Houston Design Company - Out of Business

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and your position there.

I am the CEO and founder of inglés individual, Mexico's leading English school.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

For what projects/services did your company hire Houston Design Company?

We hired Houston Design Company at the start of the pandemic to create a website and brand identity for our new online school via video conference.

What were your goals for this project?

Create an online school for our current students who could not attend in person due to COVID-19, and a school that could reach and teach English to people all over the world.

SOLUTION

How did you select this vendor?

We had previously done some small work with them on other initiatives and we had worked well together. It was an easy decision to choose someone we already trusted and knew could get it done.

Describe the scope of their work in detail.

We hired Houston Design for branding and brand strategy for our new online school, as well as to create our website where students could log in, pay, schedule their classes, and enter their online class.

What was the team composition?

I worked directly with the creative director, Pablo, and he would communicate our vision and goals to the rest of his team.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

With our new website and online school, we have been able to reach new students from all over the world interested in learning english.

Before COVID-19, we only had in-person classes, so we were limited to our geographical footprint, but since launching our online school in May, we have students from China, France, South America, and Spain looking to learn English and advance their careers. For the first time ever, we have access to educating the world, and most importantly, changing the lives of many more people.

How effective was the workflow between your team and theirs?

Workflow was very smooth and collaborative. Communication was clear.

What did you find most impressive about this company?

We were able to launch our website in less than a month. We needed it fast for our own survival and they delivered. The speed and the attention-to-detail at which they worked was impressive. They also did a great job of aligning with our company and our goals, and that allowed the process and design work to be easy. They truly understood us.

Are there any areas for improvement?

I think that the Heart-to-Bark Workshop was very important and it provided us with clarity and vision, but it would have been better for us to split it up into multiple sessions across the first week so that we didn't have to do it all in a full day of work. Just a little more flexibility would have been nice, but we really don't have any complaints.

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

We are a music organization operating as a band and songwriting, recording, producing, and performing sound.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with Houston Design Company?

Our goal was to design an element for a soccer jersey item in our merchandise line that we wanted to release.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

They helped us to both develop a logo that could be used in any context, and then incorporate that logo into a design that looked more like a traditional soccer jersey crest.

What was the team composition?

We collaborated directly with Pablo (Creative Director) for all of the work.

How did you come to work with Houston Design Company?

I’ve known them personally for a little while and kept up with his work, so I turned to him when the need came up and they were happy to help.

How much have you invested with them?

Our compensation agreement is for a percentage of the sales from our merch with the logo on them, so the total amount is yet to be determined.

What is the status of this engagement?

The project lasted from January–February 2020.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

I’m really happy with the products and the way the logo came out overall. We’re confident that we’re going to be able to get a lot of use out of them.

How did Houston Design Company perform from a project management standpoint?

For the most part, our communication took place over phone and email. They were communicative throughout the whole process and made it really easy to manage all of the work.

What did you find most impressive about them?

We ended up getting customized colors for the patches and getting professional-quality prints because we liked them so much. The designs came out even better than we could have hoped for.

Are there any areas they could improve?

I honestly don’t have anything I wish they had done differently. It was a great process from start to finish.

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I’m the owner of a company that does construction and interior design.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with Houston Design Company?

We wanted to have an improved online presence. We needed to get projects with more revenue.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

They built a new website and continuously update it. Their team designed a new logo and new branding products. They also created a way to express the company message on social media. They also made business cards.

What is the team composition?

I only work with Pablo (Creative Director).

How did you come to work with Houston Design Company?

I found them online. I liked their website and what they offered.

How much have you invested with them?

It was less than $10,000.

What is the status of this engagement?

The work began in June 2018 and is ongoing.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

They had a huge impact. They’ve doubled the value of the projects I’ve been having.

How did Houston Design Company perform from a project management standpoint?

Project meetings have been effective. We’ve done some face-to-face meetings, phone calls, and emails.

What did you find most impressive about them?

The psychology behind everything has been great. He makes you realize why you’re doing things.

Are there any areas they could improve?

I think a little more enthusiasm in meetings would be great, but I get that he’s focused on the information.

Do you have any advice for potential customers?

Trust them in the beginning. It’s a really good process.

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I’m the founder and CEO of ResTech Solution.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with Houston Design Company?

We hired them to help with the brand and messaging for our company. We weren’t changing the brand, but more so the image and messaging that we were putting out.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

We spent a Saturday going through their initial process. We went over different aspects of the business to formulate what our brand is actually about. We also developed the profile of our ideal client and business goals.

We’re working on the messaging. It started with all of the information on our website. Once that’s set, we will distribute that information to all of the other platforms like social media and networking-based sites. We want to make sure that everything about the business is uniform.

What is the team composition?

I worked primarily with Pablo (Creative Director).

How did you come to work with Houston Design Company?

I actually met them at a local networking event and spoke to Pablo. After that, we had a discussion, and from there, I decided to go through their initial process and see how they operate. I determined that I wanted to pursue their services further.

How much have you invested with them?

So far, we’ve spent almost $1,500.

What is the status of this engagement?

Our engagement with Houston Design Company started in March 2020.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

So far, everything has been very good. I haven’t had to ask them to change a lot of work because everything has been spot-on to what I was looking for.

How did Houston Design Company perform from a project management standpoint?

We communicate over email. We have an online Google doc where a lot of the information gets stored, and I can also provide my feedback through comments. We also have phone calls and Zoom meetings.

What did you find most impressive about them?

Houston Design Company took the time to get to know my business. This goes back to the first session we had and has been driving everything else we’ve done. Everything has been in line with what we’re trying to do.

Are there any areas they could improve?

Pablo asked me this the other day, but I would like more frequent meetings. Our schedule has been every other week, but based on my past experience, I prefer weekly meetings.

With the nature of our engagement, there’s a bit more explanation needed because our side is very technical. Checking in more frequently through Zoom will make it easier to ensure everything is in line with the business.

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and your position there.

I am the director for the Penn EDS (Electronic Design Shop). The company provides Electrical Engineering services to the Penn Researchers and abroad.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

For what projects/services did your company hire Houston Design Company?

Services to explore a new business image.

What were your goals for this project?

Develop the image and logo for an alternative company.

SOLUTION

How did you select this vendor?

We searched in Linked in and found Houston Designs.

Describe the scope of their work in detail.

- Develop a logo - Go thru an analysis so that HD could come up with a profile for the image and review the results.

What was the team composition?

Just myself.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

HD did a great job giving us the company profile, better way to market the brand and build a brand in 2 -5 years.

How effective was the workflow between your team and theirs?

It was great. We used zoom and there were daily meetings with Q&A that allow HD to come up with an accurate diagnosis.

What did you find most impressive about this company?

The speed to deploy the plan and the attention to detail were exceptional.

Are there any areas for improvement?

NA