Studio Usher

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I’m an executive at a startup media company.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with Studio Usher?

I’m starting a new company, and I needed help with branding for our business.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

Studio Usher created a logo from scratch for me, including branding, colors, and fonts, which we use in our website and marketing materials. They also provided me with a style guide to use all those deliverables. In terms of process, they started by giving me a questionnaire, and we proceeded with meetings where they interviewed me. Consequently, they presented ideas to me for feedback until we came up with the final result.

What is the team composition?

We only worked with one member of their team.

How did you come to work with Studio Usher?

A mutual friend referred them to me.

How much have you invested with them?

We spent $8,500 with them.

What is the status of this engagement?

We worked together from October–December 2021.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

I’m 100% satisfied with their services, and they exceeded my expectations.

How did Studio Usher perform from a project management standpoint?

They were great with project management; they met all the milestones on time. In terms of communication, we used emails and Zoom. 

What did you find most impressive about them? 

I felt like they cared about the final result of the project. They didn’t just want to do something and make me happy; they created something they loved and believed in. Also, they have a good sense of style and understanding of visual design.

Are there any areas they could improve?

I don’t think there’s anything they can improve on — I was happy with the project and its result. 

Any advice for potential customers?

If the client has a sense of their customers, it will be easier for Studio Usher to develop something fabulous.

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and your position there.

I am the founder and CEO of H.O.W., a company that helps businesses optimize the performance of their organizations, teams, and people.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

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

As my business continued to evolve, I needed to better articulate my brand and demonstrate the value of my services to potential clients. My goals were to update my logo, but also to hone in on what makes my business unique.

SOLUTION

How did you select this vendor?

I had seen Studio Usher's work before, both on the website and through various LinkedIn posts. Studio Usher's designs were gorgeous, elegant, and effective --and I really connected with her approach and style.

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

I completed a detailed intake questionnaire, which then served as the basis for a 1:1 discussion with Naomi. We began with an in-depth review of my business's audience, competition, benefits of services, unique selling proposition, brand personality, future goals for the business, and visual assets that I had been using. We also looked at brands and other visuals that aligned with the direction in which I wanted to take the business.

Using all that information, Naomi presented me with a few logo choices, including sample color palettes, mock-ups for social and web, and patterns that can be used to augment the logo. We met and review them, and then she refined the work and sent a second set of choices. I made my selection from that second set, and she delivered all assets immediately thereafter.

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

I worked directly with Naomi, the owner of Studio Usher.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

The logo is now a much better representation of my brand, and the colors and patterns have been incorporated into my website for a cohesive approach. The feedback I have received has been nothing but overwhelmingly positive.

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

Naomi and I communicated through in-person meetings, Zoom meetings, emails, and phone calls, depending on the nature of the issue to discuss. She outlined a clear timeline at the beginning of the project, which we both followed. This led to the project being completed on time--even a bit early!

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

Naomi's ability to translate words and thoughts into a gorgeous, stylistic logo that exactly represents my brand is nothing short of amazing.

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

No--it was an excellent experience.

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and your position there.

I am a certified yoga therapist and the owner of Judy Glassman Yoga. I bring personalized and customized instruction to those with injuries, illnesses or stress by integrating breath work with various yoga disciplines to bring balance to my clients.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

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

I hired Studio Usher to re-brand and refresh my website with a new logo, new layout and new design. My goals were to make my logo and website reflect who I was and what I offered. I wanted to use colors and photographs that reflect my unique offerings and I wanted to project a more creative and caring company.

SOLUTION

How did you select this vendor?

I know Studio Usher from working together in the past as well as providing yoga services to her and her family.

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

To start, Naomi Usher had me do an exercise to hone in on who my audience and competition were. Then, she moved on to what I wanted my company to be and what I was offering that was unique. That helped me realize my brand direction. Next Naomi helped work on my strategy, how to re-brand and target my clientele.

Then she helped me set goals and apply tactics to those goals. Then I provided my photographs and copy that I wanted to use. I was given a couple of options for direction, then there were a couple of revisions before we came up with an approved final logo and website.

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

I worked directly with Naomi, the principal of Usher Studio.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

Because of my new website going live, I have two new clients and I feel a renewed sense of excitement and inspiration to reach out to new clients.

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

We had weekly meetings via Zoom with emails in between and phone calls when needed. I felt like I was Studio Usher's most important client and I felt timetables were adhered to. Our communication was clear and specific.

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

Studio Usher's ability to be strategic about my business and to help me focus on my true brand enabled me to differentiate myself from other similar businesses.

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

I would have liked to meet in person but due to the pandemic that was not possible.

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and your position there.

I am the founder and host of New Faces of Democracy, a political podcast.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

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

Logo and graphic design for website and marketing materials

What were your goals for this project?

I wanted the website and related materials to really stand out, and to convey what my project was about through the design.

SOLUTION

How did you select Studio Usher?

They were an obvious choice. I was already familiar with their work which is cool, punchy, clever and eye-catching, so I knew from the start that I wanted to use them.

Describe the project in detail.

After describing the project and my ideas for colors and artwork, Studio Usher provided me with a variety of options to start the process.

We talked about the style of artwork I was envisioning, and because the project is called New Faces of Democracy, we knew that we wanted it to include faces or profiles. Studio Usher found an artist in Japan whose style had the kind of loose, whimsical quality I was looking for.

The artist created a few different samples, but none were quite right. Then I had an idea -- I wanted there to be two rotating profiles, one of George Washington and one of a modern woman.

