Shakuro

Please describe your company and your position there.

I am the founder of a software development company.

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

We wanted to develop several MVP mobile apps and the goals were to have Shakuro do both the design and development for these apps.

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

We spoke to over 20 agencies and Shakuro's combination of great design and development skills stood out. Its hard to find an agency which does both well. Their past work stood our and was in the style that we were after.

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

Design Phase: wireframes, UI designs, clickable prototype, 3D renders, app icon designs, animations in Figma, Development Phase: iOS app built with Swift.

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

We have worked with around 10 people from their team so far across multiple projects.

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

For the mobile app MVPs the final results were great and the apps are highly rated on the app store. Each MVP took around 6 months in total For the mobile design concept service, each design was done in less than 2 weeks!

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

The team is great at communication and are very easy to work with. You can rely on them to get the job done without much input from your side. If you do both the design & development with them, its even easier since the designers can speak to the development team in house, and you don't need to be the bridge.

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

Their mobile designs skills are very very good, especially when it comes to branding assets and designs. It also feels like you are part of the team with them when working together. With normal agencies, its usually a 'colder' experience, however with Shakuro they also care about the product as much as you do.

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

No suggestions. I think they are great.

Please describe your company and your position there.

I am the content director at eggheadio. I over see the design and production of the courses that we launch.

For what projects/services did your company hire Shakuro?

At the end of the year in 2021 we had a gigantic sale that we were preparing for. To launch a course we need a course illustration that represents the knowledge, skills, and metaphors that would be learned in that course. Shakuro turned the ideas we had for illustration into reality.

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

We looked for illustrators on dribbble and other websites where designers post portfolio pieces. When finding Shakuro's profile, we could tell they have an eye for quality and know how to execute.

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

Our project with Shakuro started with a kick-off meeting to discuss scope and process. I came to the meeting with creative briefs that detailed what illustrations we needed. We had several that were needed. Each brief contained concepts and metaphors for Shakuro to use as a starting point for these illustrations.

The project lead took these briefs and did research the concepts and technologies that were covered and came back with several ideas for us to discuss and move forward with. When we identified illustration ideas that worked well, their illustrator took the idea and produced delightful designs that showcased the quality of our courses really well. The Shakuro team was on top of communication the whole project and was a delight to work with

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

I worked with 3 Shakuro team members. The project manager, lead, and illustrator.

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

These illustrations make the course landing pages pop.

How effective was the workflow between your team and theirs?

The project manager was on top of communication and easy to work with. They were receptive to feedback and iterated quickly.

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

They do their research and keep communication open really well. It's the small things like that that produce quality products.

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

They were on time and efficient, nothing I could see that should be done differently.

Please describe your company and your position there.

I'm an individual looking to build an app

For what projects/services did your company hire Shakuro?

I needed help with UI/UX for an app idea that I had. I needed help with some UX guidance and the actual designs.

How did you select Shakuro?

I was looking for freelancers on couple platforms, and was looking at Dribble profiles as well. I came across Shakuro's profile and was impressed with every single one of their mobile app projects.

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

We went through very thorough UX ideation process with defining the right user personas, documented their needs and down to the the brass tacks of color schemes and fonts to be used. Hanna particularly was phenomenal with her communication and organization. The team overall had strong criticial thinking into the problem and were able to provide guidance more than simply following the asks.

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

I worked with Hanna (UX strategist) and Arthur (Designer)

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

I'm extremely pleased with the how the designs have turned out and looking to test it with few users to iterate and move forward with development

How effective was the workflow between your team and theirs?

Very smooth. Hannah handled almost all of it. And use of Figma helped as I could clarify some comments directly to Arthur as well.

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

Critical thinking and partnership on projects -- They have equal interest in the output being a good product.

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

None at this point

Please describe your company and your position there.

I am the CEO of a hospitality and tourism concierge/consultancy company based in Lagos, Nigeria

For what projects/services did your company hire Shakuro?

We hired Shakuro to create a UI/UX design for a mobile application project

How did you select this vendor?

