NotBear Collective

BACKGROUND

I am the Co-Founder & COO at SurrealDB of SurrealDB

SurrealDB is the unified data layer for AI: a database and an agent memory layer in one engine.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

• Establish a unique visual identity for SurrealDB’s online book 'Aeon Surreal Renaissance' through a series of custom illustrations.
• Create 10 illustrations for blog and social media posts

SOLUTION

• Online Search
• Dribbble

Stunning illustrations

2-5 Employees

Dmytro Hladkyi, of NotBear Collective, was commissioned to illustrate Aeon's Surreal Renaissance, the story driven course that sits at the heart of SurrealDB University. The project called for original artwork across an entire book length narrative, set in a medieval future, with each illustration needing to support both the story and the technical teaching built into it.

Key deliverables included:
1. Character illustrations for Aeon and the wider cast, maintained consistently across many chapters
2. Scene and environment artwork depicting the story's medieval future setting Cover art and key promotional illustrations used at launch
3. Supporting artwork for marketing and social content tied to the book
4. Ongoing illustration work as the story and course expanded over time, delivered as and when new chapters and features required it

The relationship has run over an extended period on an as needed basis, with Dmytro and the NotBear Collective team taking on new illustration requests as the course grew and evolved alongside SurrealDB's product development.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

Delivered 30+ high-quality assets on schedule, supporting the full rollout of the Aeon Surreal Renaissance online book.

Established a cohesive visual style for SurrealDB that seamlessly blends vector digital art with hand-drawn textures.

1. Became one of the most talked about elements of the SurrealDB University launch, driving strong community engagement and social sharing
2. Praised publicly by developers and community members on LinkedIn and Bluesky, with the book's story and art style called out specifically as a standout way to learn a database
3. Directly contributed to sign ups for SurrealDB University by making the course stand out from typical corporate style technical content
4. The artwork proved durable enough to support an expanding story over multiple years and product releases, with new illustrations requested and delivered smoothly as the course grew
5. Currently being adapted into a printed edition for distribution at major industry events, a direct result of the strength and consistency of the artwork

Dmytro and NotBear Collective consistently delivered on time, even as the brief grew in scope and complexity over an extended engagement. Work was requested on an as needed basis rather than to a fixed schedule, and they adapted comfortably to that flexible way of working.

Communication was straightforward throughout. New illustration requests were turned around reliably, and feedback was incorporated without friction or lengthy back and forth. As the story expanded to reflect new product features, they kept pace without needing extensive re-briefing each time, which made them very easy to keep working with over the long term.

• Virtual Meeting
• Email or Messaging App

Dmytro is an outstanding illustrator and artist, and I would work with him again without hesitation. Dmytro brought the world to life with real craft and imagination, and the illustrations became one of the most talked about parts of the launch. What stood out most was his reliability and range. He worked with us as and when we needed him over an extended period, adapting to a story that kept evolving alongside new product features, and every piece came back polished and true to the tone we were after. Incredibly talented, easy to work with, and someone I recommend without reservation.

None.

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and position.

I am the Co-Founder of Padmission

Describe what your company does in a single sentence.

We build technology solutions to help communities get more people into homes faster, and stay stably housed longer.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What specific goals or objectives did you hire NotBear Collective to accomplish?

• Develop a comprehensive 2D animated explainer video to simplify and showcase the Padmission Journey functionality.

SOLUTION

How did you find NotBear Collective?

Referral

Why did you select NotBear Collective over others?

• High ratings
• Pricing fit our budget
• Good value for cost
• Referred to me

How many teammates from NotBear Collective were assigned to this project?

6-10 Employees

Describe the scope of work in detail. Please include a summary of key deliverables.

30 seconds (Animated Storytelling) the video will feature distinct animated characters with clear actions and expressions, set within detailed and visually rich scenes. The animation will include smooth character movements, advanced transitions, and visual effects.

1 minute (Application and Infographics) for the remaining one minute, the focus will shift to showcasing the client’s application interface through clean and fluid animations, highlighting key navigation and interactive elements. Additionally infographics will be used to present key information in an engaging way. 

