Studio Graphene

Please describe your company and your position there.

I am the Founder and Director of one of the largest interior architecture practices in the UK

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

Having worked with a range of different freelancers and smaller digital agencies, we realised we needed to work with a Studio that understood our challenges and took accountability for delivering a holistic solution that was specific to our business.

How did you select Studio Graphene and what were the deciding factors?

We liked the fact that Studio Graphene were candid about the challenges that we were facing and realistic about the potential solutions. They were not afraid to suggest out of the box solutions and explain the pros and cons associated with each solution. It was clear that they were not trying to force us to go down a specific path, but instead, understand our business needs and challenges.

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

The scope of work entailed the full lifecycle from scoping our requirements, project management, design, development, and quality assurance. The deliverables incorporated the delivery and ongoing of a website as well as a CMS.

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

Approximately 5-6 different team members were involved in our project. These included a project manager, designer, marketing strategist and technical lead.

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

Our business has started to receive enquiries through our website, which it didn't previously. That is the most direct measurable outcome and was the main reason for engaging Studio Graphene.

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

Their project management style was curated around our needs, incorporating regular updates (some of which were communicated face to face).

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

The most impressive bit about Studio Graphene is its client-first approach. This comes across clearly and creates a trusted relationship.

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

None that I can think of at the moment.

Please describe your company and your position there.

I am one of the founding team members of the company with the CFO role as my primary responsibility alongside all other aspects required needed by a small team to grow a business. The company makes businesses and its employees financially healthier

For what projects/services did your company hire Studio Graphene?

We needed a tech development agency that could help turn our ideas, research and concepts into a working platform. Studio Graphene helped support our design team and took full ownership of the back-end and front-end build. 

Hiring a tech person/team in-house did not make sense at our stage of business. It was important to us that we remained versatile as well having access to a pool of specialists to build what we needed given the complex nature of our platform and security measures required.

What were your goals for this project?

We wanted an app where it consolidated all of a user's accounts, savings, investments, pensions, debt for them to view with ease as well as being intuitive in alerting them on certain overspend risk or savings goals achieved.

This is combined with us using the data we have gathered to project a user's financial profile so they have better insights on how their financial decisions could affect their future finances. With a combination of being more informed of current and future finances along with insights on how best to achieve their goals, users can be subsequently more comfortable, hence happier with their finances

How did you select Studio Graphene?

Studio Graphene came in as a referral from someone who had been involved in various businesses that have previously used them / are currently using them. At the time we sought two different quotes and the decision was actually to go for another developer. However, it was a poor build and it was better that we started all over again - that's when we chose Studio Graphene.

Describe the project in detail.

Studio Graphene started the work immediately as soon as they were engaged. They were able to do this because as part of their quotation process they put in a lot of effort in determining the details of what actually needs to be built and how it was all going to be built.

It formed a key part of their proposal process which allowed them to provide fixed quote proposals to us. The work started off with two weeks of finalising the design and UX while work was also being done simultaneously to detail all the necessary Jira tickets associated with the features and infrastructure for the back-end to commence building.

We had daily stand-up calls with Studio Graphene which allowed them to ask us to clarify any areas of uncertainty and also allowed us to use it as continuous feedback sessions we would have with them throughout the build.

These daily calls were also used by Studio Graphene to advise us on certain things they found more efficient, or effective, or even challenged us as to how we wanted our features and UX.

This was invaluable as they were proactively helping us to improve the build rather than just take the do as you are told approach. Given that there were a lot of rule based features and formulae required to power our forecasting and insights functionality, particular attention was spent with their back-end team to get this right, which they did.

Wasn't right on the first attempt, and it took several attempts, but they were very efficient in fixing it (so no delay in the deliverability of the app). Studio Graphene built the app across three sprints of 3 weeks each. Within each sprint there were agreed feature sets.

As part of each build stage Studio Graphene would do their own quality assessment to test and fix all of the features to be delivered in that sprint before handing it over to us for UAT.

What was the team composition?

From Studio Graphene there was a project manager. 3 back-end. 3 front-end. 1 quality assurance. 1 design (for the first 2 weeks)

From the company side there was 1 person - Head of product plus 1 other person to support the head of product

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

Plenty of complements when we demostrated the app to prospects.  In the span of a short time since the app was completed and us being able to demo the product, the amount of interests from customers and partners wanting to help promote it increased significantly. 

Also our pricing conversations have been made easier having customers been able to see what the app can do.   

How effective was the workflow between your team and theirs?

It was very efficient and productive.  The key was the ease of communication between the two teams and the responsiveness of the Studio Graphene team to queries and changes. 

