Wow-How Studio

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and your position there.

I'm the Director of Demand Generation at Keyhole.co and we're a Social Media Analytics company, we provide Hashtag analytics and Media Monitoring for startups to Fortune500 companies.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

For what projects/services did your company hire Wow-How Studio?

We hired Wow-How for a set of illustration for the cover of our new website during a rebranding. We hired them again right away for another set of web design illustration because we were happy with their first work.

What were your goals for this project?

We wanted to have the design we needed for our rebranded new website, something that visually was attractive, fun and was aligned with our new identity.

SOLUTION

How did you select this vendor?

We selected around 20 people based on their portfolio after a job we posted on Upwork. We have most of them do a quick draft / illustration test. After this, we reviewed each one. We also looked at the process of how people handled communication, deliverables, and timeline. Although Wow-How was the last participant in the competition, they came up with a plan to show multiple draft but they needed more time than I had. I accepted because I was suprised by their determination to come up with something good enough to present. The work they presented both have the skills I wanted and also the ideas to create our new identity. This is how I hired them.

Describe the project in detail.

Illustration/drawings for the cover of all our website pages + illustration for every feature we have in our tool. Wow-How came up with the art direction as well as the production.

What was the team composition?

There were a Sales to close the deal (Victor), then the Project Manager (Daria), then the production team.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

The project is not launched yet but I'm sure that the team at Wow-How demonstrated the skills to translate our new identity with amazing illustrations.

How effective was the workflow between your team and theirs?

Honestly, it was a real pleasure to work with the team and especially with Daria. We even had a video call to clarify the project which was of great help. Their processes are smooth, the communication is regular and of high quality. We shared progress through a Google Sheet which is really great to communicate too. And we used Drive to exchange the files.

What did you find most impressive about this company?

Both the processes and the results. I'm impressed with how they handled this project. They followed our guidelines and adapted it to match our new identity. I'd definitely recommend working with them and would hire them again for other projects.

Are there any areas for improvement?

Honestly, I'm pretty blunt when it comes to feedback but I don't see anything that could have be done differently to smooth things. So 100% happy.

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I’m the owner of Cabin 3 Media, a video production company.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with Wow-How Studio?

One of our clients requested animated videos, which we’d never done before. They found a partner they liked, but they ended up not working out, so we needed a new partner to create the animations.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

The previous partner had created all the storyboards for the animations, so Wow-How Studio built on those to create the animated videos. The former partner had already made four videos, so Wow-How Studio had to match the original style to keep the products consistent. In total, Wow-How Studio created 12 animations.

What is the team composition?

I had one main point of contact, but there was a larger team.

How did you come to work with Wow-How Studio?

We found four animators on Upwork, and our end client liked the style of one, so we hired that partner. However, they weren’t able to complete the project, so we engaged with Wow-How Studio to finish the work.

How much have you invested with them?

We spent $24,000.

What is the status of this engagement?

The partnership lasted from February–May 2019.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

Wow-How Studio copied the style of our previous illustrator so well that our end client didn’t even realize we’d switched animators. In fact, they actually liked Wow-How Studio’s work more than the first partner. The end client gave positive feedback on the animations, saying they were higher quality and better than what they’d expected.

How did Wow-How Studio perform from a project management standpoint?

Communication was excellent, and they always maintained a positive and professional relationship. In the rare instances we had issues or miscommunications, they went above and beyond to solve the problem without charging us more. We mainly communicated via email and WhatsApp. Even with the time difference and language barrier, the partnership went smoothly.

What did you find most impressive about them?

Unlike many other animation firms, Wow-How Studio is versatile and able to provide a wide range of services. They had resources, knowledge, and a process that made the relationship incredibly efficient.  Every step was clear and easy to follow, unlike the previous partner. Their system was user-friendly and allowed us to deliver early, even though we had a tight deadline. They were handed a difficult project and saved it, making the end client extremely pleased.

Are there any areas they could improve?

They could’ve double checked our feedback to make sure all of our concerns were addressed in the first round. They sometimes had to revisit our notes to resolve all our problems.

Do you have any advice for future clients of theirs?

Be as clear and direct as possible in your communication. They’re creative and have some great ideas, so collaborate closely with them and let them get involved.

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and your position there.

We produce video content for technology companies.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

For what projects/services did your company hire Wow-How Studio?

We needed to produce tons of 2D animated content for our client—specifically, 10 mini stories and one very long overview. The client had a respectable budget, but not something large enough to work inside the US. We needed Wow-How Studio to handle all of the 2D design and animation.

What were your goals for this project?

