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High-value digital experiences for your customers.

4.8
16 reviews

Emerge is a digital product agency in Portland, OR. We specialize in strategy, UX and interface design, mobile and web app development. 

Whether we’re envisioning responsive digital ecosystems, designing complex platforms, or building mobile apps, tools, and experiences -- whether we’re modernizing supply-chains, augmenting physical products, and inventing better business models -- we make things that matter.

We leverage our proprietary world-class expertise to quickly solve user experience challenges and address untapped opportunities, create nimble digital products or services, smart websites & mobile apps.

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$100,000+
 
$150 - $199 / hr
 
50 - 249
 Founded
1998
Show all +
Portland, OR
headquarters
  • 412 SW 12th Ave
    Portland, OR 97205
    United States
    503.922.3483

Portfolio

Key clients: 

Nike, Splunk, GAP, Cambia, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, Wacom, Mercedes-Benz, Aruba Networks, Hewlett Packard Enterprise (HPE), The Home Depot, OHSU Foundation, Unilever, TedxPortland, OvaScience, Center for Ocean Solutions, Stanford University, Inotek Pharmaceuticals, OvaScience, Homology.

Blue Cross Blue Shield Medicare Guide

Everyday in the United States, someone is faced with the task of planning for their healthcare needs later in life or helping a loved one make these decisions. The overwhelming process often causes stress and confusion, and can contribute to people missing invaluable or essential care. 
 
Emerge was tasked to create the Medicare Step-by-Step experience to support potential and existing members in

…
understanding their Medicare options. Our job was to create a solution to these problems and to improve the experience for everyone considering their Medicare options. Working with Regence Blue Cross Blue Shield, we created the Medicare Step-by-Step website. This personal, simple to follow process helps anyone understand their options, conveying when they can take action and provides key resources based upon their unique situation.
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Wacom Product Launch Website Design and Development

For more than 30 years, Wacom’s products have been used by loyal customers to create some of the most exciting digital art, films, special effects, fashion and product designs. They have also played a significant role in making technology accessible in a natural and intuitive way. Over the past year, we’ve been working with Wacom on new product launches by helping them reimagine how they can use their website to market and

…
differentiate a host of creative pen displays, tablets and styluses.

Armed with our insights and some striking design, we created narratives and user experiences that are helping Wacom customers make informed decisions, connecting them with resources, and generating excitement about each product’s creative possibilities.

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Aruba Customer Experience Center App

To demonstrate their innovative networking solutions in their new Customer Experience Center part of their brand new all wireless, LEED certified headquarters in Santa Clara, California, Aruba, a Hewlett Packard Enterprise company, was looking for a mobile application platform that would bring together the latest innovations in connected office, retail, and hospitality technology. Visitors to the center would be guided through

…
a mobile experience that interacts with Aruba and 3rd Party technologies to show off Aruba’s Mobile-First vision in their physical space.

As an Aruba Meridian Engage program partner, Emerge was selected to design and develop the native iOS companion app that leads the way through the space. In a two-day UX workshop at the Emerge headquarters, Emerge and Aruba stakeholders fleshed out all the touchpoints of the experience before Emerge started creating the visual design framework of the application.

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Nike, Inc. Corporate Responsibility

Working with Nike gave us the opportunity to create a game-changing experience that took Corporate Responsibility and Sustainability Reporting to a whole new level. We did this by creating responsive desktop, tablet, and mobile experiences that engage users by taking them on a journey through the Nike value chain.

Accolades for the site include recognition from Forbes as one of the Most Dynamic Social Innovation

…
Initiatives; a Communication Arts WebPick of the Day; a W3 Award; a Nike Maxim Award; the Davey Award; and a Webby nomination. Leon Kaye at Triple Pundit called Nike’s report “quite possibly one of the most compelling and engaging I have ever come across.” Kaye gave the report kudos for innovation, education, and how it managed to “bring sustainability alive” using demonstrations and common language.
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Augmented Reality Social Network

The recent developments in the augmented reality space have opened up many new use cases to apply this exciting technology to the real world. The Markies app challenges users to leave their mark on the real world by taking or uploading photos and placing them into the AR space, in front of landmarks, buildings, or really anywhere they want. Users can explore their friends’ and public images as they explore the real world,

…
augmenting reality with their own and others’ view of it.

Emerge’s job was to design and build a cutting edge mobile application. We designed an intuitive user interface built around an augmented reality experience and solved design challenges around onboarding users into AR interaction patterns that most people are unfamiliar with. Once we solved this challenge we merged the resulting UX with a bespoke social network design, using best practices we identified from multiple popular social networks.

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Mercedes-Benz CLA Instagram Campaign

The campaign challenged five of Instagram’s most successful photographers to take a brand-new CLA for a road trip across some of the most beautiful parts of the United States. Throughout the trip they were asked to post inspiring photos of the cities, landscapes, and people that they encountered. Instagram users voted for their favorite photographers by liking individual photos. The stakes were high, because the photographer

…
who got the most likes got to keep the CLA. Emerge Interactive developed the campaign’s hub, integrating with multiple APIs to create a real-time dashboard of the contest’s progress, allowing visitors to view the photos taken, track the photographers’ locations, and stay on top of the voting results as they were compiled from various sources.

The campaign generated over half a million mentions on Facebook and Twitter, 87 million impressions and 2 million likes on Instagram. All this contributed to Mercedes’ busiest month ever on MBUSA.com.

