Loonar Studios

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and your position there.

I am the owner of SJD Production. I advise and help Animation and VFX companies to achieve their best results.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

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

I needed a new LOGO and website that looked professional and elegant. I help animation and VFX companies to create amazing visuals and content, and I needed a website that is at the same visual level, and at the same time a website that tells very clearly the value I can provide.

SOLUTION

How did you select Loonar Studios and what were the deciding factors?

They were very quickly at responding. Also, I love some of their previous works featured on their portfolio. I like how they create nice and elegant animations to help drive the attention of the audience.

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

I needed: -- A new Logo. -- A new web design. -- Web development of the design, with a backend that I can manage in-house. The website needs to be easy to navigate and contains the 5 main sections I described in my brief.

How many people from the Loonar Studios team worked with you, and what were their positions?

Mainly 3 people. The Manager in order to evaluate, negotiate and close the scope. The head designer, who helped guiding me through all the design process. The project manager, who was very helpful, kind and responsive.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

-- I have not measured this yet.

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

We defined their communication channel quickly and an easy way for me to provide feedback.

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

Easy to use and maintain website based on wordpress with a unique design specifically tailored for my needs, not based in any template and with custom features. Great design.

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

There was a minor unforeseen feature that could not be finished, but I do not think it was only on their end, it was also in mine. Overall it was a great experience.

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and your position there.

I am the Vice President of Global Growth, Client Services, and Marketing. We assist global clients in developing capabilities in the area of critical thinking and are regarded as the global benchmark in Problem Solving and Decision Making.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

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

Our previous website was not optimized for user experience or SEO and was not regarded as highly professional by our client base. The challenge we posed to Loonars was to help us develop a state-of-the-art multi-lingual website using a cutting edge CMS and do it in record time.

SOLUTION

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

We searched globally for top ranked web design and development companies and shortlisted the top 5 contenders. These were they interviewed and the top 3 were given a formal RFP. Based on all of the reviewed materials and scored against clearly defined criteria the top company turned out to be Loonars Studios based in the Ukraine. Their English language skills were excellent and their flexibility was extraordinary so the geographic distance made no difference in our decision.

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

After a global kick-off meeting the project was launched with a discovery phase during which the deliverables for our operations in the Americas, Europe, South East Asia, and Japan were articulated and defined. We then transitioned into development where several concepts were presented until we found the ideal design that encapsulates our corporate culture and clearly reflects our brand identity.

In the final phase the implementation was delivered including host environment architecture, security parameters, and overall integration of our service portfolio design. Particular attention was paid to give the final aspect a modern touch with the ability of visitors to contact individual experts and automate the communications process to facility relationship management. Our very tight timeline was met and the results were far above our expectations.

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

Roughly 7 persons were involved in the project and were in continuous contact with our internal team. We had a project manager who kept communications and regular review meetings that enabled any issues that came up to be resolved quickly. The chief designer and her team were involved from day 1 until completion. And the operational implementation team including various experts in DevOps and security were also in constant touch with the relevant persons in our company. Finally the CEO of the company also regularly attended the meetings of the 4 different project phases and offered continuous support to ensuring that all deadlines and targets were met.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

After launching the site a little over a month ago we have seen our traffic more than double and the level of contacts has increased by several hundred percent. The clients love the new modern design and we have received compliments from many clients, partner companies, and even competitors. The overall feedback is that the user experience has improved significantly and people now understand precisely what we do much faster, and how to communicate with us in a simple and straightforward way.

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

The project management style of Loonars is truly outstanding. In the early phases of the project they communicated with our worldwide locations proactively and completed the discovery phase well ahead of schedule. During design and development we had daily meetings which were well organized and always started and ended punctually.

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

They are highly professional. They are extremely creative, highly responsive, and driven to surpass the expectations of their clients. We are certainly not an easy company to please, yet Loonars somehow managed to always provide a positive response to our requests for changes, evolving ideas, and high demands on their speed and execution timelines. Above all what I appreciate most is the fact that my entire global team always had fun while working with Loonars, they are a wonderful group of highly skilled professionals who live their passion every day in every way.

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

I can think of at least 100 things that we could have done better, but not a single one that Loonars should work on improving. They surpassed our expectations in all areas and I am absolutely delighted with the results of their work with us. We will be cooperating with them for many years to come.

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and your position there.

