Unparallel Brand + Design

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and your position there.

COO of a consumer goods startup company based in Toronto, Canada.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

For what projects/services did your company hire Unparallel Brand + Design?

We needed to get branding development from the ground up for a startup. Still in sensitive stages, so cannot provide much details about the project but it involved logo and typography as well as messaging guidelines for a consumer product.

What were your goals for this project?

To have logo and brand development done by true professionals - where the final work shows it was clever, well though out, and invested in.

SOLUTION

How did you select this vendor?

Researched the top 3 branding vendors in Toronto; had conversations with them over the phone; also considered their past clientele. Everything was impressive with Unparallel.

Describe the scope of their work in detail.

They obtained information about the product, the target audience (actually there were multiple market segments). They created a number of creative logo concepts capturing our requirements and helped our team converge on an idea that everyone felt happy with. This was following by colour palette selection, typography finalization, and very helpful messaging pointers. We were offered a very comprehensive set of files upon completion with all the colour combinations as well as logo orientations possible.

What was the team composition?

We interfaced with one of the executives of Unparallel - Mr. Michael Gouveia. Amazing person. Knowledgeable, personable, patient, creative - just an amazing guy.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

Since we are an early stage startup and are in the process of trademarking the work - no, we cannot share the results yet.

How effective was the workflow between your team and theirs?

Very effective. Communication was seamless. Meetings (i.e. video calls due to COVID) were set up as frequently as we wanted (not too many were needed). They were flexible and adjusted their flow with our team's.

What did you find most impressive about this company?

Their level of creativity, amazing personality, and friendliness stand out; as well as the awesome value.

Are there any areas for improvement?

Not really. Just keep at things the same way and your clients will be very thankful.

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and your position there.

I’m the owner of Slate Realty Inc, a real estate brokerage where I'm also the broker of record.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

For what projects/services did your company hire Unparallel Brand + Design?

We hired Unparallel Brand + Design to help us establish a new brand image, and revamp our primary website accordingly.

What were your goals for this project?

We wanted to re-position the branding on our website to appeal to a broader audience ranging from millennials to empty nesters. The new website would support lead generation by encouraging users to contact stakeholders for more information.

SOLUTION

How did you select this vendor?

Michael (Owner, Unparallel Brand + Design) was highly recommended to us by our senior backend developer. We were impressed by his portfolio of previous work and decided to meet him for lunch. He shared excellent ideas for the site with great enthusiasm, and he seemed genuinely interested in collaborating with us.

Describe the project and the services they provided in detail.

The team reflected a re-positioned brand in the aesthetics of the web design, including defining a color palette and brand voice.

They also reworked the content on our website, simplifying a large amount of data into more digestible concepts. The website was developed to generate leads by directing users to contact internal stakeholders.

What was the team composition?

The team consisted of ten people (e.g. developers, content writers, a data manager, photographers, and data entry team members).

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

Less than a year after launching our site, we have been generating about 10 leads per day. Our agents have been busier, and they’ve expressed that they’re proud to be featured on our website.

How was project management arranged and how effective was it?

The team used Trello and Slack platforms to efficiently manage the project. Michael completed mockups which were then processed by the development team. He assisted the developers as needed, especially as they moved closer to the production phase.

What did you find most impressive about this company?

There were many moments when Michael was aware that I was completely satisfied with a mockup, yet he'd still look for better solutions (e.g. a better UX). He seemed personally dedicated to our project, and that went a long way. The team produced work of exceptional quality.

Are there any areas for improvement?

No areas of improvement come to mind.

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and your position there.

I'm the owner of a quick service restaurant in Toronto.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

For what projects/services did your company hire Unparallel Brand + Design?

I hired Unparallel Brand + Design to create a brand logo, design the aesthetics of my restaurant, outline our menu, hire a team of builders, as well as structure our catering services and ordering system.

What were your goals for this project?

My restaurant needed to have a high-end brand to fit my target audience, yet it also needed to be cost-effective so it could be franchised.

SOLUTION

How did you select this vendor?

Mike (Creative Director, Unparallel Brand + Design) had designed about eight other restaurants for us in the past. Each restaurant he’s helped us plan has received a lot of attention, and I’ve been able to sell them all.

Describe the scope of their work in detail.

The team designated time to evaluate the current and future needs of my business. They also looked at how my business could best satisfy the needs of the greater community.

They made aesthetic design decisions about the restaurant, choosing materials that would resonate with our brand yet also be cost-effective. Using inspiration from the brand, they designed our logo and our website. The team also helped create our catering menu, main menu, brochures, and business cards. Outside of branding work, they've helped populate our cash register display with images, introduced us to an online ordering service, and set up our security cameras.

