Mock Design Group, Inc.

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and your position there.

We are an insurance and reinsurance provider of commercial casualty coverage to large private employers and pubic entities. I oversee all corporate communications including marketing, web site, thought leadership, and advertising.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

For what projects/services did your company hire Mock Design Group, Inc.?

We hired Mock Design Group in September 2015, September 2017 and September 2019 to produce videos highlighting the stories of injured workers that cumulated in them receiving a Comp Laude award recognizing their efforts overcoming extreme injury and disability.

What were your goals for this project?

Our goals for the project were to capture not just the story of the injured workers, but how Safety National played an integral part in their recoveries. These videos were used both internally and externally to highlight our claims expertise.

SOLUTION

How did you select Mock Design Group, Inc.?

We selected Mock Design Group because they have worked with the insurance industry before and understood our products and services. We have found too often that agencies that do not understand our industry struggle to understand the story we are trying to tell.

Describe the video(s) and the process in detail.

Prior to filming, we discussed the goals of the project and provided background information to Mock Design Group. From there, they developed a storyboard and strategy for the project which we approved.

The project itself involved traveling to the location of the awards and filming several hours of video over the course of one day. The video was then edited down into 10 minute clips that told the story.

What was your vendors' project management or feedback process?

There were two people involved in the project from the vendor, one who did the interviewing and ran the project, and another responsible for the filming. There was much back and forth with them and my team during the final editing process.

However, Mock Design Group had a very good grasp of our goals and a very good vision of the final result. Because of this, their initial draft of the project that was sent for our review was very close to the final form. Our feedback provided small adjustments to the final product, not wholesale changes.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

The finished product exceeded our expectations. When we first played the video at a company meeting there were many emotional reactions from those in the room as they heard these stories and how our company assisted these brave individuals in their recovery.

We have posted the videos on our web site and pushed them out through our social media where they received hundreds of views. Overall the completed product did everything we needed it to do. It told the stories in very emotional and compelling ways while also highlighting our company’s role.

How effective was the workflow between your team and theirs?

The workflow between us and Mock Design Group was very simple. This was because they came into this project with a deep understanding of both our industry and our goals with the video.

What did you find most impressive about this company?

I was very impressed with their knowledge of the workers’ compensation insurance industry which was the key to success of this project. They understood what we do and the story we were trying to tell.

Are there any areas for improvement?

We were very pleased with the final product and would not have done anything differently.

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I’m the head of investor relations for a company in the office products industry. 

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with Mock Design Group, Inc.?

We were creating an ESG (Environmental Social Governance) brochure that was partly under our law department purview and partly under our investor relations. It is used to measure how well public companies are addressing issues related to the environment, social issues, or governance. 

We wanted to present a new look for our brochure, which we had done internally the past few years but didn’t have the capability to do a third version. We wanted it to be more sophisticated and take us to the next level. 

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

We had a lot of anecdotal stories, but we were looking to make a bigger impact overall a put together goals that are numerically-oriented. They helped us depict these things visually within the brochure. There is, for a lack of a better word, a grid that goes with some of this to chart your progress, so they’ve helped us present that in a way that is easy to understand for people. 

What is the team composition?

I worked directly with the owner. 

How did you come to work with Mock Design Group, Inc.?

The owner was recommended to me by someone I’d worked with over the past 20 years for design work. When that person retired, he referred me to Mock Design Group and I trusted that recommendation implicitly, so it was a no-brainer. Bill (Principal) did an excellent job understanding what I needed initially, came back with a proposal right away, and was accommodating to our tight budget. 

How much have you invested with them?

We spent less than $10,000. 

What is the status of this engagement?

We worked together from May–August 2020. 

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

Two of our board members have sent notes saying how impressed they are with the work we presented from Mock Design Group, noting how we’ve come such a long way. When the board of directors of a public company endorses the look of something you’ve put together, that’s very high praise. They took all of our verbal input and were able to deliver something so close to our exact vision the first time, without needing much updating. 

How did Mock Design Group, Inc. perform from a project management standpoint?

They met all of our deadlines; they actually delivered early several times. We were a little late in getting materials to Bill, but he was full speed ahead and very accommodating for us. They were always on top of things, sending us notes ahead of time and giving us progress updates. They welcomed our feedback and were communicative. 

What did you find most impressive about them?

They really listened to what we were saying and delivered work that was spot on. They were extremely friendly, easy to work with, and brought fresh ideas to the project. When I saw the first version Bill sent us, I was wowed by what they did. None of us on our team really understood design too well, so their feedback on why certain things did or didn’t make sense was very valuable and thorough. Bill was a pretty talented person to work with. 