I am the director and founder of the company. We are an SEO / link building agency that also creates its own online products.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

For what projects/services did your company hire Loonar Studios?

We needed to make a redesign of our project to make it up-to-date and more sophisticated.

What were your goals for this project?

As already mentioned, the goal was to make an update of the design of our website according to modern and relevant trends and requirements.

SOLUTION

How did you select this vendor?

Our choice is a result of the good reputation of the company. And a friend of mine recommends Loonar to me. He also used design services from Loonar.

Describe the project in detail.

Create a new design for a comparison website.

What was the team composition?

The team consisted of the 1 UI/UX Designer, 1 Art Director and PM.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

Currently the project is not finished yet. But we believe we will fully satisfied with it.

How effective was the workflow between your team and theirs?

Thanks to permanent communication inside the project via Telegram, it was quite efficient.

What did you find most impressive about this company?

The speed and quality of their service.

Are there any areas for improvement?

I didn't notice any negative things so far.

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and your position there.

Digi Sposa company, position - CEO

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

For what projects/services did your company hire Loonar Studios?

Build and design a B2B platform integrated with CRM system.

What were your goals for this project?

To simplify wholesale process between brands and retailers across the world.

SOLUTION

How did you select this vendor?

We searched for different developers in different countries thru google. We select Loonar Studios based on the quality of their proposal, modern thinking and high communication scales. Beside the price point which we felt was very fair.

Describe the project in detail.

Digi Sposa is a essential digital marketplace that connects high end bridal brands and retailers across the world, - for smooth and smart wholesale, merging both logistics and sales. In other worlds, saves money and time for both Brands and retailers

What was the team composition?

UI/UX designer, Project Manager, Graphical Designer, Front-end and Backend Developers, QA

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

Currently, the project is not finished yet

How effective was the workflow between your team and theirs?

We permanently communicate, so the process of contacting is very effective.

What did you find most impressive about this company?

We were surprised about Loonar Studios' teamwork and how positive thinking and well organized they are. In only a short time after we presented our idea, they came back with a proposal, a timeline and an offer. Not to mention using up to date tools for everyday communication, we were informed about every little stage of the developments.

Are there any areas for improvement?

Nothing specific at the moment

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and your position there.

I`m Amer Kharb, V.P. of CIS and Balkans countries for Marquis Financial Group. We have been providing people with a wide range of services such as financial, architectures, construction, engineering and real estate services.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

For what projects/services did your company hire Loonar Studios?

We decided to hire Loonar Studios to get a fast solution and a new website at the earliest opportunity.

What were your goals for this project?

The main goal was to update an old version of our website as soon as possible. Thus, we needed to get up to date web site with all relevant information that concerns our company and we needed it fast as well.

SOLUTION

How did you select this vendor?

Our long-term partner has given us the advice to work with Loonar Studios so that we would get everything we need. Also, it was important they make an impression of reliable and responsible people.

Describe the project and the services they provided in detail.

To implement our targets we needed to harmonize our requirements, time limits and their possibilities. Thus, we have decided to give Loonar Studios full carte blanche. We were sure they are trustworthy enough, and the result has exceeded our expectations

What was the team composition?

A team which we have collaborated with consisted of 2 UI/UX designers, 1 graphical design, 1 front-end developer and project manager.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

Can you share any information that demonstrates the impact that this project has had on your business?

As I have mentioned, we have got even more that we desired from the start. During the project, we have added a lot of additional information and materials. Therefore, our current website looks luminous and quite suitable for our future goals. The final result fully satisfies us.

How was project management arranged and how effective was it?

We had very good contact with this team. Mostly we had communication via Telegram and email. For all questions, we have had solutions basically within 24 hours.

What did you find most impressive about this company?

Extremely polite and quick on issues management. High-skilled developers and creative designers.

Are there any areas for improvement?

We got full satisfaction from the work on this project. We felt like part of this team.

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and your position there.

I'm the founder and CEO of Athlete Crush. Our mission is to inspire the world of sport by connecting athletes, fans, charities, and brands in a global community.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

For what projects/services did your company hire Loonar Studios?

We hired Loonar Studios for mobile app design and development.

What were your goals for this project?

Our goal was to develop a social network for athletes and fans that replaces the need for a personal website.

SOLUTION

How did you select this vendor?

