ITYPE Design Studio

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I’m a nanny and an author of 12 books about the lives of pets. They’re all real pictures of scenes that I set up with clothing and props to create different adventure stories.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with ITYPE Design Studio?

After taking pictures like these for about 10 years while the children I worked with were at school, I decided I wanted to get them made into printed books. Getting a book printed through a publisher is about as easy as getting struck by lightning, and self-publishing is very expensive, so I wanted to find a freelance design person who could help me create something I was proud of at a reasonable price.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

I took photos and wrote stories to go along with them, and then submitted a storyline with all the photos to him. He turned it into a book format with the cover design and everything and then sent it back to me to make comments. We would include an introduction at the beginning and some blooper pictures and an about me at the end of every book, and we did that for 15 books.

What is the team composition?

I work directly with the designer. I think he has people who work on different elements of the design for him, but he is my point of contact for it all.

How did you come to work with ITYPE Design Studio?

Someone I know told me about freelancer.com, and I found ITYPE Design Studio on there, where I got connected with a few of their designers. One, in particular, sent me work that I found to be very high quality compared to some of the stuff that was out there, so I decided to work with him.

How much have you invested with them?

I believe the total investment cost me about $5,000.

What is the status of this engagement?

We worked together from March 2018–June 2019.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

The main impact that I was able to achieve through the project with ITYPE Design Studio was that the books we produced were just amazing. I fell in love with them because of the way he designed them immediately, there was so much color and fun.

I haven’t gotten into the promoting and selling of the book yet, but just from friends and family, I’ve made about $200–$300 dollars, which is great. When I show them to people, I get really positive feedback because of how unique, amusing, and attractive the books are.

How did ITYPE Design Studio perform from a project management standpoint?

We always communicated through email and would go back and forth like that with changes over and over again until we got it just right. He was very polite and professional and would always respond to me within 24 hours. The whole process was very easy to go through because of him.

What did you find most impressive about them?

Not only was I able to do all of the books for significantly less than I would have with any publisher, but he didn’t charge me for any corrections throughout the process, which no other freelancer offered to do.

Are there any areas they could improve?

No. He was a Godsend; I really have only positive things to say.

Do you have any advice for potential customers?

Just be clear about communicating what you want from the product. If you’re willing to go back and forth to clarify the things you’re asking for, you’re going to get a really great product in the end.