Sonder Creative

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and position.

I am the Clinical Director of TherapEase Counselling

Describe what your company does in a single sentence.

TherapEase provides online counselling for adult couples and individuals.  

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What specific goals or objectives did you hire Sonder Creative to accomplish?

• Update web design and develop
• Create branding, including new logo

SOLUTION

How did you find Sonder Creative?

Referral

Why did you select Sonder Creative over others?

• High ratings
• Referred to me
• Company values aligned

How many teammates from Sonder Creative were assigned to this project?

2-5 Employees

Describe the scope of work in detail. Please include a summary of key deliverables.

• Branding and visual identity design 
• User experience and interface design (UX/UI)
• Modern, responsive, and mobile friendly site development 
• Wordpress content management 
• Google Analytics integration
• SEO and social media sharing 
• Accessibility 

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

What were the measurable outcomes from the project that demonstrate progress or success?

• Established a new brand direction and visual identity for the practice.
• Created a set of brand assets to assist in communications efforts for business. 
• Designed all integral interface elements for the new website.
• Ensured the new website clearly explained the business/practice, while making it easy for users to learn more. 
• Made certain the website is easy to edit/manage and provide appropriate training for additional parties on its functionality.
• Employed solid foundational SEO coding methods/practices with a focus on site speed and efficiency.
•  Launched on a managed WordPress platform to ensure proper security and maintenance.

Describe their project management. Did they deliver items on time? How did they respond to your needs?

All deliverables were delivered in a timely fashion and the entire Sonder team was highly-responsive to any needs/questions/concerns I had throughout the entire project lifecycle. 

From the very beginning, they set clear expectations and delivered on every milestone as promised. Their efficiency never compromised quality, and they kept me updated throughout the process, ensuring everything stayed on track. It was refreshing to work with a team that values both speed and precision, making the entire experience smooth and stress-free.

They took the time to understand my business needs and translated them into a website that is both professional and user-friendly. The final product not only looks amazing but also performs flawlessly. Their commitment to excellence, clear communication, and timely delivery made the entire process smooth and stress-free. I couldn't be happier with the results!

What was your primary form of communication with Sonder Creative?

• Virtual Meeting
• Email or Messaging App

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

Working with Sonder was an absolute game-changer for my business. Their responsiveness was unmatched—I never felt left in the dark, and they always took the time to explain things in a way that made sense to me, even with my limited tech knowledge. What stood out most was their empathy and patience, ensuring I felt confident throughout the process. Their creativity brought my vision to life in ways I hadn’t even imagined, all while maintaining the highest level of professionalism. Thanks to their expertise, I am now a proud business owner of a website that truly reflects my brand. If you're looking for a team that truly listens and delivers beyond expectations, Sonder is the way to go!

Working with Sonder was an exceptional experience from start to finish. Their responsiveness, creativity, and professionalism made the process seamless, even for someone with limited tech knowledge. They delivered a high-quality, beautifully designed website on time and within budget, exceeding my expectations in both service and final product. The value I received was outstanding—I am now a proud business owner of a website that truly represents my brand. 

They didn’t just build a website—they created a powerful online presence for my business. The level of expertise, creativity, and attention to detail they brought to the project made it clear that they truly care about delivering high-quality work. I never felt like I was overpaying; instead, I felt like I was getting an incredible return on investment.

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

I truly don't have any critical feedback to offer. Their process was seamless from the beginning and they met all project deliverables to 100% completion, and always went above and beyond. 

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and position.

I am the Co-Founder of KaleidoWork

Describe what your company does in a single sentence.

We provide leaders and teams with coaching, training, and support to build human-centric workplaces.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What specific goals or objectives did you hire Sonder Creative to accomplish?

• Renewed our website
• Create a new brand that reflect our work better

SOLUTION

How did you find Sonder Creative?

Referral

Why did you select Sonder Creative over others?

• Close to my geographic location
• Pricing fit our budget
• Good value for cost
• Referred to me
• Company values aligned
• quality of previous projects

How many teammates from Sonder Creative were assigned to this project?

2-5 Employees

Describe the scope of work in detail. Please include a summary of key deliverables.