We found them on Dribbble

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

We first started with the brand identity of the mobile application, and went through a very detailed and diligent process of creating the logo. After that we started with the wireframes of our application and then worked on our UI designs. They also helped create animated adverts for our application

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

I worked mainly with our business project manager, she was extremely professional and amazing. She managed our day to day operations from beginning to end. She also managed the brand image designer, the UI designer and the animator. I also worked with the account executive who managed our finances and checked in from time to time to make sure everything was going alright. So 5 people in total.

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

We are super happy with all the deliverables from the team! It was an amazing experience from beginning to end. The team was extremely professional and diligent in all their work. They were also very transparent.

How effective was the workflow between your team and theirs?

Our project manager was great at communicating with us. We never had any issues with Shakuro and they honestly handled our team very well. The workflow is perfect.

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

The UI/UX skills blew me away from the very start. They are innovative and modern and they are extremely professional in everything they do.

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

I have no complaints

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I’m the CEO of a tech startup that operates in the art market.

What challenge were you trying to address with Shakuro?

We needed help finishing our concept and putting together a prototype.

What was the scope of their involvement?

At the beginning of our project, we only had some wireframes and an idea for our mobile app. The first thing Shakuro prepared was a small market study for us using personas. Then, they helped us put together better wireframes and designs for our app that we could use for funding. We have our own developers that built the actual app.

They also designed our website that’s in the beta phase. Additionally, they designed our logo and all of our branding.

What is the team composition?

We had an account manager, a project manager who also doubled as a designer and an actual UX specialist.

How did you come to work with Shakuro?

We found them online. We went through about 20 other designers. Some turned us down because they thought the project would be too complex. Shakuro was very interested and supported us from the very beginning.

How much have you invested with them?

We spent $25,000.

What is the status of this engagement?

We started working together in November 2019, and they finished the initial design in December 2020. We plan to work with them again to publish our website.

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

They met our expectations from the first market study. The branding also helped solidify my confidence in them. It was really high quality.

How did Shakuro perform from a project management standpoint?

Anytime we gave them things to fix, they were really responsive. We had a Slack channel, and I was also able to leave them comments in Figma. They always had a fast response time.

What did you find most impressive about them?

They were able to understand the full concept and bring it from just an idea to an actual product. It was impressive that they were able to bring it across the finish line.

Other vendors said this project would be too difficult but Shakuro was able to pull it off. The product ties all of our ideas together and it’s very user-friendly. They got it right on the first try.

Are there any areas they could improve?

Initially, we had some issues with communicating with a particular account manager. There have also been a few surprises with billing since their pricing estimates weren’t big enough. It turned out to be manageable. The product itself is such high quality that we didn’t mind.

Do you have any advice for potential customers?

My advice is to try them out and see how you like them. Give them a challenge to execute and take it from there. You can be confident that they’ll deliver quality work.

Please describe your company and your position there.

At Builddie we use the power of Artificial Intelligence (AI) to help you lower your monthly bills and protect the planet through lower carbon emissions.

For what projects/services did your company hire Shakuro?

We hired Shakuro to design the Builddie platform.

What were your goals for this project?

The goals for the project was simplicity, emotional connection to the users whilst at the same time encouraging them to take action such as sign up.

How did you select this vendor?

Prior to hiring Shakuro, we had spoken to a lot of design firms about Builddie. Unfortunately, non of them could grasp the idea per our vision. They either had their own ideas or were totally lost on what a smart home ment. The team from Shakuro on the other hand got the concept as soon as we spoke to them. We saw great alignment in our collective visions and were blown away by the depth of knowledge of their team. To us selecting Shakuro is one of the best decisions we made .

Describe the project in detail.

The goals for the project was simplicity, emotional connection to the users whilst at the same time encouraging them to take action such as sign up. The team from Shakuro discussed the technical aspects of the project with us and afterwards did their own research to get more insights in the industry. Whats surprised us was their eagerness to learn. They took a complex idea and made it simple.

What was the team composition?