We needed studio-quality animation within the client's budget. We also needed someone who could communicate easily, despite being based outside the US.

SOLUTION

How did you select this vendor?

I had seen Wow-How Studio on Upwork before, but had been afraid to work with an overseas animator. It finally became necessary to take a chance during this project.

Describe the video(s) and the process in detail.

We brought in Wow-How Studio during the early drafts of the script, so they could ensure our ideas were executable within the budget. Then came the asset design, where we locked the visual language, colors, characters, and more. Afterwards, they created rough storyboards, then color illustrations, and finally animation.

What was your vendors' project management or feedback process?

Wow-How Studio had a finely crafted revisions/feedback process. Every phase (e.g., storyboards, illustration, animation) had an opportunity for feedback through convenient web-based platforms. More importantly, Wow-How Studio was easy to chat with via Skype during every stage, so I was never in the dark.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

The client is thrilled with the final content, and so am I. It will be the cornerstone of their website and their sales pitch moving forward.

How effective was the workflow between your team and theirs?

The workflow was seamless. I was very impressed by Wow-How Studio's ability to consolidate/execute our notes, seek clarification, and generally take the initiative in getting stuff done.

What did you find most impressive about this company?

They offer such high-quality work and project management at a reasonable price.

Are there any areas for improvement?

None. Honestly, there are none.

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and your position there.

We’re a medical image analysis company that develops software for radiologists. I’m the strategic marketing manager in charge of product road map assessment and online marketing.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

For what projects/services did your company hire Wow-How Studio?

We hired Wow-How Studio to create a promotional video about one of our software products to increase online leads. We didn’t have the internal capabilities to develop such a video.

What were your goals for this project?

Our company wanted a professional promo video that gave a good impression of the software.

SOLUTION

How did you select this vendor?

They were found through an online search. We compared quality, video production expertise, and price.

Describe the video(s) and the process in detail.

Considering it required detailed knowledge about the radiology industry, we internally created the script. The storyboarding was done collaboratively before Wow-How Studio took on the rest of video production.

What was your vendors’ project management or feedback process?

Wow-How Studio was readily available for the assignment. We had close interactions with Denis (Former Junior Project Manager, Wow-How Studio), Bohdan (Business Development Manager, Wow-How Studio), and Mariia (Line Producer, Wow-How Studio). I worked with their team on all the feedback.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

It’s important to deliver a video that our CEO would be pleased with. It took multiple rounds of reviews and even a complete turnaround at one point. Their team was understanding and helpful, leading to a nice collaboration. All feedback from my colleagues has been extremely positive.

How effective was the workflow between your team and theirs?

Most of the time, the workflow was effective. We didn’t use any tools to manage our processes. Processing of feedback was dependent on my response to emails. Their team was quick with replies.

What did you find most impressive about this company?

I’m amazed by the service Wow-How Studio delivered. They were customer-centric, focused on helping and changing whatever we needed to make us happy. This was really impressive.

Are there any areas for improvement?

It took longer for the project than anticipated, but that was more our fault than theirs. I’m not sure if they could’ve done anything differently.

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and your position there.

I'm the executive producer of Altered States Media, LLC. We design immersive learning experiences, including e-learning, interactive animations, simulations, and crowd-sourced videos integrated into social knowledge management. 

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

For what projects/services did your company hire Wow-How Studio?

We hired Wow-How Studio to develop a variety of vector images for a series of animations that teach basic maritime concepts.

What were your goals for this project?

We wanted to design beautiful images as the foundation for a larger animation series.

SOLUTION

How did you select this vendor?

We originally tried to find a vendor that could develop interactive animations, but most could only do stand-alone animations. We went back and forth, changing the description of the project based on feedback from the best candidates. Wow-How Studio patiently stayed with us through that madness. 

Describe the project in detail.

We worked with Wow-How Studio to develop vector images for 10 different ships, which we used in eight animations.

What was the team composition?

We had a business development manager and team of artists.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

Because of Wow-How Studio's professionalism, proactive communication, and guidance, we delivered an outstanding product that amazed our client and their customers. We couldn't have finished the project without them.

How effective was the workflow between your team and theirs?

It was perfect. They delivered outstanding work under a tight deadline.

What did you find most impressive about this company?

Wow-How Studio is a team of first-class professionals who are easy to work with. They have competitive pricing and a commitment to delivering exceptional service.

Are there any areas for improvement?

No, everything was great. 

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and your position there.

I’m a project manager for a digital marketing agency that focuses on video.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

For what projects/services did your company hire Wow-How Studio?

When our clients have unique animation needs, we collaborate with Wow-How Studio.