We hired Sonder Creative with a rebranding and website redesign project for our business. This included creating a new brand identity with a fresh business name, logo, and messaging that accurately conveys who we are, what we do, and how we stand out in the market. The project spanned six months, with key milestones that included:

• Brainstorming and Brand Development: We started by collaborating on a new business name, followed by designing a visual identity that reflects our values and target audience.
• Design and Mockups: They developed mockups for our new website, incorporating feedback to ensure the brand’s look and feel was aligned with our vision—fun, professional, and vibrant.
• Content Framing and Website Redesign: Although we handled the research and content writing, they provided initial wireframes, outlines, and content suggestions to guide the structure of our site.
• Content Migration and Final Touches: They moved us from Wix to WordPress, conducted a final review, and ensured a seamless transition before launching the new site.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

What were the measurable outcomes from the project that demonstrate progress or success?

Key Deliverables:

• Brand Identity: New business name, logo, and brand guidelines that reflect our unique approach and market positioning.
• Website Design: Complete redesign of our website's information architecture, making it more user-friendly and visually engaging.
• Wireframes and Content Suggestions: Created wireframes and initial content outlines for our website to help us get started on writing.
• Platform Migration: Transitioned our website from Wix to WordPress, providing training and ongoing support to make the platform easy for us to manage.
• Responsive Design and Usability: Ensured the website is responsive across devices and intuitive to update.
  
  

Describe their project management. Did they deliver items on time? How did they respond to your needs?

Yes, everything was delivered on time. The team at Sonder Creative always responded promptly whenever we had any questions or requests. 

What was your primary form of communication with Sonder Creative?

• Virtual Meeting
• Email or Messaging App

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

The team at Sonder Creative were responsive, creative, and highly receptive to our feedback, which led to a final design that exceeded our expectations. We received immediate, positive reactions from our audience after the brand reveal—doubling our LinkedIn engagement and receiving numerous compliments on how well our new brand and website represent what we do. Their willingness to refine the design until we were fully satisfied made a significant difference in the final result. The transition to WordPress, though initially daunting, was made manageable through the training they provided, and the site is now easy to maintain. 

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

We'll provide some feedback directly to Sonder Creative, knowing that they will be open to receive it :)

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and position.

I am the Director, Corporate & Stakeholder Relations of Edmonton Metropolitan Region Board (EMRB)

Describe what your company does in a single sentence.

The EMRB is a growth management board established under the Government of Alberta’s Municipal Government Act, and composed of 13 municipal leaders from across the Edmonton Metro Region.

Its mandate — to plan for the future, and to ensure the long-term economic prosperity and quality of life for residents of the Region — is set out in legislation under the EMRB Regulation.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What specific goals or objectives did you hire Sonder Creative to accomplish?

• Website design & development
• Integration of custom content and easy-to-use page builder (tailored to our needs)

SOLUTION

How did you find Sonder Creative?

• Referral
• Other

Why did you select Sonder Creative over others?

• High ratings
• Close to my geographic location
• Pricing fit our budget
• Great culture fit
• Good value for cost
• Referred to me
• Company values aligned

How many teammates from Sonder Creative were assigned to this project?

2-5 Employees

Describe the scope of work in detail. Please include a summary of key deliverables.

Sonder led key phases of web design and development work with the following deliverables: 

PLANNING

•Information architecture planning
•Interfacing with applicable team members and getting to knowyour clients through them
•Understanding current analytics/data and user flow

WEBSITE DESIGN
•User interface for all core pages, initially 10-15 pages and grew to 30+ pages
•Design for tablet and mobile.
•Design presentation and discussion with Rotaflow
•Pattern planning - creation of time-saving resources

WORDPRESS DEVELOPMENT AND CONTENT ENTRY 
•Environment setup
•Development of all page types
•Filterable news feed
•Custom post type creation
•Planning for ‘related content’ to reduce time on content creation
•Content entry for all pages required to launch
•Integration of data visualization graphics through javascript embeds(preferred) or iframed content.
•Testing and site review period
•Training and resource creation
•Launch

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

What were the measurable outcomes from the project that demonstrate progress or success?

We were able to successfully and seamlessly migrate from one basic web hosting platform, to a more sophisticated web hosting platform, and also benefit from a wholesale redesign of our web structure/content. The result is a visually appealing and refreshed website that meets our needs and will grow with us. 

Describe their project management. Did they deliver items on time? How did they respond to your needs?

The scope of work was clearly articulated within reasonable timeframes, with Sonder being very nimble in supporting us and adjusting as our operational requirements required. Sonder also used a number of strategies/tools to help compartmentalize the work into manageable phases, with appropriate  frequency of virtual meetings/check in as project progressed. The use of a tracker for copy and google drive to organize inputs/uploads from us was very valuable.

What was your primary form of communication with Sonder Creative?

