Outloud

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and position.

I am a IT specialist of IDS BK

Describe what your company does in a single sentence.

BID, a.s. (Bratislava Integrated Transport, Inc.) is a company responsible for coordinating and integrating public transportation in the Bratislava region. Its main tasks include coordinating urban public transport and regional public transport, setting transport standards, coordinating fares, marketing activities, conducting quality surveys, managing revenue sharing between transport operators, and overseeing control activities.

BID, a.s. is also the owner and operator of the IDS BK mobile app, which allows users to search for connections within the integrated transport system, purchase tickets, and receive information about transport changes.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What specific goals or objectives did you hire Outloud to accomplish?

• New Mobile App design with a focus on user experience (UX design) including visual design (UI design)

SOLUTION

How did you find Outloud?

public procurement

Why did you select Outloud over others?

win the design competition

How many teammates from Outloud were assigned to this project?

2-5 Employees

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

1.       user research with the participation of all relevant target groups - this is a cross-section of end-user behaviour in order to gain insights for the further design process

2.       creation of information architecture design, creation of interactive wireframe model

3.       testing on a selected number of invited users

4.       creation of the graphic design of the application user interface

5.       comprehensive testing after the entire design has been made on a selected number of invited users

6.       cooperation with the supplier of programming works in relation to the application

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

All project deliverables, including designs, wireframes, prototypes and interaction elements, were continuously available on the Figma platform throughout the duration of the project. This approach ensured ongoing progress tracking and enabled effective real-time team collaboration.

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

Their project management approach was highly efficient, with all deliverables consistently provided on time and to a high standard of quality. The team demonstrated strong adherence to project timelines, ensuring that each phase of the project was completed as scheduled. They were highly responsive to our needs, proactively addressing any changes or feedback with flexibility and precision. Their ability to adapt quickly and maintain high-quality outputs throughout the process contributed to the overall success of the project.

What was your primary form of communication with Outloud?

• Virtual Meeting
• Email or Messaging App

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

What impressed us most about this company was their exceptional creative thinking and the innovative ideas they brought to the table. They demonstrated a unique ability to translate our specific requirements into practical yet imaginative solutions. Their approach was not only responsive to our needs, but also proactive in offering new perspectives and alternatives that improved the overall project.

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

While there is always space for improvement, especially in relation to specific tasks, Outloud has shown great willingness to address any ambiguities that have arisen. Whenever there were questions or uncertainties, they were very quick to respond and open to communication, ensuring that we were able to work together effectively to find optimal solutions.

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I’m an executive for a new kind of podcasting application that allows listeners to reply to podcasts and interact with one another.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with Outloud?

We needed help with branding, web development, and mobile app design.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

Outloud designed our entire branding, which included the logo for our app, and they designed and developed our website. Additionally, they helped us design our iOS and Android mobile app.

The project started with the branding process. I had previously gotten some branding designs from other designers, but I wasn’t totally satisfied with them. Thus, I initially provided Outloud with our previous branding and design files, and they came back with a number of suggestions for our new branding. We picked the one we liked best, and they ran with it.

From there, we showed them how the mobile app worked, and Outloud designed several screens for it for the development team to implement. Finally, they helped us design and develop our new website in Webflow.

The app's core feature is the user’s ability to interact with podcasts. Other podcasting apps only allow users to listen to the shows. However, our app allows people to post video or audio replies to the podcasts they listen to.

What is the team composition?

There were around three designers and a developer from Outloud involved in the project.

How did you come to work with Outloud?

I found them through Dribbble.

How much have you invested with them?

We spent roughly $15,000.

What is the status of this engagement?

We worked together from April 2021–January 2022. If we need design services in the future, I would certainly engage with them again.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

I’m very satisfied with the branding that Outloud created for us. People have responded very positively to it, and our new website is great. Moreover, the app works really well, and people are very happy with it.

How did Outloud perform from a project management standpoint?

Outloud was very responsive and proactive, and they didn’t need a lot of direction because they understood very well what I wanted. Additionally, they delivered on budget and ahead of time; they were very fast. We used Slack and Asana to collaborate, as well as Figma for the designs.