There was no hesitation of the Studio Graphene team to reach out to us whenever there were queries, even the little queries.  This made sure that no time was wasted going down the wrong track. 

Given the extent of what had to be built in the timeframe it was done in is testament that the workflow between the two teams was very smooth and effective.

What did you find most impressive about this company?

There were two things that were equally impressive:

1. the fact that they were constantly proactively thinking of better solutions to developing what we told them that needs to be done - not just puppets doing what they’re told to get the job done as fast as possible (despite them even quoting a fixed price proposal)
2. their ability to understand the difficult calculations and complexed logics required to be programmed that now forms our intelligent insights engine.

Are there any areas for improvement?

Honestly very hard to say.  Perhaps the communication between their design and back-end teams could have been more frequent for the changes to be picked up quicker.  It didn't have any negative impact on the timetable though as they just worked harder to make up the time.  

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I’m the founder of a startup that's building a short form audio platform.

What challenge were you trying to address with Studio Graphene?

We approached Studio Graphene to design our new mobile app.

What was the scope of their involvement?

While I had a clear idea of the app’s design, Studio Graphene helped to refine my ideas. I provided them with an early prototype, which included the feature set I wanted within the app. Their team helped with the finer details such as the different user flows. They helped us to think deeply about the UX/UI. And then, their team created the actual UX/UI design and the brand.  

What is the team composition?

I worked with a few people from Studio Graphene. There was a client manager, a product manager, a designer, and a UX/UI person on the team.

How did you come to work with Studio Graphene?

I googled a bunch of mobile design agencies in London because I wanted a local partner to meet face-to-face, which didn’t happen because of the coronavirus. I made a shortlist and reached out to about six different agencies. I eventually went with Studio Graphene because their price was fair but also not too on the low end where the quality would suffer. Through speaking with their client team, I felt that they would do a good job.

How much have you invested with them?

We spent about £8,000 pounds (approximately $10,000 USD) on this project.

What is the status of this engagement?

I brought them on board in March 2020, and we finished the engagement in June.

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

Studio Graphene delivered exactly what I wanted. They completed the rebrand, making the actual product professional.

Also, the flow to record audio clips was complicated, but their team got it right. I started reaching out to beta testers to record content through the app. They helped to progress our business goals.

How did Studio Graphene perform from a project management standpoint?

We communicated via e-mails and phone calls. There were regular calls when they provided project updates and we reviewed any assets through Adobe XD.

I could ask their product manager, who was my main contact, any questions. The project ran smoothly.

What did you find most impressive about them?

Their price was attractive to us. While it was on the higher end, they offered an initial design piece that was affordable for us so we could take the first step. That was a good way of working.

Are there any areas they could improve?

No, it was exactly what I expected. I would’ve enjoyed having meetings in person but with the coronavirus, that wasn’t possible.

Do you have any advice for potential customers?

They have a fixed process that’s well documented. Study their process to make sure that you get everything you want out of each of their steps.

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I’m the co-founder of WhatWeWant, an app that allows users to share the costs of a gift for themselves or someone else. Users can organize the intricacies of gifts through the app.

What challenge were you trying to address with Studio Graphene?

We had the concept on paper, but none of us were developers. We needed someone who could develop the app for us. There’s a crowdfunding aspect to the app, and we needed a platform that would allow for many people to transfer money into an account where it would then be held and withdrawn from at a certain point. We needed to identify an API and a financial service that could allow for crowdfunding, and the app needed to cater to the API. The major challenge was getting the platform to understand that the crowdfunding was for personal, and not charitable, use. 

What was the scope of their involvement?

We started with a product discovery and went to Studio Graphene with sketches of pages we liked and what we wanted people to be able to do on the app. They did all of the wireframing and development of the app.  They integrated MANGOPAY. 

Studio Graphene developed a cross-platform app that is available for iOS and Android. They also did marketing for us. We have a maintenance package with them, and they continue to do updates on the app.

What is the team composition?

There’s Jonathan (Digital Product Manager) and 2–3 developers. We previously worked with a marketing team of 4–5 people. Jonathan is the main point of contact for everyone. The actual developers are based in India and offer two price brackets. We’re not spending the same amount that we would be to get an app fully developed in the UK.

How did you come to work with Studio Graphene?

We did a Google search for app developers and sent an email to 4–5 companies from a myriad of places. I interviewed all of them. One of the main reasons we went with Studio Graphene is that they do not only development but also marketing. We felt that it was important that the development and marketing teams we worked with could be pretty close together so that they could speak with one another. We also liked that the manager of the project was based here in the UK so that we could have in-person meetings. Our office is just a walk away from theirs.

