id8

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and your position there.

I work for the Marketing team with Campus Services at Kennesaw State University. I help manage marketing and branding projects for Housing and Residence Life. KSU houses 5,200 students on campus, and 2,200 of those students live on the North side of the Kennesaw Campus in University Village, University Village Suites, and KSU Place, which were the focal points for this rebranding project.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

For what projects/services did your company hire id8?

KSU has seen significant growth and change since the housing communities were built in 2008. Since that time, the University has experienced a tremendous growth in enrollment, which has resulted in an increased demand for on-campus housing. In 2015, the University consolidated with Southern Polytechnic State University and launched a NCAA Division I football team. As KSU’s popularity increased, so did the number of tours Undergraduate Admissions was giving on a regular basis. The housing communities are one of the campus tour stops for prospective students, but until this project, there wasn’t much KSU spirit present inside or outside of the residence halls. We wanted to install new branding in the housing communities that created a sense of belonging and KSU pride for the students that lived there and for the prospective students and families that would visit.

What were your goals for this project?

Update existing branding and/or create new branding that displayed KSU’s spirit throughout the pathway campus visitors walk during campus tours. We wanted the walkway from where they park for the tour all the way to where they enter the main part of campus to be branded and create a sense of cohesion from one part of the community to another. It was very important that the project bring KSU spirit into the housing communities unlike any other project had done in the past.

SOLUTION

How did you select this vendor?

We worked with our Procurement team to begin a Request for Proposal (RFP) for this project. We created an ideal timeline, scope of work with detailed deliverables, and list of goals and expectations. We hosted a kick-off meeting for all interested potential bidders where we gave a tour of the Housing communities and discussed the deliverables. Id8 attended this meeting with several other potential bidders. We had two companies submit proposals for the project, and after careful consideration from our selection committee, we chose id8. Id8 had a portfolio with projects similar in scope, and they had created branding concepts for local communities that we found to be similar in nature to this project.

Describe the scope of their work in detail.

After selection, id8 met with us to discuss the project in depth. We knew we wanted signage on every floor of the parking deck, elevator wraps within the parking deck elevators, new awnings in the visible areas of housing, a wall of perforated window graphics that stretched over 100 window panes, graphics installed on twin 40-foot tall brick walls, branding inside the two-story lobby of University Village Suites, and graphics as you enter and leave the housing community.

What was the team composition?

We worked with id8’s CEO Kritson Sellier, project manager Lindsay Pace, and graphic designer Jess Gerjets. We also worked closely with their partner, Southern Signs, which was the team that brought the concepts to life and produced and installed the deliverables.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

The project was executed successfully and we were pleased with the results.

How effective was the workflow between your team and theirs?

The workflow was successful and we found the communication to be responsive and friendly. Overall, this was a positive experience.

What did you find most impressive about this company?

The graphic designs they rendered for this project combined the spirit of the University with KSU’s new brand standards in a way that was very attention-grabbing and appealing for college students. The project manager kept the project organized and helped to keep the project moving forward.

Are there any areas for improvement?

No.

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I’m the VP of people at a real estate investment and property management company.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with id8?

We worked with id8 to put together some recruitment and marketing materials to correctly reflect our brand when recruiting new hires for our staff.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

id8 produced print and digital materials for us. We created the ideas from scratch and provided them with it. These materials were all created for social media channels, including LinkedIn and Facebook. They also did a photoshoot for all of the print materials so we could use them digitally. 

Later on, we refreshed our brand and their team helped us adapt the new brand imagery into the recruiting marketing materials from the previous year. 

They’ve also helped us prepare collateral material for our annual leadership summit, which includes t-shirts, name tags, signage, and agendas for around 175 people. 

What is the team composition?

Over time, I’ve worked with various people on different elements of the project. In total, it’s probably been between 5–7 people that I consistently work with. 

How did you come to work with id8?

We followed a referral from an employee who worked with them previously. 

How much have you invested with them?

We’ve spent under $50,000 on their services. 