What did you find most impressive about them?

Outloud’s creativity was outstanding. The main thing I liked about them was that they took the direction that I provided but also provided their own creative input, which was great for our branding and website. Compared to the designers I worked with before, Outloud’s concepts and designs were of higher quality. Additionally, the work they did for the mobile app was very quick.

Are there any areas they could improve?

No, it was a great experience overall.

Do you have any advice for potential customers?

If you need web and mobile design work, you’re not going to get it wrong by hiring Outloud.

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and your position there.

CloudTalk is an intelligent cloud-based call center solution to improve sales and customer support. I'm product designer who is responsible for redesigning, improving existing products and creating new features.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

For what projects/services did your company hire Outloud?

CloudTalk product designs looks outdated compared to its competitors and parts of its user experience are unpolished. We needed to find cooperation with someone who can create a new product identity and also help improve some functions and modules, and that's why we established cooperation.

SOLUTION

How did you select this vendor and what were the deciding factors?

We did research and approached 5 companies. We selected several screens for a visual redesign and we definitely agreed on choosing Outloud as they delivered the best quality results.

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

We needed to design a new visual identity for the mobile app, desktop app and web app. We started with a mobile and desktop app and regularly put ideas together and reviewed the final design. We set a direction on a few pages and continued on. What I also appreciated was the feedback on my designs, the delivery of illustrations, the regular control of the outputs and the great communication.

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

I am not sure about number, but I cooperate with Project Manager, Design Lead and UI Designer.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

They provided us with a good source of design foundations, fast delivery and carefully prepared outputs. Users and colleagues who use the application praise the new visual form.

How effective was the workflow between your team and theirs?

The cooperation took place without any problems. During the entire period of cooperation, we always agreed on the next steps. Regular meetings and presentations gave us a good orientation in what is being worked on.

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

I liked that they were able to improve the current design a lot while keeping the original brand elements. I was extremely satisfied that together we created a product that we can be proud of.

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

Nothing comes to my mind since there were no downsides to our partnership.

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I’m the CEO and chief creative of a creative and design studio.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with Outloud?

We needed someone to provide us with web development services.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

Outloud is our full stack development partner, focusing on frontend development and CMS implementation. They utilize a proprietary CMS software and React as their primary development tool.

Moreover, they provide us with maintenance support and hosting services through AWS.

What is the team composition?

I mainly work with one of the founders, CTO, the head of project management, and a few developers.

How did you come to work with Outloud?

I worked with their CTO in a previous company.

How much have you invested with them?

We’ve invested about $125,000.

What is the status of this engagement?

Our ongoing partnership started in April 2021.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

We measure success through the platform’s uptime, so I’m happy if I’m getting consistent traffic and engagement from visitors. In addition, the site functions as intended, and their services absolutely exceed our expectations every time.

How did Outloud perform from a project management standpoint?

We constantly communicate with the team to scope out the project and provide them with the necessary details for the process. They take that and come back to us with the final schedule, and they always hit their timeframes and maintain transparency throughout the partnership.

We like their project management style because they have a fast turnaround time, commit to our expectations, and are always clear with their communications. We mainly use Slack, Zoom, and Goole Hangouts to communicate.

What did you find most impressive about them?

We’re impressed with the level of polish they implement on the frontend, their approach to communication, and their strong organizational structure. They’re also great at interpreting and executing the design into the development without any hand-holding.

Are there any areas they could improve?

I don’t have any constructive feedback at the moment.

Do you have any advice for potential customers?

I would advise you to allow them to bring their own ideas and thoughts into the project. They’re a very creative team, and it’ll be good for the process to have a fresh perspective.

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and your position there.

I am the owner of a gaming software development company.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

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

We needed a custom website to showcase our gaming product. We needed someone reliable and that can deliver both design and development.

SOLUTION

How did you select this vendor and what were the deciding factors?

We selected through online research and previous projects done by the vendor

Describe the scope of work in detail, including the project steps, key deliverables, and technologies used.

We had a kick-off meeting to discuss the project and then slowly moved into design and development.