How much have you invested with them?

My company has spent £125,000 (approximately $160,600 USD).

What is the status of this engagement?

We started working together in February 2019, and it’s ongoing.

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

Studio Graphene delivered an easy-to-use app. We’ve done many user tests, like Google Ventures, and the feedback has been rather resounding in terms of ease-of-use. When we first released the app, it was more of a beta testing phase. We opened it up to friends and family; we just wanted to get feedback from people. In the last couple of months, we’ve upped our game in marketing. We have just over 1,000 downloads and about 350 signups. We’re relatively happy because we’ve been able to make 2–3 updates and changes that didn’t seem obvious until people made suggestions. Our project manager never tried to sell us add-ons or features just to get the price up; in fact, the app ended up costing less than what was originally quoted. 

How did Studio Graphene perform from a project management standpoint?

There was always a member of both teams in meetings so that we knew what was going on and what was being planned for the future. Jonathan handled all of the communication with their developers in India. There was a lot less lost in translation because they have a good relationship with their developers. 

Our initial quote was £150,000 (approximately $193,000 USD) to build the whole app. Throughout our time working together, Jonathan would tell us to look at what we actually wanted to build and what would make us money. It’s reassuring that we have someone there who is always going to be looking out for our interests. Jonathan is organized and does well with task prioritization. The company makeup is also good in terms of the fact that their managers have a very decent understanding of development and are great at project management. It’s been a good experience. We communicate via WhatsApp.

What did you find most impressive about them?

The communication between their team and us is great. We have a very open dialogue. They’re always available; it’s never taken more than 1–2 hours to get a response from them.

Are there any areas they could improve?

We moved marketing teams since we launched because we felt that their content was more for traditional B2B, whereas we’re B2C and go directly to the clients. Our clients use platforms like Instagram and simply want a visual cue with a sentence or two. Our clients wish to easy to consume aesthetics as opposed to sourced or written articles about the sector we operate in.

Do you have any advice for potential customers?

Meet them face-to-face; don’t just go off a call. They understood our idea very quickly. That’s something you can really get when you’re in-person. Also, listen to what the project manager has to say, because he has good experience. Take his advice as free advice. You’re paying for the building of the app, but the advice they give along the way is free.

Please describe your company and your position there.

I'm the director of City Road Comms, a PR agency that uses unique research and content to achieve significant amounts of exposure. I manage our strategy, hiring and training staff and working with new and existing clients.

For what projects/services did your company hire Studio Graphene?

We hired Studio Graphene to completely rebuild our website. The old website was outdated, generic and quite ugly. We wanted an overhaul to make us stand out and impress potential clients, so we hired them for web design and development. 

What were your goals for this project?

Our goal was to create an attractive, unique, and modern website that would effectively communicate with potential clients. We wanted to stand out and clearly demonstrate our strengths and values. As a small business, we also wanted to achieve this on a relatively limited budget and short timeline.

How did you select this vendor?

We worked with several clients who had used Studio Graphene to create apps and websites. We knew that the quality of their work was extremely high, so we approached them for a discussion and quote. At the same time, we sourced quotes from other web development firms.

Studio Graphene's attention to detail was far better than anything else we saw. They invested time in understanding our business, needs, and taste. Given the depth and quality they offered, their price was also far more competitive than other vendors. In the end, choosing them was straightforward.

Describe the project in detail.

The project fell into three stages. First, they clarified exactly what we wanted and needed from the website's functionality and design elements. This involved several face-to-face meetings to identify other websites and ideas that we liked or didn't like. Then they developed a wireframe, color scheme, and overall look and feel.

During the second stage, they created high-fidelity mockups of the website. After reviewing two versions, we agreed on the layout, features, and copy, and they began creating the website. We had two opportunities to provide feedback and make changes to the end product, which ensured that we were completely happy.

What was the team composition?

Different team members were involved during each stage, but the director and the head of marketing were present throughout to ensure consistency. They introduced us, either in person or through email, to new team members when necessary. But the head of marketing remained our point of contact throughout, which made the whole process extremely painless.

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

The ultimate measure of this project was simply the quality of the end product. The website they developed is excellent: it's unique, slick, clean, professional, and interesting. It does a fantastic job of promoting who we are, what we do, and what makes us great.

After sharing the website with different people, such as colleagues, clients, business partners, friends, and family, the reaction has been overwhelmingly positive. It's infinitely better than our old website and far better than the bland, generic websites of our competitors. We wanted a website that showed us off to the world, and Studio Graphene delivered on that brief superbly.

