Strano + Pettigrew Design Associates

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I'm the senior marketing manager for a company that produces food products for food services and the healthcare industry.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with Strano + Pettigrew Design Associates?

We had just gone through a merger, which required rebranding and reintroducing our new company. We also needed a new website to accompany the rebranding. We contacted Strano + Pettigrew Design Associates to help us hone our new brand, design it, and create a portal for users to learn about our products while harnessing the fact that both merged companies had been around for 20–30 years. We needed to build a new brand based on that previous experience and create a new message.

We needed to build a new website from the ground up because we realized neither of the former companies presented in the way we wanted to.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

Initially, we came to Strano + Pettigrew Design Associates with our company's new name, mission statement, and goals. The team absorbed that information and proposed ideas on how we could best execute our brand messaging and present ourselves. Strano + Pettigrew Design Associates has been integral in defining what kind of portal we wanted, what information we needed on the site, and the story we wanted to tell. 

Strano + Pettigrew Design Associates has built a completely new custom site. We've reviewed the site's architecture to create something that meets our specific requests. We've provided Strano + Pettigrew Design Associates with a library of photographs of our products, and the team has also helped us photograph our new products.

What is the team composition?

Albert (Principal & Creative Director) is our main point of contact. I'm unsure if other team members are working on our project.

How did you come to work with Strano + Pettigrew Design Associates?

One of the merged companies had previously worked with Strano + Pettigrew Design Associates and had a positive experience on a branding project. We contacted the team for this project, being confident that they could provide good-quality work and insights since they were already familiar with our business. 

What is the status of this engagement?

We began working with Strano + Pettigrew Design Associates in February 2024, and our engagement is ongoing. The website and branding are completed, and we're working on refining some details.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

Strano + Pettigrew Design Associates has completed our website, and our web traffic has been high since we launched it, part of it due to the branding the team has created. We have been known in our industry for decades, and the team has created a new face for our company that has boosted our brand. Strano + Pettigrew Design Associates has met our goal of building a site that serves as a one-stop shop for our products, concentrating all our products across food service, healthcare, and industrial areas. 

The site is broken down by brands and products, including photography and spec sheets. The team has created a spot where users can engage with our business. We've received messages from users saying the site is incredible, and they spent more time bouncing around it looking at different products. The site meets and exceeds our requests. Albert has worked through our requests and customized the site to meet our needs. 

We've had a collaborative process to design and build the site from beginning to end. We had initial ideas of what we wanted to present, and the team proposed other ideas based on our company's story. We fused our ideas to create the best version of both and maximize Strano + Pettigrew Design Associates' specialty in design and branding. The team fills our internal gaps so we can present our industry's details and information. Albert feels like part of our team.

How did Strano + Pettigrew Design Associates perform from a project management standpoint?

We communicate with Strano + Pettigrew Design Associates via email and Google Meet. We have regularly scheduled meetings where the team shares the project's status, and we walk through our questions or concerns. We exchange emails to share required information and written feedback. 

We manage our projects internally through Airtable, although we don't collaborate with Albert through any project management tools. We have created a project we understand on Airtable and shared it with Albert so he could pull out information as needed. 

What did you find most impressive about them?

Their collaborative approach distinguishes Strano + Pettigrew Design Associates from other companies. It's nice to work with a team that is open to collaboration, and this aspect has helped me get my internal team to trust the process. After my first meeting with Albert, I had unlimited confidence in his ability to do the job, which separated him from other service providers. 

In creative work, the best results come when clients trust the process and the designer tasked with the project. Strano + Pettigrew Design Associates' openness and asking for collaboration have made my team feel more confident and comfortable that the team would make the right choices. This has been crucial because it allows the project to move quickly and without obstacles. 

Strano + Pettigrew Design Associates is also thorough and quick, which are usually opposite qualities. However, the site the team has built is complicated and has specific requests, and the team has been thorough in building it, showing us the architecture of how functions work. Strano + Pettigrew Design Associates works with us to ensure they address our requests. I've worked on similar projects that took much longer time to complete. 

I've worked with several agencies and studios before, and I'd say this has been one of the easiest collaborations I've had. Strano + Pettigrew Design Associates' work is top-notch, thorough, and well-thought-out.

Are there any areas they could improve?

I can't think of anything Strano + Pettigrew Design Associates can improve. 

Do you have any advice for future clients of theirs?

Be honest and upfront with what you're looking for. We gave Strano + Pettigrew Design Associates many ideas and concepts of what we were trying to achieve, and Albert was honest about which aspects could get done and how he would do them if it was his project. His ownership gave us a lot of confidence. I suggest having an honest and upfront conversation with the team and trusting in their work process. 