• Virtual Meeting
• Email or Messaging App

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

Their creative is solid as was their project management skills. Further, we appreciated Sonder's ability to work collaboratively not just with our motley crew of staff with limited expertise in web design/development, but also with additional contractors that we had  supporting various other aspects of the project (ghostwriters, project management, etc.).  

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

No.

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and position.

I am the Co-Founder of LAST Modern Event Venue

Describe what your company does in a single sentence.

We are a centrally located and modern event venue in the heart of downtown!

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What specific goals or objectives did you hire Sonder Creative to accomplish?

• Create a branding identity for our new business
• Create a website design cohesive with our brand
• Create additional collateral (Wedding/event packages)

SOLUTION

How did you find Sonder Creative?

Referral

Why did you select Sonder Creative over others?

• Close to my geographic location
• Pricing fit our budget
• Great culture fit
• Good value for cost
• Company values aligned

How many teammates from Sonder Creative were assigned to this project?

2-5 Employees

Describe the scope of work in detail. Please include a summary of key deliverables.

Sonder provided an initial consultation to get to know, the owners behind the brand and also our vision in creating a modern and contemporary venue in Edmonton. They customized a schedule for the course of the project. In the early stages, they created 3 visual brand identities we reviewed together and allowed us to have time to think about which one reflected our brand messaging and vision best. 

After the winning design/logo was chosen, they moved on to mapping out a website layout and building out the pages we would need. We wanted to integrate our CRM Dubsado and newsletter Flodesk and they were great to learn about both platforms, always approachable in our concerns, and effecient in execution. We had delays in our construction that led to delays in launching our website, but they were both patient and excited with us for the next steps!

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

What were the measurable outcomes from the project that demonstrate progress or success?

We had a lot of great feedback and kind words shared about the style and presentation of our brand (we shared with our network to gain different perspectives). A lot of distinctive comments that affirmed our vision were also shared along the way.

Describe their project management. Did they deliver items on time? How did they respond to your needs?

They were very timely in communication and always quick to respond to our requests. The timeline and project management was excellent.

What was your primary form of communication with Sonder Creative?

Virtual Meeting

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

We value supporting local and we loved that they were based in Edmonton and also believed in creating long term relationships.

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

No! They were fantastic in every aspect!

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and position.

I am the Director, Marketing & Communications of Applied Pharmaceutical Innovation

Describe what your company does in a single sentence.

API is a not-for-profit organization that provides the expertise, services, and infrastructure of a pharmaceutical company - we help innovators launch their ideas into the real world, connect industry to the services they need for commercial success, and accelerate all aspects of the drug development process.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What specific goals or objectives did you hire Sonder Creative to accomplish?

• Create a single page site to promote a week-long initative
• Display a series of events in an easy to use/view format

SOLUTION

How did you find Sonder Creative?

Ongoing Work

Why did you select Sonder Creative over others?

• Great culture fit
• Good value for cost
• Company values aligned
• Trusted Resource

Describe the scope of work in detail. Please include a summary of key deliverables.

We tasked Sonder with creating a single-page website for a key inaugural initiative for our organization called Life Sciences Week, which included us coordinating a series of events across the province of Alberta. As such, the site needed to inform the audience about Life Sciences Week and its purpose while also hosting a calendar of events that they could easily browse through to see everything going on throughout the week.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

What were the measurable outcomes from the project that demonstrate progress or success?

Sonder delivered a beautiful and engaging site that met our brief exactly and on a tight timeline to boot. We were able to pivot from a previous engagement with another vendor that wasn't hitting the mark to a seamless and high-quality delivery from Sonder.

Describe their project management. Did they deliver items on time? How did they respond to your needs?

They were highly responsive, moving another project of ours to make this happen in good time for our promotions plan. When it came to launch and post-launch edits, they were very agile and responded quickly to our requests.

What was your primary form of communication with Sonder Creative?

• Virtual Meeting
• Email or Messaging App

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

Their ability to provide a unique and custom web solution on a limited timeline, as well as their ability to deliver something that met and exceeded our needs based on a quick brief.

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

I have no comments in terms of improvements or do differently.

UPDATED REVIEW

Andrew MacIsaac

CEO, Applied Pharmaceutical Innovation

Pharmaceuticals

11-50 Employees

Edmonton, Canada

Less than $10,000

Jun 2019 - Ongoing

Project summary

Sonder Creative delivers branding and design assets for a research institute. They created a new brand logo, they manage web design for the institute’s site, and they oversee other branding elements.

Feedback summary

The work Sonder Creative provides gives the organization more credibility and increases brand visibility. They work quickly and are responsive, and their deliverables are impactful.

