7 Layer Studio

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and your position there.

Communications and Donor Relations Manager for a nonprofit hospital

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

For what projects/services did your company hire 7 Layer Studio?

We brought 7 Layer on to help us create our inaugural Impact Report in 2019. They worked with us to help collapse dozens of individualized reports into one, comprehensive digital piece with a print component.

SOLUTION

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

We had worked with 7 Layer on an initial brand assessment and wanted to bring the vibrancy and creativity they showed on that project into our Impact Report work.

Describe the project in detail and walk through the stages of the project.

Ideating our Impact Report included complex initial setup, bringing to life a lengthy content outline in a way that would be digestible to our audience and demonstrate donor impact in a meaningful and visual way. We worked with 7 Layer on design concepts, web layout, and eventually design for our printed piece. Over the last three years, we have continued to evolve the piece from a functionality and layout perspective.

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

Agency president oversaw and guided the strategy and design, lead designer and account managers worked with us collaboratively on the day-to-day and helped to keep the project on track from a timeline perspective.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

We have recieved tremendous positive feedback from internal and external constituencies alike and have since expanded our distribution for the print component of the piece. Our team members utilize both the web page and printed piece as a reference guide and leave behind for donor meetings.

How effective was the workflow between your team and theirs?

We've continued to evolve and solidify our process over the last three years and that foundation has really helped us to pivot when unforeseen circumstances arise.

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

7 Layer is creative, friendly, and accessible.

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

At this juncture I think we have room to begin to push things creatively now that our team is acclimated to the format.

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and your position there.

We are renovating and re-branding a 100+ year old inn that has been continuously owned and operated by the same family for five generations and counting. The Inn at Shearer Cottage has received local, regional, and national recognition for its cultural and historical significance and contributions to the social fabric of the town of Oak Bluffs on the island of Martha's Vineyard.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

For what projects/services did your company hire 7 Layer Studio, and what were your goals?

Rachel and the 7 Layer Studio team have been engaged to help us with multiple projects related to the Inn's renovation and re-opening, including website design, re-branding, logo creation, social media, and more. 7 Layer Studio has become an integral partner and is a huge contributor to the overall success of our project.

SOLUTION

How did you select this vendor?

7 Layer Studio was recommended to us by another local small business owner who was consulting on our project. We met with Rachel, reviewed some of her previous work, and after multiple conversations determined that she and her team were a great fit for our needs.

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

7 Layer Studio built and designed our new website; developed several viable directions for re-branding, one of which we ultimately chose and are currently using; and created templates for use with social media and a wide variety of print material. We have an ongoing relationship with Rachel and her team and will be engaging in additional projects as we progress toward our grand reopening next summer.

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

4-5 people, primarily Rachel Zorel, but also web designers, graphic designers and other members of the 7 Layer Studio team.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

Our new logo and branding have received nothing but glowing reviews; we continuously receive positive feedback on our new website for both its design aesthetic and functionality.

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

They're collaborative, communicative, creative, open, honest and an overall pleasure to work with. Deliverables have all been completed in a timely fashion.

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

Rachel and her team are excellent at what they do and we look forward to a long-term and fruitful relationship.

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

Not that I can think of right now.

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and your position there.

I am the Founder of Good Bottle Refill Shop. We are the first zero waste store and refill shop in New Jersey offering refills of cleaning products, soaps, laundry detergent and bath and body products.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

For what projects/services did your company hire 7 Layer Studio?

We hired 7 Layer Studio to develop a branding package as well as design our website.

SOLUTION

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

I was blown away with the work they have done for other brands. It was so much more professional and well thought out than other companies I had considered.

Describe the project in detail and walk through the stages of the project.

The Project was a full branding package for my store. I needed a logo and brand colors. I also needed them to design our website. We met about 2 times for them to get a feeling of the message I wanted to convey through the branding. They asked a lot of questions about how I wanted the store to be merchandised and the vibe I wanted to create. I gave them zero direction as far as colors or design inspiration.

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

I worked with 2 or 3 different people. Mostly the coordinator but also the designers.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

Our business opened in 2019 and we have grown from 1 store to 2 stores. The success of our company is very much due to the branding work 7 Layer Studios has done. It made our little store become something much bigger than we all anticipated. I told the team that I wanted our branding to look so professional that I wanted customers to ask me" if we were a chain". I had several people ask me on our first week open (and beyond that) if we were a chain. I believe this is because the branding in our store looks so far and beyond what anyone would think a small refill shop could have on their own.

How effective was the workflow between your team and theirs?

Everything was delivered on time and the communication was very open. The team is not only easy to talk to but fun and they have a great sense of humor.

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

I was very impressed by the fresh ideas they had and the amazing artwork they created for my brand. I Loved that they chose bold colors when most stores similar to mine all went with a more muted palette so that makes my company really stand out .

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

I can't imagine anything they could have done better. I went in to this expecting to get. a logo and color palette and I got so much more. They created an experience for my customers to enjoy.

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and your position there.

owner of a boutique inn on Martha's Vineyard

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

For what projects/services did your company hire 7 Layer Studio, and what were your goals?

new branding scheme and visual identity for the inn (new logo and visual elements, new color scheme, new website, social media visuals, apparel)

SOLUTION

How did you select this vendor?

referral from inn's marketing consultant, interviews.

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

• researched history of existing brand and interviewed key managers of the inn
• developed several possible artistic directions for new brand strategy, each very interesting and well done
• after the best option for the inn was selected, detailed meetings to develop a comprehensive and integrated visual identity across all media platforms
• delivered zip file with all final brand assets and templates for use on social media
• designed new website based on updated visual identity. Website included videos and essential interactive features, e.g., mailing lists.
• designed limited edition apparel to celebrate launch of new brand identity

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

Four total. Owner, project manager, and two creative designers.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

New website launched in June 2021, with heavy traffic and very positive feedback from visitors. The social media templates created by 7LS were an excellent guide for ongoing social media posts. Social media followers are steadily increasing.

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

Very responsive project management style. Regular meetings to discuss milestones and use of a collaboration tool (Slack or something like that) that tracks all interactions through email. Very timely service.

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

1. Skill and talent - overall design sense, judgement, and eye for aesthetics are outstanding
2. Ability to firmly support and advocate for views while simultaneously being patient and listening to other opinions
3. Communication skills - knack for explaining things in a way that helps us understand the process and necessary steps.

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

none come to mind.