Creating Brands that Engage
True change demands true grit: the ability to be fierce and flexible at the same time. We believe great ideas should be nurtured whenever possible and fought for whenever necessary. We are a seasoned team that knows how to achieve success
RocketDog is a full-service integrated design and marketing agency. We work with companies such as Microsoft, Expedia and Girl Scouts of the USA on creating product and service launches, branding initiatives and much more. We deliver interactive Websites, Branding, marketing materials, email campaigns, and Social/Mobile strategies and integration.
We’re a principal-driven studio. That means you work directly with the head of the company and that’s the way we like it. Headquartered on Seattle’s Lake Union, with offices in San Diego and Austin, we have a proven history of creating not only award winning designs, but solutions that deliver results. Our clients are recognized companies locally, nationally and internationally.
We pride ourselves on outstanding design customized for each client. We dig deep in order to fully understand the values, vision and mission of the companies we champion. From this uniquely ownable positioning, we create a design translation that conveys a distinct message destined to connect and resonate with your core audiences.
Our successful track record is due to our dedicated, enthusiastic and award winning team. Being a mid-sized firm we are able to interact, collaborate and inspire each other daily. Each project is a team effort. We recognize that every person on our team has a unique set of skills and everyone’s input is invaluable at each stage of our process. We are passionate about changing the public’s perception through originality, innovation and approaching each project from the client’s core. We bring stories to life through visual ideas and have fun during the process. It is our mission to deliver creative solutions that drive customer enrollment, employee commitment and financial performance.
headquarters
other locations
Recommended Providers
Focus
Portfolio
Microsoft, BMC Software, Lenovo, Evergreen Healthcare, Expedia, Seattle Pride, Girl Scouts of the USA, Concur, University of Washington, Revel Consulting, Mackie, JeffreyM Consulting, SAP
New Brand for Evergreen Health
CHALLENGE:
Help the largest hospital on the Eastside claim the mindshare that a medical service provider of their size and excellence deserves.
SOLUTION:
A comprehensive marketing campaign that spanned transit, online, print, email, mobile and a completely redesigned and redeveloped Website. Our design strategy focused on the concept of Breakthrough Care to position Evergreen as a regional powerhouse. The entire Website site is built on a custom CMS and e-commerce engine that gives our clients full control over their content (all 3,500+ pages of it). As a result of our marketing campaign, they saw a 40% increase in web traffic before we even launched the new site.
Website for Bellevue Club and Reflections Magazine (Club Magazine)
CHALLENGE:
Turn a dated and disconnected set of web pages into a delightful and useful online environment for club members.
SOLUTION:
We rebuilt the “members only” Website from the ground up. We modernized the design and layout of the site, making it a more appealing, more user-friendly experience that is fully integrated with the clubs management tools.
We then overhauled the in house magazine site. “Reflections” was underused, dated, and difficult to navigate. We delivered an entirely new site with an “e-mag/Pinterest” feel, built on a simple to use CMS.
The response has been overwhelmingly positive on both fronts, and these formerly unused resources have become key tools for members.
Recruitment Materials and Infographic for Concur
CHALLENGE:
Concur needed to attract and retain top-flight candidates for their competitive internship program. We knew success would mean luring talented engineers and analysts away from more obvious Northwest tech titans.
SOLUTION:
A kit of recruitment materials that used infographics and illustration to tell a “no BS” story about the experience of working at a company with strong values, great momentum, and kick ass technology. The kit included a brochure, conference giveaways and an informational landing page with links to enroll. As a result, Concur saw a dramatic lift in the volume and quality of incoming candidates.
New Brand for Comprehensive Wealth
CHALLENGE: One of the PNW's top 5 wealth management firms, CWM was struggling to shed an outdated brand that was underselling the exceptional level of service and performance this humble family business delivers.
SOLUTION: A complete overhaul. We began with research and strategic positioning, designed a new identity, and brought the brand to life through a suite of materials that included marketing collateral, business papers, a new Website, email templates, and more. The new brand has paid huge dividends in attracting new and larger clients.
As one new client put it,
"We felt like we knew you before we ever came into your office."
Recruitment Materials for the University of Washington
CHALLENGE: Make our hometown university THE university in the eyes of new students in a crowded environment where everyone is eager to tell you they're the best.
SOLUTION: A series of unique look books that give potential students a REAL understanding of life at U-Dub. UW needed an infusion of energy to help them stand apart. The new books use a creative blend of photography, infographics, and illustration to create a compelling but accessible narrative, positioning UW as THE destination for engaged undergrads.
