Startstage

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and your position there.

I’m the executive director of The Soufan Center. We’re a think tank focusing on global security and human rights. I head up all research and programs at The Center.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

For what projects/services did your company hire Startstage?

We needed someone to design the layout and graphics for our most popular report.

What were your goals for this project?

We wanted to create an easy-to-read report layout with graphics—maps, charts, and other pictorial representations—that would help readers digest the material.

SOLUTION

How did you select this vendor?

One of their other clients recommended them to us.

Describe the project in detail.

They designed our report and the graphics it contained to be easily understood by an audience of policymakers, academics, and practitioners from the security community.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

The report became our most widely read and sourced report. Startstage’s graphics have been widely shared. The report’s influence on policymakers, the media, and security practitioners is vast but impossible to measure.

How effective was the workflow between your team and theirs?

Our cooperation was extremely effective.

What did you find most impressive about this company?

Startstage was responsive and offered a fair rate. They managed our expectations well and delivered on time.

Are there any areas for improvement?

No, not that I saw. I can’t recommend them highly enough.

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and your position there.

I’m the CEO of Zeyo, an online alternative to small claims court.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

For what projects/services did your company hire Startstage?

We needed website design, including UI/UX, and an entire branding guide for our company.

What were your goals for this project?

We wanted to create an approachable brand and an intuitive web interface.

SOLUTION

How did you select this vendor?

We found Colin (Founder and CEO, Startstage) within our network.

Describe the project in detail.

They factored in our input and guided us with a consultative approach. They designed our branding from the ground up, along with UI/UX design for our website.

What was the team composition?

Colin communicated clearly and directed with six members of our in-house team.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

We have a fully designed web app, website, and branding package. They accomplished and exceeded our goals and we are very pleased with the results.

How effective was the workflow between your team and theirs?

They communicated openly, and they were glad to communicate through our preferred channels, Slack and Trello. They accomplished all milestones ahead of schedule and were extremely nimble.

What did you find most impressive about this company?

They took a vague set of concepts and ideas and turned them into tangible deliverables at an impressive speed. They took our feedback and factored it into their work, and everyone was happy with the results.

Are there any areas for improvement?

No, we’re very happy with them.