TATO

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I'm a department head at a creative agency and production company called Piro.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with TATO?

We had a creative project and needed support with video production and animation.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

TATO provided a complete graphic toolkit for a live presentation shot on a virtual production screen and created a fully animated video demo. It was a marketing video for the company, similar to Apple’s big presentations. 

At the presentation, the founder gave a 20-minute speech with animation and graphics on the screen behind them and, in the middle, a whole animated video sequence that TATO produced. They also handled the editing, music, 3D, and 2D animation.

What is the team composition?

We worked with 5–6 teammates from TATO, including the executive producer, Piotr, the founder, and Monika, the project manager, but we didn’t interact with all of them.

How did you come to work with TATO?

Another company we had worked with in the US recommended TATO. We phoned their producer to brief them on the job. 

We had multiple vendors pitching for the project, and TATO submitted a pitch with some reference visuals and a bid. We liked their work best and decided to work with them because they came in at the right price.

What is the status of this engagement?

We worked together from August–November 2024.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

TATO did a fantastic job. It was a challenging project, and they rose to the challenge and delivered a fantastic product. We just launched the video and don’t have any metrics yet. It’s an educational video, so we can’t track much.

How did TATO perform from a project management standpoint?

The whole team was fantastic, and it was apparent they all worked as a cohesive team; they were all great. 

It was impressive how TATO was quick to adjust and respond to feedback and how willing they were to work late in the day with us because they were in Poland and we were in the US. They almost worked on our hours, which was helpful. They also put in work over the weekend when needed.

They were reasonable when they had to do extra work, and there were no overage charges. We communicated via a Slack channel, email, and conference calls when needed. We used Dropbox Replay and Frame.io on our side.

Are there any employees from the service provider's team that you would like to give a shout-out to in this review?

The whole team was fantastic, but I want to give a shout-out to Piotr, the founder, and Monika, the project manager, because she was very helpful.

What did you find most impressive about them?

TATO was infinitely patient, understanding, and adaptable. It was a messy process because we were dealing with marketing people and founders who were directly involved. 

We couldn’t follow traditional processes as we would typically do on an animation project, so we had to show finished products and then go back and make changes, which wasn’t ideal for our workflow, but we had to operate that way because of the client.

Are there any areas they could improve?

It would have been great if everything was on one platform for posting and reviewing assets. They switched between different platforms throughout the project, which made it a little confusing.

Do you have any advice for potential customers?

Not every agency understands the process of making an animation product, so the more planning you have, the better off you’ll be. 

You can come to TATO if you don’t know the process and ask them to walk you through it. They’re very process-oriented, and they can dictate how to do things. If you can’t follow their process, they’ll adapt to you.

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and position.

I am an executive at a design company

Describe what your company does in a single sentence.

We design & develop apps and websites for leading e-commerce brands.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

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

• Build a web-ready 3D model for use in an interactive web experience.

SOLUTION

How did you find TATO?

Referral

Why did you select TATO over others?

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

How many teammates from TATO were assigned to this project?

2-5 Employees

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

We brought in TATO to produce a detailed 3D model for use in a live-engraving tool on an e-commerce site. The model needed to be low-poly enough for web browsers, but with a high level of visual fidelity. Handoff of the model included both a high-poly cinematic model as well as an optimized web model with baked textures.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

• TATO was highly communicative throughout the project, allowing us to iterate on the model until we got to a final product that perfectly fit our needs. Their experience was evident through the quality of their work and their flexibility in adapting to specific project requirements.

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

Their project management was one of the best parts of working with TATO. They were highly communicative at every step and turned deliverables around faster than expected. When changes were required, they were willing to make revisions and got them right the first time every time.

What was your primary form of communication with TATO?

• Virtual Meeting
• Email or Messaging App

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

In addition to the ease of working with TATO, the most impressive part of our project was the extremely high quality of the deliverables. The cinematic model they produced was highly detailed and matched the physical product perfectly, but the web-ready model was also very well-designed and worked perfectly for our needs. We were able to get exactly what we were envisioning within the time & cost constraints of our project.

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

We had no complaints throughout the process of working with TATO!

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I’m the co-founder of a venture company called Clair Obscur.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with Tato Studio?

We hired Tato Studio to produce 3D designs of our new product.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

Tato Studio helped us create a set of 3D renders as well as other creative digital assets to visualize our upcoming product, which is a sunscreen facial applicator. Their team built off of our initial CAD drawings, turning them into animated videos and scrollable elements by applying all sorts of finishes to the test file. 

What is the team composition?