"This is awesome! I’ve looked at a lot of schools’ pieces to compare and contrast… and this is one of the most, if not the most, impressive piece I’ve seen. Great work." — Matt Bishop, Admissions Counselor
Thinkspace Website (Homepage - Full View)
CHALLENGE: Take an industry pioneer and evolve their brand and improve their visibility to help them stand out in a very crowded industry space, especially with the likes of companies like WeWork.
SOLUTION: After doing an in-depth research phase on the industry to get a good feel of what the market was demanding, we evolved the thinkspace positioning and visuals to not only convey the high-level of service they deliver, but also to position them as a top-tier player int he markets they serve. As one of Seattle's first coworking envoirnment, we needed to bring back some of the "Wow Factor" to the Brand. We delivered a suite of collateral, event materials, email and digital marketing, and a new Website.
Reviews
the project
Web Dev for Physical Therapy Company
"It was nice how they educated and assisted us through this process respectfully and helpfully."
the reviewer
the review
The client submitted this review online.
Please describe your company and your position there.
I am the owner of a physical therapy company. This project was building out a second website for a new company and cash pay service line for the health field.
For what projects/services did your company hire RocketDog Communications, and what were your goals?
Our major challenge was creating a website more focused on marketing and cash pay services. Our original company, offering services that are insurance-based, does not need the same level of functionality and design to market directly to the public. We needed a different organization, layout and functionality to support a new line of cash pay services.
How did you select this vendor and what were the deciding factors?
Several people within my business circle has used RocketDog with great results. Their team came highly recommended.
Describe the scope of work in detail, including the project steps, key deliverables, and technologies used.
The hardest part is getting started. From the beginning we needed guidance on what type of platform, layout and functionality that would be required to reach all of our goals. This included educating on services, marketing and connection with scheduling software. Once there, a logical organization of services and visual representations needed to be designed.
How many people from the vendor's team worked with you, and what were their positions?
Both design and development teams were significantly involved throughout the process.
Can you share any measurable outcomes of the project or general feedback about the deliverables?
This brand-new functional website was designed and launched on time. It doesn't get more measurable than that.
Describe their project management style, including communication tools and timeliness.
Communication and organization included face-to-face, email/phone, as well as online organization through Asana to electronically organize and track the workflow.
What did you find most impressive or unique about this company?
It always nice to know what you don't know. That was a significant amount on this project that was different than previous needs for website functionality. It was nice how they educated and assisted us through this process respectfully and helpfully.
Are there any areas for improvement or something they could have done differently?
As my schedule is busy, with easy distractions, they could have been more proactive in keeping me on task. I hate being the choke point on these types of projects.
the project
Web Dev for Marketing Agency
"They were able to handle every question we had and take care of it without asking."
the reviewer
the review
The client submitted this review online.
Please describe your company and your position there.
I am the CEO of a media company and marketing agency.
For what projects/services did your company hire RocketDog Communications?
We run a number of media sites that operate as tech blogs for specific geographies. We wanted to improve the readability of our site and add revenue-generating features.
How did you select this vendor and what were the deciding factors?
We looked at RocketDog's experience with Wordpress as a started. Also at integrating plugins and other off the shelf features was a big factor for us.
Describe the project in detail and walk through the stages of the project.
The project started with cleaning up our existing site, pages, and a database. From there, RocketDog brought us a variety of new website templates to choose from and once we selected the right one, they began migrating content and building up the new site. Adding new plugins and features also happened here. Finally, we had a staged site that we were able to utilize and make sure it worked the way we wanted it to. Support has continued even as the site is live now.
How many resources from the vendor's team worked with you, and what were their positions?
Mainly two resources from RocketDog, developer and project manager.
Can you share any outcomes from the project that demonstrate progress or success?
Our site is live and it looks great! We're already generating revenue within the first few days of it live with zero down time. We're now embarking on two new projects with RocketDog.
How effective was the workflow between your team and theirs?
The workflow has been very easy. We added their team to our Slack and communication has been so easy. A few meetings to quickly work through a few to dos, otherwise, all through Slack to get the site live.
What did you find most impressive or unique about this company?
The talent from RocketDog is top notch. They were able to handle every question we had and take care of it without asking.
Are there any areas for improvement or something they could have done differently?
The team has done everything we asked and we're excited to start on our next project together
the project
Internal Portal UI/UX Design for Computer Software Company
"They were really patient in working through the multiple internal processes that exist on the client-side."
the reviewer
the review
The client submitted this review online.
Please describe your company and your position there.
I am the Director for strategic projects for a large technology company.
For what projects/services did your company hire RocketDog Communications?
We had a need to refresh and simplify the way complex content is presented for an emerging program.