What were your goals for this project?

We needed amazing animation in our projects.

SOLUTION

How did you select this vendor?

Our creative director connected with Wow-How Studio and noticed the quality of their deliverables.

Describe the video(s) and the process in detail.

The videos are for the marketing and promoting of brands for enterprise clients.

What were your vendors’ project management or feedback process?

Due to clients’ varied and busy schedules, the feedback loop can sometimes take a while. Communication between our teams is thorough and actionable.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

Client satisfaction is achieved with each project.

How effective was the workflow between your team and theirs?

Wow-How Studio stays on top of a project’s status and keeps communication flowing. They make sure that all parties involved are aware of the timeline.

What did you find most impressive about this company?

We appreciated their constant communication and the fact that all work is done on time and within budget.

Are there any areas for improvement?

They deliver quality work every time. With each new engagement, our process gets refined. We’ve nailed customer satisfaction, which was our top priority working with Wow-How Studio.

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and your position there.

I’m the head of operations at Rokkit Performance Marketing. We focus on lead generation, marketing automation, and sales consulting based in Australia.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

For what projects/services did your company hire Wow-How Studio?

We hired Wow-How Studio to create an explainer video for our new lead generation project.

What were your goals for this project?

We wanted the video to engage new clients, build brand awareness, and increase conversion rates. Our goal was to use the video across several digital channels to target our audience.

SOLUTION

How did you select this vendor?

We used Upwork and Fiverr to find online freelancing services. After shortlisting three companies out of the 25 proposals, we chose Wow-How Studio because of their experience and outstanding communication process.

Describe the video(s) and the process in detail.

Although we brought a few ideas to the project, we were completely satisfied with some of Wow-How Studio’s previous work, so we asked them to create a similar style for us. They produced the explainer video based on the characters and animations we expressed interest in. Their team wrote the scripts using our pitch, storyboarded the video, and handled all the illustrations, animations, and style slides. They also improved our voiceover and gave us key feedback.

What was your vendors' project management or feedback process?

We set all the steps, milestones, payments, and deadlines before beginning the project.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

The video was successfully launched and supported our ad campaigns. We’ve seen an increase in conversion rates and the videos are crucial to our unique brand identity. We use the videos across social media channels, landing pages, and our targeted ads campaigns.

How effective was the workflow between your team and theirs?

We worked with Alex (Co-Founder & CEO, Wow-How Studio) and Kate (Project Manager, Wow-How Studio). We were more than happy with their communication and management approach.

What did you find most impressive about this company?

They’re a talented team that produced an excellent video for us. All of our deadlines were met, and they listened to our feedback. We’re delighted with the final result.

Are there any areas for improvement?

There’s nothing I can think of for them to improve—they did a great job.

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and your position there.

I’m the head of design at a company that creates plush toy characters for promotional purposes. We also have our own plush toy concepts with background stories. I monitor projects and give a face to every creation and idea.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

For what projects/services did your company hire Wow-How Studio?

We needed a promotional trailer for the presentation of our new plush toy concept and hired them for the task.

What were your goals for this project?

We wanted to show the story that's behind our characters and the right way to use the offered function on the toy to the customer. We also wanted a final scene to show the whole range of the existing characters.

SOLUTION

How did you select this vendor?

We compared some studios that could manage this type of project online and then decided to work with Wow-How Studio because of their modern appearance, references, and price.

Describe the video(s) and the process in detail.

We didn’t have a clear idea at the start of how to make the trailer, but with Wow-How Studio’s references, we decided to create an animation with handmade illustrations. The video shows the idea behind our concept through a short story. Wow-How Studio created an alternate story to ours that was shorter and focused more on the function of the toy.

Furthermore, they also showed us how we could do different parts of the work together. We received suggestions and sketches of the characters we wanted to use in the animation. We also talked about the details in the background and decided on the final stuff together.

What was your vendors' project management or feedback process?

I know we had a team assigned, but other than the project leader, I don’t know how many were involved. We received a timeline that detailed several stages. They wrote the rough script and made sketches of the main characters and backgrounds. We discussed the scenes together and got suggestions on how to bring everything down into a short and effective outcome.

We also asked for music and received a nice selection to choose from. After about three rounds of feedback and a few small changes, we were satisfied with the results.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

We first showed the trailer to one customer and got a really good feeling from their reaction and positive feedback. They easily understood the function of the product we made. We don’t have more results to share yet since we’re still at the beginning of the campaign.

How effective was the workflow between your team and theirs?

We were very satisfied with the workflow between their team and ours. It was a very comfortable and friendly collaboration.

