Octavo Designs

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I’m the founder and CEO of @VR Virtual Reality. We’re a virtual reality gaming room that provides entertainment services for all ages. This includes corporate team-building activities, school events, birthday parties, and other types of celebrations.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with Octavo Designs?

I needed help with the creation of our logo, brand image, and company website.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

Our engagement started off with a sit-down meeting, where I discussed my vision for the company and provided all the necessary information that Octavo Designs needed. After that, they came back to me with several ideas and gave me two options for the logo — I really liked both, but I obviously had to pick the one that resonated with me more. 

From then on, we continued with the rest of the process. They helped me design my website through WordPress, as well as other marketing and branding materials.

What is the team composition?

I worked with 4–5 people from the Octavo Designs team, but I was primarily in touch with Lisa (Graphic Designer).

How did you come to work with Octavo Designs?

I found out about them through a referral from a mutual friend.

How much have you invested with them?

We spent a little over $25,000.

What is the status of this engagement?

We worked with them on this project from June–November 2019, but Lisa still designs our print materials and manages our website.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

I think they did a great job — they provided excellent customer service and were timely with deliverables, and the quality of their work was good.

How did Octavo Designs perform from a project management standpoint?

They had good communication skills, and they stuck to the given budget. I initially asked them to set up an online booking system, but they couldn’t do it. In the end, they took it out from our cost and still worked with me on it — I really appreciated that.

We communicated mainly by phone and email, and we also held in-person meetings.

What did you find most impressive about them?

I was most impressed with their personable attitude and approach to the project — they really listened to my story and wanted to turn my vision into reality. Overall, they felt like an extension of my company.

Are there any areas they could improve on?

I don’t think there’s anything they need to improve on. They were great. 

Do you have any advice for potential customers?

Don’t be afraid to reach out and be open to telling them your vision and story — they’re really good at what they do.
 

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I’m the owner of an adventure lifestyle company called Hippyviking.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with Octavo Designs?

We hired them to create our company logo, develop our brand concept, and eventually design our website.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

Octavo Designs has guided me throughout the entire process. I gave them a rough idea of my vision, they were able to turn my feelings and ideas into a new logo that captured everything I was looking for. There was also a lot of back and forth during this process, which made for an engaging experience.

What is the team composition?

I work with two people, primarily with Sue (Creative Director), who’s been guiding us at every stage of the project.

How did you come to work with Octavo Designs?

I found out about them through various referrals — they were pretty well known and came highly recommended.

How much have you invested with them?

We’ve spent a little over $5,000 so far.

What is the status of this engagement?

We started working with them in June 2021, and our engagement is still ongoing.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

I don’t have any specific metrics right now, but I’m really happy with how they’ve designed our logo — it captured my vision and launched the direction of my company.

How did Octavo Designs perform from a project management standpoint?

Their project management is good — they work in an organized manner, set clear expectations, and adhere to all deadlines. Overall, they never fail to deliver on time.

We mainly communicate through text and email.

What did you find most impressive about them?

I’ve been most impressed with Sue — she’s ridiculously creative, and she always thinks outside the box. She’s also harnessed an incredible staff.

Are there any areas they could improve on?

I don’t think there’s anything they could have done differently — it has been a great experience.

Do you have any advice for potential customers?

Be open and flexible to their creative process — they’ve taken my ideas to places that I never thought of.

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and your position there.

I am the CEO of One Fierce Woman. I am an author, podcaster, and public speaker. I also help other brands bring their business ideas to life.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

For what projects/services did your company hire Octavo Designs, and what were your goals?

I needed to create a website, packaging, and social media graphics for my podcast Not Bitter. Just Petty. I also needed a book cover design and interior layout for the book. I was challenged by creating something that was fun, engaging, but professional. I tackle very rough topics so the site needed to be inviting and professional.

SOLUTION

How did you select this vendor?

Octavo Designs had previously done work for my sons’ company. The packaging design they did for then won multiple design awards and gave them the stepping stone to have their product features on store shelves in their first year.

Describe the scope of their work in detail, including any steps and the final deliverables.

They started with a brand questionnaire and created an overall color, font, and logo for my company. Next, we met to establish what merchandise I wanted to have as collateral to my brand. They recommended ideas as well as vendors for the products. Then, the Octavo team developed podcast cover art and social media graphics.

I also got a quick course on how to use the graphics so I could change them on my own when I saw fit. By this time the website has been created. From the photographer and wardrobe color schemes to the copy in the site, Octavo was involved with it all. When I looked at the final site, I honestly couldn’t believe it was mine. It was better than anything I expected. My packaging for my lipstick and candles and the t shirt designs, the side, the logos… all spot on perfect.

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

I worked worked with four team members over the past two years. Each team member has an area of brilliance that has been beneficial to my business. Their positions include graphic designer, website developer, and Creative Director. I also work with their team for copy writing, PR services, and some vendors they have relationships with as well.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

My biggest outcome is the number of people that have privately asked me to refer them to whom ever did my website and packaging! In addition, however, my book sales are great. I receive comments in the design and the quality. My site sees steady traffic and never has crashed. My product packaging is always a bit!

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

Communication is always timely. They are very creative, and they translate my ideas into exactly what I want. They are great with revisions and tweaks. I always joke about how excited I am to watch my emails for new work from this company.

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

The absolute perfection of what they create and it’s ability to get the job done. I’d it’s a logo..thusly create a logo that is everything you need. It’s creative and original. If it’s packaging design, it comes out better than anything you can imagine. You can’t ask for more than that.

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

I wish they would open an office closer to my house! It takes me an hour to drive there for in-person meetings. But it’s worth it.