What were your goals for this project?
A fresh and clean design for an internal portal was need to reach various internal audiences from novices to experts with content that is consumable and easy to find. We needed to create a presence for the new program to make finding our content easy and enjoyable, which will enable colleagues across the company to find what they need to get their work done.
How did you select RocketDog Communications?
I compiled a list of local UI/UX design firms and interviewed two of them and contacted a few development firms and interviewed two and RocketDog was the only one that had both design and develop capabilities.
Describe the project in detail.
The project involved the design and development for an internal portal to reach various internal audiences from novices to experts with content that is consumable and easy to find. This included working along internal technical constraints and specific guidelines for branding and marketing. RocketDog provided wireframes, which we reviewed and approved, then RocketDog built a dev site for building and refining the customized web parts. Once these were finalized and approved they moved to production.
What was the team composition?
We had an account manager (also the company owner) that worked directly with us to prioritize our feedback and work effort with their development team that primarily consisted of two devs. We also worked with a designer at the start of the project to review the design concepts and wireframes.
Can you share any outcomes from the project that demonstrate progress or success?
The site launched and feedback has been strong, we've received complements on the clean fresh look and the straightforward organization of the content. With only a couple of months of usage, we are seeing increased traffic and longer duration of site usage.
How effective was the workflow between your team and theirs?
The RocketDog team is very responsive and made themselves available to work within our timeline. They did a lot of research to determine how something might be done and would come back with recommendations.
What did you find most impressive about this company?
They had a blend of design and develop capabilities, which really helped streamline the project to work with a single vendor instead of two.
Are there any areas for improvement?
They were really patient in working through the multiple internal processes that exist on the client-side.
the project
Web Development for Brand Merchandise Firm
"My team was so excited to share out new website with existing clients and prospective clients."
the reviewer
the review
The client submitted this review online.
Please describe your company and your position there.
I'm the owner of a branded merchanidse firm. We help clients open doors, create connection and make lasting impressions through the use of branded merchandise.
For what projects/services did your company hire RocketDog Communications, and what were your goals?
Our website was created about 12 years ago. Who we were then and what we offered is very different than now. We needed a website that told the story of who we are now and the services and products we provide to clients.
How did you select RocketDog Communications and what were the deciding factors?
I spoke with several companies and chose RocketDog because of the creativity I saw in other work they had done and because they were very competitive price wise to others I spoke with.
Describe the scope of work in detail, including the project steps, key deliverables, and technologies used.
We had a few initial meetings to discuss look at feel and then we were off and running. We had meetings as needed during the 3 months the site was in development.
How many people from the vendor's team worked with you, and what were their positions?
I had one contact during the project.
Can you share any measurable outcomes of the project or general feedback about the deliverables?
My team was so excited to share out new website with existing clients and prospective clients. I know the new site will help us present ourselves in a way that will drive more business.
Describe their project management style, including communication tools and timelines.
We had Zoom calls as needed to discuss next steps throughout the project.
What did you find most impressive or unique about this company?
Michael made the process easy and fun.
Are there any areas for improvement or something they could have done differently?
n/a
the project
Website Redesign for Workspace Services Company
"They do great design work."
the reviewer
the review
The client submitted this review online.
Please describe your company and your position there.
Coworking space in Seattle and Redmond. I am the CEO.
For what projects/services did your company hire RocketDog Communications?
Website rebuild
What were your goals for this project?
Create a new website
How did you select this vendor?
I've worked with them before
Describe the project and the services they provided in detail.
"Thinkspace was looking for the right partner to take our Brand to the next level. We found that partner in RocketDog! They approached the project from a holistic mindset and created a more comprehensive and integrated look for all of our materials. They delivered a complete solution that encompassed a fantastic new Website, digital marketing, email marketing, as well as a full suite of marketing collateral. They delivered on all fronts, both on time and on budget. We feel our brand is stronger, more engaging, and certainly positions us well in a very competitive space.” – Peter Chee thinkspace Founder & CEO
What was the team composition?
Three people were on the team
Can you share any information that demonstrates the impact that this project has had on your business?
Everyone says our website looks great!
How was project management arranged and how effective was it?
Yes it was handled between my EA and RocketDog.
What did you find most impressive about this company?
They do great design work.
Are there any areas for improvement?
No really
the project
Graphic Design for Print Work for Home Automator
"We are satisfied with the work done thus far."
the reviewer
the review
The client submitted this review online.
Please describe your company and your position there.
I am the marketing manager for Wipliance- we are a custom integrator for home technologies including audio/video/home theater as well as home automation, lighting control and window treatments. I manage all print, online and other outreach campaigns.
