Nextpoint Studio

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and your position there.

I am the Firmware Manager at X-Rite, which is a company which is the world leader in the Color Measurement. We design, build software and instrument solutions for customers in a wide variety of markets and industries world wide.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

For what projects/services did your company hire Nextpoint Design?

Our engineering department does not have UI/UX designers on staff, so we have to outsource these skills on certain projects. This particular project we brought Nextpoint in to help us with redesign the interfaces for both a new instrument and accompanying software utility application. This product is hugely important to our company as its replacing our #1 selling product line so there is a lot of pressure to do it right.

SOLUTION

How did you select this vendor?

We have worked with designers at Nextpoint for many years on various products. They are local and know our products so there is less rampup time compared with bringing in a new firm. Our business is fairly unique / niche so there isn't a lot of common knowledge out there in industry. They had the staff, expertise, experience and flexibility all at a reasonable rate.

Describe the project in detail and walk through the stages of the project.

This project is particularly challenging as the product that is being replaced had a ton of features, and the new one had to do everything the previous version did, but with many new additions. Nextpoint helped us in all different stages of development, from early concept and definitions, to comprehensive drawings/guidelines/style sheets, graphical assets, etc.

They also conducted many interviews with stakeholders and actual customers/users to help pull together design direction/requirements. After that they also did some user testing with concept designs and monitored feedback to better guide the solution.

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

Over the course of the project, Nextpoint has been very flexible with us to rampup and down as needed for our timeline/budget. At one point, I believe we had up to four designers working on various things as we were trying to meet a very aggressive timeline. Unfortunately in the middle of things COVID hit and all sorts of other issues occurred so the project was delayed and scaled back. At the moment we trying to wrap things up with one part time developer.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

Everyone that has worked directly with Nextpoint staff has always been a positive experience. Its taking some time for our engineering teams to fully implement the intended design from Nextpoint, but we are approaching there. We will be officially launching in April of 2022 so we haven't had a ton of customer interaction with the full designs. We've done a few rounds of beta testing with some customers and the feedback has been mostly positive, but certainly get a lot of input for improvement.

Nextpoint has been very flexible and willing to take that feedback and work out solutions that can address the concerns without causing a ton of rework for the developers. There is always some hesitation to adapt to a new instrument/device/software in our industry so it sometimes takes a few years for people to fully warm up to something, then they don't want to give it up and I fully expect this project to be no different. We will continue to enhance and update this constantly.

How effective was the workflow between your team and theirs?

Nextpoint has always been very easy to work with and adaptable to the changing needs of our project/company. They were able to take on large chunks of the project and work through it on their own, but also provide others that fully integrated with our development groups as just another member of the team. They are quick to respond to requests and changes and are flexible about meeting us in person for working sessions.

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

The most impressive thing about Nextpoint is their adaptability and flexibility for meeting the needs of the client. Whether its a large from the ground new design to tweaking an existing one to freshen it up, they've been there with us over the years. They have also shown great patience with us when we have to change direction during COVID and other things. Overall its always a positive experience working with them. It's fun to be around them. They're collaborative, no matter which team members you are working with.

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

For the most part, I think things that could have been done better were more on our side than Nexpoints, but if I had to point out something... There were a couple times where the designer decided to go back and tweak some designs without the developers knowing about it. So when we tried to do some testing we were out of sync with what the developers thought was the design versus what the current guides were showing. The other thing that could use some improvement was just how the content was organized. This is a very large project that has been going on for a few years, so a little more planning in that area would make it easier for the developers to know where to find things and keep things in sync/updated.

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I’m the director of an automotive parts supplier. We make various products, including mobile apps and UX, among other products.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with Nextpoint Design?

We didn’t have in-house UI/UX design capabilities, so we needed someone to augment our staff to cover that area.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

Nextpoint Design has been providing us with UI/UX designers. We’ve been working with them on various projects, including developing a companion app for a Bluetooth low energy connected product. Their team helps with everything from ideation to UI/UX design, user testability, and flow and graphical asset creation, among other tasks.

What is the team composition?

We’ve worked with several members of their team depending on the project; they’ve assigned us from a single individual to a group of 5–6 people. They adapt and grow as needed, which we’ve appreciated along the way.

How did you come to work with Nextpoint Design?

One of their executives was my co-worker, and I chose to work with them because I knew their capabilities.

What is the status of this engagement?

We started working together in January 2017, and the engagement is ongoing.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

Our UX is highly dependent on them, and the app they’ve been helping us with has been getting high marks in the application stores, which are highly connected to Nextpoint Design’s work.

How did Nextpoint Design perform from a project management standpoint?

They’re outstanding. Their team is knowledgeable in technology, and they were able to quickly understand our challenges and what we’re trying to accomplish to turn that into a project plan to execute. In addition to that, they always meet their deadline commitments. We use email, text messages, in-person and online meetings, and other online collaboration tools for communication.

What did you find most impressive about them? 

The combination between their amazing creativity on the UI/UX front and their ability to quickly understand and adapt to our technology problems is outstanding.

Are there any areas they could improve?

They could improve their price range, but I know their work is worth its price. 

Any advice for potential customers?

Clearly define your expectations and good project scope of what you’re looking to accomplish.

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I’m the owner of Airdrop Gaming, a gaming accessories company. I manufacture and sell gaming accessories for Xbox, PlayStation, and PCs. 

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with Nextpoint Design?

We were launching a new product, and we were working with a marketing firm for about a month and a half to help build our Indiegogo campaign. A week and a half before our deadline, we found their work so-so, and we were not happy with their results.

We were looking for a partner to take over the project with a one-week timeline. 

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

First, we discussed our situation with Nexpoint Design. Danny (Principal & Founder) said they were up for the challenge and committed his entire team to whatever it would take to finish the project. They turned everything around — they did more in a week than our previous partner did in a month and a half. 

Nextpoint Design set up our Indiegogo campaign. We needed a lot of different assets, wireframes, and storyboards to launch the campaign. They designed our Indiegogo profile, implementing our desired layout and UX for our potential investors. In addition, they produced some video materials and did some copywriting. 

What is the team composition?

Danny was my main point of contact, and his team consisted of graphic designers, UX designers, video producers, and copywriters.

How did you come to work with Nextpoint Design?

The company I previously worked with contracted Nexpoint Design. When I left that company to start Airdrop Gaming, Danny and his team were the first people I called when I needed help.

What is the status of this engagement?

Our engagement happened in January 2019.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

Our Indiegogo campaign was fully-funded. The project was a success, and we were able to move forward with our product. Nextpoint Design got us out of a pinch and delivered excellent marketing assets. 

How did Nextpoint Design perform from a project management standpoint?

Nextpoint Design’s project management was world-class. Since my company was small, I worked with contractors all the time. Nextpoint Design had the best project management out of the companies I worked with. Their communication was top-notch, and their services were turnkey. 

Danny ensured everyone stayed on task and that their output was as specified and delivered on time. 

What did you find most impressive about them?

Nextpoint Design was attentive to us. They were always there — whenever we called, they would answer the phone. They never missed deadlines or deliverables. Additionally, every person on their team was enjoyable to work with.

Are there any areas they could improve?

I can’t think of anything.

Do you have any advice for potential customers?

If you need help in UX design, work with Nexpoint Design.