What is the status of this engagement?

We started working together in mid-2018 and our engagement is ongoing.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

Although we don’t have any specific metrics, the quality has been great. Their work is excellent. Whenever I have a need, they deliver every time. Our internal team feels very positively about their work, too. 

How did id8 perform from a project management standpoint?

They manage the project very well. The project managers keep me updated on the status of their work, calling or texting me if they need something from me. If anything is going to be late, they update me about any changes. 

What did you find most impressive about them?

They truly put in the effort to understand our brand to help us achieve the look and feel that we want. Between coming to meet with me personally and trying to know us, they’ve helped us achieve our vision. They adapt well to changes and are creative, too. At any other company that I’ve used, they weren’t as invested in getting to know us as id8 is. 

Are there any areas they could improve?

When we adjusted our brand imagery, we had a bit of a challenge getting the final edits done for the revamped materials. I think we all could have slowed down and spent a little more time upfront going through what we were trying to achieve. The ultimate product was good, but it was slightly challenging and time-consuming to do all the changes over email. 

Do you have any advice for potential customers?

They’re great at what they do and easy to work with, so they’re capable of delivering high-quality work. 

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and your position there.

I am the Business Development Manager for a Wireless Construction company. We work for all of the major cell carriers building their infrastructure and networks across the country.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

For what projects/services did your company hire id8?

Our company has recently undergone a transition in ownership and upper management. Given the major changes we felt that it was necessary to re-brand our company with a new logo and company website.

What were your goals for this project?

The goal of the project was to re-introduce our company, both to our employees and customers. We felt that this was important due to the fact that the company had been in slight decline over the past couple of years and is now emerging with a new vision.

SOLUTION

How did you select this vendor?

We selected id8 based on their inspiration, knowledge and creativity. Kristin and her team are very good at bringing out certain details that we may have overlooked had we attempted to perform the re-branding in house.

Describe the project in detail.

We started this project with re-branding. id8 met with us to get a better understanding of our company (past & present) in order to capture the true feel of our culture. The id8 team did a great job of providing us with different logo ideas and an explanation of why the logos were significant to our our company.

We next moved to web design where they initiated the storytelling of our company. Their ideas really brought our the true culture of our firm. From their we moved into web development where they put all of the ideas down for all to see.

What was the team composition?

My Director of Operations and I initially met with Kristin to kick the project off and running. We discussed pricing and timelines and how the ideation process worked. From there, I met with the id8 team weekly to gather specific details and manage the process from our end to ensure that they had everything that they needed to keep progressing through the development process.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

Our new company website is outstanding. Not only does it properly represent our company and our brand, but it is also a powerful recruitment tool to attract new employees and vendors. It also is a powerful portrayal of our company's support to the military which is something that we take very seriously.

How effective was the workflow between your team and theirs?

The id8 team was great throughout the entire workflow. Because of the ownership/leadership changes on our end, the process took a bit longer than expected, but that was not due to any lack of focus from id8. id8 understood our challenges and patiently worked through them as they appeared.

What did you find most impressive about this company?

What I found to be most impressive about id8 was their knowledge and expertise. For instance, when I first looked at the design for our new website I noticed that our "About Us" tab was not the first tab to select in our navigation bar. I asked about moving this so that it would be more in line with other company websites, but id8 explained that this was intentional and that our customers would be more likely to select more important tabs which would be more beneficial to our company.

This may sound like a very inconsequential example, but it really speaks volumes to the experience and sound judgment that id8 brings to the table. It's the small details that many businesses overlook that helps separate them from their competition and id8 helps to identify these details.

Are there any areas for improvement?

You get what you pay for. With that being said, id8 is not the cheapest design agency, but they do offer professional services and advise which is hard to replicate by developers that are just merely building freelance websites.

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and your position there.

I'm the global marketing manager for a global manufacturing company in Johns Creek. Georgia. I'm responsible for all global marketing communications and promotions.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

For what projects/services did your company hire id8?

