Designli

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I’m the owner of a web service startup.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with Designli?

I wanted to work with someone who could help me build something from the ground up, including concept design, see some holes in my plans, and provide structure and initial startup feedback to turn my idea into a reality.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

Desingli provided a mix of web design and consulting services for me; they focused on design because their work mainly delivered an end product, but they also invested in giving advice. The project started with them helping me determine what we were going to do and how to get there, which involved a long full-day session of me and multiple members of their team where we talked about our product and any pitfalls that might come.

We discussed the potential benefits of the end product, and they helped me think outside the box, so my ideas and plans morphed into something better than what I had in mind. As far as the deliverables, they assisted me in creating an initial alpha build of the product that I could use to test within my office and take into further investment for future iterations of the product.

What is the team composition?

We worked with six people throughout the project, including the members of their team and three other subcontracted designers that they provided.

How did you come to work with Designli?

We found them through Google search, and we chose them because they weren’t just designers and offered the consulting aspect of the project. They were a perfect fit for us because we were starting, and we needed to know if what we were doing was inefficient or straight-up bad.

How much have you invested with them?

We spent $7,000 with them on this project.

What is the status of this engagement?

We worked together from April–August 2021.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

Their cost-effectiveness was excellent for us, and it distinguishes them from other providers. They came in at a reasonable price point, and they were able to talk to me to figure out what we needed and work together to find a true minimum viable product for an efficient amount of money. I wouldn’t be able to do what they did on my own.

How did Designli perform from a project management standpoint?

The communication with them was fantastic; we used email, Zoom calls, and Google chats. All meetings were efficient, and they didn’t take more time than was necessary. Additionally, they always drove forward and kept me updated with the project — everything was top-notch, and I don’t think I’ve had better communication with another organization.

What did you find most impressive about them?

The best part of working with them was the peace of mind that I got by knowing that I had someone as invested in my idea as I am.

Are there any areas they could improve?

I don’t think there’s anything they can improve on. It’s the first time I’m impressed with a vendor — they knocked it out of the park. 

Any advice for potential customers?

Be prepared for the engagement; they know their field, and the best way to get the most out of them is coming to the table with as much information as you can.

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there?

Kiki Karew: I’m the CEO of Switch, LLC. It’s an audio speed dating app.

Corey Staples: I’m the COO & co-founder.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with Designli?

Kiki Karew: We'd never done this type of thing before. We were looking for a company to create a mobile app.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

Kiki Karew: Designli collaborates with us to develop and design the app for iOS and Android. First, we had a 5-hour meeting where we shared PowerPoint slides and mockup designs and explained our vision for the app.

Corey: It’s is a dating app with unique features. Since we’re still early in development, we don’t want to disclose any specifics. They’ve finished the MVP, and they’ll work on building the app so it’s ready for launch in app stores once we raise the money with investors.

What is the team composition?

We work with Keith (CEO), Josh (COO), and two other people.

How did you come to work with Designli?

Kiki Karew: Corey found them online. We set up a consultation with Keith, and we had a good vibe. We liked the way he followed up after that initial conversation.

How much have you invested with them?

We’ve spent $10,000.

What is the status of this engagement?

We began working together in March 2021, and it’s ongoing.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

Kiki Karew: We’ve shown the MVP to 20–30 people with industry knowledge, and they’ve said that the app is amazing. On the other side, I’m grateful for this team. Their execution is flawless, and they’ve made the process so smooth, creating easy steps for us to follow. I don’t know where we would be without them.

Corey Staples: They understand what we want and evolve our creative ideas, bringing them to life. In the beginning, there was a particular aspect of the app that Kiki and I disagreed on. After the initial scoping meeting, Designli’s team came back with a better solution than what we originally were thinking.

Furthermore, we have a solid MVP that we can take to investors to raise money for the next phase. When I show the app, I receive feedback saying it looks clean and easy to use. We’re excited to get it into beta testing and let people actually use it. We’ll continue working with Designli as we grow our brand.

How did Designli perform from a project management standpoint?

Kiki Karew: They’re perfect, and the management is excellent. Their innovative solution lab maps out every step of the entire process. They’re prompt, available, and highly responsive. Overall, our engagement has been seamless.

We use Figma to see updates on the app, make comments, change requests, and share the app link with others. We’re in close communication, sometimes every other day, but at least once a week. We also use Basecamp and email.

What did you find most impressive about them?

Kiki Karew: I’m impressed with how they’ve transformed our design, taking it to the next level.

Corey Staples: They’ve retained what we shared with them and documented it to make sure they have it correct. If they hadn’t executed that part well, it would’ve altered how the app turned out. Nonetheless, they’ve exceeded our expectations, and we have a great relationship, so the whole thing feels like fun instead of work.

Are there any areas they could improve?

Kiki Karew & Corey Staples: We would’ve liked to see one of the team members on at least one of the calls. We like to see the faces of the people we work with, but we understand that he’s in a different country, and it wasn’t possible.

Do you have any advice for potential customers?

Kiki Karew: If you have an idea, they can get it done while making it easy and fun.

Corey Staples: The process may seem daunting, but don’t be intimidated. Dive in and let them take the lead. They’ll show you everything that needs to be done and take you to the promised land.

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and your position there.

I’m the founder and CEO of a SAAS company. We streamline commercial real-estate back-office tasks.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

For what projects/services did your company hire Designli?

We hired them to complete a concept roadmap and web app design.

What were your goals for this project?

We wanted tangible deliverables to guide our software development and explain our concept.

SOLUTION

How did you select this vendor?

We found Designli on Google and really liked the look and feel of the previous apps they've built.

Describe the project and the services they provided in detail.

We had an initial introduction meeting followed by a SolutionLab. We drilled into the feature stack, focused on core functionality for the MVP, documented how different user personas would interact with the product, considered the business economics, detailed each page action, and designed a beautiful interface.

What was the team composition?

We had a team of three with one outsourced designer who was fantastic. Keith (Partner, Designli) and Josh (Partner, Designli) epitomize professionalism and I would recommend them to anyone interested in developing software.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

After having poor experiences with the software development industry in the past, it was incredibly refreshing to meet Designli. They spoke in laymen’s terms, which allowed for constructive dialog and better ideas. The SolutionLab is very well organized. It isn't just about how many features your product can have and how shiny they can make it; it challenges you to think about the business side of things as well. At the end of the SolutionLab, you have a tangible, organized, and thorough set of documents that will allow you to clearly make decisions on the next steps.  It also gives the product designers a roadmap to build your product exactly how you want. I am now confident that building software without going through this critical step is a huge mistake that will cost significant time, money, and headache down the road.

How was project management arranged and how effective was it?

Their project management skills and communication were flawless. Our teams worked very well together and the open dialog led to positive improvements to the product design

What did you find most impressive about this company?

I found their attention to detail, communication, ideas, and real-world business application very impressive.

Are there any areas for improvement?

No, they have their process down to a science and it works.