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Reviews

4.8
16 reviews
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E-commerce Dev for Software Company

"Emerge Interactive did a great job of adapting to fit our needs."

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4.5

Quality: 
5.0
Schedule: 
4.0
Cost: 
4.0
Willing to refer: 
5.0
The Project
 
$1,000,000 - $9,999,999
 
Nov. 2016 - Apr. 2019
Project summary: 

Emerge Interactive designed the architecture for an e-commerce platform. They also built a suite of business value consulting tools and performed Salesforce development work.

The Reviewer
 
1,001-5,000 Employees
 
San Francisco, California
Randy Young
Former Principal Product Manager, Splunk
 
Verified
The Review
Feedback summary: 

The new systems were implemented successfully and yielded an impressive ROI. Diligent effort and thorough planning are what make the Emerge Interactive team an excellent partner.

A Clutch analyst personally interviewed this client over the phone. Below is an edited transcript.

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I am the former principal product manager of Splunk, a data analytics software company.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with Emerge Interactive?

We wanted to evaluate our existing e-commerce platform and build a plan for what the next generation of our e-commerce would look like.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

Emerge Interactive did the architecture and strategic planning for a customer e-commerce platform using Docker containers. They also built out our business value consulting tools and performed salespeople interviews to help establish web versions of those tools. The team did UX design, architecture, and development for our initial tools using Python, React, and Heroku languages. They also did Salesforce development work for us.

What is the team composition?

We worked with 15 people in total, including a project manager. We were also in contact with two team leads: Aleta (Sr. Producer, Emerge Interactive) and Krista (Senior VP of Marketing, Emerge Interactive).

How did you come to work with Emerge Interactive?

My Senior VP had a relationship with their team and we reached out as soon as we realized we didn’t have enough internal developers for this project.

How much have you invested with them?

We’ve invested more than $1.5 million.

What is the status of this engagement?

Although this project is still ongoing, my involvement ran from November 2016 to April 2019.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

We had success metrics around adopting the solution into our sales team and driving actual revenue. We were able to measure the ROI of these tools being used in a failed deal and now we have data specifically about closing failed deals.

How did Emerge Interactive perform from a project management standpoint?

Emerge Interactive was fantastic in terms of project management. We used Slack primarily for communication. They were really flexible with how they billed their hours and displayed agility in managing timelines, deliverables, and meetings. The project managers drove our productivity like internal employees as soon as they understood what the meeting cycle needed to be.

What did you find most impressive about them?

I think openness to change is something they do really well. It’s often challenging working with big companies because there are so many moving parts. Emerge Interactive did a great job of adapting to fit our needs. They were also really good at working remotely and making progress without being in the office all of the time.

Are there any areas they could improve?

They have a higher price for things than you might expect, but they do really great work for the amount you pay.

Do you have any advice for potential customers?

If you’re going to work with Emerge Interactive, you need to have dedicated people internally that are going to remove the roadblock and drive the project forward.

4.5
Overall Score They’re one of the best vendors I’ve ever used.
  • 4.0 Scheduling
    ON TIME / DEADLINES
    We had some challenges with scheduling.
  • 4.0 Cost
    Value / within estimates
  • 5.0 Quality
    Service & deliverables
  • 5.0 NPS
    Willing to refer

iOS App Development for Software Company

“Their work has helped us tremendously in terms of bridging the gap within our development team.”

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3.5

Quality: 
3.5
Schedule: 
3.0
Cost: 
3.0
Willing to refer: 
4.0
The Project
 
$50,000 to $199,999
 
Jan. 2019 - Ongoing
Project summary: 

EMERGE provides mobile development services for an iOS app and mobile SDK development project. 

The Reviewer
 
11-50 Employees
 
Reston, Virginia
SVP Product, Software Company
 
Verified
The Review
Feedback summary: 

EMERGE provides highly valuable iOS and SDK development support. Although they've miscalculated timelines and occasionally provide code with issues, their team is generally very professional and proactive when it comes to working with clients and wearing multiple hats. 

A Clutch analyst personally interviewed this client over the phone. Below is an edited transcript.

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I'm the senior VP of products and technology for a platform as a service (PaaS) provider. We provide solutions for enterprises to help them manage their systems, security tools, and crises in one place. 

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with EMERGE?

We lost our internal iOS developer, so we were looking for immediate staffing support to fill that gap.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

EMERGE provides iOS development support for an app designed to allow for communication in real time. Users can check-in as either “safe” or “unsafe,” provide notices on any incidents that may be occurring in a specific location, and contact the security operation team directly from anywhere in the world.

The app is also available in mobile SDK, allowing it to be embedded into any of our customer's existing apps. 

What is the team composition? 

We work with a project manager and two iOS developers.

How did you come to work with EMERGE?

They were introduced to us by another company that we have a strong relationship with. Their ability to stabilize and deploy the mobile SDK feature and functionality was a major driver in our desire to partner with them. 

How much have you invested with them?

We've invested over $100,000 over a six-month period.

What is the status of this engagement?

We've been working with them since January 2019 and they continue to work on development tickets as we submit them. To date, we've had one formal release to the iTunes store and have another currently in the testing pipeline.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

Their work has helped us tremendously in terms of bridging the gap within our development team.