For what projects/services did your company hire RocketDog Communications?
We hired RocketDog to take our graphic design for print work to the next level- as I am more versed in web design. RocketDog has since created a series of banner ads, print magazine ads and handout pieces with a cohesive look and feel that complements our brand image.
What were your goals for this project?
We have objectives for a targeted mailing campaign as well as pay per click and retargeting campaigns to utilize this creative. We anticipate a decent ROI from PPC campaigns as well as the multifunction print piece that can be mailed or handed out as needed.
How did you select this vendor?
We selected RocketDog because we felt their approach aligned with ours in terms of communicating a message to our audience with a unified approach, and the work they have done for businesses in our area is renowned. We selected between a few firms that had similar objectives, but ended up choosing RocketDog because they match professional style with a personal approach.
Describe the scope of their work in detail.
After determining a vendor we had several meetings with our company owner and RocketDog to determine best method for carving out a lengthy design punchiest with a monthly retainer- prioritizing projects that have the shortest runway to implement so we could see results quickly (banner ads and ppc creative) as well as catching up on magazine print ads that have deadlines for later issues.
What was the team composition?
Currently we are in communication with Michael (owner) and am not familiar with other team members. Michael has taken a hands-on approach to this project and we appreciate the level of detail he has used.
Can you share any outcomes from the project that demonstrate progress or success?
We have just started the PPC and retargeting campaigns, so no tangible outcomes yet, but we are very optimistic.
How effective was the workflow between your team and theirs?
RocketDog uses Asana to collaborate between client and creator, we like this system as it provides accountability on both sides and quick response methods.
What did you find most impressive about this company?
We appreciate the personal approach that RocketDog has taken to understand our unique business model and how to best increase our audience with messaging and design.
Are there any areas for improvement?
It is too early to tell- but we are satisfied with work done thus far.
the project
Branding for Educational Institution
"We were happy with the process and outcome of the work."
the reviewer
the review
The client submitted this review online.
Please describe your company and your position there.
I am the staff director of the University of Washington's Population Health Initiative.
For what projects/services did your company hire RocketDog Communications, and what were your goals?
We hired RocketDog to develop the visual identity (logo, color palette, etc.) for a new research project/endeavor that needed to exist independently of the university.
How did you select RocketDog Communications?
RocketDog was one of several vendors/freelancers that were recommended to us, and they ultimately were the best fit in terms of expertise and needed timelines for completion.
Describe the scope of their work in detail, including any steps and the final deliverables.
The project scope included a visioning process, several rounds of logo presentations/iterations, and a final visual identity/style guide for the new brand.
How many people from the RocketDog Communications team worked with you, and what were their positions?
We worked directly with Michael Elliott, who is RocketDog's owner, throughout the process.
Can you share any outcomes from the project that demonstrate progress or success?
Our project funder was quite pleased with the visual identity that was developed.
Describe their project management style, including communication tools and timeliness.
We had regular meetings with RocketDog and relied on Asana as the project management vehicle for the work.
What did you find most impressive or unique about this company?
RocketDog exceeded our expectations for the quality and speed with which they delivered an initial round of potential logos.
Are there any areas for improvement or something they could have done differently?
No - We were happy with the process and outcome of the work.
the project
Presentation Redesign for Diversity Consultants
"They gave us just what we needed for the moment, and understood our requirements perfectly."
the reviewer
the review
The client submitted this review online.
Please describe your company and your position there.
I’m the founder of REALIZE DEI, a diversity, equity, and inclusion consultancy.
For what projects/services did your company hire RocketDog Communications?
RocketDog helped us redesign a DEI workshop presentation.
What were your goals for this project?
We wanted a more professional, well-designed, clean look and feel.
How did you select RocketDog Communications?
We’ve known of RocketDog for years. They were responsive, communicated well, understood exactly what we needed, and delivered when we needed it.
Describe the project in detail.
We needed a presentation design for a remote DEI workshop. We had the content and the format, more or less, put together, but needed to give it a professional design edge.
What was the team composition?
We worked directly with RocketDog on this project.
Can you share any outcomes from the project that demonstrate progress or success?
We got exactly what we needed from RocketDog. They made the adjustments and delivered the design sensibility that got us exactly where we needed to go.
It was a night and day change and made all the difference in presenting our work with a design edge that matched the hard work we had already put into it.
How effective was the workflow between your team and theirs?
Excellent all around. Working with RocketDog was like working with a partner. Everything was seamless and a pleasure.
What did you find most impressive about this company?
They gave us just what we needed for the moment, and understood our requirements perfectly.