We wanted to come up with a new name for our next generation product and communication system. We are very traditional in our naming, but we also have zero consistency in naming. id8 proposed a strategy to the process which would enhance our global alignment.

What were your goals for this project?

We had one simple goal: come up with a name that we could own (trademark) and also easy to remember.

SOLUTION

How did you select this vendor?

id8 did a great job of first off, listening to the leaders of our company explain who we are and the markets we serve. They asked pointed questions are really understood the challenges we faced, but also proposed a solution to our problems.

Describe the scope of their work in detail.

The scope was for id8 to come up with a name, a communication strategy and a strategy to "sell" our current stakeholders.

What was the team composition?

From the Nordson side, we had 7 people engaged, and id8 engaged 3 with us.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

The biggest success is alignment of a name, which was the goal at the start. Furthermore, id8 helped us in our need to communicate and persuade our stakeholders from non-believers to believers. id8 was helpful at every step along the way.

How effective was the workflow between your team and theirs?

Great. id8 has always been available for in-person meetings for phone meetings, as well as extremely responsive to emails/calls.

What did you find most impressive about this company?

What I found most impressive is the level of detail they have. Our industry is hard on many levels. id8 did an impressive job of making the complexities of our company simplistic. Very impressive.

Are there any areas for improvement?

No. id8 did a bang-up job for us.

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I’m the CEO of ignite Technology LLC. We resell telecommunications.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with id8?

We hired id8 for logo design and branding.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

We went through a process where we told id8 what we were thinking, and their team put together three logo options. After choosing one, they then created literature and brochures for us to give to our clients.

What is the team composition?

We engaged with four people, including a project manager.

How did you come to work with id8?

I network with the owner of id8. After listening to the stories of their customers, I felt that her company was the perfect fit for what we were trying to do.

How much have you invested with them?

We spent a little over $5,000.

What is the status of this engagement?

Our engagement began in January 2017.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

Going through the process that their team laid out for us, we made sure they followed up and presented products that made sense for what we were looking for. id8 delivered. All of their work was well-received by our internal team.

How did id8 perform from a project management standpoint?

id8 communicated well and positioned everything the way it should’ve been.

What did you find most impressive about them?

The staff that Kriston (President, id8) has is extremely thorough and knows what they’re doing. Their design team is phenomenal, always thinking outside the box.

Are there any areas they could improve?

There are none that I can think of.

Do you have any advice for potential customers?

id8 is an extraordinary agency that gives you what you ask and pay for.

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I’m the co-founder and CEO of AskForensics, a company that provides B2B sales and account growth support. We uncover deep perceptions on why sales are won and lost and how accounts are performing, and we deliver specific reports along with analytics. 

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with id8?

We needed a partner to update our website, which involved new branding and a full redesign of the web presence.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

id8 started by developing a strategy for how to position us and what we wanted to communicate to the public. They conducted an in-depth review of what we’d accomplished and where we wanted to go. From there, they translated those insights into our site’s narrative and branding, including the logo they designed in partner with our PR firm. They built the site from scratch and made it dynamic so that it displays properly on any device or browser. Currently, they maintain the site and provide any necessary updates.

What is the team composition? 

In the design phase, we had about four team members. Now, in maintenance, we just have one.

How did you come to work with id8?

Our PR firm recommended them. The two agencies communicated well, so we decided to hire them.

How much have you invested with them?

We spent between $10,000–$15,000.

What is the status of this engagement?

Our partnership lasted from June–December 2014. 

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

The UX/UI of our site is much better and has remained modern even though it was built about four years ago. We’re pleased with the design, which went from text heavy to integrating lots of graphics and videos.

What did you find most impressive about them?

They know their business well and are skilled at branding and web design. I could see a stark difference between our old site and the new one they created.

Are there any areas they could improve?

Some of the branding exercises we went through were probably unnecessary since we’re an established company.
 
Do you have any advice for future clients of theirs?

They’re a small company with a young team, but it makes them resourceful and edgy. They provided the same quality of work we would’ve gotten from a bigger firm, so give them a chance.

