How did you select this vendor?
I searched for graphic designers and website developers online through Google. Left Hand Design came up in a search for 'Best Web Developer' with solid reviews of their work. After checking out their website I was very interested in learning more about their approach to building a brand, not just a website. We connected easily with them via phone for a complimentary initial consultation. A couple weeks later we were able to meet in person at a low-key coffee shop in Austin, where they are located (we are based in Houston). They definitely lived up to their promise of 'southern hospitality', and our meeting ended with a plan to work together.
Describe the scope of their work in detail.
The process began with a detailed 'creative brief' where Left Hand learned more about our style and concepts. Their questions were so helpful in guiding the creative process. While we had ideas for the brand, Left Hand was instrumental in helping us to understand what elements are critical to creating an image that not only represents 'who your company is', but also plugs in easily into the modern world of social media marketing.
They were patient and supportive with our contributions to the development, but also honest and clear about which ideas were good and which would translate well to the success of the brand. Every step of development was guided by Left Hand, and they did an amazing job of taking our long list of ideas and hopes, and turning them into something real and tangible. We were able to complete the entire project at a distance and they held phone conferences with us to make decisions about design and content throughout the process.
The work was always presented very professionally so that we could make informed decisions. 'Style Guides' were shared for all concepts during development that included notes about the developers thoughts and vision for each individual design choice. This was crucial in helping to develop the 'brand'. Left Hand begins with logo to establish the brand before building it into a dynamic website.
They were in constant communication with us about all steps via email, and always available for questions or concerns. As a small business that would be self-managing our site, Left Hand made sure that we understood how the software worked so that we could handle it independently once it was complete. They created instructional videos for us to learn how to upload and update content. When our small business ran into hiccups and we needed to make changes due to HIPAA compliance for example, Left Hand was patient and helpful as we shifted gears. They made all steps of development easy for us by giving simple instructions when the time was right to secure things such as 'fonts' so that we would have them to use independently in the future. They really guided the whole process. In the end, we received a final 'style guide' with all of our logo images and specific instructions on how to best use them. We received a simple file folder with all the images organized and labeled by their intended purposes. Once we began digital marketing it was so easy to just upload the appropriate images to the right spots. We received stacked, horizontal, color, black and white, web and vector designs all in once package so that we are prepared to share our brand anywhere.
What was the team composition?
I worked directly with Left Hand project manager and graphic designer throughout the project. They were responsive and available throughout the process.
Left Hand Design created a great website with a strong brand identity that translated well to social media. Their team took pride in their work and was very committed to the design process.