Are there any areas they could improve?

No, they did everything we asked for so I don’t have any recommendations. 

Do you have any advice for potential customers?

Be upfront and have conversations. If you have ideas, throw them on the table and you’ll get honest feedback and make decisions yourself. Nothing was ever off the table with Bill; they always want to know what you think. 

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

We’re a manufacturer, importer, and distributor of LED lighting for industrial, commercial, and retail use.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with Mock Design Group, Inc.?

We wanted to update our catalog and specification sheets.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

We wanted consistency and a new look for our specification sheets. After detailing our requirements, they returned to us with 3–4 design templates for us to choose from. We selected one, asking for a few minor adjustments. They updated about 40 catalog sheets for us.

Additionally, we wanted to include elements of the new catalog sheets on our price lists. They included the specification information on the price sheet to accommodate customers looking for configuration information while making purchasing decisions.

What is the team composition?

I dealt directly with Bill (Principal and Creative Director). 

How did you come to work with Mock Design Group, Inc.?

I did a Google search for companies within our region. He came into our offices for our first meeting, and we appreciated engaging with him on that level. That interaction helped us make our choice. 

How much have you invested with them?

We spent about $10,000–$15,000. 

What is the status of this engagement?

We started collaborating in mid-2019 and wrapped up in early 2020. We still count on them for changes as needed.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

They guided me throughout the design process, bringing up new ideas as they aligned with requirements. It was helpful when they caught things that I overlooked. They were able to track inconsistencies and correct them throughout the project.  

How did Mock Design Group, Inc. perform from a project management standpoint?

They were excellent communicators. We were able to adjust priorities as needed because of our strong lines of communication.

What did you find most impressive about them?

When we came across similarities in projects, they saved us some money by taking previous work and applying to other areas. They were also very competitively priced.  

Are there any areas they could improve?

I can’t think of anything. 

Do you have any advice for potential customers?

We were both good at explaining the expectations from both sides. That allowed us to go into the project with a good understanding of each other.

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I'm the founder and CEO of Edu3sixty, a company that provides online documentation and billing software for rehabilitation services in the medical field. 

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with Mock Design Group, Inc.?

We engaged Mock Design for branding services, including the redesign of our website.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

Mock Design met with me in person several times to go over our goals and get acquainted with our software. They then provided several different designs for us to choose from, a new logo design, and mockups of the website. After designing the site, they also provided additional marketing services, running ad campaigns as needed. 

What is the team composition? 

We worked with Bill (Principal, Mock Design Group, Inc.).

How did you come to work with Mock Design Group, Inc.?

Bill is a friend of one of our employees. When we invited him into our office, he was very open and constructive. I liked that he had explanations for every design decision unlike other designers I'd worked with in the past. 

How much have you invested with them?

We invested $20,000–$30,000.

What is the status of this engagement?

We worked together from May 2012–July 2015.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

Mock Design's redesign of our website significantly increased online performance, including the time visitors spent on the site. 

How did Mock Design Group, Inc. perform from a project management standpoint?

They were great, delivering everything as expected and on time. I never had any issues reaching them. 

What did you find most impressive about them?

It didn't feel like we were working with a contractor, but rather an extension of our own team.

Are there any areas they could improve?

I can't think of anything.

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I’m the owner of Organica Cleaning Services Inc. We’re a home cleaning business.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with Mock Design Group, Inc.?

We needed a design firm to create a recognizable logo for our company’s brand.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

Mock Design Group, Inc. worked with us to produce a logo that embodies the company’s values. It positions us as a professional cleaning service that prefers using natural and non-toxic chemicals. During the design process, they considered how each version of the logo might look when displayed on the side of vehicles. 

The initial logo design project led to a more extensive engagement where Mock Design Group, Inc. generated more materials for us. They designed business cards that feature our new logo. A document they created includes our contact information and repeat business to help our staff calculate price estimates and facilitate sales on the go.

In collaboration with another one of our partners, they also redesigned our website. Since the new site launched, they’ve trained me how to edit the interface myself. When I can’t figure out how to make a change, however, they’re always available to help. They capably and efficiently address my concerns efficiently.

What is the team composition?

Bill (Principal & Creative Director, Mock Design Group, Inc.) is our primary point of contact.

How did you come to work with Mock Design Group, Inc.?

I found a lot of vendors by searching online, but few could deliver the level of quality we needed in a logo. Changing up my search parameters, I narrowed my focus to local companies. Mock Design Group, Inc. was the first to respond of the 5–6 candidates I called. The creative director was kind and professional during our first meeting, so we decided to move forward with his company.

