Clay

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I'm an executive at a company that's at the intersection of personal finance and gaming. 

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with Clay?

We wanted to develop a prototype of a new gamified savings app. We needed a developer to help us with that project. We gave Clay really detailed information about what we wanted, how we wanted the prototype to work, the general user flow, and the general design criteria. We wanted the prototype to be used as a tool to show potential customers, but also to display publicly at a major financial technology event. It was partially a design challenge, and it was partially a prototype building challenge.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

Clay was fully responsible for developing the prototype. There wasn't a lot of back-end coding to do, but the design and user interface were important. They mostly used Envision for the software prototyping, which is what we wanted because that's something I could show on Mac, PC, Android, and iOS. I spent about a total of six weeks working with them.

How did you come to work with Clay?

We had a very short window of about four to six weeks and a very specific budget. I also wanted to do it in the New York City area, and I was the only point of contact for whoever the group was. I knew some companies that I'd worked with before or had spoken to at some point in my life before. I looked at other companies that were recommended directly or indirectly based on some of the work they've done.

I ended up interviewing five different firms, and Clay was one of the two finalists. I focused on them for a couple of reasons. One is that from a design point of view, I had a very specific design that I liked, and I thought that they would interpret the design correctly. With other agencies, I was concerned that the design would look like everything else that I've seen. I felt like Clay understood that I didn't want it to look like everything else. I wanted it to have a very different feel, so I thought that was good.

I gave them a very specific two-page document that explained exactly what we were looking to do, and I felt that they grasped and understood that. I could tell that they weren't going to need two weeks of discovery. They understood the concept very quickly in the meeting. Also, from a speed point of view, I felt comfortable that they would be able to do it quickly.

How much have you invested with them?

It was between $10,000 and $50,000.

What is the status of this engagement?

I first reached out to Clay in late June of this year [2015], and the project was finished in late August, so it took about two months in total.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

I debuted the prototype at Finovate, which is a big financial tech conference in New York the third week of September, and it was extremely well received. I've had many people come to me and asked me about this product, which was the goal. This was designed specifically to demonstrate at Finovate.

I've shown this to a few people who run FinTech accelerators, to get an idea of what they think, and they love the idea and execution of what we're doing. It's hard to get a good idea, but it's just as hard to get a good execution of the idea. Clay made what we thought was a good idea into a great product. We've gotten feedback from banks, brokerages, and accelerators that it's one of the top apps that they have seen in 2015, and that's consistent.

How did Clay perform from a project management standpoint?

The quality of their work was very good. Project management-wise, they did the traditional things. We communicated by Basecamp on smaller things. I made it a point to do weekly meetings with them in person, in New York, and they were always available for those. We had a short timeline on it, and I thought they managed it well.

They did everything they told me they would do. They gave me timelines for specific deliverables. If I had an important client meeting, and I needed something updated, they would work on delivering that ahead of the meeting.

What did you find most impressive about them?

It was one of the most frictionless arrangements I've ever had in my career. It was just very simple to work with Clay.

Are there any areas they could improve?

Maybe some small things, but nothing major overall. I would have wanted to handle the design a little earlier in the process. They pushed it a little later. I didn't feel rushed, but I felt there was sometimes pressure on looking at design options. That's a minor thing, and it wasn't much pressure. They just worked in a slightly different order than I would have worked in, but that was fine. They told me that upfront, so it wasn't a big deal.

BACKGROUND

SourcingLine is a startup that blends elements of traditional IT research with more innovative elements of consumer review services. We cover a range of IT and digital marketing and design markets. I'm the founder and managing partner and am involved with all elements of growing the company.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

As a startup, we have limited resources and have them focused on developing new research. Consequently, we had underinvested in visual design and it showed. As we started to grow and address markets in the design and marketing areas, we risked turning off potential customers with our poor visual design.

SOLUTION

Clay has engaged with us for a full visual overhaul. To date, we have completed a new logo, some redesign of our signature research pages, and badges. In the future, we plan the further evolution of our research and directory pages and an upgrade to the design of our homepage.