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I'm the CEO of a not-for-profit research institute. We partner with universities and pharmaceutical companies.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with Sonder Creative?

We were originally based out of a university. When we ventured out on our own, we needed a fully independent visual identity, brand, and look and feel.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

They started with a logo and brand guidelines. Then, they started design work on our website. We originally contracted them for just the logo, but we liked their work and decided to expand into the rest of our external branding presence with them.

What is the team composition?

We worked with a team of about three, led by one main point of contact.

How did you come to work with Sonder Creative?

Another institute that we work with recommended them.

How much have you invested with them?

We've spent around $10,000 CAD (approximately $7,500 USD).

What is the status of this engagement?

They started working with us in June 2019, and the collaboration is ongoing.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

They had a really high impact on our professional look and feel, and they worked very quickly. We can attract more clients, and we have much more credibility as an organization.

How did Sonder Creative perform from a project management standpoint?

Their project management is very good, and they keep things on track. They always deliver on time, and they're very affordable. Our communication is good, and they always respond right away to any of our emails. Their turnaround times are quick, and they helped us through big project overviews.

What did you find most impressive about them?

Their responsiveness and speed are both good. They have a very good design aesthetic, and they offer all the services of a larger firm in a boutique format.

Are there any areas they could improve?

I can't think of anything they should improve.

Do you have any advice for potential customers?

Tell them exactly what you want, and be prepared to have an open dialog with them. They're very responsive by phone or by email, so don't hesitate to reach out to them.

RATINGS

Overall rating: 5

They delivered on our specific requests, and they brought their unique insight to the project.

Quality: 5

Their service is great, and they deliver high-quality products. If they don't have an asset in house, they use their network to get us what we need.

Cost: 5

Their rates are very reasonable. Other firms might charge twice as much for the same service.

Schedule: 5

They built a timeline that worked for us, and they stuck to it.

Willing to refer: 5

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and your position there.

I am part of the Business Development team at Mode Built, a residential remodeling and development company based in Edmonton.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

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

Initially we were looking at having our website revamped - this project then evolved to include a full rebrand and website launch.

SOLUTION

How did you select this vendor?

Sonder Creative came highly recommended to us by another service provider of ours!

Describe the scope of their work in detail, including any steps and the final deliverables.

To start, we met with the Sonder team where we fielded numerous questions around our vision, strategy, and years past. After that meeting, the team conducted their own market research that would further aide in the development of the new brand.

We were then presented with some design concepts — at this point, we were able to provide feedback on what we gravitated toward. Once the brand creative had been developed, there was a focus on positioning statements and strategy. We then moved onto the web design stage of the project, where Jeff presented his vision which we immediately loved.

The focus was on increased UX and a better UI. The final presentation of the website was done, and then ultimately content was added pre-launch.

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

We mainly worked with the owner, web developer, designer, creative director, and content writer.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

We believe both aspects of the project have been received well by new and existing clients and our supply community. They like the clean and minimalist look, and the brand's positioning is very clear.

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

Very professional. ClickUp was used to manage the project, and Figma was used for presenting the website mockups.

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

Having been taken through the rebranding process with them, they made every effort to learn about our company's history, about the two founding partners, Shaun and Ryan. Also, they conducted all necessary research to ensure we were appropriately positioned.

We were attracted to the understated confidence that they could help us move in the direction of achieving our following goals and milestones.

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

There was nothing they needed to improve on.

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and your position there.

The Centre for Research and Innovation in the Bio-Economy (CRIBE) is an independent, non-profit organization. CRIBE supports and develops a sustainable, profitable provincial forest bio-economy in Ontario. We bring together researchers, the forest sector, and end users to create and commercialize innovative forest-based, low-carbon solutions. I am the Program Coordinator at CRIBE. I manage our funded projects and coordinate our communications efforts.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

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

Our two websites (nextfor.ca and cribe.ca) were extremely outdated. We rely heavily on online information sharing, so we were looking to have both sites redeveloped to make content more easily accessed and more engaging. We had very specific functionality requirements (a members only space, different sets of tags, filterable content).

SOLUTION

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

I had heard about Sonder Creative from a colleague who had worked with them recently. They had great reviews for the Sonder team and their site looked amazing. We launched a request for proposals for our site development and Sonder bid on the request for proposals. Their proposal was well thought-out, addressed all of our wants and needs and came in within budget - so they were the successful bidder.

