Transfuture

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

Reflexions is a digital innovation lab. We help clients grow through digital products and web and mobile platforms. I am a principal, in charge of client relationship management and business development.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with Transfuture?

We wanted to tap into their design capabilities, especially related to UX, visual design, and branding.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

They’ve played a role for us on a number of projects and have helped with things like content strategy and copywriting. We use them primarily for their design services but the work they do for us is really diverse. Projects they’ve assisted with include website rebuilds and launches for a top-five grant making foundation, a non-profit film center, an independent and avant garde cinema promoter, and a stock photo exchange site.

Primarily, they work on website architecture, including sitemaps and content models; UX design, including page layout, user journeys, and visual design; and branding or design direction for clients. They help produce final assets in a wide array of platforms and frameworks, including WordPress, Drupal, and Ruby on Rails. We also build in open source technologies. Laravel is our primary platform on PHP.

What is the team composition?

We work primarily with Joe [Managing Partner, Transfuture] and Erin [Creative Director, Transfuture]. We’ve worked with one other member of their team as well.

How did you come to work with Transfuture?

They reached out to us a number of years ago, possibly after seeing an article about us in a local paper. We met with them a few times to learn more about their services and capabilities. We engaged with them on smaller projects initially, which grew in size and complexity.

How much have you invested with them?

Our total investment is between $300,000 and $500,000.

What is the status of this engagement?

We’ve worked together for over 15 years. Our relationship with Transfuture goes back to 2002, possibly 2001. We recently completed a project together last year and the relationship is ongoing.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

Feedback on their work is generally positive. They have broad experience across different industries, which translates to client satisfaction. Their awareness of emerging trends is impressive, as is their willingness to listen to client aesthetic direction. They maintain consistency with existing branding materials across mobile and desktop platforms.

How did Transfuture perform from a project management standpoint?

They typically work as part of our team. We don’t rely on them too much for management, but they are reliable and organized when the work on their own. Email and Slack are our principal modes of communication. They also come in occasionally for in-person meetings and presentations.

What did you find most impressive about them?

They’re really nimble and adaptable, and flexible with meeting budgets and deadlines. They’re responsive and provide a good value.

Are there any areas they could improve?

There’s nothing in particular that needs improving. Sometimes they’re very busy, but they always set expectations correctly.

Do you have any advice for potential customers?

This is true of any project, but make sure you have a clear process for making decisions and providing feedback. Have clearly defined stakeholders for approvals and be sure the you can operate efficiently. Administrative overhead can be a challenge with larger organizations.

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I'm the owner and partner of RRU Research, a market research service provider. We conduct focus groups and other types of market research for various industries.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with Transfuture?

We had just opened a research facility in Manhattan that we were putting under a slightly different brand name, so we had to redesign our original website. We were looking for a company to help us develop a new brand, look, and logo, and build a new website that featured the new facility. We wanted our website to be clear and attractive to customers around the world.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

They helped us come up with a new brand look and logo and redesigned our old logo, using colors related to our existing brand and the new brand and facility. Then, they developed the wireframes and created a brand new WordPress website for us that featured our new facility prominently and was SEO-friendly.

What is the team composition?

We worked with Joe [Managing Partner, Transfuture] and Erin [Creative Director, Transfuture].

How did you come to work with them?

I found them online. After looking at some of their concepts and completed work on their website, I decided they'd be a good fit.  

How much have you invested with them?

We had a budget of $10,000 and they stayed within that budget.

What is the status of this engagement?

The project began in January 2014 and was completed in April 2014.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

Our new facility has been busy and we got great feedback, which is due, at least in part, to the fact that it's presented well on the website.

How did they perform from a project management standpoint?

Before they did anything, they spent time learning about our business. They have a good sense of knowing what is important to the client. Having captured the feel that we were looking for, they managed the project accordingly.

Beyond the standard phone calls and emails, they often came to the location and established a good feedback loop. This kept us up to date with the project in case they were going off-track, which they hardly ever did.