We initially discovered Clay via our research on leading mobile application developers. It was clear from their portfolio and client reference checks that they are world class in visual design. To date, we have worked in an informal, collaborative format. They initially developed a series of design concepts, we picked one and completed a few iterations to refine and integrate into the website.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

We are thrilled with the results to date. Clay gets our business and target market. The design concept that we selected, evolved the key visuals on our research pages from a dated "harvey ball" to a more modern "doughnut chart" concept. This new concept was then integrated into the logo. They also came up with some other complementary elements that we hope to integrate in the near future.

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

We are a Fortune 500 human capital firm or HR firm. We serve enterprise clients and have a global presence.

I am a project manager in the innovation lab. I am responsible for managing Clay's design and development work.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What was your goal for the work with Clay?

We needed an expert partner for web design and development. We needed a strong enough company that could handle our work for a multiyear engagement. They were clearly experts with a strong portfolio so it was an obvious choice.

Did you have a specific business goal in mind with the work?

We wanted a nice online presence with clean design and attention to every detail.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

We just wanted quality design and development work. The scope of their work is limited because we have a lot of other resources being a large corporation.

How did you come to work with Clay?

I looked at their past work, and then had a consultation phone call with their leaders. They put together a nice presentation and made my decision easy. I definitely made the right decision to pick them.

How much have you invested with them?

It was a six-figure project.

What is the status of this engagement?

It will last as long as we need them to provide their expertise. It may end next June, but could wrap anytime we feel it's complete. We don't need to rush this process. We have a lot of work for them to do.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

They have met all expectations. They are extremely responsive and have great attention to detail. That is what you would expect from a design firm, but these guys are very good. They provide high-quality design and development.

What did you find most impressive about them?

I would just echo what I said before. They are on top of every project and responsive to us. They are also technical experts in their field.

Are there any areas they could improve?

I can't think of anything now.

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I’m the co-founder and director of user experience. We are a global leader in broadband testing and web-based network diagnostic applications. More than three million people a day use our software and we service a number of global 1,000 clients.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with Clay?

We wanted to update our user experience of our existing Android application to match the recently redesigned user experience of our iPhone application.

I'd been working with them for a number of years on small design and illustration projects. So, when they expressed interest in doing actual mobile app development, we decided to give them a shot.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

The scope of the project was redeveloping the UX for the Android app. They'd done the visual design for the iPhone, but they weren't involved with development. It was really about integrating the visual design they'd done for the iPhone in order to update the Android project. 

How much have you invested with them?

I believe it was about $40,000.

What is the status of this engagement?

Their part was done last spring, either May or June.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

It was satisfactory and worked to specification. Our application was a bit unique in that it’s as much a diagnostic piece of software as it is a user experience. So, there was still plenty of work to be done on the actual engine part of the application. But, for their purposes, it was fine.

What did you find most impressive about them?

They’re very detail oriented in terms of visual design. They take user experience and visual design really seriously. I think it’s their core competency. Relative to working with most other developing groups, Clay has world-class expertise in the domain of visual design and user experience.

Are there any areas they could improve?

Yes, I think doing a project like that again with them, we would probably refine the scope up front in terms of device and past version support. Android can be particularly difficult in this area. I think we had to spend a lot of time after the fact fixing and adjusting the app to support some older devices, and some unique device configurations.

Do you have any advice for future clients of theirs?

I would recommend them for visual design, user-experience development, and maybe some programming development. I don’t know that I would really recommend them for a start-to-finish build-out of a complete mobile application for somebody. I think this is application specific, but I definitely recommend them for design and user experience and have in the past.

This review was updated on February 2, 2018 by the client. New content is below.

UPDATED REVIEW

What challenge were you trying to address with Clay?

The goal was to update the UX our existing Android app to match the redesign of our iOS app.

What was the scope of their involvement?

The work we’ve done with them since 2013 involves end-to-end design work on upcoming apps. We do the development in-house. There’s concepting visual and motion design, UX, and wireframing into prototypes that we then turn into an app. It’s all been on the design end.

We adapt the design standards to multiple platforms for one app. They do the design for one app and then we adapt it to other platforms. They’re working on one with the knowledge that we will apply it to others.

