and the collaborative nature of the project.

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

nothing much