Olex

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I'm a partner of an architecture and interior design firm that specializes in high-end residential design. I’m also the creative director for all the interior aspects of my business, and I lead all the visual representation of our work in general.

We design buildings, freestanding homes, townhouses, and apartments. We make our own interior design and decoration with custom furniture, and we also make accessories available.

We do very high-level architectural and design services for our clients throughout the New York area, but we have a lot of clients from Europe and South America like Brazil. We do have global ventures for retailers like Dior and Chanel.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with Olex?

We've been reconsidering our web platform and brand logo. We decided to bring the word "New York" into the logo because we wanted to grade the identity we've had from the very beginning.

The business has grown into something more robust, and we thought adding that element was necessary to let people know who we are and the quality that we're aiming for.

We wanted someone who could design a tidy, simple, and structured website. We wanted to make sure that the experience was compatible with the experience our clients would have had after meeting and working with us on their projects. Branding is the most important thing.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

There's a lot of going back and forth and they've taken my lead. We began with a concept, and then we started with the production of the design. Testing was done and design changes were made.

What is the team composition?

We worked with Oliver (Partner) closely.

How did you come to work with Olex?

I was looking online at other architects and I believe that Olex was working with one I liked so I reached out to them, and that's how I came to work with them.

What is the status of this engagement?

We worked with Olex from January 2015–December 2017.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

The website works from the user's point of view and our clients appreciate it. We needed a clean, user-friendly, easy-to-manage, and easy-to-understand website, and that's what we got. Olex set us up with a website that got good first impressions. The site reflects who we are — modest, clear, elegant, and refined.

How did Olex perform from a project management standpoint?

From a project management point of view, Olex did very well. I'm an exacting, intuitive person, so I change my mind when I see things and that doesn’t make it easy for them, but they did well at the end of the day.

We spoke regularly, but also every day, depending on what was going on. A few weeks may have gone without contact while they were working on a presentation, but they were available and replied to the inquiries.
 
What did you find most impressive about them?

Their functionality, their ability to capture what I was looking for, and their commitment were all impressive.

Are there any areas they could improve?

I function more intuitively and because they're clearer and more structured, and it didn't match up very well. They could have done more to deal with their frustrations about it or they could have just rolled with the punches to deal with different personalities.

Do you have any advice for potential customers?

Olex is very straightforward and well structured. They want things clearly put together and whoever works with them should be that way as well. Looking back, if I worked with them now, it would have been easier for them to do so because I just calm down, and I want to shoot in a very beautiful, tidy, and organized way.

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I am the director of administration for the Selldorf Architects. We are an architectural and interior design firm based in Manhattan. We've been in business for about 30 years, and we're mostly known for high-end residential designs.

Recently, we've done a lot of art galleries and townhouses, but we've also done some big museum reservations in California and Massachusetts, which are mostly known for art-related spaces and conservation areas. We're about 60 people in the business.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with Olex?

We were looking for someone who could design, develop, and update our website.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

Olex designed our website for us. At the start of the engagement, they worked very closely with our principal, Annabelle Selldorf. The Olex team understood her vision and her language on how she wants to convey the core tenets of the website. It’s always a collaborative and organic process. 

What is the team composition?

We work with Alex (Co-Partner & Art Direction) and Oliver (Co-Partner & Art Direction, Photography).

How did you come to work with Olex?

Back in 2001, we were introduced to Olex by a graphic designer named Richard. Richard and his partners are close associates of our principal, Annabelle.

How much have you invested with them?

We’ve invested about $130,000.

What is the status of this engagement?

We started working with them in May 2001 and the engagement is ongoing.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

Olex completed the project in only six months. They delivered a gorgeous-looking website. Our principal, Annabelle was really impressed with the website. It’s very much in line with our own design aesthetic which is modern, elegant, and sophisticated.

How did Olex perform from a project management standpoint?

