Polar

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and your position there.

I am the director of a small educational agency that caters to international students looking to study according to the UK syllabus. We employ a small group of tutors to cater to each student individually. I oversee the academic support services of the firm, as well as all inquiries.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

For what projects/services did your company hire Polar Creative?

Our original website was hosted through Squarespace and built through that as well. It was in desperate need of a makeover as we were looking to improve our marketing strategy by cleaning up our look.

What were your goals for this project?

The goal of the project was to create a clean, inviting website that would speak to parents and students alike. A website that represents us as a company (unique, committed and colourful) while simultaneously exhibiting a professional image that would allow us to market not only P2B but B2B.

SOLUTION

How did you select Polar Creative?

We collected proposals from several companies and landed on Polar Creative because their proposal seemed the most clean, inviting and concise to us. They outlines everything necessary to entice us - the price, the time frame, they introduced their team and provided a good pitch for the project.

Out of the four companies we got in touch with, Polar Creative seemed the in-touch with the current website style we were going for. We were looking for a young team that was open to new ideas but was still able to use their expertise to lead us in the right direction.

Describe the project in detail.

We were looking for a complete website overhaul. Although a lot of the content was already there, we wanted to add new sections (Eg Materials, Success Stories, Client Feedback and an Inquiry Box). The Polar team were very receptive towards these ideas and advised us on how to best bring these to life.

We provided all the content of th website sans imagery and design. After Polar gave us two options to chose from, one very sleek and professional and the other slightly more fun, we decided on the latter and continued to tweak ideas once the website came to life.

What was the team composition?

Polar Director, Lee, was our original contact. We briefly worked with Jess who then went on maternity leave so we spent the majority of the project working closely with Lee. This was a good experience, he was very receptive to feedback and commentary.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

The website looks great now. Originally, it really looked like a website made by someone who had no experience in the field. Now, our website looks interesting and enticing.

It provides all the information we need and more! We have buttons that can lead clients to our phone number, directly open their emails and provide them with an inquiry form. As far as engagement goes, we don't have any data on that yet since the website only went live less than 24 hours ago but we predict that this will have a good impact on our company's marketing.

How effective was the workflow between your team and theirs?

We communicated primarily through email with an initial Zoom call to discuss the project. In general, communication went well. There were times, during the inception of the website, where we had discussed changes and then were not updated on whether or not these had been implemented.

We did not know to check back to the host website to view the changes since we had been unaware that things were amended. Other than that, communication went well.

What did you find most impressive about this company?

Polar really took on board what was important to us. Although we want to look professional, we also want to make sure that our website is fun to look - not only for adults but also for kids.

Originally a comment of our Director of Finance had been 'it needs to be less green' since the original website had matched our very green logo. Polar did a great job including more colours to make the website lively and interesting.

Are there any areas for improvement?

The only area of improvement I can think of would be the communication. Although the majority of the communication went smoothly, it can feel a little worrying when you don't receive updates on your project.

Reaching out ourselves seemed untimely as we weren't sure exactly how much work this entailed but we still would have liked more regular updates on the happenings.

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and your position there.

Managing Director of Objective, a bespoke software and data analytics company.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

For what projects/services did your company hire Polar Creative?

We've used Polar for many years now, including the design of our old website and various other items for us over the years. We recently commissioned Polar to give our brand a fresh look and update our website and business stationary.

What were your goals for this project?

We wanted a fresh, modern look which Polar are providing.

SOLUTION

How did you select Polar Creative?

We've used various Creative agencies over the years but when we heard about Polar we used them for some marketing collateral. Ever since then we have been working with Lee and the team.

Describe the scope of their work in detail.

Lee knows our business very well now so we were able to give a brief description of what we required and he understood what we wanted. He provided various designs to challenge our thinking, which has worked out really well and we have gone for one of his challenges.

What was the team composition?

I communicate with Lee, the director of the company, and his team produce the work for him. You are always dealt with wonderfully, whether that be Colin in accounts or any of their team.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

The team here enjoyed the different designs and as always are very happy with the approach Polar takes to get your project right for you.