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I'm the president and CEO of a company that designs and develops websites and web applications. We've been in business for 20 years. 

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with Strano + Pettigrew Design Associates?

We needed design leadership for an end client's project. We had a design team but lacked a creative director.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

We answered Strano + Pettigrew Design Associates' RFP and were successful in winning it. We hired Albert (Principal & Creative Director) as our creative director, who made himself available to work on this project. We asked Albert to lead a major rebranding project for an end client.

What is the team composition?

We only worked with Albert.

How did you come to work with Strano + Pettigrew Design Associates?

I've known Albert for 20 years, and we've worked together on different projects on and off. 
How much have you invested with them?

We spent $35,000 on this project.

What is the status of this engagement?

We hired Strano + Pettigrew Design Associates for a yearly contract.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

Strano + Pettigrew Design Associates delivered the results we were looking for, and our end client was very happy with the branding identity delivered and rebranded their entire company. With his leadership, Albert brought direction, processes, and operation practices that helped mature our design practice. 

How did Strano + Pettigrew Design Associates perform from a project management standpoint?

Strano + Pettigrew Design Associates delivered work on time and on budget. Our team handled the project management.
Are there any employees from the service provider's team that you would like to give a shout-out to in this review?

Albert was instrumental in ensuring the success of this project. He was a talented creative director, and the branding was done amazingly well. 

What did you find most impressive about them?

We were very pleased with the work Strano + Pettigrew Design Associates delivered. 

Are there any areas they could improve?

I can't think of anything for Strano + Pettigrew Design Associates to improve. 

Do you have any advice for future clients of theirs?

I suggest calling Albert and having an honest conversation with him. He's a good person and will tell you the truth.

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I'm the senior director of marketing at a retail company.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with Strano + Pettigrew Design Associates?

We were launching a loyalty program and needed design support.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

Strano + Pettigrew designed the logo and branding for our loyalty program. Initially, we briefed them on our collection of brands and told them what we were hoping to get out of them, including our goals for the project. From there, they came back with three unique concepts for the direction we could go to.

Throughout the project, Strano + Pettigrew was very open to feedback, so we collaborated and worked on some revisions based on our feedback. We worked together on defining the designs until we were happy with the final assets.

How did you come to work with Strano + Pettigrew Design Associates?

Back in 2015, I worked with Strano + Pettigrew for 3–4 years at a different company, and I really enjoyed working with them. They always delivered great, clean work. When this project arose, I knew that they would be able to deliver the look and feel we were looking for the branding we wanted based on the style of their work.

How much have you invested with them?

We spent around $11,000–$12,000 CAD (approximately $8,000–$8,800 USD).

What is the status of this engagement?

We worked together on this project from February–April 2024.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

Although we haven't launched the loyalty program branding yet, it was very well-received internally. Strano + Pettigrew presented a lot of different elements that our team saw fit very well. Now, we're using those elements across a lot of our stores. The team nailed the branding work regarding how they integrated the loyalty program seamlessly into our retail stores.

How did Strano + Pettigrew Design Associates perform from a project management standpoint?

Strano + Pettigrew delivered on time and on budget. We communicated via Zoom calls and email.

What did you find most impressive about them?

Strano + Pettigrew had a great eye for typography. Moreover, they provided great advice for making our new branding seamlessly incorporate into our overall branding so that our retail brand didn't lose its story. The creativity behind all the concepts they delivered and their attention to detail were impressive.

Are there any areas they could improve?

There's nothing Strano + Pettigrew could improve on.

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I’m the media and marketing coordinator at a company that is essentially an interconnected global network of supply and transport services. 

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with Strano + Pettigrew Design Associates?

We engaged Strano + Pettigrew Design Associates to help us rebrand our business.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

Strano + Pettigrew Design Associates rebranded our business to increase brand awareness. They also helped us create logos and develop a cohesive brand identity since we wanted to follow guidelines internally and externally. We let Albert (Principal & Creative Director) know about our needs; he took our old logo designs and created a presentation we reviewed. After we settled on something we liked, he made all the deliverables.

What is the team composition?

We mainly worked with Albert. 

How did you come to work with Strano + Pettigrew Design Associates?

Our COO found Strano + Pettigrew Design Associates. 

How much have you invested with them?

We spent around $10,000 CAD (approximately $7,300 USD).

What is the status of this engagement?