We conducted a thorough search for the best development team and received several proposals. However, we ultimately trusted a friend who had worked with Loonar Studios. His positive experience and personal recommendation led to multiple Skype calls. Once we agreed to work together, I visited their head office to sign the paperwork. Overall, it was a pleasant experience.

Describe the project in detail.

We developed a document with a description of the UX, user stories, admin interface, mockups, and basic wireframes. We asked Loonar Studios to polish the design to a professional standard and develop the application with state-of-the-art technology and coding. 

Using the app, athletes can brand themselves by uploading pictures or videos; highlighting their causes, charities, and communities; and pinning their favorite brands and sponsors directly to their profile.

Fans can discover new athletes through the swipe function and filter athletes by their sport, country, charitable cause, status, and gender. Fans can also brand themselves as the best fan, compete with others, and interact to win prizes. 

What was the team composition?

As a non-technical founder, it was important that I work with a team that could turn my ideas into reality. The Loonar Studios team had two UI/UX designers, one iOS developer, one backend developer, one project manager, and one QA engineer.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

We released on the App Store recently and are gaining early traction with an organic rating of 4.9. The team is simultaneously implementing new features and addressing minor bugs, which we expected in such a complex solution. The team addresses them quickly and professionally. We're also adding new features and developing an Android version with Loonar Studios. 

How effective was the workflow between your team and theirs?

We have a great workflow. We stay in regular contact, mostly through Slack and email. They answer questions immediately during work hours and present solutions within 24 hours. They speak English well, and the time difference isn't an issue.

What did you find most impressive about this company?

The team is polite, professional, and prompt. The developers write clean code, and the designers are creative, independent, and willing to propose better solutions than the ones I request. I value that. Loonar Studios is a technical partner that I can trust in every way. 

Are there any areas for improvement?

We address areas for improvement quickly. The open communication we have means I wouldn't change anything. 

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and your position there.

I’m a product owner at Entripy Custom Clothing. We’re an online provider of custom apparel and promotional products.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

For what projects/services did your company hire Loonar Studios?

We hired Loonar Studios to update two existing websites and create a third website and branding for a new product.

What were your goals for this project?

We wanted a high-quality e-commerce platform that aligned with our branding and aesthetic.

SOLUTION

How did you select this vendor?

We found Loonar Studios on Upwork. They have a good reputation and positive reviews, so we decided to work with them. That was back in 2017, and we’ve hired them for many projects since.

Describe the project and the services they provided in detail.

They created high-quality UI/UX designs and contributed to frontend development work on our websites. The new website was done in WordPress. Their UI work fit our guidelines, and there were no bugs or quality problems with their development work.

What was the team composition?

We worked with a UI/UX designer, a graphic designer, a frontend developer, a project manager, and a QA engineer.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

Can you share any information that demonstrates the impact that this project has had on your business?

I'm very pleased with the work they've done. Their designs are appealing and their frontend layouts are very user-friendly. Our customers can easily find everything they need without much effort, which is crucial, because we don't want them to be overwhelmed by the number of products we sell.

How was project management arranged and how effective was it?

We had good communication with them, mainly interacting via Skype and email. As we found them on Upwork, we decided to track them via that platform. They delivered solutions to problems that arose within 24 hours.

What did you find most impressive about this company?

They were extremely polite and handled issues quickly. Beyond having highly skilled developers, their designers delivered impressive custom graphics (illustrations, icons, hero banners). They produced original work instead of relying on templates.

Are there any areas for improvement?

No, not that we saw. We’re very satisfied with the work Loonar has done for us. They felt like an integral part of our team.

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and your position there.

I’m the founder of StatusCast. We’re an SaaS company that sells status pages allowing our clients to communicate application downtime and scheduled maintenance to their end-users.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

For what projects/services did your company hire Loonar Studios?

StatusCast's original website was produced in-house. It’s served us well, but as our company grew, we needed to invest in a more professional face.

What were your goals for this project?

We needed to improve the design and brand of our site. While much of the content from the original site was applicable, the overall look and feel were amateur at best. The main objective was to improve our professional appearance.

SOLUTION

How did you select this vendor?

Starting with a referral from a business friend, we were originally sent to an offshore design firm. After explaining our needs and budget and timeline, they said they weren’t able to commit to our project and suggested we talk to Loonar.

Describe the project in detail.