The entire video will maintain consistent integration of the client’s brand elements, including colors, logos, and overall aesthetic.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

What were the measurable outcomes from the project that demonstrate progress or success?

Successfully completed the full animation cycle within 2 months, meeting the client’s internal product launch deadline.

Created a clear, 2D explainer that simplifies complex Padmission Journey features for new users.

Integrated high-fidelity motion graphics and professional voiceover to ensure a premium look for corporate presentations.

Describe their project management. Did they deliver items on time? How did they respond to your needs?

Excellent project management and delivery of items on time.

What was your primary form of communication with NotBear Collective?

• Virtual Meeting
• Email or Messaging App

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

Working with this team was an exceptional experience from start to finish. What stands out immediately is their ability to take a complex, mission-driven story and translate it into something that is both visually compelling and emotionally resonant.

This video doesn’t just look great—it communicates. It captures the heart of the work while making it accessible, clear, and engaging for any audience. The pacing, storytelling, and production quality all come together in a way that feels intentional and refined, not overproduced or forced.

What I appreciated most was their ability to truly understand the purpose behind the project. They didn’t just execute—they partnered with us to shape the message, elevate the narrative, and deliver something that reflects both the seriousness of the work and the impact it creates.

If you’re looking for a video partner who can combine technical excellence with thoughtful storytelling, this is exactly that. We’re proud of what we created together.

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

No

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and position.

I am the Co-Founder & Director of 1771 Technologies

Describe what your company does in a single sentence.

Development of data visualization components.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What specific goals or objectives did you hire NotBear Collective to accomplish?

• Develop a consistent mascot and visual identity for 1771 Technologies to improve brand recognition across all digital and print platforms (social media, emails, presentations).

SOLUTION

How did you find NotBear Collective?

Referral

Why did you select NotBear Collective over others?

Referred to me

Describe the scope of work in detail. Please include a summary of key deliverables.

• Design and develop the company mascot
• Provide several scenario illustrations using the designed mascot
• Marketing design and graphic work

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

What were the measurable outcomes from the project that demonstrate progress or success?

100% positive feedback from the client's marketing team regarding the mascot’s versatility.

Successfully delivered a library of 40+ high-quality assets ready for immediate use in social media campaigns and presentations.

Describe their project management. Did they deliver items on time? How did they respond to your needs?

The project was delivered on time with milestones achieved ahead of schedule. Dima and the team were extremely responsive. 

The team communicated clearly and took the time to assess the deliverables being asked of them. Often going above and beyond to deliver excellent work. Each step in the process was clearly laid out from start to finish. 

What was your primary form of communication with NotBear Collective?

Email or Messaging App

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

The level of depth and understanding regarding the work being asked of them. The entire process was smooth from start to finish. 

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

Very hard to suggest improvements, given the level of excellence the team has achieved. Nothing really comes to mind. They were responsive, on time, and they delivered excellent work. 

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I’m the founder and CEO of Dobiq Games, a company that creates artistic and calming mobile puzzle games inspired by global traditions. We aim to provide culturally enriching and serene experiences for players.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with NotBear Collective?

We needed help creating a trailer for the soft launch of our mobile game. We also needed a few ad creatives to be used in user acquisition campaigns for our game.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

NotBear Collective created a promotional trailer with SFX, illustrations, and animations with various screen resolutions. The team also created an ad creative video that showcased the core game mechanics, with SFX and animations. They also handled the storyboarding process.

What is the team composition?

We worked with 2–5 teammates from NotBear Collective.

How did you come to work with NotBear Collective?

Our illustrator referred NotBear Collective to me. I chose them over other options because they had high ratings, recommended by our trusted artist, and their pricing fit our budget.

What is the status of this engagement?

We worked together from July to August 2025

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

The creative ad video showed a great conversion rate (42%) while promoting the game.

How did NotBear Collective perform from a project management standpoint?

NotBear Collective delivered on time with the utmost quality. We communicated via virtual meetings, emails, and messaging apps.

What did you find most impressive about them?

I was impressed by their prompt delivery, storyboarding, hand-drawn black-and-white illustrations, and continuous communication through the process to get our approval before proceeding.

Are there any areas they could improve?

There’s nothing they need to improve.