In terms of the deployments, the biggest success has been our combined work on our initial SDK deployment. They acted as both the app developer for our client as well as our support team, seamlessly wearing both hats in the process. 

How did EMERGE perform from a project management standpoint?

The project manager we work with is quite good. They have access to our Git Repository and stay in communication with our team through Slack and email. We hold daily meetings, as well as weekly status updates with their developers. 

There have been a few growing pains in terms of oversight of the actual development work itself, however. One of the developers we work with has been better than the other in terms of being able to understand requirements.

What did you find most impressive about them?

The project manager assigned to our account has been top-notch to work with. The team's professionalism in general has also been phenomenal.

Are there any areas they could improve?

They could do a better job of testing their work prior to handing it off to our team to fix some quality issues.

Do you have any advice for potential customers?

As with any vendor, it's important to go into the relationship with a solid understanding of expectations upfront. I'd also recommend having more of a discussion about specific resources that would be allocated to the project, ensuring their skillsets are a good match for the scope of work.

3.5
Overall Score Their work has been extremely beneficial despite some challenges with their personnel.
  • 3.0 Scheduling
    ON TIME / DEADLINES
    They've miscalculated the amount of time required for several deliveries.
  • 3.0 Cost
    Value / within estimates
    They're not cheap, but they have a good reputation.
  • 3.5 Quality
    Service & deliverables
    While their work has been valuable overall, the quality of their code hasn't been perfect.
  • 4.0 NPS
    Willing to refer
    Their leadership and project management is impressive.

Frontend React Dev for Software Company

"They’re a reliable team that produces high quality code."

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5.0

Quality: 
5.0
Schedule: 
5.0
Cost: 
5.0
Willing to refer: 
5.0
The Project
 
$200,000 to $999,999
 
Jan. - May 2019
Project summary: 

EMERGE developed the frontend of a product, transitioning from using legacy JavaScript to React.

The Reviewer
 
11- 50 Employees
 
Redwood City, California
Gretchen Eichinger
Contract VP of Product, RevUp
 
Verified
The Review
Feedback summary: 

The product has successfully laid the foundation for the next phase of development. Stakeholders are pleased with the code and UI of the platform. A proactive team, EMERGE excels at managing development projects in a responsible, organized manner. They are skilled problem solvers.

A Clutch analyst personally interviewed this client over the phone. Below is an edited transcript.

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I’m the contract VP of product at RevUp Software. 

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with EMERGE?

We wanted to augment our team with outside resources to deliver an envisioned product on schedule. They would shift our frontend development from legacy JavaScript to React. The solution would be positioned for a new market vertical. 

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

Their work on the product included frontend engineering using React and QA assessments. Technologies used included Github and Jira.

We supplied them with a visual design that became our visual spec, API documentation, and unfinished product specifications. Using this information, they developed a proposal and defined a budget. We met with their team in-person to do sprint zero planning, outlining the six sprints of the project and deciding how to collaborate throughout the process. 

Using the visual spec, they reverse engineered a product spec. They documented product requirements on a UI screen, which became both a guide for developers and the acceptance criteria for QA.
 
What is the team composition?

We worked with one QA specialist, one project manager, and two developers. 

How did you come to work with EMERGE?

We were looking for a team with experience in frontend development using React. To mitigate risk, we also wanted to find a vendor located near one of our offices. We received recommendations for vendors, asked two teams for proposals, and decided to hire EMERGE. 
 
How much have you invested with them?

We’ve invested between $200,000 and $1 million with the team.
 
What is the status of this engagement?

We began working together in January 2019, and the project ended in May 2019.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

They successfully built a new frontend for our application in a new market vertical. It was a major milestone that laid the foundation for the next phase of work toward a commercial release. Given that we’re happy with their services, we’re interested in continuing to work with them in the future.
 
How did EMERGE perform from a project management standpoint?

EMERGE led the project management efforts for the project. They put in a lot of effort at the beginning of the process, writing detailed user stories and creating Jira tasks. We communicated daily using Slack and Jira. 

What did you find most impressive about them?

They’re a reliable team that produces high quality code. We felt we could count on them to deliver what they promised. Collaboration with stakeholders was aided by their professionalism. They were also excellent at solving problems quickly. 
 
Are there any areas they could improve?

We are happy with the team’s work.
 
Do you have any advice for potential customers?

While the team is talented at filling in the gaps for incomplete ideas, stakeholders should put effort into the collaborative process for an optimal partnership. The more clients engage with the team, the better the result will be.

5.0
Overall Score
  • 5.0 Scheduling
    ON TIME / DEADLINES
    Any issues with scheduling weren't the team's fault.
  • 5.0 Cost
    Value / within estimates
    We received what we paid for.
  • 5.0 Quality
    Service & deliverables
    They delivered high quality code on the timeline we asked.
  • 5.0 NPS
    Willing to refer
    I would certainly refer the team.

Fundraising Website Development for Educational Institution

"Their personalized attention to our project stood out."

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4.0

Quality: 
4.5
Schedule: 
4.5
Cost: 
4.0
Willing to refer: 
4.0
The Project
 
$50,000 to $199,999
 
Mar. - Oct. 2015
Project summary: 

EMERGE built a fundraising website from scratch against a tight timeline. They created a module structure to easily add new pages and modify existing ones. The team now provides support on a monthly retainer.

