Caava Design

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I’m the president, CEO, and founder of a wine importer and distributor around the world. 

What challenge were you trying to address with Caava Design?

We hired Caava to work on creating a new brand identity for us. 

What was the scope of their involvement?

Caava worked on rebranding all our branding assets, such as logos, fonts, colors, typography, and everything else that goes with a brand. We wanted to maintain the European heritage of our brand, so we gave them an idea of what our old logo looked like, along with the fonts and colors we used before. We also wanted to incorporate a modern touch and luxurious high-end elements into the brand. 

As a result, they created our new logo with inspiration from our old one. The fonts and typography they used were new but encompassed what we were trying to achieve. Part of their work was giving directions on how these elements should be incorporated in other branding materials like brochures, fliers, or websites. 

In addition to brand identity, they designed a website that was targeted towards our wine club, which was one of the three products we offered at Vinera Wine Society. They also helped us design a show booth, which we’d use in our promotions for future events. On top of that, they provided us with other promotional assets, such as pins, t-shirts, and a few other physical items. We also brought up the idea of creating luggage tags, since we had travel offers for our clients. Moreover, Caava redesigned the packaging of our product. 

At present, we’re in the process of developing the website. Though our official web design contract has ended, they’re still communicating with us for final tweaks. 

What is the team composition?

We had direct contact with Wayne (Director of Marketing) and Cody (Creative Director & Founder). We also communicated with Tito (Senior Designer). Wayne was our main point of contact since he lived in the San Diego area and was able to meet up with us. However, we communicated with everybody in the team if we had questions. As far as we understood, their whole company worked with us on this project. 

How did you come to work with Caava Design?

We searched among rebranding agencies and companies in San Diego because we wanted to stay local. Our options involved hundreds of companies, so narrowing the list down was difficult. However, we chose Caava over a whole bunch of other agencies because of their pricing and genuine love for their work. 

We could tell that they were truly passionate about design, branding, and marketing. Another huge ticker was that they had beautiful products. We looked at their portfolio and compared their samples with other companies. The luxury designs from other vendors looked almost gaudy and tacky. By contrast, Caava’s works were genuine and relatable; the designs were approachable but not too much. In other words, they produced high-end luxury designs that everyone could appreciate. Because of that, we hired Caava. 

How much have you invested with them?

We’ve spent around $20,000 on the brand identity project and $13,500 on the website design. Overall, the total investment has been around $30,000.

What is the status of this engagement?

Since our projects were overlapping, it was difficult to know when one contract ended and another started. In any case, we had our first in-person meeting with them for the rebranding project in October 2019 and finished the design in 2020. This was supposed to last for only 6–8 months, but Thanksgiving, Christmas, the holidays, and the COVID-19 pandemic came around. 

Halfway through the rebranding process, we started a separate contract with Caava to design our website. Though we’re still in contact with them for the final tweaks that need to go into the development of the website, we officially finished that contract in March 2021.

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

The ideas that Caava gave us were truly helpful; they brought those ideas together and made a big picture of what Vinera Wine Society could be. We couldn’t rush perfection, but the products, deliverables, and elements could speak for themselves. Moreover, we couldn’t imagine anything more beautiful or encompassing for Vinera Wine Society than what Caava produced. We’d worked with them for two years, and we hit several milestones within that time. 

Meanwhile, they could’ve easily overcharged us for asking for more advice from them. However, they were genuinely good people who were passionate about what they did; all they wanted to do was to make beautiful products. The number of phone calls, the hours, and the minutes we’d spent with them showed how much work they provided for us. 

How did Caava Design perform from a project management standpoint?

Their project management was good even if the COVID-19 pandemic became a tough part of our partnership. In addition, we were both small businesses, so things could get difficult when both sides had tons of projects. However, they did everything within our budget. 

There were other hiccups, such as someone getting sick or going on vacation. However, when we had a deadline, they always met it. They may take an extra day, but it was always for good reason — they always made something more beautiful than we could ever imagine. As a result, their work turned Vinera Wine Society into a unique little baby, and it wouldn’t have been easy to make something more beautiful than what they did. 