In terms of project management, they performed really well. For the past 19 years of working with them, we didn’t have any issues regarding their work. Their team is very reliable, always available, and proactive. They are always trying to keep up with new technologies and developments. 

What did you find most impressive about them?

I find them to be very responsive and open. I know Alex and Oliver well and they are very creative in their own right. They always try to accommodate their client’s vision to make sure that it ties into the technical parameters of the site and the technology itself. They understand our vision and they are very keen on executing whatever we envision.

They’re good, solid, and reliable guys who know their work. They’re straightforward, have integrity, and they work really hard. Olex understands the crossroads of design, aesthetics, and technology.

For somebody who is honest and not afraid to speak to us is a good trait to have and our long relationship speaks for itself. They're very open to suggestions and they come up with solutions.

Are there any areas they could improve?

No, everything went great.

Do you have any advice for potential customers?

Just tell them clearly what you’re looking for and they will follow suit and manage your expectations. There’s nothing better than a client knowing what Olex can do or can’t do.

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I’m a graphic designer and social media manager for a hotel and restaurant group.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with Olex?

We needed design work done for a festival, hotel, and a couple of restaurants. When I was brought onto the company, all of the websites were coded by the previous person and weren’t easily editable by staff members. That person no longer works for the company so it became too much of a challenge to make updates.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

I spearheaded the project of one by one changing our website with the help of Olex so we could have a backend CMS system so that we could easily make updates. They used WordPress and the first step was idea finding and content development. After hearing the look and feel of what we were going for, Olex initiated the design process. The third step was the design and presentation of a static prototype website. The fourth step is then revisions, design adjustments, changes, and alterations based on our feedback. 

Step five is, again, the design and presentation of that static prototype. Another step for revisions and then approval of the prototype by us, the installation of the database, the CMS, the client-server, and the development and programming of the website. After, the client has to approve the design of the prototype, the set up of all design templates with content for testing purposes through CMS, and testing in terms of browser and device compatibility. There are tutorials with the client on how to use the CMS and documentation, and then it goes live.

What is the team composition?

I was mainly in contact with Alexander (Partner & Art Direction) and Oliver (Partner, Art Direction, & Photography).

How did you come to work with Olex?

When I initiated the project, it was alongside my supervisor and one of the general managers of the hotels at the time. They brought Olex’s name to the table based on a previous experience at a different hotel.

How much have you invested with them?

We’ve invested about $25,000.

What is the status of this engagement?

The work for the first website was July–December 2017.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

I know personally that having a CMS system has made my life a whole lot easier. I mainly focus on print and digital but my web expertise is limited. The idea of having to encode all of the updates for all of our entities was going to be very time-consuming. Olex coming in and not only revamping our website and giving it a fresh look but also building an easy to navigate CMS system has made my work life a lot easier and time management for me possible.

From our guests, we’ve received feedback on the new fresh look and the ease of navigation of the website. The consensus is that they like the modern take.

How did Olex perform from a project management standpoint?

I think they’re great and have good time management skills. If we’re in the middle of a project, I’m in communication with them a couple of times a week. They’re always very good at getting back in a timely manner.

What did you find most impressive about them?

I would say their sense of detail is most impressive. They always want to make sure that they’re pleasing their client. They make sure to give their professional input so that we have all the options we need. Olex is just great to work with all around.
On our end, when things have to get pushed back or deadlines aren’t met, they’re incredibly gracious and understanding. Because we’re in hospitality during a pandemic, everything is unknown and financials are determined on guests feeling safe to travel and eat out. We had to close our business for an undetermined amount of time back in March when we were in the middle of a website redesign and they were very gracious and understanding.

Are there any areas they could improve?

No, I can’t think of anything.

Do you have any advice for potential customers?

They’re very literal and require a lot of details from their clients. So, if you’re a client who isn’t quite sure what it is that you want, you’re going to be met with some difficulty. They’re going to give you exactly what you want if you know what that is.