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    Chicago, IL
    312.828.0200

We build brands that build business

5.0
4 reviews

Paragraphs is an award-winning graphic design firm located in Chicago. A proud Women Business Enterprise (WBE), we specialize in branding and corporate communications across all media. We inspire companies to re-think the way they do business. 

Since 1984, we’ve helped leading companies around the world do one thing exceptionally well: build powerful brands that grow their business.

 
Undisclosed
 
Undisclosed
 
10 - 49
 Founded
1984
Show all +
Chicago, IL
headquarters
  • Paragraphs, LLC
    200 S. Michigan Avenue, Suite 1410
    Chicago, IL 60604
    United States
    312.828.0200

Portfolio

Key clients: 

We're proud to have worked with clients of all sizes in all industries. Notable clients include: Baxter Healthcare; Exelon Corporation; IBM Watson; Hyatt; and Coca-Cola FEMSA.

Reviews

5.0
4 reviews
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Marketing for Scholarship Nonprofit Org

"It is easy to see the passion they put into their work and the pride they take in the final product."

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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
 
Mar. 2018 - Ongoing
Project summary: 

Paragraphs provides branding, logo, tagline, web development and marketing content services.

The Reviewer
 
1-10 Employees
 
Naperville, Illinois
Brett Weiss
Founder, Weiss Scholarship Foundation
 
Verified
The Review
Feedback summary: 

Although early in the project, donations have increased in both quantity and scale thanks to the achieved professional look. Projects are managed in a responsive, effective, and professional manner.

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and your position there.

I am the Founder and Director of the Weiss Scholarship Foundation. We provide scholarships to children in Dago, Kenya.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

For what projects/services did your company hire Paragraphs, LLC?

We needed services for branding, logo and tagline creation, web site development and marketing content.

What were your goals for this project?

We have wanted to create a professional image of our foundation in order to attract both more and larger donations.

SOLUTION

How did you select this vendor?

I received multiple references from associates who said that Paragraphs was the best to work with.

Can you go into detail about the services they provided and the scope of the project?

They provide web development, logo, tagline, and marketing content services.

What was the team composition?

We are working with five people from Paragraphs.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

While it is very early on in the process, we are already having a fantastic response. We have a much more professional image now that will attract both more and larger donations.

How was project management arranged and how effective was it?

We had an initial meeting with the Paragraph's staff to put together the project. Since then we have communicated many times via email, phone, and in-person meetings. This has been very effective, in part because the experience they bring is incredibly helpful. They make us feel that we are in really good hands.

What did you find most impressive about this company?

They immediately showed us they knew a lot about what we needed to do. Each person is incredibly professional in every part of their job. When there is a question they respond very quickly. It is easy to see the passion they put into their work and the pride they take in the final product.

5.0
Overall Score I will use them again and will recommend them to anyone.
  • 5.0 Scheduling
    ON TIME / DEADLINES
    Scheduling has been easy.
  • 5.0 Cost
    Value / within estimates
    They offer very competitive pricing.
  • 5.0 Quality
    Service & deliverables
    They are everything we wanted and more.
  • 5.0 NPS
    Willing to refer
    I will very likely refer them.

Branding & Video Production for Large Printing Manufacturer

“They were instrumental in communicating our green initiatives in a quick and professional manner.”

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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. 2015 - Ongoing
Project summary: 

Paragraphs produced a video and supplemental marketing materials to promote a large eco-friendly initiative. They transcribed the materials into 13 languages to facilitate an international launch.

The Reviewer
 
1,001-5,000 Employees
 
Illinois
Global Director of Environmental Health & Safety, Large Printing Company
 
Verified
The Review
Feedback summary: 

The success of their deliverables is evident by an increase in program participation throughout client associates. Trustworthy and dependable, Paragraphs delivered what was promised in a noteworthy timeframe.

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I’m the global director of environmental health and safety for a large printing manufacturer.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with Paragraphs?