We mostly interfaced with one person who managed the entire project, but we also got to see Tato Studio’s founder and creative director. 

How did you come to work with Tato Studio?

The web development team that we were working with was the one that found Tato Studio. They recommended that we engage them for our 3D rendering needs. 

How much have you invested with them?

We paid $12,000 for their services.

What is the status of this engagement?

The project lasted from January–March 2022.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

We showed the 3D designs to some of our beta testers, and everyone was impressed with how the designs turned out. Tato Studio was very quick to deliver what we asked for, and I think we got very high value for what we paid. They very well exceeded our expectations. 

How did Tato Studio perform from a project management standpoint?

Tato Studio definitely stuck to our budget. The timeline was slightly longer than we had anticipated, but it was still within a reasonable stretch. They used ClickUp to manage the project, but we mostly communicated through email. The whole team was very responsive.

What did you find most impressive about them?

Tato Studio really gets what the client is looking for. They have the ability to turn an initial sketch into a final product that looks great. We were really impressed with how well they interpreted what we needed.

Are there any areas they could improve?

No, everything went fine. 

Do you have any advice for potential customers?

Definitely communicate with Tato Studio. Provide very detailed and specific feedback for the mockups and previews that they send so they can align with exactly what you’re looking for. 

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and your position there.

I am the managing partner of a digital agency in NYC that helps grow companies creatively.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

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

Tato helped us with branding and packaging design for a CPG project. They also helped us create the iconography for a lifestyle company. Our goals for both were to deliver results that impressed our clients. Tato accomplished that and more.

SOLUTION

How did you select this vendor?

Tato was highly recommended to us by another company that we work with. That company raved about Tato and after working with Tato ourselves, we understand why they are an incredible creative studio.

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

Tato first helped to identify the needs and goals of our clients + projects. Once they had a full understanding, they created a brand identity that included an updated logo and a style guide. They also created assets including iconography and illustrations. While executing, they were in constant communication with us and they implemented our feedback wonderfully.

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

I worked directly with their project manager and artist.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

Thanks to Tato, we were able to deliver a result to our client that they loved. The client enjoyed the work so much that they immediately decided they wanted to move forward with another project immediately.

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

We communicated over Skype regularly and they gave us frequent updates. For each step, they asked for our feedback, and implemented it quickly. They finished every step according to the timeline and estimates they initially gave as well.

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

Tato Studio worked really efficiently and timely while producing genuinely creative results. This is a rarity when working with a creative studio. If a studio is efficient and timely, their creative work is typically uninspiring and vice versa.

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

Some specifics of the deliverables weren't made completely clear at the start but Tato was more than generous in how they handled it and have demonstrated that they really intend to be strategic partners with their clients.

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and your position there.

We are a virtual hybrid event production agency. I am a Director / Producer.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

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

We have a client looking to show off a high tech product. We asked Tato Studio to make a 3D animation showcasing the inside technical parts of the product.

SOLUTION

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

We saw their work online and decided they had the technical know-how and the artistic vision to achieve what we were looking for.

Describe the video(s) and the process in detail, including the project steps and all stages of production.

We were given 3D Cad files from the client without materials and textures. Tato Studio was able to take these along with reference images and recreate the textures and create photoreal motion graphics to show how the tech comes together in Unreal Engine.

Who did you work with and what was the feedback process like?

We were able to remotely view the 3D file in real-time and give feedback during meetings. We used Frame IO, Zoom and Asana to communicate and coordinate.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

Our client was extremely happy with the results and gave us another large project to tackle.

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

The communication was incredible. Tato Studio was able to respond promptly and asked great questions reducing miscommunications and speeding up workflow. Tato Studio gave us tasks through Asana and checked them off as we completed them.

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

This is a company that is fast, has high quality, amazing personal and communication skills and was well priced. It's very hard to organized artists that operate at this high level.

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

We could not be happier with the end result.

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and your position there.

We are a marketing agency from Poland. We can be your external marketing department - we develop short and long-term PR activities as well as communication, advertising and promotion strategies. We analyze your needs, we look at your business from every possible angle. The solutions we propose are adapted to the activities of INDOOR, OUTDOOR and WEB. We implement the developed strategies adjusting them to your budget.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

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

creating a new visual identity for ouf company

What were your goals for this project?

We wanted our brand to look modern. It should fit in with the spirit of marketing and sports.

SOLUTION

How did you select Tato Studio?

We did a research of the agency, TATO STUDIO was recommended to us by a friend and they immediately made us interested in their projects. It was the main factor that determined our cooperation.