Are there any areas for improvement?
Nope, they did great.
the project
Brochure for Local Government Office
"RocketDog delivered beyond expectations was extremely patient with the public service nature of the project."
the reviewer
the review
The client submitted this review online.
Please describe your company and your position there.
Special projects in economic development
For what projects/services did your company hire RocketDog Communications?
Program recruitment brochure targeting businesses damaged by the Covid-19 pandemic
What were your goals for this project?
Business recruitment
How did you select RocketDog Communications?
Referral from one of the program's collaborators
Describe the scope of their work in detail.
Research, design and branding
What was the team composition?
Single designer and myself
Can you share any outcomes from the project that demonstrate progress or success?
RocketDog delivered beyond expectations was extremely patient with the public service nature of the project. Which required changes to content, equity and access considerations, multiple languages and other considerations
How effective was the workflow between your team and theirs?
Excellent. Use of a project management software initiated by the consultant made communication easy and trackable.
What did you find most impressive about this company?
Commitment to the success of the project which outweighed concerns about changes, multiple iterations, late-breaking inclusions, etc.
Are there any areas for improvement?
Deep consideration of the content and how that could affect and contribute to design solutions
the project
Web Design for Professional Services Firm
"RocketDog Communications is proactive to work with."
the reviewer
the review
A Clutch analyst personally interviewed this client over the phone. Below is an edited transcript.
Introduce your business and what you do there.
I’m the managing partner at SumBridge. We do accounting and finance recruitment.
What challenge were you trying to address with RocketDog Communications?
We were looking to update our website. It seemed very outdated. In a quick timeframe, our goal was to bring a more current website that creates a personal connection with viewers of our site.
What was the scope of their involvement?
In terms of functionality, we have a few complex backend components that needed to be tied into our database system. RocketDog Communications took charge of the information we had and ran with it to figure out the next steps.
Initially, they came to me with a detailed project plan with our goals incorporated within it. For the integration work, we use an applicant tracking system that pulls and feeds data in and out. Their team did a lot of research to ensure they had everything to make the technical pieces happen.
Along with the functionality and integration work, they designed the look and feel of the website.
What is the team composition?
Michael (Owner) has been our lead person. He has a development team with one or two people.
How did you come to work with RocketDog Communications?
One of the partners in my firm has known Michael through a networking group. In the past, they did some print marketing work, and since we were happy with that, we reached out to them for this project.
How much have you invested with them?
We spent about $15,000.
What is the status of this engagement?
We started working with RocketDog Communications in May 2020. The site is set to launch soon.
What evidence can you share that demonstrates the impact of the engagement?
We’re a small firm, so the fact that we could trust them to get it done was awesome. Since we are a tiny business, we had to be cost-conscious, especially with everything that’s going on in the market right now. They’ve also been really fantastic with sticking to the timeline.
RocketDog Communications is proactive to work with. Michael is waiting for me on new information all the time, not the other way around. I’ve also been impressed with their quality and attention to detail. I never felt that our business was less important than other projects. I appreciate that we get the time and attention no matter what the dollar amount is.
How did RocketDog Communications perform from a project management standpoint?
RocketDog Communications knocked project management out of the park. They committed to delivering on time and on budget.
They put together a great project plan, detailing everything step by step. We also use Asana to communicate back and forth. If they hit any roadblocks, they’re very communicative. They’re also proactive about solving challenges.
They managed the entire process. I’ve appreciated that because I don’t have a lot of time, but they made sure to update me when they needed to.
What did you find most impressive about them?
Their quality is most impressive. In the beginning, we had a mindset of where we wanted to go. We communicated that in a simplistic way, and we were all impressed with the thought process of how they put it together.
Our previous site felt clunky, but RocketDog Communications delivered a new story with our updated website. I’ve personally struggled with past developers when telling them what I want to be accomplished. They think they get it but don’t. I appreciated that RocketDog Communications put the story behind it, but were also inclusive of our audience.
The level of detail was found in the little stuff as well. The pictures and visuals had a variety of age and cultural backgrounds that ties into the narrative that they were trying to tell. They know what they’re doing creatively.
Are there any areas they could improve?
No, nothing comes to mind. I’ve been satisfied with the service.
Do you have any advice for potential customers?
Be organized and have your materials ready. Their team will hit the ground running, and you don’t want to block their success helping you. I would also say be open-minded. The more open they can be with your end goal, the more creative license they can have. I was pleasantly surprised by all of the options they gave me.
RocketDog Communications delivered the website on time with all the functionalities the client requested. Their workflow and communication were well-organized and seamless. Overall, the team was helpful, professional, and hard-working.