What did you find most impressive about them?

They take pride in what they do, which means they do a better job at it than someone who just designs websites for a living. They know what type of website a small or medium-sized business needs and how the site should be used. They use their expertise to help clients like me make good decisions.

Are there any areas they could improve?

I don't think so.

Do you have any advice for potential customers?

Identify your real goal for having a website and what you want it to do. The more specific you are, the better they can focus on your needs.

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and position.

 I am the Project Manager of a non-profit company 

Describe what your company does in a single sentence.

Connects New York City’s real estate and design communities to energy and lighting efficiency solutions through education, exhibitions, technology demonstrations, and research.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

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

• Build the site
• Maintain the site
• Provide expertise and consultation on web features

SOLUTION

How did you find Transfuture?

Pre-existing contractor

Why did you select Transfuture over others?

• Pricing fit our budget
• Company values aligned

How many teammates from Transfuture were assigned to this project?

1 Employee

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

• Tasks: A. Research & Discovery: Learn about the industry and target audience. Identify priorities (actions, outcomes, success metrics) and goals and determine a strategy to best drive home results. B. Content Architecture; Wireframe Production: Audit existing content, and develop new content strategies for 2.0 platform (website). C. Landing Page Design; Interior Templates: Create user interface visual design prototypes, in collaboration with Might Could. D. Web Programming; Responsive for Mobile: Based on the accepted Wireframe and Date: May 26, 2016 Page 2 of 8 2 content architecture, develop HTML, CSS, Wordpress configuration and third party integration. This Tasks includes a full Quality Assurance and Quality Control process, troubleshooting and resolving site irregularities, ‘bugs,’ before and after launch. E. Content Migration/Placement: Working with project team, lead content placement and migration to new site from existing platform and other content sources. F. Technical SEO: Employ a suite of best practices built around the latest technical developments that affect the site’s search engine positioning. G. Post-launch Ongoing Maintenance: Ongoing site maintenance tasks include: Audit/Maintain WordPress Plugins; Updating WordPress, PHP and required dependencies, as needed; and General Consulting and site maintenance that preserves site’s designed and intended functionality. Also, up to two site ‘refresh’ activities, including some minor improvements to functionality, as well as integration of new page templates. • Deliverables: A. Research & Discovery: Participate in (up to) 8 project meetings and 2 workshops primarily during the strategic phase; Produce competitive analysis and user profiles B. Content Architecture; Wireframe Production: Create wireframe for new site based representing accepted content architecture and functionality. C. Landing Page Design; Interior Templates: Create user interface visual design prototypes for landing page and all interior pages and types. D. Web Programming; Responsive for Mobile: Develop HTML, CSS, Wordpress configuration and third-party integration, and launch a fully functional and integrated website; and associated QA/QC before and after launch E. Content Migration/Placement: Migrate and place content from existing 1.0 playbook platform, and facilitate placement of new content, to create a fully functional and integrated website. F. Technical SEO (Search engine optimization): Optimized website’s search engine positioning. G. Post-launch Ongoing Maintenance: Maintain a fully functioning site as designed.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

Helped us to acquire more funding from the client, have received positive reviews on the website and its layout 

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

They're helpful, responsive, and realistic about timelines to accomplish tasks.

What was your primary form of communication with Transfuture?

Virtual Meeting

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

Their understanding of our subject matter and translating that to navigation and structure of the site

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

Could help more with deciphering metrics and providing insights on how to better acquire more traffic to the website

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and your position there.

I'm the CEO of a media company that publishes two business titles

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

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

My personal website needed upgrading immediately.

SOLUTION

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

The vendor had worked for us before.

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

Kickoff meeting to discuss goals, assets and stragtegizing, and finally delivery of final product

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

Two from the vendor's team worked with me. They were the principals, Joe and Erin

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

The site is live and looks beautiful and professional

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

Very friendly and professional. Listened well. Delivered as promised.

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

They were very approachable.

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

No needed improvement.