The rebranding project lasted from June–July 2023.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

We noticed a massive increase in engagement, impressions, and followers on our social channels, such as LinkedIn and Instagram. Our total number of website users increased by 61%, and our followers grew by 28% on LinkedIn. Overall, Strano + Pettigrew Design Associates exceeded our expectations.

How did Strano + Pettigrew Design Associates perform from a project management standpoint?

They did everything faster than anticipated, which was great because it allowed us to roll out the new branding internally and externally. Their project management approach was amazing; they always contacted and updated us on any information that might impact our decisions. They also ensured they were only moving forward with what we’d approved and seen. To communicate, we used Zoom and email. 

Are there any employees from the service provider's team that you would like to give a shout-out to in this review?

Albert was a great touchpoint along the way. He worked quickly to give us what we wanted. We were always satisfied, and the work always turned out as expected. 

What did you find most impressive about them?

They took the time to understand our brand and deliver exactly what we needed. Even when we didn’t know what we were looking for, they took the time to learn about our business. They ensured their deliverables made sense to us. 

Are there any areas they could improve?

No, there weren’t any. They did an amazing job, and everything was super quick and efficient.

Do you have any advice for potential customers?

Remember that Strano + Pettigrew Design Associates designs daily. Some people think something should look one way without considering the design perspective. Keep an open mind and understand that the team is doing what they do for you because it’s proven to work best in a creative sense.

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and position.

I am the Director of Bro & Co.

Describe what your company does in a single sentence.

Premium Mens self-care products

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What specific goals or objectives did you hire Strano + Pettigrew Design Associates to accomplish?

• Brand Strategy
• Brand & Marketing Design
• Website
• Product Packaging Design

SOLUTION

How did you find Strano + Pettigrew Design Associates?

Referral

Why did you select Strano + Pettigrew Design Associates over others?

• High ratings
• Pricing fit our budget
• Good value for cost

How many teammates from Strano + Pettigrew Design Associates were assigned to this project?

1 Employee

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

Bro & Co. is a new product line for Men who are underserved in the selfcare space.  We engaged with Strano + Pettigrew to help us build our entire brand strategy.  They worked with our concept for our product and market to develop an extremely thorough strategy that we could base many of our business decisions on.  This included:

• Brand strategy process and final document/plan
• Logo design concepts with final logo
• Supporting look and feel and brand themes to be used in all future marketing work

The brand strategy process went so well, we kept going and added on a project for package and web design to get us up and running.  This included:

• Package design for our various product lines
• Prepping for print partner and managing that process to ensure quality
• Wordpress site w/links to Amazon storefront

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

The measurable outcomes were quite clear.  We needed the brand guide and overall identity to be developed and move forward with our packaging to provide to our supplier partners.  As we setup our Amazon storefront, we also needed to ensure our site was setup and looking great, with linkages back to the Amazon store.

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

Weekly check-ins ensured we were informed on the progress and the project remained on schedule.  Albert from Strano + Pettigrew was very attentive and actually delivered faster than our expectations.

What was your primary form of communication with Strano + Pettigrew Design Associates?

• Virtual Meeting
• Email or Messaging App

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

The team demonstrated amazing attention to detail, quality and was able to understand our business vision very quickly.  This is what lead to such a smooth project and outcome.

Are there any areas for improvement or something Strano + Pettigrew Design Associates could have done differently?

We are very happy with the work.  No improvements come to mind.

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.
I'm the president of an industrial cleaning company. We clean manufacturing facilities, warehouses, and other spaces of that nature.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with Strano + Pettigrew Design Associates?
We were opening a new division and had a lot of difficulties coming up with the company name, branding, and brand identity, so we hired Strano + Pettigrew Design Associates.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?
Strano + Pettigrew Design Associates has helped us come up with a new company name, logo, and branding for our new division. Initially, I met with Albert (Principal & Creative Director) and provided him with background information about myself, my partner, our company, and what we were hoping to achieve. We also provided him with basic information about our competitors

During said meeting, Albert asked why we were having difficulties coming up with a name for the company. He also asked about the names we were thinking of, what names we didn't like, and what keywords we were looking for. After that, he came up with an ingenious mixture of both our names using our initials. 

Albert also did some background work in different languages regarding the meanings of names and different terms to come up with a final company name for us. Moreover, Strano + Pettigrew Design Associates has also come up with our logo, which was fantastic.

Although their original scope was creating our company name and branding, we're still working with Strano + Pettigrew Design Associates. Moving forward, they'll do a complete website design for us, including hosting. Hence, there's a lot more work for them to do.

What is the team composition?
I've only worked with Albert, so I don't know how many other teammates have been involved in the project.