There was an entire year where they didn’t do any work with us since the last review. Not a lot of the original review is applicable because they’ve changed their name. The people I worked with for the first review are no longer involved and they’ve since rebranded themselves. The projects I’ve done with them since 2013 have all been design-focused. 

What is the team composition?

There are five dedicated resources on a team of 7–8 people. There are two principals, a project manager, a design lead, a motion designer, a UX designer, and probably some smaller design support.

How did you come to work with Clay?

I worked with Clay in the past on smaller design projects, so I wanted to give them a chance with the Android redesign. We worked with other, smaller contractors on different projects, but not full agencies.

How much have you invested with them?

We’ve spent an additional $100,000 since the first review.

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

A lot of the work they’ve done for us happened over two years ago and is only now reaching the marketplace. The app was launched at the end of 2017 and the feedback from that has been overwhelmingly positive. You can typically expect a lot of pushback from something as radical as an app design that people are already used to using. We found that the feedback has been far more positive than negative. The volume of users is qualitative, reaching millions per day.

We save money because we have a full-time motion designer and full-time UX designer. We’re able to keep our in-house design team to three people because seven to eight of their people are involved with the work. It would cost a lot more to have that many internal resources than what we spend with them.

How did Clay perform from a project management standpoint?

They now have full-time project managers, so it has substantially improved. There’s been a point of contact who checks in and pushes me to make decisions. Their design work has always been exemplary, but the project management was not always stable. They’ve really improved in that area since the last review.

We primarily use Slack but also use email and Dropbox.

What did you find most impressive about them?

The level of initiative they take in creating their own solutions consistently impresses me. They’re able to take challenges or conceptual notions and turn them into an exciting solution. They’ve done this consistently and it’s my favorite thing about working with them. It makes it easier for me because I can just give them my vision and they end up turning it into a phenomenal product.

Are there any areas they could improve?

There are no nagging things I feel they need to improve. They could be a bit quicker, but sometimes their pace is a result of how long it’s taken us to get back to them, which in turn throws off their schedule. I can’t blame them for that.

Do you have any advice for potential customers?

I tell people all the time about Clay. Their company culture is a lot more stoic and brief than many companies I’ve worked with. Others tend to talk a lot, have all sorts of ideas, and try to constantly upsell you. Clay is very different, and although they may sometimes come across as terse, it’s just a cultural thing.

It’s a little unusual for a creative agency, so I always inform companies of that when I refer them to Clay. You’re not going to get a lot of small talk and they’re not going to sound excited about your brand like many other creatives agencies will. However, it is important to note that the cultural difference makes their work better.

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I'm the director of product and partner. We sell event tickets to customers. We get tickets to live entertainment from venues and suppliers, and musicians, artists, comedians, theater, and symphonies, and sell them directly to people.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with Clay?

We have had a website for around 13 years, and we were looking to hire them to do the design for a mobile application that sells the same ticket inventory.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

We had in-house developers, so Clay did all the design and user experience. We provided them with our website to see how the process worked. The goal was to have the app function similarly to the website. They were in charge of doing all the design for it, and they delivered [Adobe] Photoshop files which our developers implemented.

How did you come to work with Clay?

We first worked with them about four or five years ago on a web project. They’d been our vendor before. I think we originally found them online, and I knew that they’d gotten into doing app design. They were one of the first firms that we contacted looking for quotes.

What is the status of this engagement?

We just launched the app to the App Store a week ago. Their design side of it was essentially complete about a month and a half ago, sometime in mid-September [2013].

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

Quite satisfied. We're pretty happy with it. We’ve got really good feedback from both direct users who downloaded the app and industry people.

What did you find most impressive about them?

They’re certainly one of the best in the world at icon design especially. They did a great job all around.

Are there any areas they could improve?

There’s always a difficulty working with consulting companies, and certainly when time differences are great. They do have people that work out of St. Petersburg, Russia. The time difference can be difficult to work around, but we’re experienced at this point working with them so it’s not really that big of a deal.

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and position.

I am the CEO of Streetbeat

Describe what your company does in a single sentence.

AI Agents for Finance and Investing

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

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

• Create the company branding, guidelines and logos

SOLUTION

How did you find Clay?

Referral

Why did you select Clay over others?

• Great culture fit
• Referred to me
• Company values aligned
• quality

How many teammates from Clay were assigned to this project?