We communicated mostly through emails, Zoom, and phone calls. Then, as we approached the end of the projects, we started to interact in-person to see physical products, such as the wine box, travel booklets, and paper cards they designed. Wayne would visit us in our office — sometimes unexpectedly — which was great since he’d take the time out of his day to see what we’d accomplished as a group. 

More on communication, they were highly responsive. If I sent an email on a workday, they would reply straight away. I always had a response from them as soon as I arrived at the office; they never “ghosted” me. In other words, they were always on top of everything. 

What did you find most impressive about them?

We didn’t feel that we were just a number for them; we felt that we were their most important client. 

Are there any areas they could improve?

This may be either good or bad. Sometimes, we’d critique their work or ask for changes. Since they were the experts, there would be a bit of friction between us in terms of where we wanted the brand to go. At times, we had to admit they were right. There was also a bit of tension and arguments at some point, but it wasn’t because we tried to prove them wrong or vice versa; it was simply constructive criticism that took a turn. 

In the end, however, we realized that they were so good that we had to sometimes swallow our pride. They knew what they were doing, and we couldn’t imagine anything better for the brand and the company. 

Do you have any advice for potential customers?

Don’t be afraid to ask the Caava team any questions. They’ll tell you their reasoning in terms of why you should and shouldn’t do certain things. It may seem like they’re going against you; in reality, they’re only doing what’s best for you and the company. 

In other words, allow them to do their job without influencing them too much and giving them every detail of what you want for the end product. Take your ego out; don’t influence their pathway, and avoid redoing their decisions.

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I’m the CEO of Spavia International, a day spa franchise with 51 open locations in the country. 

What challenge were you trying to address with Caava Design?

We wanted to take our branding to the next level with better design, communication, and systems. 

What was the scope of their involvement?

The work was to primarily rebrand the company. We hadn’t rebranded with an agency in about 15 years. We wanted to differentiate the brand for the consumer marketplace in a robust and balanced way. 

Caava Design developed a creative look and feel that integrated with our strategy to deliver the best creative to meet our target market. 

What is the team composition?

We primarily worked with Wayne (Director) and Cody (Creative Director & Founder). In total, we worked with four to five members of their team regularly. 

How did you come to work with Caava Design?

We did a comprehensive agency review that looked at over 50 agencies across the country. We finalized the process with five finalists. We went into a detailed review of their creatives, brands, and approaches from those five finalists. 

Ultimately, we chose Caav Design because of Wayne and Cody. We appreciated their accessibility as senior people within the organization and their creative branding experience. They would be able to articulate our brand to achieve the presence we wanted within the spa community. 

How much have you invested with them?

We invested between $50,000–$200,000.

What is the status of this engagement?

We started working with them in October 2019. 

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

The feedback has been overwhelmingly positive. Despite COVID-19, our web traffic has increased by 30% this month. 

How did Caava Design perform from a project management standpoint?

Their team has strong processes in place. Their communication style is also great. They never missed a deadline, and they always followed-up with any requests. 

What did you find most impressive about them?

I was impressed with their balance of strategic and tactical approaches when putting together our brand presence. 

Are there any areas they could improve?

I can’t think of anything. 

Do you have any advice for potential customers?

Customers need to be prepared to communicate proactively and follow through as a client. There needs to be an appropriate level of urgency and commitment to finishing the project. 

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I’m the co-founder and CEO of GameComplex. We design and build interactive experiences and entertainment centers.

What challenge were you trying to address with Caava Design?

We needed a corporate rebranding to give our business a proper identity.

What was the scope of their involvement?

They gave us a standard rebranding package. They created icons, typography, and a color palette. They also did documentation template work such as letterheads and business cards. Additionally, they did the identity branding for two of our sub-brands. They delivered vector logo files, an executive summary letterhead, business cards, t-shirt designs, and social media icons.

What is the team composition?

We worked with Wayne (Marketing Strategy Director, Caava Design) and Cody (Creative Director, Caava Design).

How did you come to work with Caava Design?