What did you find most impressive about this company?

We were amazed by the good energy that they brought to the work. We felt understood and supported the whole time. They also tried to gather all the information about us that they could to get something creative out of it. The project leaders were always kind and courteous, and the team behind them acted professional and fast.

Are there any areas for improvement?

We had a good working process together, which gave us comfort in knowing that we had professional help. There’s nothing that should be done differently.

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there. 

I'm a lead engineer and developer at Easy Smart Home LLC. We’re a startup that develops mobile apps specifically for wearable devices such as smartwatches.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with Wow-How Studio?

I needed help to market my app properly. I wanted to create an explainer video to get investors interested.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement? 

Wow-How Studio started by asking me to describe what the app does and what the business is about. I gave them a summary of the value proposition, and they came up with various options for video styles. They showed me videos they’d done for past clients with different types of voiceovers, animation, themes, colors, and music. I chose the one that I liked best. Then they took my summary and broke it down into steps. They created dialogue for the voice over. Then they had me choose music. After I approved the rough drafts of each stage, they put everything together into a final video. 

What is the team composition?

I interacted with three people. The outreach relations manager led client communication. The project manager oversaw the project and provided cost estimates. The producer was responsible for technical delivery of the video.

How did you come to work with Wow-How Studio? 

I was referred to them by the consulting agency that I used to build my app.

How much have you invested with them? 

I spent $1,200, $600 up front and $600 on delivery.

What is the status of this engagement? 

The project took place between January–February 2019.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

I'm just getting the video up on the web now, so it’s too early to measure investor interest. The initial feedback is mostly positive. I like it, but I'm not sure I’d have chosen the same script or animations if I had to do it again. Some aspects aren't totally clear from a user's perspective. I would have liked it to be more direct, but overall I'm satisfied. It's very good quality for the price I paid. 

How did Wow-How Studio perform from a project management standpoint? 

Wow-How Studio’s team is very professional. I used Skype to communicate with the project manager and interacted with the technical lead by email. She’d send me proposals for me to approve or add comments. The combination of Skype and email worked well. They were responsive and delivered what they promised. 

What did you find most impressive about them? 

Their communication was great. Wow-How Studio told me exactly when we'd be done. I haven't worked with a lot of digital agencies, but their solid communication really stood out. I also liked that they gave me the option to choose from various styles. Plus, they have a good reputation with their other clients. 

Are there any areas they could improve? 

They definitely could improve their language skills. Because English is not their native language, their drafts of the script weren’t grammatically correct. I had to go in and correct them myself. They were fine with my changes, but that would be an area for improvement. 

Do you have any advice for potential customers?

Make sure you’re happy before you agree on each step. Once they go on to the next step, Wow-How Studio can't go back and change things. I accepted something and then later didn't like it, but it was too late to make a change. Really take your time, analyze every step, and ask a lot of questions.

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and your position there.

I'm the program manager of the e-learning platform Skillex. We teach soft skills and package our courses in a convenient, impactful format.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

For what projects/services did your company hire Wow-How Studio?

We hired Wow-How Studio to produce animated 2D graphic elements for our Introductory English course. We needed a 15-second motion graphic in which two characters exchange small talk within a setting that could pass for an open office space or a coffee shop. 

What were your goals for this project?

The goal was to illustrate common social interactions to enhance learning new material. It was intended for people who already know some English, but struggle to use it.

SOLUTION

How did you select this vendor?

We posted a job on Upwork and chose Wow-How Studio because they had an impressive showreel and reasonable prices. The fact that they spoke Russian was also a plus.

Describe the video(s) and the process in detail.

In the videos, two characters walk towards each other and exchange small talk. They provided source files, which allowed as to adjust elements based on the context, replace dialogue, and reuse the video multiple times.

What was your vendors' project management or feedback process?

In the beginning, I was skeptical about working with both the project manager and the producer. Instead of adding new steps in the chain of decision-making, however, it significantly optimized the process.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

The high-quality video entirely satisfied our needs. We were particularly happy with the design and complex facial expressions of the male character. Unfortunately, we're in the beta stage, and the course is not public.

How effective was the workflow between your team and theirs?

The project manager was responsive and receptive, and the producer communicated our requests to the freelancer well.

What did you find most impressive about this company?

I was impressed by their high work standards and strong self-awareness of the quality of their deliverables. The studio was forthcoming about the quality of the animation. They insisted on making improvements before even getting our feedback. Considering our modest budget, they did a marvelous job.

Are there any areas for improvement?

The character walk was the most complex, challenging part of the video. The artist clearly delivered the best product they could with our small budget.