The team was comprised of a project manager, a UX /UI designer and illustrator.

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

The team designed our company website, designed our smart home automation app and designed our smart IoT hardware. The results have been out of this world. Amazing!

How effective was the workflow between your team and theirs?

There is a lot of collaboration both in Shakuro and with their clients. From our experience, this has been really useful in getting different perspectives on ideas and thoughts. Shakuro has a really streamlined and efficient team .

What did you find most impressive about this company?

Their depth of knowledge is second to none, their ability to simplify the complex is exceptional and most importantly their humility to ask the right questions is their greatest strength

Are there any areas for improvement?

Not that i can think of. I will encourage them to keep being the pacesetters they are and not rest,. Great team

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I’m the co-founder and sales director of our start-up. We provide an alternate to influencer marketing and market research by empowering consumers to advocate brands they know and trust. 

What challenge were you trying to address with Shakuro?

We needed to create a project management portal and a corresponding mobile application. We wanted the user-facing app to be sleek and elegant.

What was the scope of their involvement?

We presented our basic ideas to their team, mind-mapping what we wanted to see created. It was a new concept, so Shakuro provided input on the infrastructure. They told us which statistics and metrics to consider.

Their team provided the wireframe and built the UX/UI for us to tweak and approve. From there, they built the project management portal with an internal dashboard.

The platform allows us to manage every stage of a project internally. They built functions for us to create projects, direct payments, and manage contracts. The portal also allows us to send vouchers to users who downloaded the app, which Shakuro created for iOS using Swift.

What is the team composition?

We worked with about 12 people from their team.

How did you come to work with Shakuro?

We looked at several companies’ reviews and narrowed down our options to three agencies for serious consideration. When we interviewed Shakuro, they provided a level of customer service that the other contenders lacked. They communicated clearly and openly. Their team also negotiated their price to accommodate us as a startup. We also liked their experience and positive reviews.

How much have you invested with them?

We spent between $50,000—$100,000 on their services.

What is the status of this engagement?

We began working together in August 2019, and it’s an ongoing partnership. We’re projected to finish the final tweaks from the soft launch at the end of May 2020. After the official launch, they’ll continue to maintain the portal and app.

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

The purpose of this tool was to allow users to have a smooth experience while we manage their projects internally with just two people. The platform’s efficient and accurate. The hard launch is projected for next month. 

How did Shakuro perform from a project management standpoint?

Their project manager does a wonderful job of managing expectations. Their team communicates well and verbalizes ideas clearly. They’re also quick and flexible. When we wanted to have small sprints, they managed the last-minute tasks well.

What did you find most impressive about them?

They’re skilled at translating the client’s vision into a reality. We didn’t find that ability in other remote companies. Shakuro has also been consistent throughout the entire process, from initial contact to the end.

Are there any areas they could improve?

No, I can’t think of anything.

Do you have any advice for potential customers?

Be open and listen to their ideas. They use their expertise to give opinions and input to optimize outcomes. 

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I’m the founder and CEO of SELECT. We’re a membership card and mobile app that connects people with exclusive events, prices, and perks at over 1.6 million locations and online.

What challenge were you trying to address with Shakuro?

Our dated designs across our website and mobile applications were our primary challenges. We were in dire need of a design and brand refresh.

What was the scope of their involvement?

Initially, Shakuro focused on design and branding. They created a new logo and color schemes. Then, their team redesigned both our iOS and Android mobile applications as well as our website. Once we got into the iOS designs, our lead developer and Shakuro recommended that we refresh the app. Their team redid our iOS app in Swift and manages monthly updates.

What is the team composition?

We have a main point of contact for design and a second main point of contact for iOS development. We’ve worked with probably 4–5 people in total.

How did you come to work with Shakuro?

I found them on a website where I looked into their work. On that website, they were ranked within the top 50 companies. They completed projects for high-end brands and created modern designs. That’s what made me decide to partner with them.

How much have you invested with them?

We’ve spent around $39,000 on their services.

What is the status of this engagement?