The Reviewer
 
10,000+ Employees
 
Portland, Oregon
Shirley Skidmore
Director of Strategic Communications, OHSU
 
Verified
The Review
Feedback summary: 

The site launched on time and garnered both donations and praise for its visually appealing design. EMERGE’s technical expertise and attention to detail yielded high-quality products. Despite some turnover, the team was highly organized, communicative, diligent, enabling a smooth workflow.

A Clutch analyst personally interviewed this client over the phone. Below is an edited transcript.

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I’m the director of strategic communications at OHSU, an educational institution.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with EMERGE?

We needed to quickly build a new website for a fundraising campaign that we were launching.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

EMERGE developed our fundraising website from scratch within a very short timeline. It focuses on a few key areas in depth and includes stories and ways to engage and encourage donors to donate. The team created a module format that allows us to create new pages and modify existing pages as needed. It is a flexible structure that can adapt over time. 

What is the team composition?

We worked with the CEO at the beginning, and their business development manager helped craft their proposal. For the main project, we worked with several key people as well as a project manager. The team has shifted over the years as personnel has transitioned, but we’ve always had a digital lead who serves as our primary point of contact.

How did you come to work with EMERGE?

We considered a few firms; EMERGE, which was recommended by our IT partners, stood out from the competition.

How much have you invested with them?

We spent between $50,000–$199,999 on the initial build. EMERGE now works on a monthly retainer.

What is the status of this engagement?

We started working together in March 2015. The website launched in October 2015, but the partnership is ongoing.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

The website launched in October 2015. EMERGE delivered it on time and met all of our requirements. Online fundraising has grown since the site’s launch, and users have praised its visually appealing look. Competitors have even tried to copy the site and emulate our success. EMERGE still provides maintenance and develops new features and forms as needed

How did EMERGE perform from a project management standpoint?

EMERGE developed a robust system to organize work orders and elevate projects to given priorities based on allocated hours. It offered clear timelines, milestones, and project outlines. We also had regular check-ins over the phone.

Their project manager was excellent. We asked her to stay on after the project was finished, which is unusual for their policies. However, they accommodated us and we appreciated the continuity. 

What did you find most impressive about them?

Their personalized attention to our project stood out. EMERGE worked to understand fundraising—an area in which they lacked expertise. The team really listened to our needs and desired features so that the final product would match our vision. 

Are there any areas they could improve?

EMERGE has seen a fair amount of turnover, which in turn means turnover on our assigned team. However, we’ve worked with outstanding project leads. 

Do you have any advice for potential customers?

We were very clear about what we needed, which helped us a great deal. Prioritize your goals based on time, quality, or money, and provide upfront feedback if a project plan or design direction is falling short of the mark. 

4.0
Overall Score Four is a high rating for me.
  • 4.5 Scheduling
    ON TIME / DEADLINES
    The team met our deadlines.
  • 4.0 Cost
    Value / within estimates
    They charged reasonable rates.
  • 4.5 Quality
    Service & deliverables
    EMERGE delivered high-quality work.
  • 4.0 NPS
    Willing to refer

Web Design for Floral Design Business

"EMERGE’s team is phenomenal in all aspects."

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5.0

Quality: 
5.0
Schedule: 
4.0
Cost: 
5.0
Willing to refer: 
5.0
The Project
 
$200,000 to $999,999
 
Nov. 2017 - April 2018
Project summary: 

EMERGE updated an outdated website and built an educational platform. The technologies used were MODX and Drupal. Their team continues providing maintenance and adds features when requested.

The Reviewer
 
1-10 Employees
 
Portland, Oregon
Leanne Kesler
President, Floral Design Institute
 
Verified
The Review
Feedback summary: 

The look and feel of the website is exceptional, and the platform greatly benefits the institute in various facets. Their team is responsive. Their transparency spurred continued engagement. Customers can expect a skilled team that translates technical language into layperson terms.

A Clutch analyst personally interviewed this client over the phone. Below is an edited transcript.

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I’m the school director at Floral Design Institute, a private vocational school servicing the floral industry.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with EMERGE?

We wanted to modernize our website and build a new educational platform for online learning.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

We had a vision and EMERGE took our concepts and brought back three versions so we could pick our favorites. Our previous website needed updating. The new site was built using MODX. Their team streamlined our shopping cart, so it integrates with PayPal. The CMS now includes a lead generator and email database. The platform was built on Drupal, and their team focused on connectivity between the students and teachers. Students can have portfolios online, and teachers can grade work using the platform.

They continue to provide maintenance and tweak features we suggest.

What is the team composition?

I frequently worked with Jonathon (CEO & Chief Creative Officer, EMERGE), Julian (Principal & COO, EMERGE), Keenan (Full Stack Web Developer, EMERGE), Brenna (Technical Lead, EMERGE), Tyler (Digital Project Manager, EMERGE), and Troy (Project Manager, EMERGE).

How did you come to work with EMERGE?

We worked with individual designers and developers in the past. EMERGE is the first company we’ve dealt with. Jonathon used to be my neighbor, and we talked about his team taking on our website in 2007. We interviewed others to compare, but EMERGE was the right choice. In 2007, the economy crashed, and we dropped the project. When we were ready to start again, we went back to EMERGE because we were impressed with what they had presented all those years ago.

How much have you invested with them?

We’ve spent around $225,000.

What is the status of this engagement?