How much have you invested with them?
We've spent under $10,000 CAD (approximately $7,500 USD), which is well within our budget.

What is the status of this engagement?
We started working together by the end of October 2023, and we're still working together.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

What evidence can you share that demonstrates the impact of the engagement?
We're very happy with what Strano + Pettigrew Design Associates has provided thus far. This is a new division for our organization, so we're just getting ready to launch. We expect to launch the new company in March 2024, so I don't have any results yet.

As for qualitative feedback, the work of Strano + Pettigrew Design Associates is very professional. The artwork they've provided for the logos is fantastic.

How did the company perform from a project management standpoint?
From the start, deadlines were one thing we talked about with Strano + Pettigrew Design Associates. Their team has always delivered well before those deadlines and offered excellent communication, so we're very happy in that regard. We generally communicate via email, but if something requires a more in-depth conversation, we schedule a phone call and go through it.

What did you find most impressive about them?
Strano + Pettigrew Design Associates is very professional and delivers exactly what they promise. I've worked with other companies in the past, and whenever they promise something, I end up being disappointed. However, I've been very happy with Strano + Pettigrew Design Associates, as they've always been there for us. Additionally, I've found them to be easy to work with, personable, and down to earth.

Are there any areas they could improve?
There's nothing they could improve on.

Do you have any advice for future clients of theirs?
The more information you give them, the better the results you'll get. Overall, they're a great team to work with.

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I’m a director at a food processing company that primarily makes potato products and french fries. My specific team is a startup incubated within the company. We’re a technology provider of machine learning (ML) insights for the agriculture industry. In other words, we’re an agrotech startup housed within the parent company. 

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with Strano + Pettigrew Design Associates?

Given that we’re our own business within the company, we need a brand. This includes a company name, a logo, and a complete style guide. We’ve hired Strano + Pettigrew for this. 

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

Strano + Pettigrew has worked on everything from our branding elements to our website. Initially, we provided them with some documentation and started the discovery phase. They interviewed our stakeholders to understand who we were and put together a perspective of what our strategy should be. Once we were aligned on that, we moved on to the naming phase. The team came up with over 20 names, and we shortlisted and reviewed three of them. We selected one name from there. 

After the naming phase, we moved on to the design phase, where they put together the logo and color palette for our brand. Somewhat concurrently, they proceeded with the web development phase. They did everything from creating wireframes to drafting the entire website. Then, we gave our final feedback. 

We used WordPress, so the site didn’t need an incredible amount of functionality. Our team then populated it with content. It was a fairly basic website, serving as a place for customers to go and learn about our startup. It had five or so pages of text and images. It didn’t have any advanced functionality, which was what we needed. 

At present, the website isn’t live yet. We’re close to the end of the project, though. 

What is the team composition?

We mainly interact with two teammates from Strano + Pettigrew, including Albert (Principal + Managing Director). The other person has supported much of our early strategy work in terms of understanding who we are. 

How did you come to work with Strano + Pettigrew Design Associates?

I found Strano + Pettigrew through Google. I spoke with Albert and found him to be highly professional. He had a quick and good understanding of our needs. He also displayed confidence in their ability to meet our needs and be flexible with our unique situation. On top of that, the project timeframe they provided fit within our requirements. 

How much have you invested with them?

We’ve invested around $50,000–$100,000 CAD (approximately $36,000–$73,000 USD). 

What is the status of this engagement?

We started the project in May 2023, and it’s ongoing. 

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

The quality of their work has exceeded our expectations. 

How did Strano + Pettigrew Design Associates perform from a project management standpoint?

Strano + Pettigrew has completed every deliverable on time and within our budget. We’ve had open communication, and it’s truly easy to get in touch with them. I never have to wait long to get a response. For tools, we primarily use emails and video calls. 

What did you find most impressive about them?

They’ve done a good job providing services that are unique to us. They’ve learned about our sector, team, and product, and they come up with creative options that connect to us individually but won’t necessarily work for other companies. Their services aren’t cookie-cutter and are truly specific to us. 

Are there any areas they could improve?

No, there aren’t any. 

Do you have any advice for potential customers?

Investing more in a process like this always means you’ll get better results. Be hands-on and honest. That way, Strano + Pettigrew — or any other firms — will get a better sense of who you are as a company and what makes you different. 

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I’m the CMO of a craft soda startup.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with Strano + Pettigrew Design Associates?