Describe the scope of their work in detail.

We started with a meeting where we outlined what our brand should represent and set our expectations for cooperation. Then we received several proposals, we focused on developing one. The cooperation went smoothly, the contractor matched our feedback.

What was the team composition?

3 people were involved from the vendor's side.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

Finally our image corresponds to the spirit of the company, customers perceive us as the modern company that we are. We are more recognizable.

How effective was the workflow between your team and theirs?

Workflow was great. Everything went smoothly.

What did you find most impressive about this company?

Most of all, they are very talented. They know the current trends, they can get their own way, which brings positive results for the client. They know what they are doing, they have a lot of knowledge and experience.

Are there any areas for improvement?

I wouldn't change anything in our cooperation.

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and your position there.

I am the Creative Director for Reason to Smile (Smile) and Only Smoke FIRE (FIRE) based in the greater Los Angeles area. Smile is a health and wellness brand focused on CBD and FIRE is a luxury designer cannabis brand.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

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

We brought on TATO Studio to assist in the branding, website, and digital creative (3D design and animation) assets for both brnads.

What were your goals for this project?

The ongoing goals for these projects with TATO were to establish both Smile and FIRE's brand identities and bring that to life through story telling and 3-D Media.

SOLUTION

How did you select Tato Studio?

I was brought on to lead the creative for both brands after the initial planning phase but we selected TATO due to their digital portfolio, rigorous work ethic and strong attention to details. Their calm demeanor, especially during turbulent times (e.g COVID-19 pandemic) and endless creativity for ongoing projects have been an absolute joy to work with over the past couple years.

Describe the scope of their work in detail.

After we selected this vendor we separated our various goals by buckets - branding & packaging, social media, UX/UI, misc, etc. TATO studio is very quick to respond, adapt and follow through on all of these buckets.

What was the team composition?

I primarily work with Piotr and Alex for social/digital content, while our operations teams work with Joanna for web design & UX/UI.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

Our most recent win with TATO studio has been the implementation and positive reception for our Instagram Reels. IG Reels, traditionally, fall into the category of non-commercial, very informally shot, user generated content. Knowing this trend, it's very tough to get audiences receptive to 3-D animation, a field that traditionally fits into a more into commercial work. Nonetheless, we aimed to generate that same positive reception from our audience and the last 4 TATO animations have surpassed all expectations generating over 200k views and averaging around 45K/video animation.

How effective was the workflow between your team and theirs?

TATO Studio is very efficient at project management and primarily use Asana and Skype. Since we are based in LA and they are based internationally in Poland, we do have to work around the time difference. However, we have been working together seamlessly for about two year and have never ran into scheduling conflicts. TATO is very effective at communicating expectations and have a great synergy despite the change in time.

What did you find most impressive about this company?

TATO's most impressive trait is by far their people. Piotr, Alex and Joanna not only have the technical knowhow in their respective fields. They communicate regularly, provide clear feedback and care about the client's brand genuinely. Their passion for creating is evident in all that they do and I can't be more appreciative of them.

Are there any areas for improvement?

TATO Studio, as will any creative job, sometimes run into creative "lulls" - similar to a typer of writer's block that can lead to longer lead times for deadlines or going over budget. Coming from a creative background, these are all expected and TATO does a great job of communicating when they happen. Piotr and Alex continue to be transparent with us as their client when these rare times occur.

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and your position there.

Lumie specialises in light therapy, specifically bright light for SAD & energy as well as wake-up lights.

I work as a Brand & Marketing Manager, my main area of focus within the company are brand growth and new product development, all things associated with the product’s route to market and the end-to end customer experience.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

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

We initially hired Tato Studio in the summer of 2020 for giftbox design for w new product along with a brand refresh. Tato understood our needs and the helped with the scope of the project. Since then, we have also embarked on a bigger design project which is still ongoing.

What were your goals for this project?

New giftbox design along with a far-reaching brand refresh (new UI on product pages, brochures and other marketing materials, including newsletter templates, new visual guidelines etc.).

SOLUTION

How did you select Tato Studio?

Tato Studio came recommended by a friend, and we are so happy to have found them. They were pitching along with two other design companies, one from London, one from Cambridge, and their offer, passion, talent pool and experience far exceeded the other agencies we looked at.

Describe the project in detail.

We were launching a new product, Lumie Halo, and needed all marketing materials for the product for its launch in autumn 2020, from product renderings, 4K video made in Unreal, giftbox, IFU + quick start guide design to an overall brand refresh reflecting in new brand guidelines, brochures, press release templates, UI design for product pages, A+ pages for Amazon, newsletter templates, press ads and more.