How effective was the workflow between your team and theirs?

The communications are excellent.

What did you find most impressive about this company?

Polar are brilliant at challenging what you think you want, and producing something with you that is what you actually need. They take time to understand what you want and that is what we like about them.

Are there any areas for improvement?

We'd love to see Bear, the office dog, more!

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I’m the marketing and communications manager for a financial services firm.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with Polar Creative?

Polar Creative has worked with us on several assets, the most recent being a promotional video.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

We’ve been working with them for several years now, and I’ve worked with them at both my previous company and my current one. Polar Creative has worked on projects like branding, video creation, printed collateral, website development, landing pages, and so on. Other deliverables include brand guidelines, web pages and design, UX, video assets, and other collateral. 

For the web redesign project, they helped us build out six new promotional pages. The team built out a submenu as well as assets within the pages.

What is the team composition?

I’ve worked with two people from Polar Creative, Jess (Lead Designer) and Lee (Creative Director). 

How did you come to work with Polar Creative?

I started working with Polar Creative at my previous company.  

What is the status of this engagement?

We’ve been working together since June 2016.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

We’re tracking metrics like click-through rates, engagement rates, and traffic. Polar Creative has helped us reach those objectives.

How did Polar Creative perform from a project management standpoint?

They’ve been very good at not just meeting expectations when it comes to deadlines, but also exceeding them. Quite often, we get work back earlier than we were expecting.

What did you find most impressive about them?

The most impressive thing about Polar Creative is their collaborative approach. Many times, I’ll talk with them about a business problem I have, and they’ll work with me very closely on different options and opportunities to overcome that problem. 

Are there any areas they could improve?

I don’t think there’s anything for them to improve on.

Do you have any advice for potential customers?

Trust Polar Creative; they’re experts. If you listen to them, you’ll get results. 

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and your position there.

I am the Managing director of Sitescanner. I find off-market development opportunities. My day to day role is to spot new opportunities, negotiate with vendors, and establish good working relationships with both developers and landowners.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

For what projects/services did your company hire Polar Creative?

We hired Polar creative because being a new business we needed to establish our own identity. Polar creative did an excellent job of putting a concept on paper into a reality. We used Polar to develop a website for us, so both landowners and developers can better understand our service and the benefits attached to using us!

What were your goals for this project?

Our goal is to get established, which we have successfully started our journey on. Our website provides a massive stepping stone and is an integral part of generating new leads and keeping our clients well informed.

SOLUTION

How did you select Polar Creative?

We selected Polar creative after shortlisting several very good website developers. We opted for choosing polar creative because they were price competitive, responsive, and they had excellent 5*, well-earned reviews. We used Google search and did our own preliminary research in order to shortlist the best website designers around our area, polar came above some of the top names in London.

Describe the project in detail.

Our project was by no means easy. Lee and the team in a matter of a week managed to understand my business concept, finish the preliminary design elements, and got started on the build. They did an excellent job. I wanted some complicated design features, with the whole website being very interactive, colorful, and informative and they did just this to the highest possible standard. I helped by providing some of the key information on the website. Lee's communication was second to none and he was always open to change where necessary.

What was the team composition?

Throughout the journey, I was assisted by Lee. We were in lockdown and it was a bit of a grey time for everyone, the website certainly helped lighten my spirits. I know Lee has an excellent team who assisted him throughout

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

Part of our business activity is sending out letters to prospect landowners. Without a website, we have very little trust from the people receiving our letters. The hit rate we have got from our letters is a result of us having a great website, where our clients feel informed and intrigued which then leads them to communicate with us. This was our primary focus of having a website and so far it has been a big success. We have also received lots of positive feedback from our website from friends, family, and clients.

How effective was the workflow between your team and theirs?

The communication from Lee and the team was second to none. I was never once left in a position where I didn't know exactly what was going on. I knew throughout exactly what stage we were at, what was left to be completed, what stages might take a bit longer than others, etc. We talked primarily on phone/email which was perfectly effective.

What did you find most impressive about this company?