How effective was the workflow between your team and theirs?

The workflow was painless. Studio Graphene remained communicative and kept us abreast of their timeline. They allowed time for tasks that we had to undertake and went about their own work efficiently. When I had questions, they gave quick answers. Most of our communication happened through email, with several face-to-face meetings and phone calls throughout the project. We also used Google Drive to share files. 

What did you find most impressive about this company?

I was impressed by their passion for our project. Their genuine desire to work with us was reflected in the time and effort they invested. They understood what we needed and developed a solution rather than delivering a "one-size-fits-all" product. They worked in an impressively detailed, bespoke manner.

We were impressed with the wireframes and designs they created, but the quality of the end product exceeded our expectations. They added many clever features, design elements, and functionalities to enhance the overall look and feel. They are extremely good at what they do, demonstrating high levels of attention to detail throughout.  

The cost was also excellent. They were far more cost-effective when I weighed their quality of work against their fees. Any vendors who could match their price offered a far lesser product. Studio Graphene delivered excellent value.

Are there any areas for improvement?

I couldn't see any obvious areas for improvement. The quality of their deliverables, their project management, and the price were all excellent. 

Please describe your company and your position there.

I'm the senior program manager and lead on the Flying High Challenge at Nesta. 

For what projects/services did your company hire Studio Graphene?

We needed to design, develop, and maintain a website.

What were your goals for this project?

We needed to develop a website to showcase our program structure, goals, and developments. We also wanted to connect with a multi-disciplinary stakeholder audience across public, private, and third-party organizations. 

How did you select this vendor?

We went through a competitive tender process and shortlisted three vendors. Studio Graphene was the finalist.

Describe the project and the services they provided in detail.

They created our brand identity, designed and built our website, and refined our content. They also handled all the project management. Currently, they maintain our website and deliver client updates weekly.

What was the team composition?

The founder was our main contact. The digital project manager was the lead, with a design team supporting him. Throughout the collaboration, we also engaged with their UI/UX designer and lead designer.

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

The website became the lynchpin for us to convene and engage with government bodies, local cities, private organizations, and the press. 

How was project management arranged and how effective was it?

We had a tight timeline and wanted to launch the website in time for an interview on BBC News. Studio Graphene was flexible and accommodating, working with us during early mornings and late evenings to finish the product in time.

What did you find most impressive about this company?

I loved their great, friendly attitude. They were fun to work with and willing to make as many revisions and edits as we wanted. 

Are there any areas for improvement?

No, everything was good. 

Please describe your company and your position there.

I am a serial entrepreneur.

For what projects/services did your company hire Studio Graphene?

I needed a solid app development partner to design the UI/UX of a new horseracing betting app.

What were your goals for this project?

I needed to have something concrete when I pitched the concept to potential investors and venture partners. I wanted a prototype with a slick frontend that showed the user journey clearly.

How did you select this vendor?

I met with three companies for an initial conversation. After having a deeper discussion with two of them, I decided to go with Studio Graphene.

Describe the project in detail.

We went through a rigorous process, starting off with an in-depth meeting with everyone relevant from Studio Graphene in the room. They explained how the process would unfold from there, including timelines and deliverables.

What was the team composition?

I worked with a product manager, a UX designer, a UI/UX designer, a creative lead, and two mobile engineers.

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

I am extremely happy with the end product. I now have 30 high-fidelity screens that I can use to explain the concept. So far, the feedback on the design has been overwhelmingly positive.

How effective was the workflow between your team and theirs?

It was quite effective. Jonathan (Digital Product Manager, Studio Graphene) centralized all communication so we only had one person to go through. We had regular conference calls and short meetings at key milestones.

He was super responsive. We didn't have to chase them once—in fact, they were the ones who followed up and kept things flowing.

What did you find most impressive about this company?

Studio Graphene took the time to understand betting on horseracing, which is a complex and rather archaic subject. I got the feeling that they cared about the outcome. We never felt that were just a project amongst many and that they couldn't wait to move on to the next thing.

Are there any areas for improvement?

I'd love to point to a specific area, but I can't.

Please describe your company and your position there.

I’m the CEO of a digital health app that uses cognitive hypnotherapy to help users struggling with obesity.

For what projects/services did your company hire Studio Graphene?

We hired Studio Graphene to design and create our MVP.

What were your goals for this project?

Our goal was to use the prototype in our fundraising efforts. We wanted to show an excellent UX/UI design and a solid MVP to potential investors.

How did you select this vendor?

A mutual connection introduced our teams.