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and your position there.

I’m the president of a health care company. We offer health care payers solutions for high-cost, low-frequency medical events such as organ and stem cell transplantation.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

For what projects/services did your company hire id8?

We brought on id8 to design a new branding strategy as we branched into new product lines. This included a new logo, positioning/messaging, sales sheets, and design for an expanded web presence.

What were your goals for this project?

We wanted to retain the essence of our 30-year history while integrating a new look and strategy. It was important to create a design that visualized our vibe and distinguished us from our competitors.

SOLUTION

How did you select this vendor?

Our parent company had worked with id8 before and were happy with the results. They liked that id8 was a small, young company with fresh ideas.

Describe the project in detail.

First, id8 interviewed me to get a sense of my goals. Then, I sent them our current materials and followed up with a phone call to ensure they knew who we are and where we're going. We broke the project down into several modules (deliverables) that built on one another (positioning and messaging informing the design deliverables). Each module had its own timeline, as well as expectations on both sides. After each draft, we had a phone call to discuss feedback to agree on a finalized product.

What was the team composition?

After an initial call with id8's president, we were assigned a designer who coordinated with other id8 staff as needed, such as a writer. I led the customer side and sought feedback from my team in preparation for phone calls with id8. For the last couple of modules, we were assigned a junior account manager who coordinated the project in close collaboration with the designer.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

id8 pushed us out of our comfort zone in asking us to reimagine ourselves, particularly our logo. We’ve received a lot of very positive feedback about it however, and the new look is fresh but still embodies our friendly and helpful position in the market. Our newly designed sales sheets have driven a lot of interest from customers who want to learn more about our new products. As a bonus, they seem to understand how our history and new developments are separate but connected. Metric-wise, revenue from new lines of business in 2018 increased 59% over the prior year.

How effective was the workflow between your team and theirs?

The expectations for both parties were very clear. id8 performed their work within the established deadlines, but I wasn't able to finish my work a few times. id8 followed up with me and were very accommodating of my availability. Our workflow worked very well.

What did you find most impressive about this company?

They listened well to our story and grasped who we are as a company, and then did an excellent job designing a logo and materials that told that story visually.

Are there any areas for improvement?

I understood the need for an account manager so that the designer's time could be used most effectively. However, we really enjoyed and preferred our direct communication with the designer.

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and your position there.

I’m the marketing director for a catastrophic and wrongful death law firm. We specialize in personal injury cases and market mostly to other attorneys.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

For what projects/services did your company hire id8?

We needed to develop a website to host a video for the launch of our new brand and create a brochure that matched the style and appeal of the website.

What were your goals for this project?

We wanted to create a web page that matched the high-level services we offer our attorney partners. 

SOLUTION

How did you select this vendor?

id8 was designing and printing our marketing collateral and handling our web design before I came on board. I was free to choose another vendor for this project, but I appreciated that attention and care they offered their clients.

Describe the scope of their work in detail.

They designed a mobile-responsive website with a modern design that appealed to other law firms looking for partners for big cases. Additionally, they designed a brochure for us to use during the launch. Although ideas for the brochure and web concept were in place before I began, we much started from scratch when I arrived.

What was the team composition?

I worked with a production artist, who acted as a client coordinator, their president, and a web designer. The president was hands-on and ensured that all our needs were met, while the web designer was especially responsive to change requests.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

Even after a few years, people are still impressed with our website. The brochure played a key part in the launch, and we still use it to forge new relationships. Feedback on our collateral focused on its high-end look and feel, which directly reflects the services we provide.

How effective was the workflow between your team and theirs?

The project went smoothly, just as our others with them have. id8’s team was good about setting deadlines and working with me when I had to extend them. If I was struggling to meet one, they would push me the exact right amount. Communication was never an issue, and every member of their team was highly responsive.

What did you find most impressive about this company?

We really enjoy working with id8. No matter our scope, they give us the necessary attention to deliver a great product. They make time to have discussions with us and never make us feel like a burden. Marketing and branding trends change constantly, but id8 stays on top of all of them.