For starters, I was impressed by Lee's engagement & understanding of my business idea. He managed to fully understand what my business/vision was and was able to put that vision into reality starting from the very first call. Their knowledge of multiple industries helped engulf the concept into a well-rounded website. Lee's knowledge of SEO, design, concepts, and his professionalism throughout was admirable.

Are there any areas for improvement?

Normally, I would be honest and flag any areas of improvement on this occasion I really have to think about areas to improve because I would not change a thing. I was/still am extremely happy with the process from start to finish. If I had to change one thing I would say the price could come down slightly. I say this however in good faith, I believe the monies paid completely warrants the finished product, the level of skill/dedication/hard work and knowledge, makes it entirely worth it. If my company was not a start-up/ I was starting this venture with slightly more cash reserves than I have, I would pay the figure I paid 10x over.

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and your position there.

I am the Director of a new start up Recruitment Agency offering a traditional permanent recruitment service with a highly personalised solution to matching talent to clients business needs.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

For what projects/services did your company hire Polar Creative?

Starting up a new business, we needed to create a brand identity. We needed customers to recognise our brand as a whole, not just as a logo. We required Polar Creative to deliver a brand and website identifiable to both prospective Clients and Candidates.

What were your goals for this project?

We wanted a “punchy, fresh and clean” brand and website that set us apart from our competitors and identified our ethos. We hoped the work Polar produced for us would continue to generate new leads for our business.

SOLUTION

How did you select Polar Creative?

We researched online for Web Designers in our area, but in the end went with a personal recommendation plus Polar's online reviews.

Describe the project in detail.

We had a series of discovery meetings to discuss our goals and objectives. Initially we received the Branding Charts and quickly were able to tailor our branding to our needs and specifications.

Following from this, we were able to create a minimalistic yet punchy website that incorporated our branding, developed through a number of drafting sessions.

What was the team composition?

Our initial contact was with the Director of Polar Creative and he remained our constant point of contact over the 3month period. We continue to seek out his professional advice.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

We are hearing positive feedback on the usability, flow and look of both the brand and site from prospective Clients and Candidates.

How effective was the workflow between your team and theirs?

The Director remained in constant contact throughout the project via zoom meetings, telephone and email contact.

What did you find most impressive about this company?

Team Polar delivered SC4 Recruitment with the branding identity we were striving for and will enhance our progression and growth. Their creative input was outstanding and their reasoning was measured and valued. We wouldn’t hesitate to recommend Lee and his team & we will continue to use their innovative style.

Are there any areas for improvement?

We were very satisfied with their work every step of the way.

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and your position there.

I am CEO & Founder of a new start-up insurtech, Arma Karma.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

For what projects/services did your company hire Polar Creative?

As a start-up, we required assistance in building a brand, and comprehensive quality website capable of converting D2C leads.

What were your goals for this project?

• Full branding for Arma Karma
• A comprehensive and effective website, with brand consistency

SOLUTION

How did you select Polar Creative?

We undertook an exercise with 5 creative and website development agencies, of which Polar Creative came out on top. They understood the vision and instantly gave us the comfort that they were the right team to take on the job.

Describe the project in detail.

Once we selected Polar, we had an initial kick-off meeting to get all ideas and vision on the table. From there we went through a series of draft templates and propositions from the team, which quickly became a reality.

What was the team composition?

We had direct and regular contact with Lee, who project managed the entire process, allowing us not to brief a number of individuals.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

Choosing Polar turned out to be one of our best business decisions to date. Lee and the team at Polar have the ability to quickly understand an initial vision and develop something far greater than we could have even envisioned ourselves. It goes without saying that we are making the decision to keep Polar as a key creative cog in our business going forward.

How effective was the workflow between your team and theirs?

Very effective. One primary contact allowed all the project management to be done on their side. Always met deadlines and completed the job to a fantastic standard.

What did you find most impressive about this company?

The desire to go above and beyond impressed us. They don't just meet the standards you were looking for, but also exceed them.

Are there any areas for improvement?

None

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and your position there.