We had a pre-existing relationship through four other projects they completed for us on other occasions.  

What is the status of this engagement?

For this project, we began working together in January 2019 and wrapped up in March 2019.

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

Although it’s still very early, all of our potential partners and investors love the branding. Internally, we’re incredibly pleased with the cost value benefit of the service. They’re not a million-dollar branding firm, but it’s tons of value for the price.

How did Caava Design perform from a project management standpoint?

They're excellent in managing our engagements. They've always been top-of-mind in that area. 

What did you find most impressive about them?

Their presentations where they display the final results are well done. Unlike a lot of firms, they show fully fleshed out presentations, rather than spending time on presenting revisions. They show everything you’ll need to as a company in a practical application. For example, they incorporated gaming elements and convention banners to show how the new brand translates. Within the first time you see their work you get a great picture of their work and it’s something unique that I’ve never seen any other branding firm do. They typically hit the mark on the head the first time.

Are there any areas they could improve?

Their file management, PSD, and vector files could be a bit cleaner. Maybe they had some interns work on it, or maybe they don’t expect their clients to go in and play with those files, but my team works with all of our assets and those components were clunky. We had to do a lot of clean-up internally, so that would be our only point of improvement.

Do you have any advice for potential customers?

My advice is to stay on top of the project. If there’s a pressing deadline, it’s a good idea to check in to see if Caava might need anything. Finally, the more information and direction that can be given upfront, the better.

Please describe your company and your position there.

MiSE Culinary Logistics is a full service hospitality brand launch and design company. For operational flow design, kitchen and front of house layouts and operational system launch. I am the owner of the brand.

For what projects/services did your company hire Caava Design?

I had only a name of MiSE and what the company would do, but my design ideas I brought to other people were not where I wanted them to be. Unlike typical branding projects for my own companies, I am usually much more hands on and drive the direction, but I let CAAVA take the lead and they took it in another bespoke yet functional and beautiful direction.

What were your goals for this project?

I wanted to make sure that my branding was eye-catching and intriguing but also helped explain what we did. I wanted to find something that had a depth as well as a timeless feel that could stand up to decades of operations.

How did you select this vendor?

I knew one of the principles personally and I sourced them out and vetted them after my first designer did what I asked but I still was not as excited as I wanted to be. Then after working with their flow and style of discovery, I was sold and they produced such an amazing brand for me.

Describe the scope of their work in detail.

Discovery of the branding and development of the style, feel and font for my consultancy start-up.

What was the team composition?

3 people were involved between Cody, the principle that is the engine and then the creative continuity that Wayne was able to draw out to Lauren physically and beautifully putting together an amazing end product.

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

It has helped provide validity and conversation to start with clients. The impressive branding has been something that restauranteurs really aligned with a direct quote being “if you care this much about your own branding then I feel like mine operation is in good hands”. Rarely is it not part of the conversation as I close on a deal or even just hand out a business card.

How effective was the workflow between your team and theirs?

Seamless...... It didn't take many meetings and we landed on an iteration that was incredibly thorough with appropriate progress reports about the process. They knew more than I seemed to of what I wanted to convey with my branding.

What did you find most impressive about this company?

They are a lean small shop that nails deadlines and creates incredibly in-depth projects with little politics or layers getting in the way.

Are there any areas for improvement?

I was impressed with every aspect of their operation. Maybe a full bar in their facility! (Ha!, that is a joke).

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I’m a partner at Host & Porter, a top disposable cutlery company. We’re probably the number one seller in this category on Amazon and have over 400 listings.

What challenge were you trying to address with Caava Design?

We had to choose a name and image that would fit our products, as well as make each collection to look different yet part of our big family. We also had to do it all within an established timeline.

What was the scope of their involvement?

Caava Design chose our name and then came up with a watercolor pattern scheme that could be used across our entire product family. Within three months, we started getting deliverables. They also helped us create different catalogs for different targets, as well as a full website.

What is the team composition?

We started with three team members. They later brought on a few more people into the project.

How did you come to work with Caava Design?