What was the team composition?

I communicated directly with the owner of Unparallel Brand + Design.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

Within the last three months, our restaurant activity has increased by 35%. Our establishment has received an extremely positive response from food court customers. We had franchising inquiries within months of opening the doors. The online ordering services they’ve introduced us to are more efficient than our original system.

How effective was the workflow between your team and theirs?

I’m confident in their ability to satisfy my business needs. They have been very accommodating with my busy scheduling, involving me in the early decisions and self-managing the rest on their own. The team coordinates the optimal times to update me on their progress and ask for my approval.

What did you find most impressive about this company?

They have been flexible with my varying needs, even if they are outside of the original scope of work. They accomplish tasks quickly with a positive attitude.

They make creative, cost-effective decisions considering the resulting ROI. For example, they could have chosen expensive materials to match my high-end brand image, but instead, they found less expensive products that still appear high-end.

Are there any areas for improvement?

I’ve been happy with the team’s work, and I hope the excellent quality remains as they continue to expand.

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I’m the acting director of a communications company.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with Unparallel Brand + Design?

We engaged Unparallel Brand + Design to create assets for a location-based mobile application that connects users with taxi services. We needed brand design as well as web and marketing material for the app.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

We first had in-person meetings with Mike (Creative Director, Unparallel Brand + Design) and his team to whiteboard and storyboard designs. We worked on everything from messaging to typography from scratch. Unparallel Brand + Design helped us design the app flow. They also help craft the logo, which involved creating a wordmark, a visual identity, and a written identity. 

All messaging and graphical material went through several rounds of feedback and revisions. The team also developed the assets for the app’s native Android and iOS versions and its web presence. Lastly, Unparallel Brand + Design created marketing materials for multiple digital and print initiatives. Some initiative included promotional material for campaigns with organizations like Mothers Against Drunk Driving.

What is the team composition?

We worked primarily with Mike, who led a team behind the scenes.

How did you come to work with Unparallel Brand + Design?

We wanted an experienced firm that can work in different capacities. We needed marketing and advertising support, asset and material production, and web and native app development. I had worked with Mike when he was working at a large advertising agency. His skill set met our needs.

How much have you invested with them?

We spent between $100,000–$200,000.

What is the status of this engagement?

We worked together from May 2016–October 2018.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

The app received praise and positive feedback from Mothers Against Drunk Driving and related organizations that discourage driving while under the influence. We’re thrilled with the brand work and final products that Unparallel Brand + Design delivered. We’ll definitely work with their team again.

How did Unparallel Brand + Design perform from a project management standpoint?

They never missed a single deadline. We even brought their team in to create assets for last-minute campaigns, and they always pulled through for us. We communicated every day throughout the development process—regular feedback sessions and product cycles required constant back-and-forth

What did you find most impressive about them?

Unparallel Brand + Design turned around high-quality work rapidly every time we turned to them.

Are there any areas they could improve?

No, I can’t think of anything.

Any advice for potential customers?

Call them and see if their team is a fit for your needs. Unparallel Brand + Design will be honest with you about whether or not your project matches their skill set.

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and position.

I am the Founder, Lawyer of ASR Family and Estate Law

Describe what your company does in a single sentence.

We resolve family and estate legal issues.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What specific goals or objectives did you hire Unparallel Brand + Design to accomplish?

• Web development
• Brand identity

SOLUTION

How did you find Unparallel Brand + Design?

• Clutch Site

Why did you select Unparallel Brand + Design over others?

• High ratings
• Pricing fit our budget
• Good value for cost
• Company values aligned
• Positive reviews

How many teammates from Unparallel Brand + Design were assigned to this project?

2-5 Employees

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

Michael Gouveia of Unparallel provided full brand identity, logo, stationary kits and a full website.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

• Brand identity
• logo design
• stationery design and website development

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

I had a very tight timeline to launch my new firm, and I had a clear vision of what I wanted but didn't know how I was going to realize it. We had a great discussion about what I wanted, and they provided invaluable, practical advice about how to achieve my vision. While we were reviewing the logo and website, they were responsive and corrected issues that arose, even after the project was completed. I am grateful for everything that Unparallel has done.

What was your primary form of communication with Unparallel Brand + Design?

• Virtual Meeting

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

I received great, timely advice, and the cost was fair and reasonable.

Are there any areas for improvement or something Unparallel Brand + Design could have done differently?

Not that I can think of.