I set up Laura Messin Singer officially in January 2020 and provide wedding and event entertainment.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

For what projects/services did your company hire Polar Creative?

I contacted Lee and the team at Polar in September 2020 as I wanted to create branding for my soon to be business and this felt like a natural place to start.

What were your goals for this project?

My goals for this project was to create a logo that reflected the business I was building: fresh and personal. I hoped that creating the branding would help me turn my passion in to a professional service- and it did exactly that.

SOLUTION

How did you select this vendor?

I was recommended to Polar via a mutual contact and I had seen his other branding projects via Instagram and their website. As I was setting this business up on my own it was incredible to have Lee and his team to bounce my ideas off of. After my initial consultation I was sold on working with Polar and confident they were going to create the branding I was hoping for.

Describe the scope of their work in detail.

After my initial consultation, I was asked to create a brand personality profile and to give my initial ideas for my logo and branding. From there, Polar presented me with their first ideas- a range of colours, fonts, word placement etc.

From there we worked on narrowing it down and editing the parts that I was unsure of. I would say it took around 3 to 4 adjustments until we arrived at the final design- which I am so pleased with. The final designs were sent over in a range of formats.

What was the team composition?

I worked mostly with Lee who is the director of the company, he had great energy and ideas. He really listened to what I was saying and managed to extract the important pieces of information to create my branding.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

From finalising my branding I have been able to establish myself as a professional business, created my website and built my following on social media channels. I have received really positive feedback on the branding.

How effective was the workflow between your team and theirs?

I cannot fault Polar when it came to managing to project. Their response time was incredibly fast and they exceeded my expectations.

What did you find most impressive about this company?

Polar's service was incredibly personalised. I was a complete novice when I contacted them initially- I had no clue what I was looking for in my branding, except that I wanted it to capture me as a singer; they did that beautifully. I was made to feel comfortable and completely at ease during every step of the creative process. I would recommend them time and time again.

Are there any areas for improvement?

I think Polar Creative are naturally growing, expanding and progressing. Keep doing what you're doing!

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and your position there.

I am the Product Director leading a team who and produce and operate a diverse portfolio of engaging B2B conferences for the military / defence sector. We are dedicated to creating customer-centric conferences and exhibitions catered to the specific needs of the Defence marketplace.

 Each event provides briefings and in-depth analysis of future requirements, facilitating thought leadership, networking and brand awareness throughout the Defence community.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

For what projects/services did your company hire Polar Creative?

We were looking to redesign the conference brochure and onsite materials for our flagship event. As out flagship event had grown in size and scope, we needed to come up with something for our attendees which was easy to digest, was clearly labelled and showed multiple conference streams and locations along with the content in a more cohesive way.

The goal was to retain our professional image and brand identity, whilst injecting some more dynamism into the conference materials.

What were your goals for this project?

We wanted the content to be more more engaging, to improve the readability of the materials and get guidance on positioning and layout.

SOLUTION

How did you select this vendor?

After working with Polar previously on the design and development of our website, we felt they best understood our brand concept and it was very easy to pick up where we left off.

Describe the scope of their work in detail.

We had an initial meeting where we looked at our current materials, other conference organiser's materials and looked at some concepts put together by Lee.

From herein, Polar and my team were able to work together mostly via email, with a final meeting in person when we close to finishing the project. The process was easy and fluid and Polar were on hand to take care of all of the requirements we had, even updates and changes with little notice from our side.

What was the team composition?

I worked with Lee and Jess, I don't know who else was involved, but they were both fab!

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

Feedback from across the community onsite at the event stated how well received the new look brochure and conference materials were and easy it was to navigate the event, thanks to the re-design.

How effective was the workflow between your team and theirs?

Really easy to communicate with, very open to and quick to respond to emails, or pick up the phone whenever we needed. Very accommodating and great with the feedback we provided them in terms of direction and changes to the product.

What did you find most impressive about this company?

The speed in which they worked and their willingness to work with our needs.

Are there any areas for improvement?

I was happy with the entire experience.

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and your position there.