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

Only one person was point of contact at the start which then extended to 2. We had two separate discussions with their head of development as well as commercial team.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

Can you share any measurable outcomes of the project or general feedback about the deliverables?

Since we launched the website, we had a total of 33000 unique views. in the last two years. We also had positive feedback from all of our clients about the usability of the website

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

It was usually over email. for design feedback we had used figma or invisio.

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

They are professional and work with an expert team to deliver. they've delivered all elements of the project as promised / agreed in the project sheet.

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

Yes, a quick messaging tool to keep in touch would help rather than ping pong emails which at times can feel cumbersome. There's also no emergency support if there was an issue. Upon querying we were told it was extra for SLA response. This was not informed to us in advance. I like the option to raise tickets via Asana which is much easier tracking tool than emails.

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and your position there.

Direct mail automation software platform for ecom & DTC brands. I am co-founder.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

For what projects/services did your company hire Outloud?

We needed an overhaul of our Webflow website to better communicate our message and provide a UI/UX more commensurate with the size and stature of our company.

SOLUTION

How did you select this vendor and what were the deciding factors?

Introduced via a referral from one of our investors. Portfolio was extremely strong and cost was reasonable.

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

After a discovery process where we discussed the company, value props, and weighed in on different examples of sites we like and didn't like, the team created wireframes for us to review. We drafted the copy and content for each of the pages once we had a good wireframe in place, then the team provided static mockups of key pages. Once those were approved, we moved to the development phase. We finalized the design and content, then went live.

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

Mostly worked with the head of the company Ondrej and the lead designer, Martin. Both very professional and capable.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

The feedback from our customers and investors has been wonderful. We're so pleased with the deliverable and finally don't have to cringe every time a large customer, influencer or investor visits our website.

How effective was the workflow between your team and theirs?

Very good. Really liked the tools they used to allow us to provide feedback on different aspects of the site. Figma for design mockups and other tools that allowed us to leave comments on web elements or animation drafts. Communicated directly over Slack.

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

Their aesthetic eye is extremely good. Very modern/contemporary. They took our directions well and provided us with great recommendations of their own. Very capable when it comes to implementing a unique template on webflow.

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

Perhaps spend a bit more time researching the brand and product so certain elements can be designed a bit more intuitively.

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I’m the head of customer experience at an interactive training company. We design virtual learning experiences in high-complexity environments.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with Flow Studio?

As a software company, we needed a good website that would establish our credibility within the tech space.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

My team sent Flow Studio some things we liked about their site and others that we’d come across, and they created mood boards. Our teams kept an open dialogue, commenting back-and-forth on things we liked in the designs. From there, they designed the site. The team worked on the UX and focused on how users would navigate through the page.

What is the team composition?

We had one main point of contact who was very helpful, collaborative, and open to our feedback.

How did you come to work with Flow Studio?

We did a Google search of website awards, and Flow Studio showed up. We had a shortlist of about fifteen websites that we really liked, and we narrowed that down to six. We reached out to the six vendors who had developed those sites, one of which was Flow Studio, and went through a quote process.

After an initial conversation, we wanted to give Flow Studio a chance; they were young and not yet well-established, and we liked the idea of working with them over a more established provider.

How much have you invested with them?

My company spent €15,000–€20,000 (approximately $16,600–$22,100 USD).

What is the status of this engagement?

Our work together spanned October 2018–January 2019.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

One thing they did very well was designing a website with a cutting-edge and interactive look and feel. We didn’t even ask for it, but they implemented cool little features that pop up as the page loads. We’ve gotten only positive feedback regarding the site.

How did Flow Studio perform from a project management standpoint?

Although project management and communication could’ve been a bit better overall, we’re comfortable with how it went because we knew they were a small team going into the project. They couldn’t have been more accommodating to our requests.

We had weekly calls with our main point of contact. If he couldn’t answer our questions, he had someone with more development experience join the calls. We primarily used Slack to stay updated on how things were going.

What did you find most impressive about them?

We’re both small companies, and we appreciate the culture that comes with that. Flow Studio wanted to help us. Working with them was a collaborative, easy, and fun process.

Are there any areas they could improve?