Studio Usher helped me refine the idea, coordinated with the artist and after a few small tweaks, we ended up with a fantastic logo. People comment on it all the time.

What was the team composition?

I worked directly with Naomi, and she coordinated with the artist.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

Doing a podcast means I often have to reach out to people I don't know and ask them to consider being a guest. Of course, the first thing they do is check out the website, and people ALWAYS come back and tell me how much they love my website.

I know for a fact that Studio Usher's designs have made the difference between people saying yes or no and taking me seriously. It was definitely an investment, but it has paid off many times over.

How effective was the workflow between your team and theirs?

Very effective.

What did you find most impressive about this company?

Their ability to translate a vague vision into exactly what I was looking for.

Are there any areas for improvement?

No.

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

In 2012, I started as an executive director in Soho Repertory Theatre (Soho Rep), a leading Off-Broadway theater. Among the many accolades that we have received in our 45-year history, one of the most notable ones was a play called Fairview, which we commissioned and had its world premiere at our theater in 2018. It was awarded in 2019 the Pulitzer Prize for Drama. 

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with Studio Usher?

The team helps us promote and market the productions at Soho Rep. They also create collaterals to aid in fundraising and maintain the theater’s website.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

Naomi (Creative Director) at Studio Usher creates all the print and digital collateral to market and promote productions at Soho Rep. She cooperates both with us and also the lead artists of each production to create key art that represents the playwright and director’s vision for the way the show will be marketed to audiences.

Specific collateral includes direct mail, subscription brochures, postcards, event invitations, and occasional promotional swag. The logo for the theater has been the same since I joined the organization, but Naomi has helped finesse branding and messaging. Currently, Studio Usher is working on a complete website overhaul for the theater.

What is the team composition?

I always work directly with Naomi. Based on our requirements, she oversees other members of her team to execute the work.

How did you come to work with Studio Usher?

Naomi is a former board member of the theater. In that role, she advised on marketing strategy and connected us to the design team who we hired to create PR and branding for the. However, in 2013, we collectively came to the decision that nobody else was going to do a better job of doing our graphic design and PR than Naomi — only she was capable of doing it. She couldn’t introduce us to anybody that was more skilled or talented than she was. 

How much have you invested with them?

It depends on how many productions a year that we’re doing, but generally speaking, we’ve spent around $30,000–$35,000 per year.

What is the status of this engagement?

The engagement officially started in January 2013, and the partnership is ongoing.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

One measure of success is our lead artists’ enthusiasm about the PR. We consistently receive amazing feedback from the artists that we’re working with about the quality of Naomi’s graphic design and how distinctive it is from other nonprofit theater design.

Several pieces and posters that Naomi has designed have won graphic design awards — they’ve been recognized as amazing pieces of art on their own. 

On a more quantitative measurement, the print pieces are a major component to take the campaign to sell tickets to the show. Our shows consistently sell out, and certainly the strong and distinctive print materials that Naomi pieced together definitely impact that. The day that the posters hit mailboxes — we see an uptick in sales on our website.  

How did Studio Usher perform from a project management standpoint?

We get behind for one reason or another, but in terms of sticking to deadlines and project management, Naomi has been always excellent and very efficient in that regard. We have in-person meetings, we talk on the phone, and we also email.

What did you find most impressive about them?

Naomi is just extremely creative to a degree that is outside of my experience of other theater graphic designers. She really goes through a process that is tailored to each of our production. It doesn’t feel like she is just taking a set of boxes each time. Instead, they really think through what’s best for one particular show. Naomi has always been identifying the best strategy and the best way to communicate it. As such, the end product they do has a really high quality. 

Are there any areas they could improve?

I don’t really know which areas Studio Usher could improve. The only wish I have is to have more resources to work on more marketing and design work at the theater.

Do you have any advice for potential customers?

Our very best collaborations with Naomi have always been rooted in us taking time at the outset to have a detailed kickoff meeting with lead artists and collaborators. We do that in order to brainstorm together again on the strategy of an individual campaign and how we want to execute it. Overall, the more that Naomi is involved in a project early on, the better the outcome. 

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and your position there.

Shatter is a virtual community of womxn and non-binary leaders and executives committed to driving change and building economic success on their own terms. We are motivated to support each other, kill stereotypes, create a space for game-changers, and have fun in the process.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

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

Create a brand framework that represents the unique the superpower of each individual member and the power of the community as a whole.

What were your goals for this project?

Our goal was to create a brand identity, including a logo and other design assets, that we could communicate across the community that would be able to be used internally and externally as needed.

SOLUTION

How did you select Studio Usher?

Studio Usher was selected based on personal knowledge of her work, her membership within the community, and her understanding of our culture and values

Describe the scope of their work in detail.

Review the existing Shatter identify Propose several options Expand recommended logo for presentation to community - create final logo, gif, and contextual views Create wiki with Branding Guidelines and Assets for community

What was the team composition?

The community owners worked directly with Naomi

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

The project was a huge success and create a buzz within the community as people were excited to see how our values and spirit were so perfectly represented with the logo that Naomi developed. Now, they want to have it made into a sweatshirt that they can wear loud and proud :)

How effective was the workflow between your team and theirs?

It was wonderful.

What did you find most impressive about this company?

As I mentioned, Naomi is a member of our community so she understands and embodies our culture and was able to easily and wonderfully represent them in the brand that she developed.

Are there any areas for improvement?

As this was a small project that was done for the community, there wasn't anything I would say we need to improve. We are perfectly satisfied.