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

We had kick off meeting to discuss the process and to set expectations. They quickly went into design mode. We received wireframes and mockups through figma. Once those designs were approved they went on to development. We had several meetings throughout to ensure that we were on track and on the same page.

After development was completed, the team worked closely with me to move content over to the new sites and test for bugs. Once this was completed, we launched the sites. Post-launch the Sonder team met with me to record a training video which we will use when creating content on the sites.

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

We worked with:

• a project manager
• a designer
• two developers

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

The Sonder team delivered all of our desired features on the new sites. The new sites are significantly easier to navigate and look amazing! We launched the sites only a few weeks ago and we have had several users comment on how great the new sites are.

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

We had several calls throughout the development process and emailed as-needed. The team was very responsive and continued to problem solve to get us exactly what we wanted.

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

Their design work is amazing! They really modernized our branding. We will carry the new styles forward into our social media marketing and other communications materials. We liked how they worked with us to find better ways to organize our content to make information easily accessible.

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

They were quick to fix all bugs that came up - I don't think that I could've asked for anything more!

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and your position there.

I am the CEO of BioNxt Solutions Inc. (formerly XPhyto Therapeutics Corp.). BioNxt is a technology accelerator focused on alternative drug delivery systems and point-of-care diagnostics screening tests.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

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

Sonder was originally hired to create new brand content and a brand new website. After changing the company's name, Sonder was hired to revise the website and update our logo.

SOLUTION

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

Sonder was recommended by a non-profit pharmaceutical contract research firm that we work with.

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

The development process was well articulated by Sonder and the actual process generally followed the pathway set out by them. We moved through several stages with continuous feedback and dialogue throughout the process. Sonder continued to revise and edit at our request after the website was complete.

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

We worked with 2 individuals from Sonder on a regular basis with additional specialist resources introduced from time-to-time as needed.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

We are a publicly listed company. The website was well received by out team as well as our investors.

How effective was the workflow between your team and theirs?

Project management was effective and efficient.

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

Strong communication, organization, and time management, as well as a diversity of skills to get the job done.

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

Sonder appears to be a busy firm and project start times may be later than desired; however, the timelines were always communicated at the front end so there were no surprises. Product is excellent.

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and your position there.

I'm the Communications Coordinator at SNAP Gallery & Printshop. We are a not-for-profit arts organization that provides critical space and resources for printmaking production, exhibition, and education. I manage communications and print and web content.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

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

Sonder Creative rebuilt our website in 2017 to give it a much needed update. In 2022, Sonder performed a redesign of the main website to reflect the changes that the organization has gone through and to accommodate our evolving needs. We primarily needed a more efficient art sales and course registration system, as well as a more streamlined back end system to give us more flexibility with what we are putting on the web, for example facilitating video content, images of artwork, alt text, etc. They also developed a different smaller website for us that works as a publicly accessible database for our artwork archive. This project has been a long time dream of the organization.

SOLUTION

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

We have been working with them since 2017 and have been very happy with their work and dedication to keeping the website smooth and efficient, so we knew they'd be the best for the job of the website update and to develop the new website.

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

Sonder met with our team in the beginning to outline the biggest areas we needed to update. As they have been maintaining our website from 2017 they also were aware of things that could be improved as well. After the initial meeting they met with different staff members who were in charge of different departments, like exhibitions, courses, etc to understand our individual needs. Next, they worked on mockups of what the changes would look like and presented in detail what the updates would be, and when they were ready allowed us to test out the in progress website from our end. They took our feedback from this batch of testing and made improvements, and presented the final update as well. Finally we launched the website just in time for our 40th Anniversary celebrations. They also followed up after the launch to troubleshoot minor issues and to make sure everything was working.

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

Jeff from Sonder worked with us as the main developer. We also spoke to their design team during consultations, as well as more people from the development team while they worked on the archive website.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

The main goal was to improve usability on our end and therefore we do not have specific metrics.

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

We worked with Jeff as our main point of communication, who sent us updates by email and met up with us through Zoom multiple times. They used Figma to help us preview the updates before they were coded in.

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

They are extremely dedicated to helping their clients reach their goals. We've gone to them with many requests on improving the site and they regularly provide the best service to make sure the organization's needs are met. They've created a complex website that fulfils many of our organization's needs that would otherwise take up lots of admin time. They are super prompt when we bring up any issues or suggestions as well. They are dedicated and committed to their clients.

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

Sonder has been exceptional in their work throughout the years we've worked with them. If I had to pick one thing to change, I would suggest scheduling in more meeting time for info sessions, because they like to be very thorough when presenting.