Environmental health and safety is a core value of our company. We take pride in protecting our employees and working within applicable regulations to minimize our impact on the environment. We required proper branding and video production to communicate our environmental sustainability programs across multiple markets.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

They created a video, pamphlet, and PowerPoint presentation detailing our green initiatives. They transcribed these marketing materials into 13 different languages, as they were released internationally.

What is the team composition?

I generally worked with Rachael [Senior VP and Partner, Paragraphs] and Dora [Senior Designer, Paragraphs].

How did you come to work with Paragraphs?

They were recommended by our marketing group. I communicated the project expectations and they sent back some concepts. We decided to go with them.

How much have you invested with them?

The initial project cost roughly a couple $100,000.

What is the status of this engagement?

We started working together in January 2015. This project has since been completed, but we continue to use them periodically for translation and graphic design work.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

They were instrumental in communicating our green initiatives in a quick and professional manner. The video turned out fantastic and so did the other materials. In response, people were excited about being environmentally safe. We’ve experienced increased participation in the program by all associates, which has allowed us to recycle more and continue to approach processes like packaging and waste from an environmental standpoint.

How did Paragraphs perform from a project management standpoint?

We communicated by email or phone and they performed excellently.

What did you find most impressive about them?

They’re incredibly dependable in terms of correspondence and delivering results.

Are there any areas they could improve?

I’ve no criticisms, they were excellent to work with.

Do you have any advice for potential customers?

I’d encourage customers to work with them because they’re a great company.

5.0
Overall Score
  • 5.0 Scheduling
    ON TIME / DEADLINES
  • 5.0 Cost
    Value / within estimates
  • 5.0 Quality
    Service & deliverables
    They delivered exactly what was promised.
  • 5.0 NPS
    Willing to refer
    I’ve done so already.

Branding & Marketing for Hospital Products Company

"Their clients get an authentic and enjoyable experience."

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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
 
Mar. 2002 - Ongoing
Project summary: 

Paragraphs branded and rebranded various products and also did the corporate rebranding for a global healthcare organization.

The Reviewer
 
10,001+ Employees
 
Illinois
Senior Manager, Hospital Products Company
 
Verified
The Review
Feedback summary: 

Producing a lot of value for the client, Paragraphs is responsive, understanding, and friendly. are highly skilled at keeping track of the project needs and fulfilling them correctly, and are genuinely enthusiastic about the work.

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I am a Senior Manager of Marketing Communications at a global healthcare organization. I support the marketing teams in their promotional campaigns, branding initiatives, convention programs, and product launches, and have worked in a variety of medical product areas.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with Paragraphs?

The first time we hired Paragraphs we needed branding of a new business venture. When we hired them the second time, the goal was to rebrand and revamp an existing but struggling product.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

On the first job, Paragraphs did the branding and product definition for a new business venture in pharmacy automation. Later, they rebranded an existing product in lieu of competitive threat, changing its perception from quite stodgy to fresh, dynamic, and exciting. As a result of the success of that project, Paragraph's work broadened in scope as they worked on branding our entire business, including our corporate branding. Their creativity really lends itself to photoshoots that completely change the perception of a product.

What is the team dynamic?

I've generally interacted with the President, VP, and Creative Director. It is a small team, but you get the top people, which I appreciate.

How did you come to work with Paragraphs?

We did a capabilities presentation, and Paragraph was one of the companies that came in. Something just clicked, which is often how it goes with agencies. One of the most important aspects of working with an agency is communication, and sometimes if you feel that an agency will be easy to work with and suitable for your needs, it just clicks.

How much have you invested with them?

In total, I would estimate that we've spent about $200,000 with Paragraphs.

What is the status of this engagement?

We originally started working with Paragraph about 16 years ago, with a significant hiatus between the first and second engagements, and the project is ongoing.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

Unfortunately, I don’t have any hard data, but they very much meet my expectations and have a good impact on our business.

How did Paragraphs perform from a project management standpoint?

Excellent. They don't drop the ball. Working with agencies can be difficult at times if you aren’t on the same page, but I have never had that issue with Paragraphs. They understand the importance of using creative briefs to ensure that our expectations are in line and to give us confidence that they understand our needs.