Tim Foot Study Skills publishes study guides for high schools. I am the founder.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

For what projects/services did your company hire Polar Creative?

Polar Creative did a website for us in 2015 and we wanted to update it again in 2019 to give it a more professional look, make it more user-friendly and with increased functionality.

What were your goals for this project?

We wanted our website to look as attractive as our competitors and to see an increase in traffic.

SOLUTION

How did you select this vendor?

That was easy. We have been working with Polar since 2015 and in addition to a previous website they produced for us, they have also done the artwork for our new study guides as well as updating existing ones. We have always been pleased with the quality of their work and enjoy a very positive working relationship.

Describe the project in detail.

We wrote a specification for the new website and following an initial meeting Polar produced a project brief. They then produced some design ideas and after our feedback, this was refined so that it met our needs. This process of Polar producing design ideas, followed by joint discussions and refinement went on for the rest of the project.

What was the team composition?

Lee

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

The feedback we got from customers was immediate and wholly positive. On the back of this, we've set up a variety of digital advertising campaigns for the first time, particularly on LinkedIn.

How effective was the workflow between your team and theirs?

Pretty much perfect but if I had to pick one thing, communication is an area Polar could improve. There are inevitably problems and delays along the way in such projects but we could have been better informed about these and how they impacted on the overall timescale/deadline. All along I knew they were working hard to progress the project but more regular communication would have helped.

What did you find most impressive about this company?

The most impressive thing about Polar was their desire to produce something of extremely high quality. They were unstinting in their efforts to find the right solution and persisted until we were delighted with the work. Lee was always ready to hear our ideas and views, take them on board and produce an end result which fully met our needs. Extremely easy to work with.

Are there any areas for improvement?

Just the improvement in communication.

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

We've been growing for about six years, and we offer mobility products for our clients.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with Polar Creative?

We hoped to grow the business further with a more professional identity. We were starting to become established in our market, and we hoped to maintain a warm, family feel while presenting a stronger brand image.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

Initially, we hoped to meld two websites into one. Neither site was very user-friendly, and they helped us create something that allowed customers to navigate the site efficiently. They helped us establish an identity that was relatable and that could grow as we expanded. We also looked at various marketing opportunities, and we used the branding materials and the website as a central hub to draw customers in.

They developed the content from scratch, but they wanted to maintain some of the existing structures from the old sites. They simplified some of the content, and they helped us add some very professional video content. They recommended the company that did our imagery, and they made sure everything had a professional, high-quality look.

They asked us what we wanted, and they provided three options to choose from. They played with the one we liked the best, and we had a few opportunities to refine everything. In the end, the concept was theirs, but everything suited the brand very well.

What is the team composition?

We had a creative lead, and we also worked with their copywriter to make sure the SEO was right. A third team member helped us with tasks after the initial development was complete.

How did you come to work with Polar Creative?

I found them in a Google search. Their branding really stood out, and their portfolio was quite impressive. When I phoned them, they got back instantly and were very friendly. We met with them to discuss their options, and they made suggestions for potential packages and pricing. Based on all that, we decided to hire them.

How much have you invested with them?

We initially agreed on £6,000 for the website and the initial contract. They've gone on to other tasks, and the total cost is less than £10,000 so far.

What is the status of this engagement?

We've worked together since around April 2019, and the engagement is ongoing.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

We're still in early days, but customer feedback is positive. Their work certainly draws more attention to the brand.

How did Polar Creative perform from a project management standpoint?

Project management is something they can work to improve. I've aired my concerns to them, and we've overcome several issues through face-to-face meetings. They have a clearer impression of what we want, but they could be more focused.

What did you find most impressive about them?

The end result exceeds all our expectations. They really do come through in the end, and the quality of their creative work is outstanding. They respond well in production, and they get the job done. I may be a little bit hard on them; they're a very good company. Their prices are also very fair.

Are there any areas they could improve?

As I mentioned, their project management is their greatest area for improvement.

Do you have any advice for potential customers?

Arrange face-to-face meetings with them. It takes time to understand a business, so be prepared to explain everything you want.