I reached out to a few different agencies, but some of the proposals were extremely expensive. I found Caava Design and liked their approach. I reached out, and the first call lasted over two hours. My main wish was to look like a big brand yet have each collection display its own identity.

How much have you invested with them?

We spent $200,000 on their work.

What is the status of this engagement?

We worked together from June 2017–June 2018.

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

It was a real pleasure to work with them. They didn’t have to provide a lot of choices because they hit it off right away, understanding exactly what we wanted. We got some of major warehouse store retailers on board with our new branding.

Furthermore, we now have our new packaging on the shelves for many retailers and online. Caava Design took care of the catalogs, the website, and the entire hosting for the company.

How did Caava Design perform from a project management standpoint?

We had occasional calls and managed the project through the monday.com platform. Their team was very responsive.

What did you find most impressive about them?

They always came through regardless of tight deadlines and other difficulties. They’re wonderful people to work with that truly overdeliver.

Are there any areas they could improve?

N, I’d love to keep them a secret. I have some projects that are in the pipeline that I’d like to use them for.

Do you have any advice for potential customers?

I’m very pleased with them. They delivered great results.

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I’m the president and owner of Jeremiah Johnson Brewing Company, a regional brewery in Montana. We are a production-focused craft brewery.

What challenge were you trying to address with Caava Design?

My wife and I bought an existing brewery and needed help with rebranding. We had a distinct vision of the company we wanted to be.

What was the scope of their involvement?

Caava Design created the whole brand. The team delivered seven different beer can designs. They also designed boxes, t-shirts, hats, tap handles, signage and posters, coolers, and more.

What is the team composition?

We engaged with Cody (Owner & Creative Director, Caava Design) and Wayne (Director of Marketing & Strategy, Caava Design). Lauren (Graphic Designer, Caava Design) also worked on our project, but we didn’t collaborate directly.

How did you come to work with Caava Design?

We interviewed several firms with craft brewery experience, but their designs lacked originality. A friend recommended Caava Design. I called Cody and liked his refreshing design insights.

How much have you invested with them?

My company has spent over $100,000.

What is the status of this engagement?

The collaboration began in July 2017. Although our contract ended in December 2018, they have done some small tasks for us in 2019, and we remain in contact. Over the next few months, we plan to reengage them in a long-term contract.

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

We launched the new brand in May 2018 and encountered immediate success. Most stores around us began carrying several of our beer lines. Within a very short time, we were one of the top-selling new breweries in the country, per supermarket scans.

My company has signed three new distributors and entered three new states. We expect to continue expanding. Our brewery is on track to double the volume of product we did before we engaged Caava Design, and we will likely triple that number over the next year.  

How did Caava Design perform from a project management standpoint?

In the crafty brewery industry, new brands must be launched by May so that the product is available in stores during the spring and summer, our busiest seasons. This meant we had quick turnaround times, but Caava Design delivered everything on schedule. Even though we were in different states and could not have in-person meetings, communication was seamless throughout the creative process.

What did you find most impressive about them?

We have been amazed by their design proficiency and knowledge of what is best for a brand. For instance, they created a red banner design that my team did not initially like. However, Caava Design knew this was the optimal branding approach, even if my company did not see it at first. Now, this design is extremely identifiable and receives excellent feedback. We are grateful that instead of modifying the design to our tastes, they defended their approach. They have created a real, long-term branding platform for our business.

Are there any areas they could improve?

I cannot think of any. They are extremely talented, and I would recommend them to anyone looking for high-level professional design.

Please describe your company and your position there.

I'm the owner of Maiook, a bag and accessories brand based in Slovenia

For what projects/services did your company hire Caava Design?

I needed help with branding for my company. I had the name and a general idea of the direction but I needed someone to translate that and create the overall aesthetic for my brand.

What were your goals for this project?

To create a brand identity that would be meaningful and stand out in a crowded marketplace.

How did you select this vendor?

They were one of the numerous brands recommended in a course I was taking. I visited all the recommended websites and theirs was the one that stood out. I was impressed by both their website and their previous projects. After a call with Cody, I knew they were a perfect fit.

Describe the scope of their work in detail.