Before signing with Loonar, we went through a few theme/design iterations to develop the palette, fonts, and general look and feel of our site. We then did a few mockups of what our potential home page would look like. After signing on and receiving design approval, the Loonar team designed each page according to our direction. We then developed content and a general structure that they integrated into their overall design. They also developed custom illustrations as needed.

What was the team composition?

We had a technical project lead whom we primarily worked with, along with an account manager. Everything was done in an organized and collaborative fashion using Slack and Google Drive.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

Our new website is complete. While we haven't launched it quite yet, as our SEO firm is doing working with it, we’re anxious to show everyone the great work Loonar did.

How effective was the workflow between your team and theirs?

Working with Loonar was painless. While the time difference caused a few delays, documentation and collaboration were easy.

What did you find most impressive about this company?

I found Loonar’s flexibility and willingness to iterate very important. Much of the work required a few back-and-forth sessions to ensure all the designs were appropriate for the page.

Are there any areas for improvement?

Loonar was wonderful, however, the build-out process from design to production could have been a little smoother. We eventually got it right, and I would absolutely use them again, but they could’ve paid a little more attention to QA during our WordPress build, especially regarding responsive designs.

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and your position there.

I’m the general manager of operations at Platinum Plus TV. We’ve acquired the license for a big lottery portal.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

For what projects/services did your company hire Loonar Studios?

We hired them to design and develop our website and mobile application.

What were your goals for this project?

We were looking for someone who could make our idea into an actual product. Our goal was to have high-quality backend functionality as well as a user-friendly and attractive interface. We wanted to have a cross-platform mobile app that would work quickly and without any bugs.

SOLUTION

How did you select this vendor?

We found their profile on Behance.

Can you go into detail about the services they provided and the scope of the project?

The Loonar Studios team did a lot of research before starting the actual work. Initially, we hired them to design our website and mobile app. Eventually, we asked them to handle the complete development of our website, backend, and mobile application. They turned our idea into reality, creating a backend system that’s easy to manage combined with an eye-catching interface.

What was the team composition?

We worked with two UI/UX designers, a frontend developer, two backend developers, a product manager, a project manager, and an IONIC developer.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

Can you share any information that demonstrates the impact that this project has had on your business?

The applications are live, while our users have left positive feedback. As with any complicated project, we had some issues, but they were all solved quickly.

How was project management arranged and how effective was it?

The team is first-rate in delivering on its commitments. Every communication has been professional, thorough, and positive. When I presented some challenges, the team consistently found creative solutions that I would not have been able to devise on my own.

What did you find most impressive about this company?

The people I worked with were knowledgeable and extremely organized. They were all highly professional and communicative.

Are there any areas where they can improve?

No, it's been a pleasure to develop projects with them.

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and your position there.

I am the managing and creative director of a branding agency. We bring together seasoned consultants, designers, and organizational advisers to build stunning and strategically ideal brands.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

For what projects/services did your company hire Loonar Studios?

We needed help with a website and mobile app for a third party.

What were your goals for this project?

We needed to meet our client’s requirements. Their expectations included sharing operative information and special offers about leasing services, calculating leasing payments, online application submission capabilities, contract and payment management systems, and more.

SOLUTION

How did you select this vendor?

We worked with Loonar Studios on previous projects and knew that they could provide a responsible and professional team for this project.

Can you go into detail about the services they provided and the scope of the project?

We provided Loonar Studios with a design plan. Their team provided partial frontend development and an easily managed backend for the website, and native iOS and Android mobile development. They reviewed and tested each product to assure there were no bugs or performance issues.

What was the team composition?

For the website, we worked with one frontend and one backend developer, the CTO, and a project manager. The app development team included an iOS specialist, an Android specialist, the CTO, and a project manager.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

Can you share any information that demonstrates the impact that this project has had on your business?

Loonar Studios’ efforts increased client interactions on the new site and the mobile apps. To date, the third party hasn’t reported any negative feedback, technical glitches, or other problems with the deliverables.

How was project management arranged and how effective was it?

Our communication process was problem-free. We used Skype or email to discuss the projects and share updates. The team was very responsive and actively tried to better our products with additional solutions or idea.

What did you find most impressive about this company?

We really appreciated their team. They are amazing, professional, and knowledgeable in their field.

Are there any areas where they can improve?

We are fully satisfied.