We worked with EMERGE between November 2017–April 2018.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

We’re delighted with EMERGE’s work. The website is current and clean. It works efficiently. It’s a fabulous site. The platform makes a world of difference in our business: increased efficiencies for the staff, reduced expenses, and expanded income capabilities. It’s a significant win across the board.

How did EMERGE perform from a project management standpoint?

In the beginning, we had a rocky start with a project manager, but she is no longer with them. I’ve been thrilled with Troy and Jonathon’s responsiveness. Keenan provided excellent coding. My husband did our previous website, and Brenna communicated with him to make the transition easier. When we had a glitch in one of the rollouts, Julian stayed up all night fixing it and making sure everything was perfect. We mainly communicate with phone calls and emails. Troy is excellent at getting back to me. EMERGE’s team is phenomenal in all aspects.

What did you find most impressive about them?

We’re a creative group. EMERGE communicates the analytics and technological aspects understandably. Their team can adapt to different mindsets. I haven’t found that with other firms.

Are there any areas they could improve?

Their team is fantastic. I wish that I didn’t share EMERGE with other customers.

Do you have any advice for potential customers?

Take advantage of initial meetings where there can be an open dialogue about expectations. Listen to them because they are willing to put in the effort and understand your needs. If you don’t take advantage of that, you’re doing a disservice to your business.

5.0
Overall Score EMERGE has worked with us financially and emotionally. They adjust the workflow to meet our budget constraints. They’re amazing.
  • 4.0 Scheduling
    ON TIME / DEADLINES
    Our industry can be complicated. Sometimes it took them a couple days.
  • 5.0 Cost
    Value / within estimates
    It's a great value and investment.
  • 5.0 Quality
    Service & deliverables
    Their team respond instantly. I've never been left hanging.
  • 5.0 NPS
    Willing to refer
    I've already recommended them. There's no one better.

Branding Logo & Design, for Nonprofit

“We couldn’t be happier with their services.”

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5.0

Quality: 
5.0
Schedule: 
5.0
Cost: 
5.0
Willing to refer: 
5.0
The Project
 
$10,000 to $49,999
 
Jan. - June 2018
Project summary: 

EMERGE led a company-wide rebranding process and provided relevant marketing collateral. That included creating a new logo. They also developed a website template using Squarespace.

The Reviewer
 
1-10 Employees
 
Portland, Oregon
Marketing & Brand Manager, VertueLab
 
Verified
The Review
Feedback summary: 

EMERGE delivered excellent marketing materials and helped revitalize a dated brand image. They developed creative solutions based on client feedback. Their team of helpful and supportive professionals work through multiple iterations to produce innovative designs. They’re valuable partners.

A Clutch analyst personally interviewed this client over the phone. Below is an edited transcript.

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I’m the marketing and brand manager for VertueLab. We’re a nonprofit company that funds and supports cleantech startups.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with EMERGE?

We hired EMERGE to guide us through a rebranding effort.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

The first stage of the project involved several conversations regarding the rebrand. We had already developed a new name for our company, but we needed EMERGE to bring the rest of our vision to life. We told them our tagline, what the brand meant to us, and provided some of the company’s background information.

Starting with the logo, Parker (Designer, EMERGE) created an initial round of designs. We provided some feedback to help him refine future iterations. We isolated the elements that represented our brand, and Parker built out wholly new designs based on our feedback. He delivered the final logo after a third iteration process.

Additionally, their team redesigned all of our marketing collateral. Those deliverables include various graphic designs that we use on print materials. They also created a template for our website using Squarespace. From there, they helped us refine the building blocks of our site until we felt capable of updating it ourselves. We’d never used Squarespace before, but now we’re quite comfortable with the platform.

What is the team composition?

They allocated a project manager and two designers.

How did you come to work with EMERGE?

Our companies work out of the same office building, so the proximity influenced our decision-making process. They also have a reputation of doing great work, so we felt confident in their ability to deliver.

How much have you invested with them?

Their services were valued at $32,500.

What is the status of this engagement?

The rebranding project took place from January­–June 2018.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

We couldn’t be happier with their services. They delivered a high-quality website within an agreed upon deadline. The design options were created quickly, and they happily adhered to our feedback. That process enabled them to produce an effective rebrand that benefits our entire company. I also appreciate their suggestion to build our website on Squarespace. Thanks to some simple training, we’re no longer beholden to a development firm when changes need to be made. We have the ability and freedom to edit the site on a whim if we please. The value of that cannot be understated.

How did EMERGE perform from a project management standpoint?

The project manager was always available to speak with us. Being able to consolidate our question to a single resource made it easy to organize everything. They tracked the work closely, so we ended up with a surplus of hours once the project concluded. They honored the extra time we paid for by correcting some website errors shortly after launch. The whole team is extremely professional.

What did you find most impressive about them?

EMERGE is a creative firm that doesn’t impose their ideas onto clients. They listened to our needs and developed relevant solutions. They delivered what was promised and continually support us to this day. Their team even celebrated the relaunch with us. Overall, they’re a fantastic group of individuals.

Are there any areas they could improve?

We haven’t had a negative experience with EMERGE, so I’d recommend them highly.

Do you have any advice for potential customers?

While considering hiring any third-party provider, do the research necessary to understand the skillset each project requires. Also, conduct in-person interviews if possible.