We started in June 2019 and our partnership’s ongoing. Their design work and the iOS project are complete, but they’re our go-to iOS development agency.

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

Our members loved the new iOS app. It looks and functions better. It’s seamless and rarely crashes. With our previous app, we got bad reviews on the App Store. Our ratings shot up in both the App Store from a 3.8 rating to a 4.8 rating. That’s a combination of Shakuro's designs as well as the quality of their development.

They’re good critical thinkers, so if our existing logic didn’t make sense, they told us. Their team put a lot of time and energy into optimizing our platforms. Our customers also loved our new branding elements. We couldn’t be happier.

How did Shakuro perform from a project management standpoint?

Our main mode of communication’s Slack. We’re based in the US, so the time difference can be challenging. However, they’re always available in the mornings to coordinate details. Their team notifies us well in advance of their national holidays.

They’ve stayed on deadlines. It was important for us to get the iOS app out by the end of the year. There were initial conversations that the deadline didn't look good. But they completed the project when we wanted it. Every time there’s a product that we want ahead, they hit our goal.

What did you find most impressive about them?

Shakuro has a clear focus on quality. Their design and branding work’s outstanding. They did a fantastic job with the iOS app. They’re an obvious stand out for design and branding services. There’s plenty of data and information to reference in support of that claim. Shakuro’s our go-to for design, branding, and iOS development. They’re also great at UX design.

Are there any areas they could improve?

No, I don’t think so. Anytime there’s an ongoing engagement, it can be tricky to synchronize timelines. In all honesty, they’ve met our deadlines every time. Their team’s willing to reprioritize, which is an advantage of being an ongoing customer.

Do you have any advice for potential customers?

Give them your opinions and guidance but let them do their work. When we received the initial branding elements, we were surprised but loved them. Keep communication open as with any design and development relationship.

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I am the CEO and a shareholder of Fourpicapital. We are the creator of a financial analytics product. We work with offices and professionals involved in the stock market.

What challenge were you trying to address with Shakuro?

I needed someone to create a website for our business.

What was the scope of their involvement?

Shakuro created our website. Their team brought their design expertise to the project and managed the whole project.

What is the team composition?

We worked with around five people from their team.

How did you come to work with Shakuro?

I had several conditions and requirements. Shakuro said they could meet these, so we decided to work with them.

How much have you invested in them?

I spent around $30,000.

What is the status of this engagement?

We worked together from June 2019–April 2020.

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

This was my second experience with this type of project. Shakuro provided us with the highest quality end product.

How did Shakuro perform from a project management standpoint?

I have enjoyed the results. They had good project management skills and delivered on time. 

What did you find most impressive about them?

It was interesting to have a relationship with Shakuro. I didn’t prepare technical tasks or specifications. I spoke with the manager and several members of the team. They analyzed my final goal, and they let me know what they thought based on their experience. They were able to develop a site that met all my needs.

Are there any areas they could improve?

The IT industry is new for me and it would be better for me to have them in the office, but the result has been excellent despite that.

Do you have any advice for potential customers?

It was a very good experience. They had a deep understanding of my company. I think in the future they can successfully provide financial technology solutions.

Please describe your company and your position there.

I work for an IT company.

For what projects/services did your company hire Shakuro?

Shakuro developed a custom Android App that connects to our sensor technology.

What were your goals for this project?

Approval by our end customer of the Android App.

How did you select this vendor?

Previously worked with Shakuro.

Describe the project and the services they provided in detail.

Android App development and testing. Cloud and Sensor connectivity in the App.

What was the team composition?

One developer and one project manager.

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

Our customer approved the App and has deployed it in their market.

How was project management arranged and how effective was it?

Most of the project was managed by one person via email with weekly updates which was very effective. The code was delivered via repository and bugs were filed via the repository tools and promptly fixed.

What did you find most impressive about this company?

The team is very professional and performs high-quality work.

Are there any areas for improvement?

Shakuro is as professional as it gets and very affordable. Highly recommended with no need for improvement.