When we looked for a creative team, we needed a partner to help us compete because the beverage space is very cluttered. A lot of that space is dominated by major brand incumbents, so we needed a brand identity that would stand out against some of the most recognizable brands in the world and complete on coolness.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

Strano + Pettigrew provides us with branding services. Initially, we came to them with a minimally functioning logo without marks to go along with it as a brand identifier or a look. I provided the exploratory work we had done with our graphic designer. Strano + Pettigrew used that to inform their designs, peeling back our vision to build something new from the ground up. 

First, Strano + Pettigrew cleaned up the logo and created an initial mock-up of our packaging design for two soda flavors that would anchor the brand going forward. Since then, Strano + Pettigrew has expanded those designs into complete brand guidelines. They've also designed other assets, such as swag items. 

We've increased our scope of work and will continue working with Strano + Pettigrew as our brand develops. 

What is the team composition?

We've only worked with Albert (Principal & Creative Director).

How did you come to work with Strano + Pettigrew Design Associates?

I also work in marketing and went to my agency's creative director with the concept for this new company because she does freelance work. She provided our initial logo but couldn't design packaging, so she gave me the names of about 14 companies that served the Greater Toronto Area. We went through her suggestions and met with two companies.

Ultimately, we chose to work with Strano + Pettigrew based on their vibe and body of work, which was in line with what we were looking for. We wanted a mature design on the simpler side of a soda can design, and Strano + Pettigrew's aesthetic was in line with that. 

How much have you invested with them?

We've spent around $5,000–$20,000. 

What is the status of this engagement?

We started working together in May 2022, and the engagement is ongoing.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

Strano + Pettigrew’s work has been better than we could have imagined. One of our key KPIs is communication and whether a service provider can meet deadlines and keep a project moving. Strano + Pettigrew’s leadership level has been refreshing; they’ve driven the project forward even when my team would fall back on the communication side. We’re very busy, so I appreciate having Strano + Pettigrew’s support. 

Another thing I’ve appreciated is Albert’s willingness to revisit concepts we passed off initially and want to bring back as the project develops. We did several rounds of revisions on our first package design and then ended up going to Strano + Pettigrew’s first presentation. Albert met this decision with humor; there was no frustration. Ultimately, we couldn’t be happier with where our packaging design landed. 

How did Strano + Pettigrew Design Associates perform from a project management standpoint?

We communicate through phone calls and Zoom meetings; we haven’t met in person. 

What did you find most impressive about them?

Albert has become an important voice as we continue to develop our brand voice. We’ve had other service providers handle different parts of our project, and Strano + Pettigrew has been our most beneficial and smoothest partnership.

Are there any areas they could improve?

I wouldn’t change anything. 

Do you have any advice for potential customers?

Move forward with Strano + Pettigrew without hesitation. Meeting creative minds this talented that aren’t limited by their egos is rare. Strano + Pettigrew has a perfect balance of creativity and knowing when to push. They let our vision shine while acting as a filter to run our ideas through and bring them to life.

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I’m the project coordinator of Rea Sign Group, a signage manufacturing company.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with Strano + Pettigrew Design Associates?

We needed a new website to guide our clientele through a process of elimination to see what was proper for their needs. Many of our clients didn’t understand the signage terminology, so it was hard for them to determine what type of signage they needed.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

Strano + Pettigrew Design Associates created a WordPress website from scratch for us. The site has a product page that shows everything we offer, where we direct our customers so they can pinpoint what they’re looking for by scrolling through many pictures. Currently, we continue our partnership with site maintenance.

What is the team composition?

We’ve been working with Albert (Owner).

How did you come to work with Strano + Pettigrew Design Associates?

One of our customers referred them to us, and we decided to reach out to them.

What is the status of this engagement?

We started working together in June 2017, and the engagement is ongoing.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

Thanks to the site Strano that + Pettigrew Design Associates developed, we can now direct our customers more easily — we use the platform as a main focal point when we obtain new potential customers.

How did Strano + Pettigrew Design Associates perform from a project management standpoint?

They’re great with project management in terms of meeting deadlines, staying on budget, and communicating. Moreover, their team is completely committed to us, has fair costs, and treats our projects uniquely. Strano + Pettigrew Design Associates are also responsive to our emails — we get back from them within minutes. In addition, they spend a lot of time trying to help us understand our website in case we want to update it ourselves. Regarding communication, we also use phone calls and in-person meetings.

What did you find most impressive about them?

Their most important attributes are their hands-on approach, guidance, and willingness to offer their insight for our site. Overall, they’re committed to our needs.

Are there any areas they could improve?

I don’t think there’s anything they can improve on.

Do you have any advice for potential customers?

I recommend people working with them. They’re able to make this an easy process despite it being a time-consuming task.