Describe the project in detail.

We had a series of discovery meetings at the start of the engagement to map out the core functionalities. Their team designed the user experience and flow of the MVP. They also helped us figure out other details regarding the creation of the product.

What was the team composition?

They assigned a dedicated project manager and two designers. Ritam (Founder, Studio Graphene) was also involved and helpful during all of our meetings.

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

They completed the MVP quickly and accurately. We now have a professional prototype that brilliantly displays the user experience, flow, and interface.

How effective was the workflow between your team and theirs?

We worked well with their entire team, as every member was knowledgable and involved. Whenever we needed something, they were available and willing to give good advice.

What did you find most impressive about this company?

Their strong communication and creativity were their best assets. If any issues arose, they were quick to inform us and find solutions to move forward with. I highly recommend working with Studio Graphene.

Are there any areas for improvement?

More realistic timeframes would be helpful to improve. Although most deadlines were met and there was no major issue, the overall project timeline was longer than expected.

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I'm the CEO of AwesomeSource. We're a software development company.

What challenge were you trying to address with Studio Graphene Ltd?

We were looking for a vendor to help us build a mobile application.

What was the scope of their involvement?

We initially planned to build a demonstration app, but it ended up being a real product that our customers can use. Studio Graphene managed everything from the frontend design and user interface to building the actual app. Our in-house team was heavily involved in the design process, so we reviewed all the wireframes and provided our feedback. They also sent us builds of the app every week. This is an iOS app and Studio Graphene used Swift for development.

What is the team composition?

I worked with Studio Graphene when I was working for another company, so I knew they did high-quality work.

How did you come to work with Studio Graphene Ltd?

We worked with a project manager, two designers, and a developer.

How much have you invested with them?

We spent about £30,000 (approximately $39,500 USD).

What is the status of this engagement?

The project ran from March 2017–December 2018.

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

They built our customer facing app, which is a key part of our sales tool. It's a seasonal business, and the initial phase has gone very well.

How did Studio Graphene Ltd perform from a project management standpoint?

The communication was very clear. We had weekly check-ins and we talked daily via Slack.

What did you find most impressive about them?

The quality of their work is high. Their developers were very knowledgeable, so we never had to explain things to them. Also, they're extremely easy to work with.

Are there any areas they could improve?

No. We had a very good experience.

Do you have any advice for potential customers?

Discuss your needs and your budget up front so that you don't have to go through many iterations.

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I’m the CEO of Comte de Grasse. We’re a luxury distillery located in the south of France.

What challenge were you trying to address with Studio Graphene Ltd?

We hired them to take over building all of our digital assets after a previous vendor proved unable to deliver what we needed.

What was the scope of their involvement?

We’re a startup, and we didn’t have enough in-house resources to handle this project, so they worked with our creative team to build a website that reflects our reputation as a luxury brand. They handled the web design for our main site and also used Shopify to build our e-commerce page. Once that was finished, they also designed and developed a mobile app for us that helped customers engage with our products via iOS or Android. They integrated near-field communication (NFC) technology for us, working with our third-party suppliers to ensure that we delivered seamless customer experience.

What is the team composition?

Their CEO was my main point of contact. We also had a dedicated designer and a dedicated developer, and I think there were a couple of other developers who assisted throughout.

How did you come to work with Studio Graphene Ltd?

I happened to know their CEO and reached out to him about our difficulties implementing this project with our previous contractor. It was clear that he understood the NFC technology we wanted to use, as well as our company vision and the changes we hoped to implement, so we decided to switch contractors.

How much have you invested with them?

We’ve spent about £30,000 (approximately $40,000 USD).

What is the status of this engagement?

We started working with them in August 2018, and the project is ongoing.

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

We’ve only just launched, so there hasn’t been an immediate impact on sales, but our site’s been receiving great reviews. Users in our industry are happy with the UI.

How did Studio Graphene Ltd perform from a project management standpoint?

They really collaborated with us and took ownership over this project. Now, this may be because I have a personal relationship with their CEO, but the amount of work they put into our project and the way they managed it were far beyond what we expected. They’re good at understanding what the client’s needs are and documenting everything. We also receive regular updates on their progress—the full team uses Slack, but I generally communicate with them via email.

What did you find most impressive about them?

They’re highly organized, and everything is well-structured. It’s clear that they work hard to deliver a final product that reflects our expectations.

Are there any areas they could improve?

I can’t really think of anything.

Do you have any advice for potential customers?

Spend a lot of time at the start explaining your vision and the outcome you’re hoping for. The more information they receive, the more effective they’ll be.