Once they finished the project, I gave them some minor feedback, but nothing was ever out of line. We understood that they were a young firm trying to get started. They were learning along the way, which is natural.

Any advice for potential customers?

I don’t know the extent to which they’ve grown, but if you’re going to work with them, I’d recommend taking on some of the project management yourselves, or just be very clear about certain deadlines and things of that nature.

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and your position there.

I’m the founder of BookLocal, a blockchain-based hotel distribution and operations management company that partners with hotels. We’ve developed a direct booking aggregator for member hotels that can be accessed by both hotel operators and travelers. This greatly simplifies inventory distribution and automatic, multi-party commission payouts.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

For what projects/services did your company hire Flow Studio?

We needed to design an animated, informational landing page.

What were your goals for this project?

We wanted to communicate the value our services provide simply to the average, non-technical visitor 

SOLUTION

How did you select this vendor?

We viewed their past work online and interviewed their team.

Describe the project and the services they provided in detail.

They developed, configured, and installed the front- and backends of our new site. They also provided a style guide of colors and fonts. The finished product was a storyline with animations that explained the benefits BookLocal provides for both hotel operators and travelers.

What was the team composition?

The team consisted of more than five people. I had direct communication with the project lead, designers, and developers.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

Can you share any information that demonstrates the impact that this project has had on your business?

We’ve seen a tremendous increase in traffic and prospect sign-ups. The results exceeded our expectations.

How was project management arranged and how effective was it?

They were very accommodating to our preferences regarding communication. We used a shared channel on Slack, on which it was convenient to engage all our team members and theirs. This resulted in direct connectivity with all developers and decision makers and real-time responsiveness by all. They paid detailed attention to our needs and quickly adjusted the product according to our feedback.

What did you find most impressive about this company?

Their professionalism in managing and showcasing our vision was outstanding. Their technical abilities also stood out to us.

Are there any areas for improvement?

I would definitely hire them again for our next project. There were no downsides to our partnership.

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and position.

I am the CEO of StudyShep

Describe what your company does in a single sentence.

We improve learning outcomes for students of all ages.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What specific goals or objectives did you hire Outloud to accomplish?

• Create an MVP (Minimum Viable Product) of our new Learning Tool

SOLUTION

How did you find Outloud?

Referral

Why did you select Outloud over others?

• High ratings
• Great culture fit
• Good value for cost
• Referred to me
• Company values aligned

How many teammates from Outloud were assigned to this project?

2-5 Employees

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

Outloud guided our product from rough wireframes all the way to deployment of the robust web application. While the product was an MVP the development included many robust features.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

• We went from no product and only an idea and rough wireframes all the way to deployment of a well designed and functional product that is already being used in schools within 6 months.

What was your primary form of communication with Outloud?

• Virtual Meeting
• Email or Messaging App

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

Communication was great, and our ambitious timeline was met. Real time conversations on Slack moved us quickly through any sticking points.

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

Outloud took so much pride in the project to where they were bought-in and making sure we were thinking about every angle of our users experience. They went above and beyond which I really wasn't expecting.

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

I was very happy with their process.

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and position.

I am the Managing Director of Bayswater Education

Describe what your company does in a single sentence.

Bridging the skills gap for Gen Z

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What specific goals or objectives did you hire Outloud to accomplish?

• Launch a new website

SOLUTION

How did you find Outloud?

Other

Why did you select Outloud over others?

High ratings, Great culture fit, Good value for cost

What was the size of Outloud’s team?

2-5 Employees

What was your primary form of communication with Outloud?

In-Person Meeting, Virtual Meeting, Email or Messaging App

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

Bayswater underwest a rebrand in 2022 and needed a new website to reflect the new brand and promote our broader porfolio of courses and international destinations.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

• Brand alignment

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

Outloud managed the project well. Of course getting the scope right for website of this size is complex and it did change over the duration of the project. They werefair and reasonable about adapting to our needs.

What was your primary form of communication with Outloud?

In-Person Meeting, Virtual Meeting, Email or Messaging App

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

We think Outloud's key strength is in UI/UX, the sight is lively and represent our new brand well. They understood what we were trying to achieve and delivered a website we are extremely proud of.

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

None