They created a brand inspiration document to find of my preferences, we exchanged a few emails and then Cody and his team did their magic. They designed the overall look of my brand - they created my logo, designed my hang tags and thank you notes, and developed my brand tagline.

What was the team composition?

I engaged with Cody, the owner, and later on also with Lauren (graphic designer).

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

The outcome has been far better than I ever imagined. Since working with Caava Design, I have received countless compliments on the rebrand and made some great impressions with packaging.

How effective was the workflow between your team and theirs?

I loved working with Cody and his team. Right from the start, I felt like they understood what I was trying to create. The communication is seamless despite being based on different continents. They're always beyond helpful in answering all of my emails and they do so in a timely manner.

What did you find most impressive about this company?

I was impressed by how well they understood my vision and how they were able to translate that into my branding. They are amazing people and wonderful to work with.

Are there any areas for improvement?

Nothing comes to mind.

Please describe your company and your position there.

I am the founder of Old Harbor Distilling Co. We are a craft distillery in downtown San Diego and we specialize in high end spirits.

For what projects/services did your company hire Caava Design?

Starting a spirits company from scratch. I had a name, but we had no design direction.

What were your goals for this project?

To produce a line of spirits, marketing material & website. Naming and logo design for each product. We wanted to create a liquor bottle that would stand out in a crowded market.

How did you select this vendor?

He came recommended to me by a friend. We met and talked over beers at a local pub. He showed me some of his work and we decided it was a good fit.

Describe the project in detail.

We created a shared account for pintrest to make a collection of looks and vibes that we liked. From there they made a look book full of ideas. We ordered sample bottles, selected ours. Created the final logo and designed our labels. After that we shot high quality bottle shots and developed the website.

What was the team composition?

At the start it was just Cody and his web guy. 6 years later we are still working with them and the Caava team has grown.

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

We have had a very successful launch and continue to grow. We are in the process of releasing a new line of spirits called “The Adventure Series” that is already selling great in the marketplace with just the vodka we have released. We are working on a marketing campaign and have two more products to add to the line-up.

How effective was the workflow between your team and theirs?

They are great to work with. Always answer emails, calls, and texts in a timely manner. We are in the same city so I can meet with them in person which is great. Especially with our products that need a hands-on approach.

What did you find most impressive about this company?

We were impressed by the results and their willingness to make your ideas a reality.

Are there any areas for improvement?

Nothing that comes to mind.

Please describe your company and your position there.

I am the Co-founder and operations manager at Viia CBD.

For what projects/services did your company hire Caava Design?

We needed help in our start-up phase, basically designing our entire brand and branding look.

What were your goals for this project?

We wanted to find our look, and create something meaningful to us. We needed everything from Logo designs, to packaging, and the overall aesthetics of our brand as a whole.

How did you select this vendor?

After having no luck with freelancers, graphic design friends, and even giving it a try ourselves... we were on the search for a company who had some awesome visuals and general feel. We found Caava by searching all design agencies in San Diego, stumbled upon their amazing website, and were 'wowed' by their work. So we struck up a phone call, were overjoyed by their great on-the-phone personalities, and here we are today.

Describe the scope of their work in detail.

The scope was to come up with a brand from scratch.

What was the team composition?

Overall a really open and honest composition. Since we are a small team and they are a small team we really had the chance to hash out a lot of the small things, all together.

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

Our outcome is far better than anything we were imagining it would have been. We have fallen in love with the work that has been done, and we have made some great impressions with our image. I think the most successful for us is the learning aspect of our journey with Caava. We are a new brand, and this is our first venture, Wayne and Cody have taught us so much and really have been like mentors to us.

How effective was the workflow between your team and theirs?

At first, it was hard because we could not have as many face to face meetings. So there were some miscommunications that we felt hindered the workflow. But as things progressed and we relocated to Southern California we felt that things moved at a better pace and smoother...

What did you find most impressive about this company?

We are stoked to have met these amazing people. We are impressed the most with the personality of Caava as a whole agency.

Are there any areas for improvement?

Breaking out of comfort zones.