5.0
Overall Score They’re an excellent company, and I’d hire them again.
  • 5.0 Scheduling
    ON TIME / DEADLINES
    They performed within our time frame flawlessly.
  • 5.0 Cost
    Value / within estimates
    The price is fair considering the value they provide.
  • 5.0 Quality
    Service & deliverables
    The process was seamless and professional.
  • 5.0 NPS
    Willing to refer

iOS & Android App Dev for E-Learning Company

“EMERGE’s customer service sets them apart.”

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5.0

Quality: 
4.0
Schedule: 
5.0
Cost: 
4.0
Willing to refer: 
5.0
The Project
 
$50,000 to $199,999
 
May 2018 - Ongoing
Project summary: 

EMERGE provided development staff to expedite the build of a mobile mindfulness app for iOS and Android. They based the design on specified branding to showcase prepared images and content. 

The Reviewer
 
11-50 Employees
 
Eugene, Oregon
Adam Wendt
CEO, Trifoia
 
Verified
The Review
Feedback summary: 

EMERGE delivered fully functional apps that fulfill every requirement. The team even quickly responded to an omission from the scope to complete the finished products. Knowledgeable and skilled, they provide a valuable ROI through high-caliber services and attentive customer service.

A Clutch analyst personally interviewed this client over the phone. Below is an edited transcript.

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I am the CEO of Trifoia. We develop custom digital learning solutions for organizations.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with EMERGE?

We needed significant mobile development support for a project we were working on. We did not have the capacity internally to meet the approaching deadline. EMERGE stepped in and took care of our needs.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement? 

Our mobile app provides mindfulness training and content. It’s designed for a hesitant demographic who feel mindfulness might conflict with their cultural values. EMERGE worked with my team to set up systems and establish the requirements. Afterward, they developed versions for both iOS and Android. We produced the app’s design, including the branding, images, and all of the content. They then leveraged the underlying technology to deliver these materials into the build.

We’ve gone through multiple iterations and reviews without any bumps in the road. After the fact, we both realized the scope was missing a component, so we added a change order. They got back to us right away with a quote and began working on it after we signed off. The app is still a prototype, but we have a larger project planned for later on. 

What is the team composition? 

Our project manager communicates with Mandi (Producer, EMERGE). Julian (COO/CTO, EMERGE) has resolved scope or bug issues. The main developer is also involved and chimes in when needed. I am sure many other people are writing code behind the scenes.

How did you come to work with EMERGE?

My team alerted me to resource problems that posed internal issues. We couldn’t meet our deadlines if we didn’t get more support. I had my project manager reach out to three companies I knew in Portland and elsewhere to outline the basic scope of our project.

EMERGE was the only company that got right back to us. They had the most competent and competitive proposal. My team indicated they’d like to hire them. I felt very good about the decision based on our past experience together, so we put a contract in place.

How much have you invested in them?

We have invested between $45,000–$60,000.

What is the status of this engagement?

We’ve been working together on this project since May 2018.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

EMERGE has done a fantastic job from what I have seen so far. They created a tool that functions as intended. It fulfilled all our expectations and is ready for distribution. EMERGE was also highly responsive about addressing the requirements we'd forgotten. 

At this point, we’re moving into collecting end-user evaluations. They set up every single thing perfectly to collect the data we need to inform the next phase of the project.

How did EMERGE perform from a project management standpoint?

EMERGE performs well from this perspective. There were no problems. They were super flexible with the scope and schedule. My project manager communicates with Mandi at least every other day, if not daily. 

What did you find most impressive about them?

EMERGE’s customer service sets them apart. They are very responsive.

Are there any areas they could improve?

The price is expensive, but that’s natural for expedited work that needs to be completed quickly.

Do you have any advice for potential customers?

EMERGE knows what they are doing, so give them the flexibility to perform their work. Ask the right questions and let them guide the project the way they need to.

While other companies offer lower prices, EMERGE's quality, hassle-free service makes up for the expense. They deliver good quality products as promised within the budget. Their customer service should outweigh concerns anyone has about how much they charge.

5.0
Overall Score They are rock solid.
  • 5.0 Scheduling
    ON TIME / DEADLINES
    They never miss a beat.
  • 4.0 Cost
    Value / within estimates
    For what they have done in the amount of time they had, it was a great value.
  • 4.0 Quality
    Service & deliverables
    Everyone has some room to grow.
  • 5.0 NPS
    Willing to refer
    I have already recommended them.

Educational Web Design & Dev for Healthcare Provider

“They’re perfect for nimble, new web projects.”

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5.0

Quality: 
5.0
Schedule: 
5.0
Cost: 
5.0
Willing to refer: 
5.0
The Project
 
$50,000 to $199,999
 
Apr. 2016 - Mar. 2017
Project summary: 

EMERGE provided custom web design, working on an interactive website tool with Salesforce integration. They incorporated lead capture requirements and innovative frontend designs.

The Reviewer
 
5,001 - 10,000 Employees
 
Portland, Oregon
Steven Mendes
Marketing Acquisition Manager, Regence Blue Cross Blue Shield
 
Verified
The Review
Feedback summary: 

The tool was completed successfully and serves as the main piece of content for customer engagement. It provides critical information and lead opportunities. They managed the project very efficiently, adhering to the budget and timelines while demonstrating their knowledge and skill.

A Clutch analyst personally interviewed this client over the phone. Below is an edited transcript.