Are there any areas for improvement?

I am satisfied in all aspects of my working relationship with id8 and will continue to use them for future projects.

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I’m the managing partner of BDS Yarmouth & Choate. We’re an executive consulting firm located in both Atlanta, Georgia and Asheville, North Carolina.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with id8?

We’ve hired id8 for several projects. First, they helped us with our website design. Since then, we’ve used their services for various marketing campaigns.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

For the first engagement, id8 helped us design our website. They supported our efforts in creating and formatting the layout of the site and the content.

We hired them to strengthen our marketing efforts. They’ve helped us run a variety of campaigns, ranging from the traditional mailing to social media marketing. Although receiving advertisements in the mail isn’t modern, id8 is helping us produce meaningful materials. During this process, their team helped us redesign our logo and marketing materials. They’ve guided us in finding colors and templates that fit our brand.

What is the team composition?

My main contacts throughout the process have been Julie (Art Director, id8) and Kriston (CEO, id8). They lead our meetings and discussions to ensure the work goes smoothly. There are a few others working on the project, but these two are the primary teammates.

How did you come to work with id8?

We were working with a previous developer, but we felt we needed to go in a different direction. However, they introduced us to id8, so we’ve been using them as our design team ever since because we were incredibly impressed.

How much have you invested with them?

It’s hard to add up the total cost because we’ve been working together so long, but the cost falls in the $10,000–$50,000 range.

What is the status of this engagement?

We began working together in 2004 and the engagement is ongoing.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

We haven’t felt the need to track the results in a quantifiable way because of how much we trust id8’s expertise. We’re fully satisfied with the work they’ve done for us and we’re highly comfortable working on future projects with them. Working with them allows us to put our best foot forward when presenting our business to larger firms.

How did id8 perform from a project management standpoint?

They excel at keeping me on task and up to date on their progress. Their approach is very friendly and comforting. They’re collaborative and allow me to bounce my ideas off them to receive honest feedback.

What did you find most impressive about them?

Even though my company is very specific with our requirements, we’ve never needed to be demanding with id8 because they always deliver quality work. They’re an all-around skilled, versatile team— I can use them as a counselor or as a designer. All of my expectations are exceeded and I have complete faith in their team to do the work correctly.

Are there any areas they could improve?

There’s nothing they could do better for me. If I weren’t satisfied with their work, I wouldn’t have continued using them for as long as I have.

Do you have any advice for potential customers?

Trust and listen to their team. Opening up to them about your expectations and goals is crucial in having a collaborative, productive engagement. Be transparent in your conversations with them.

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I’m the director of engineering and operations for Gaskins Surveying Company, Inc.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with id8?

We needed to update and modernize our website so it accurately reflected our company's culture and experience.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

id8 started the redesign essentially from scratch, preserving only a few segments of our old site. After a series of meetings, they presented wireframes for our feedback and approval. We iterated on the design until we arrived at the final version.

Beyond web development, they also wrote copy and hired photographers and videographers to create pictures and videos for our website. They now provide updates and regular maintenance as needed.

What is the team composition? 

We had one main point of contact, but they dedicated an entire team to our project.

How did you come to work with id8?

 We interviewed them and two other companies. id8 was located nearby and seemed to be the best fit.

How much have you invested with them?

We spent between $35,000–$40,000.

What is the status of this engagement?

We partnered in September 2017, and the work is ongoing. Our site went live in June 2018.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

The website id8 delivered has a high-quality visual appearance. We’ve received many positive comments about the new design.

How did id8 perform from a project management standpoint?

The project manager was excellent. id8 remained diligent and patient even when we slowed the process down.

What did you find most impressive about them?

The CEO of id8 took a personal interest in our project and made sure we were satisfied. 

Are there any areas they could improve?

No.
 
Do you have any advice for future clients of theirs?

Trust them as a partner. id8 is a team of professionals who know what they’re doing.