6-10 Employees

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

We've engaged Clay multiple times across several companies over the past decade. They consistently prove to be best-in-class. From competitive analysis to new brand creation, their process is outstanding.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

The design, logo, and brand identity were transformed from amateur level to top-tier quality.

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

They over-delivered and overperformed expectations. 

What was your primary form of communication with Clay?

• Virtual Meeting
• Email or Messaging App

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

They anticipate the times by 1-2 years, really impressive design. 

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

It's a bit expensive

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and position.

I am the Director of Web Strategy and Operations of a nonprofit organization

Describe what your company does in a single sentence.

Increases access to great American Art.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

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

• Website rearchitecture and design
• Improve user experience on our website

SOLUTION

How did you find Clay?

• Online Search
• Referral

Why did you select Clay over others?

• High ratings
• Good value for cost
• Company values aligned

How many teammates from Clay were assigned to this project?

6-10 Employees

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

• Engage for Discovery phase
• UI/UX research
• Website design and development

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

Increase in conversions, user reviews, ecosystem feedback, and internal increase in efficiency.

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

• Project managers are a strength of this organization.
• Had a few delays with development work but communicated very well.

What was your primary form of communication with Clay?

• In-Person Meeting
• Virtual Meeting
• Email or Messaging App

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

• Quality of work
• Senior staff remained engaged throughout the project
• They delivered work that was world-class and exceeded expectations.

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

Working with overseas dev staff is challenging at times but the technical pm was excellent and responsive

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and position.

I am the Manager of a car retailer

Describe what your company does in a single sentence.

The company sells cars

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

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

• Company website design development

SOLUTION

How did you find Clay?

Online Search

Why did you select Clay over others?

High ratings

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

I recently had the pleasure of working with Clay Web Design for my website project, and I must say, I am thoroughly impressed with the outcome. From the very beginning, they showed great professionalism and dedication to understanding my needs. Despite English not being my first language, they were patient and accommodating, ensuring clear communication throughout the process. 

The team at Clay Web Design exhibited a high level of creativity in bringing my vision to life. They listened attentively to my ideas and preferences, incorporating them seamlessly into the design. The result was a visually stunning website that exceeded my expectations. 

Moreover, their attention to detail and commitment to delivering a functional and user-friendly website were evident throughout the project. Any concerns or questions I had were addressed promptly, further demonstrating their excellent customer service. 

Overall, I am extremely satisfied with the services provided by Clay Web Design. As a non-native English speaker, I appreciated their patience, professionalism, and the outstanding quality of their work. I would highly recommend them to anyone in need of web design services.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

Impressed with Clay Web Design's Professionalism and Creativity

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

All completed on time

What was your primary form of communication with Clay?

Virtual Meeting

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

One thing I found particularly impressive about Clay Web Design is their uncanny ability to grasp the essence of what I wanted for my website. They had this unique talent to understand my vision and turn it into something real, something beautiful. I've worked with other web design companies before, but none of them seemed to really "get" what I was aiming for like Clay did. 

Moreover, their customer service was top-notch. Even though English isn't my first language, they were incredibly patient and attentive, making sure I understood everything and addressing any questions or concerns I had along the way. It made me feel valued as a client, which isn't always the case with other companies. 

Overall, what sets Clay apart is their combination of creativity, understanding, and exceptional service. It's not just about building a website; it's about bringing your vision to life in the best possible way. I highly recommend them to anyone looking for a web design company that truly cares about their clients' needs.

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

no

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and your position there.

I'm a co-founder of Skylum Software - a computer software company, a developer of such products as Luminar, Luminar AI, Luminar NEO, and others.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

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

We needed a new website for our new product, Luminar AI.

SOLUTION

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

Recommendations from people in the industry.

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

We had a kick-off meeting to discuss our goals. Then we had different calls where Clay's team suggested their ideas. After we approved main points they started the production.

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

2-3 people, I don't remember exactly now.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

Clay team created an amazing web site that perfectly reflected the idea of why our new product was different and better then previous versions.

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

I don't remember this.

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

We were impressed with how quickly they provided high-quality results.

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

Nothing comes to my mind.