What did you find most impressive about them?

They make the job fun. They genuinely enjoy what they're doing and it comes through in their work. Their clients get an authentic and enjoyable experience.

Are there any areas they could improve?

Nothing really comes to mind.

Do you have any advice for potential customers?

It's important that you establish the relationship and how it's going work as far as processes and communication. Face-to-face meetings can be critical for that. And I think if you're authentic and honest with them you're going to have a really good experience.

5.0
Overall Score I love working with them.
  • 4.0 Scheduling
    ON TIME / DEADLINES
    They meet deadlines, but sometimes we need to chase them a little bit.
  • 4.0 Cost
    Value / within estimates
    They're not inexpensive, but they produce high-quality work.
  • 5.0 Quality
    Service & deliverables
    What they deliver is high-quality.
  • 5.0 NPS
    Willing to refer
    I've had great experiences.

Brand Development for Scientific Manufacturing Company

"They’re service oriented and understand our company culture. It’s a great fit for us."

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5.0

Quality: 
5.0
Schedule: 
5.0
Cost: 
4.0
Willing to refer: 
5.0
The Project
 
$50,000 to $199,999
 
Nov. 2007 - Ongoing
Project summary: 

Paragraphs created digital and print branding materials to modernize corporate identity and messaging. On-going design work and consulting have reenergized reputation in the industry and the community.

The Reviewer
 
201-500 Employees
 
Chicago, Illinois
Steve Kersten
President, WaterSaver Faucet
 
Verified
The Review
Feedback summary: 

Detailed-oriented customer service contributed to an intimate understanding of history, goals, and image. Fresh looking graphics successfully represent expertise and leadership.

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I’m CEO and owner of a manufacturing company. We make faucets and valves for science laboratories. There’s also a sister business that manufactures safety products such as emergency eyewashes and showers.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with Paragraphs LLC?

We realized our public persona and image were obsolete. We needed updated branding and messaging for both businesses.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

Initial engagement focused on branding our company and its constituent units. Our products needed to convey our corporate identity and history. They created logos, graphics, signage, and product catalogs to achieve that goal.

Currently, the goal is to present our two businesses as market leaders in their respective niches. To that end, the team continues to make branding materials.

We use in-house talent for web development. Our developers created a format in consultation with Paragraphs and send new literature or website postings to them for review and approval. We upload the content their team produces.

What is the team dynamic?

There are 2- two-person teams. We interface with Rachel [President/Co-Owner, Paragraphs] and one developer for each of the two businesses.

How did you come to work with Paragraphs LLC?

The wife of one our employees worked at the firm. We met the team, reviewed their past work, and discussed our goals. We looked at other companies concurrently, but only proceeded to the proposal stage with Paragraphs.

How much have you invested with them?

We’ve spent about $100,000 so far.

What is the status of this engagement?

We’ve worked together for approximately 10 years. Collaboration is on-going.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

Graphics are visually pleasing and convey quality and professionalism. We hold ourselves as experts and leaders in our field; these designs reflect that position.

The designs also communicated our story as a third-generation family business in downtown Chicago. The team energized our history, which is integral to our identity

How did Paragraphs LLC perform from a project management standpoint?

Turnaround is very prompt and contains minimal mistakes. The team is responsive and detailed-oriented as well.

Our offices are near, so we meet in person regularly in addition to email and phone exchanges.

What did you find most impressive about them?

They’re a boutique firm with an identical structure to ours. That similarity helped us understand each other’s work cultures. As a result, they provided great customer service.

Are there any areas for improvement?

No, they do a really good job addressing our needs.

5.0
Overall Score They’re service oriented and understand our company culture. It’s a great fit for us.
  • 5.0 Scheduling
    ON TIME / DEADLINES
    The only deadline issues were our fault.
  • 4.0 Cost
    Value / within estimates
    Occasionally, services felt too expensive and unnecessarily thorough. But we were always able to come to a resolution.
  • 5.0 Quality
    Service & deliverables
    They did great work. Exactly what we needed.
  • 5.0 NPS
    Willing to refer
    I recommend them highly.