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I’m the marketing acquisition manager at Regence Blue Cross Blue Shield. We’re a health plan company.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with EMERGE?

We needed help creating an educational tool and experience. Our web tool helps simplify the decision-making process for people who are turning 65 and need Medicare coverage. We wanted to make healthcare simple with a tool that would give our consumers the answers that they needed. We wanted to contribute to making healthcare more simple by developing a tool that would give our consumers the quick, accurate, and simple answers they needed during this particularly complicated time in their health plan shopping experience.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

They developed a custom-built interactive website tool. We had Salesforce integration requirements, lead capture requirements, and wanted a differentiated frontend design.

We started with a thorough discovery session. They interviewed me, several people on my team, and business constituents about the problem that we were trying to solve. There was also a comprehensive background done on our end users, which is the senior audience. This coupled with a competitive analysis of our competitors gave us a good baseline to work with.

Then we had a formal RFP process where we documented what was actually needed, what we hoped for, the timelines, and the fundamental base requirements. From there, they came up with a proposal for the solution and the various steps that we could expect from them.

We did different wireframes to get an idea of how the tool could look, creating different design iterations and mood boards. Once that was approved, we worked on the content and actually built the tool itself. They provided ongoing maintenance, hosting, and some tweaks after launch.

What is the team composition?

There were five people involved at different times, including developers, frontend designers, account management, and QA specialists.

How did you come to work with EMERGE?

From the five that were involved in the RFP process, we narrowed our list down to three, including EMERGE. EMERGE had a good reputation within Portland from their local clients, and they were also pretty active on LinkedIn for their thought leadership. As a result, we decided to move forward with them.

How much have you invested with them?

We spent $110,000.

What is the status of this engagement?

We worked together from April 2016–March 2017.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

The tool serves as the primary piece of content in our online content strategy to get consumers to engage and interact with us in a meaningful way. It provides all the information they need to make the right decisions.

It also plays a big part in our email campaign, our content marketing campaign, and our social media. The tool generates leads, and we have an integration where we can act on those leads. On our homepage, it’s one of the main resources for relevant, useful content.

How did EMERGE perform from a project management standpoint?

They were really tight, and there were no surprises. Everything was on time and budget, and they were very open and honest. It was a difficult project given the scope of what we were trying to do, but they helped us bring it to completion smoothly.

We had daily communication back and forth to make sure we didn’t miss anything or waste any time in edits or small issues. We also had onsite meetings every couple of weeks. When there was a creative presentation or something big, we’d have onsite meetings and weekly status calls.

What did you find most impressive about them?

They’re very up to date with their account management, their insight into current and contemporary design aesthetics, and what’s available with trends and browsers.

Are there any areas they could improve?

No.

Do you have any advice for potential customers?

Definitely include them in the RFP process because they have some unique perspectives. They’re a diverse group of people, and they see a lot of different types of clients. If you’re looking to get a fresh viewpoint, they’re great. They’re not too expensive, either; they’re not so big where the overhead fees are high. They’re perfect for nimble, new web projects.

5.0
Overall Score It was a great project.
  • 5.0 Scheduling
    ON TIME / DEADLINES
    They kept us to an aggressive schedule, watching everything like a hawk to make sure we were on time.
  • 5.0 Cost
    Value / within estimates
    The very fair price was one of the reasons we chose them. The quality didn’t suffer from that price.
  • 5.0 Quality
    Service & deliverables
    It was on budget, on time, and looked pretty slick.
  • 5.0 NPS
    Willing to refer

Web Redesign for an Interactive Design Studio

“EMERGE's work always left our clients happy.”

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5.0

Quality: 
5.0
Schedule: 
4.0
Cost: 
5.0
Willing to refer: 
5.0
The Project
 
$200,000 to $999,999
 
2006 - 2013
Project summary: 

EMERGE provided web development services for various client projects, working closely with the company's design team and offering customized CMS options.

The Reviewer
 
San Francisco, California
Kristy LaFollette
Senior Producer, Hot Studio
 
Verified
The Review
Feedback summary: 

In addition to providing high-quality, customized web development solutions, EMERGE's team was very skilled at managing client satisfaction and expectations. They took the time to educate and follow up with clients as needed and were very collaborative throughout the partnership.

A Clutch analyst personally interviewed this client over the phone. Below is an edited transcript.

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I'm the former senior producer at Hot Studio, an interactive design agency with locations in San Francisco and New York.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with EMERGE?

At the time, our company didn't have any internal engineers, so we worked with several partners to assist us with development projects for clients.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

EMERGE provided development services for clients as needed, which often included web redesign work. For some clients, they built websites using their proprietary CMS, working closely with our design team in the process.

What is the team composition?

We mostly worked directly with the co-founder and head of technology.

How did you come to work with EMERGE?

One of our clients wanted us to collaborate with EMERGE to build their website in 2006. After working with them on that project, we decided to engage them as a partner on other projects based on our positive experience.

How much have you invested with them?

We probably invested around $300,000 in total over the years.

What is the status of this engagement?

We worked on multiple projects with them starting in 2006 until our company was acquired in 2013.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

EMERGE's work always left our clients happy. Their team not only built high-quality websites but also took the time to educate our clients on how to continue using their CMS. They were quick to fix any bugs or answer any follow-up questions our clients had. Client satisfaction was always at the forefront of their work, which was a good reflection of our company as well.

How did EMERGE perform from a project management standpoint?