How much have you invested with them?

We spent around $800 on the logo.

What is the status of this engagement?

The initial logo design project took place from February–April 2017. Our relationship is ongoing.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

Mock Design Group, Inc. succeeded in delivering a logo that we plan to use for the foreseeable future. They oversaw its creation every step of the way. It’s not only simple and easy to understand, but also makes the company stand out from the competition exceedingly well. Customers often say that they decided to call us after seeing our vehicles around the area. 

The team took care to ensure the final product they delivered looks nice on all of our company vehicles. The colors complement each other well. Since our company uses a variety of different-sized vehicles, this consideration was paramount to their success.

How did Mock Design Group, Inc. perform from a project management standpoint?

Everything has gone well;  they've completed each deliverable promptly.  They'd send an email or a text after finishing each design iteration. I’d view the designs in person before giving the team my approval to move forward. The creative director explained each of the hypotheticals so that I could understand their rationale. We iterated multiple times until they produced a polished design that satisfied our needs.

What did you find most impressive about them?

Mock Design Group, Inc. treats us like valued partners instead of just another client. They’re more hands-on than other firms we’ve worked with in the past. The team consists of kind professionals who always made us feel comfortable when we visited their office.

The principal was always concerned about our happiness with the project. He made himself available to us via cellphone at all times. He’s always flexible and willing to adjust meeting times to suit our schedule better. We’ve developed a pleasant rapport.

Are there any areas they could improve?

No. We’ve worked together on various projects over the course of two years, and they’ve managed to deliver everything we requested without experiencing significant issues.

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there. 

I’m one of the founders of and COO at Novare. We’re a workers’ compensation and cost containment company. Our insurance offerings revolve around four core services: case management, bill review, pre-certification, and multiple service agreements (MSA).

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with Mock Design Group?

Our company had been in business for about 10 years at the time, but we were still using all of our original, outdated branding materials. As such, we engaged Mock Design Group to lead our rebranding efforts as we transitioned from a local presence into a national market.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement? 

Mock Design Group headed our brand refresh, creating a comprehensive set of branding collateral to support our expansion. For the first 6–8 months, we held teleconferences to iterate on our logo. We wanted a design that meant something to us and reflected our services, so they spent a lot of time picking the colors and finalizing three versions of the logo.

Their team then used these designs as an anchor for the rest of our materials. They created implemented the logo and color scheme into our website, developed print assets for trade shows, and created business cards. Since then, we’ve continued to work with Mock Design Group for all of our design needs.

What is the team composition?  

Their principal served as our main point of contact, but they also provided a designer and a writer who developed our copy.

How did you come to work with Mock Design Group? 

My partner found Mock Design Group through a referral, and we considered them with 2–3 other candidates. In the end, we felt that they were the right company for us.

How much have you invested with them? 

The initial rebranding project cost about $8,000–$12,000.

What is the status of this engagement? 

This particular project lasted from 2011–2012, but we’re still working with them to date.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

Their design assets have helped reinforce our company’s brand as we grew. Clients often ask questions about the three different logos that we use, which gives us an opportunity to share our story. We still consistently use those pieces on all of our collateral; the visuals look good and are more cutting-edge than smaller companies.

How did Mock Design Group perform from a project management standpoint?

I’d give them full marks on project management, which is why we continue to use them today. On occasion, we didn’t give them enough time to complete a task because we needed to meet a certain schedule. However, they still did a great job.

What did you find most impressive about them? 

Mock Design Group functions as our design arm. Whenever we go after a particular project or bid, they’re happy to help us present our pitch. This ranges from redesigning an individual brochure in order to target certain market sections to developing wording and content.

Are there any areas they could improve? 

Sometimes they don’t bill us right away, but that’s relatively minor.

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and your position there.

I am the CEO of a company that’s about to launch software for pharmacists.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

For what projects/services did your company hire MDG Advertising?

We hired MDG to brand our company and create a booth that we could use for our national launch.

What were your goals for this project?

We needed to brand our company as fresh, innovative, and a major new player in a niche market.

SOLUTION

How did you select this vendor?

We selected MDG after we met them at a weekly networking event.

Describe the scope of their work in detail.

MDG Advertising crafted our company branding and image. They also designed and created our booth.

What was the team composition?

Our marketing director and I met with MDG Advertising and quickly got our work going.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

Our company is now easily recognized throughout the nation, thanks to the booth designed by MDG.

How effective was the workflow between your team and theirs?

The workflow was productive and easy.

What did you find most impressive about this company?

They took the time to ask questions and listen to how we wanted to depict our company.

Are there any areas for improvement?

I see no need for improvement.