What was the team composition?

We worked closely with the Founder, Piotr, who specialises in 4K renders and motion graphics, as well as Joanna, a graphic and UI designer.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

The product launch (Lumie Halo) was a huge success, and our e-commerce sales in the last 10 months have been up a whooping 130%.

How effective was the workflow between your team and theirs?

The workflow has been carried out in a project management tool (Asana), very well managed and overseen. All deadlines were met.

What did you find most impressive about this company?

We have been particularly satisfied with their ability to dive deep into understanding the bigger picture when it comes to our company, and being very honest about what needs improving - they have helped accelerate a much-needed revival to the way we communicate about our brand and products to our audiences.

Are there any areas for improvement?

Every now and again we pause here at Lumie and reflect on what an amazing decision it was to go with Tato instead of either of the other two agencies. Lumie has been around for 30 years and has never worked with such a dedicated, talented, and knowledgeable team of designers before - so no, couldn't fault them if I tried!

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and your position there.

Aggressive is a creative production company that crafts commercials and music videos for some of the world’s biggest brands and artists. We have earned many awards and nominations since our formation, including Grammy, MTV VMA, MTV Los Premios, Bass, and EST awards. Our work has been featured across the globe in dozens of top publications.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

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

We hired Tato Studio to rebrand our company several times throughout the years, starting with an initial rebrand and several updates.

What were your goals for this project?

We wanted to craft a new visual identity for our company that would be representative of our brand and philosophy.

SOLUTION

How did you select this vendor?

We've been huge fans of Tato Studio and Piotr Buczkowski for many years, so it was an easy decision.

Describe the project in detail.

Tato Studio helped craft a new visual identity for our company. They create a logotype and custom typography. They also designed the layout of our website, brand colors, and merchandise.

What was the team composition?

We worked directly with their designers.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

We're completely in love with our new brand. We’ve reprinted the logo thousands of times on t-shirts, hats, and even a neon sign. Our updated website is one of the nicest in our industry. Our logo was featured in “Los Logos” as one of the best logos of 2017. Our website has been highlighted in “Communication Arts” and other magazines. 

How effective was the workflow between your team and theirs?

The workflow between our teams was seamless. They communicated ideas extremely well.

What did you find most impressive about this company?

Tato Studio is capable of solving complex visual problems and developing conceptual solutions. They shape the look, mission, and brand of a company by putting in serious thinking before they put a pencil to paper. 

Are there any areas for improvement?

No, I can’t think of any areas for improvement.

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and your position there.

I’m the owner of Niche Skin Labs Inc. We develop and manufacture products for the cosmetics industry.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

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

I hired Tato Studio to enhance the visual appearance of our products by creating new packaging for them. We also wanted to carry those branding elements over to our website design.

What were your goals for this project?

I would like the products we develop to stand out on store shelves and maintain a consistent visual appeal. 

SOLUTION

How did you select this vendor?

We searched online for graphic designers with substantial experience in the personal care industry. We narrowed our list down to three companies. Tato Studio felt like the best overall fit because they genuinely took the time to understand our vision. Also, the other companies we found were larger, and we wanted to work with a small team.

Describe the project in detail.

We had a series of phone calls to go over our business goals. They provided a lot of ideas and potential strategies for us to review. We were then given market research questionnaires to fill out. Using our answers, they started delivering working concepts. We were able to narrow down those ideas to choose our favorite ones.

What was the team composition?

During the planning stage, I discussed the project with the owner of Tato Studio to make sure we were on the same page. Once the development of the project started, I met with a graphic designer. That specialist is my point of contact regarding all design elements.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

Within a few weeks of launching the new packaging for a product, we were approached by a large retailer. The buyer commented on the visual appeal of the packaging. The brand was picked up by the retailer shortly after that.

How effective was the workflow between your team and theirs?

Even though we're located on different continents, the workflow between our team and the Tato Studio team has been excellent. We collaborate frequently over Skype, and they are always trying to find new ways to enhance communication methods.

They use Asana to manage responsibilities according to a timeline. If there are modifications to the schedule, we have always been notified in advance. 

What did you find most impressive about this company?

We're continually blown away by Tato Studio's innovative design techniques. The team strives to exceed expectations by transforming client visions into unique creations.

We've worked together on several different projects, and we're always impressed by their expertise.

Are there any areas for improvement?

We're happy with the team’s work. At one point, we wanted more communication over Skype, but this has been solved by scheduling regular follow-up meetings.