They were very hands-on and responsive in every project. Compared to other vendors I've worked with, EMERGE was the most transparent and realistic about their timelines. I also appreciated how they were able to explain the elements of their work in layman's terms and very respectful in communications. While we mostly communicated through email and phone, we also tracked projects through Basecamp.

What did you find most impressive about them?

They were authentic, thoughtful, and produced high-quality work.

Are there any areas they could improve?

They did a great job on all the web development projects they worked on. We only had to start engaging other vendors as we developed more of a need for mobile app development projects, which were outside of their expertise.

Do you have any advice for potential customers?

They're great business strategists, so I would suggest leaning on them for any advice when it comes to organizational, development, and team-building opportunities. They're good at rallying groups of people to make decisions collaboratively.

5.0
Overall Score
  • 4.0 Scheduling
    ON TIME / DEADLINES
  • 5.0 Cost
    Value / within estimates
  • 5.0 Quality
    Service & deliverables
  • 5.0 NPS
    Willing to refer

Digital Communication & SiteCore Dev for Hardware Company

“They’re a highly reliable and creative firm with a great strategic perspective.”

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5.0

Quality: 
5.0
Schedule: 
4.0
Cost: 
4.0
Willing to refer: 
5.0
The Project
 
$200,000 to $999,999
 
Apr. 2014 – Mar. 2015
Project summary: 

EMERGE developed new product pages as part of a website relaunch. They designed visual solutions to emotionally connect with the target customer and highlight the distinguishing attributes between two products.

The Reviewer
 
1,000 - 5,000 Employees
 
Portland, Oregon
Ellen Burton
Former Global Senior Director, Wacom Technology Services
 
Verified
The Review
Feedback summary: 

EMERGE skillfully managed the project and kept to the agreed upon schedule. Their innovative design elements outlined the benefits of each product and effectively communicated that information to the target audience. They’re a team of dedicated individuals with outstanding communication skills.

A Clutch analyst personally interviewed this client over the phone. Below is an edited transcript.

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I’m the senior director of global products and solutions for the Wacom Technology Corp.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with EMERGE?

We were bifurcating a well-known product used by industry professionals to launch a consumer version. This required us to rebrand our core product line and correctly communicate information to our target market, while also differentiating the two products. We hired EMERGE to assist our digital communication efforts by creating product pages for our global website.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

First, we collaborated with Jonathon (CEO, EMERGE) and various members of his team to scope out the project. Then, they started developing the product pages for our company website. Scheduling around a product launch that involves translating copy into 14 different languages yields a tight timeline. The rebranding aspect required close collaboration to find effective visuals and to take our messaging content in new directions while developing impactful copy. This required a lot of internal oversight, so their project manager gave me the background information that informed their decisions. I’d present their creative deliverables to our executive stakeholders for approval.

We’d hold regular meetings with them, sometimes three or four times a day, to review images, creative decisions, and strategic direction. As with any project, we experienced ups and downs like not getting administrative approval on something or having to make significant changes to design elements. EMERGE was able to maneuver through that process and complete the project on schedule.

What is the team composition?

In addition to Jonathon, we interacted with a project manager, their creative director, and at least two other resources. Once development began, the primary working team consisted of three people.

How did you come to work with EMERGE?

This was our first project with EMERGE. Johnathon was introduced to me by a colleague who’d worked with him in the past. Once the rebranding project started, we requested bids from creative agencies based in the U.S and considered several different firms. Ultimately, we appreciated the thoroughness of EMERGE’s proposal the most. Not only was it strategic, but it was creative and specified deliverables, timelines, and pricing. Hiring them was an easy decision.

How much have you invested with them?

We spent over $200,000.

What is the status of this engagement?

This project took place from April 2014–March 2015.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

Marketing to consumers requires a different approach than marketing to professionals. EMERGE was able to overcome this challenge and display our products in a way that resonates with consumers on an emotional level. The new pages received positive feedback and were imperative in differentiating the two product lines during the branding transition.

How did EMERGE perform from a project management standpoint?

They’re one of the better agencies I’ve worked with in terms of completing tasks on time and within budget. We primarily communicated via phone and used Skype for video conferences. Our conversations were always honest and productive. Overall, their managerial staff performed excellently.

What did you find most impressive about them?

The team at EMERGE listens. They came up with unique ways to demonstrate the attributes of our products while communicating the benefits of each one. The visual solutions they designed made our pages more effective. Genuinely high-level thinkers, they were able to develop a strategy and execute it efficiently.

Are there any areas they could improve?

Technically, we couldn’t fully implement their vision into the limitations of Sitecore. We were simultaneously relaunching our website, so that created a lapse in understanding of what our platform was capable of doing. As a result, both parties spent too much time considering technology that wasn’t possible for us to implement.

Do you have any advice for potential customers?

They’re a highly reliable and creative firm with a great strategic perspective. I’d hire them in the future because of the effective outcomes their digital content generated and the overall value they brought to our project.

5.0
Overall Score
  • 4.0 Scheduling
    ON TIME / DEADLINES
    Some parts of the schedule were changed, but they met the final deadline.
  • 4.0 Cost
    Value / within estimates
    They’re worth the asking price.
  • 5.0 Quality
    Service & deliverables
    They pushed us to a new level of marketing.
  • 5.0 NPS
    Willing to refer
    They’re a talented team that managed the project well.