Oblique

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I’m the founder of The Empowered Mastectomy, and I do advocacy work for breast cancer patients. My website is a photo gallery that serves as a resource for educational information about this topic.

What challenge were you trying to address with Oblique?

I didn’t have any background in web design, so I hired a friend of a friend to do this website for me. However, they kept dropping the ball and backed out at the last minute, so I realized that I needed to hire someone else.

What was the scope of their involvement?

Oblique helped me figure out how WordPress worked and organize the images and photos so that I could upload them to the site. They also guided me through what pages I needed within my site, like the home page, the about me page, and the resources page.

Initially, we went over how I wanted the site to look like, and we then discussed the pricing options. From there, I started working closely with them on web design. They came up with a draft version of my website, and I took a look at it. After that, we had a conference call to review the site together. We spent 2–3 days going back and forth until I was happy with the final design.

What is the team composition?

I worked with two people from Oblique.

How did you come to work with Oblique?

My friend found them on Clutch. She texted me a list of different companies to work with, and Oblique was able to get to my project quickly and at a reasonable price, so I went with them.

How much have you invested with them?

I’ve spent around $2,000.

What is the status of this engagement?

We worked together in September 2021. We’re still in communication, and they regularly check in with me to see if there is anything I need.

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

I don’t look at the statistics or metrics of my site because I’m constantly busy keeping it updated; it is a constant work in progress. However, Instagram was the launchpad for my site, where I already had thousands of followers there. I’ve got a lot of feedback from my followers on Instagram about my website, and it has been very positive. Followers find the site super helpful, educational, and informative.

Additionally, I’ve gotten attention from the media due to my site. I’ve been interviewed about it on the Today Show’s website, my local news channel, and the National Public Radio.

How did Oblique perform from a project management standpoint?

We worked very closely together, and we had conference calls to review the project and provide my feedback.

What did you find most impressive about them?

Oblique was very genuine, and they seemed to care about providing me with what I wanted.

Are there any areas they could improve?

No.

Do you have any advice for potential customers?

Be very specific and communicative about your desired timeline and let them know if you have a deadline to meet.

Please describe your company and your position there.

I am a freelance filmmaker and visual artist who works with fine art spaces and commissioned clients to curate and create art pieces and shows.

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

I needed an online portfolio that was sharp and well crafted, while simple and easy to navigate for international clients. The main goals were accessibility and simplicity, woven through eye-catching details and organization.

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

After reviewing a few options the decision came down to Oblique's close and personal communication during the project, their skilled and timely work, and their flexibility in making changes where needed.

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

It began with a few in person meetings to discuss needs and goals for the project then quickly ideas were bounced back and forth to hone into a rough mockup of the site. Files and necessary documents were handed over then after a few drafts, the site was up and running.

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

This was a project completed by a sole individual working closely and personally with me.

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

After launching the site, I was immediately able to network the portfolio to various galleries and festivals leading to a few shows and opportunities that may not have been possible without it.

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

We had bi weekly meetings in person to discuss progress and they were available to chat and update me via phone or email at nearly any time of day. I felt in the loop throughout the entire project.

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

They gave me a great site with tons of communication at every step of the process and we're even able to educate me on the process of updating the site.

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

Aside from the few random bugs early on in the project (which were quickly addressed), theres little to note.

Please describe your company and your position there.

PlayMidwest is and esports tournament organizer that hosts competitions in Kansas City and Wichita. I am the founder/owner

For what projects/services did your company hire Oblique?

MidwestCS:GO hired Oblique to completely overhaul our brand image and name change.

How did you select Oblique and what were the deciding factors?

We went with Oblique due to Adam being familiar with the product while also being able to share plenty of mockups and ideas. Ultimately we were looking for someone creative.

Describe the project in detail and walk through the stages of the project.

We wanted to do a whole new look. Previously our brand colors where blue white and black with white being the primary. Not wanting to confirm to other industry figures, Oblique suggested we go with a strong fluorescent green as the primary with black and white secondary. Next Adam provided many different mockups but ultimately went with a simple badge design that incorporated a play button into the main theme of the logo. It was simple and clean. But most importantly it looked like an esports logo.

How many resources from the Oblique team worked with you, and what were their positions?

We just worked with Adam. Who is the founder.

Can you share any outcomes from the project that demonstrate progress or success?

It was well received by our community.

How effective was the workflow between your team and theirs?

Efficient. No complaints

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

Their ability to pump out new ideas was impressive.

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

I would say the organization when delivering the assets and including source/vector files initially.

Please describe your company and your position there.

I am the founder of a soon-to-be esports startup called Space Peasants. It is a multimedia esports company that will focus not only on esports, but also various mediums of media and entertainment that are largely unexplored in the e-sports industry.

For what projects/services did your company hire Oblique?

I wanted to start exploring my options of how I could market my company in a growing and competitive industry. Without any previous graphic design or marketing knowledge of my own, I looked to Oblique to bring in a fresh perspective

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

Without any previous graphic design or marketing knowledge of my own, I looked to Oblique to bring in a fresh perspective. I had known Adam, one of the founders of Oblique, for a while so I knew I could trust him to develop an outstanding plan, to which he delivered. Their website helped in my decision because of how smooth each graphical piece worked, so I was immediately impressed with their work.

Describe the project in detail and walk through the stages of the project.

Because my company is still in the idea stage, Oblique acted as a consultant for a few months in order to help me get the business running. Our primary goal during the process was to get an outline and a plan of action ready for when I officially register the business. We had structured meetings each week with idea building sessions that helped their views come to life.

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

I worked directly 1-on-1 with Adam throughout the entire process. He was extremely helpful and was always bringing in new and bright ideas for the project.

Can you share any outcomes from the project that demonstrate progress or success?

Space Peasants has a whole set of marketing and graphic design materials that are ready to be displayed as soon as I am able to make the idea public as a registered company. In the next few months, when Space Peasants is public, it will be clear that Oblique understood the direction I wanted to take and they perfected it.

How effective was the workflow between your team and theirs?

We met primarily once a week for a few hours. It was a very easy process that was also stress-free. Adam made sure that I was comfortable with the direction we were taking, so each meeting was smooth and informative.

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

The way they focused on me, the customer, was the most impressive thing about the company. They really made me feel like I had made the right decision by contacting them, and they were always eager to help out.

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

I'm not certain that I can think of anything that needs improvement. They did an amazing job!