Superfried

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and position.

I am the Architect and Director of Northedge Architecture

Describe what your company does in a single sentence.

Architects based in South Manchester

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What specific goals or objectives did you hire Superfried to accomplish?

• Create a logo
• Branding strategy

SOLUTION

How did you find Superfried?

Online Search

Why did you select Superfried over others?

Other

What was the size of Superfried’s team?

1 Employee

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

The objective was to create a brand strategy and logo for our architecture practice in Manchester. Having not previously invested in a logo, our aim was to achieve an identity that could be rolled out across different platforms such as the website, on drawing titleblocks, building sign boards, business cards and site workwear.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

• How the branding translated across different platforms
• How the logo represents our business

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

Mark was very responsive at communicating throughout the process and I liked the email communication as it allowed me to pick up clear dialogue when I've had the opportunity. The project took longer than expected, but this was largely down to me not being settled on a design and pushing Superfried to keep going which they were open to doing so.

What was your primary form of communication with Superfried?

Email or Messaging App

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

We were impressed with the clean and dynamic designs Superfried produced with as well as the persistence to push the design without complaint. We weren't an easy client in terms of being unsure about making a decision, but Superfried were open to trying new angles and playing around with ideas we had. We really liked how they implemented the logo design on possible marketing platforms such as signboards and interior furnishings.

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

I think the only area we felt could have had more strategy on was the social media side, but we hadn't settled on our approach on this ourselves and therefore we didnt give much direction to develop this.

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and your position there.

Program Manager for a philanthropic organization working to scale climate action to limit global temperature rise to 1.5•C.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

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

In an effort to scale much need philanthropic resources to on-the-ground conservation projects we developed a series of action funds that each focused on a specific critically endangered species or ecosystem. We hired Superfried to help us develop the identity for each of these action funds.

SOLUTION

How did you select this vendor?

We have worked with Superfried a number of times over the years and have always been satisfied with their work. We now use Superfried to help us develop all of our species focused dentities.

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

After an initial meeting where we described what we were trying to accomplish, Mark from Superfried asked us to send over any ideas and documentation to give him a visual sense of what we wanted.

He quickly drafted up a visually appealing and easy to review document of first drafts as a jumping off point - logo, logotype, color scheme, etc. We provided feedback and Mark took all of our notes and feedback and quickly put together a draft 2. This back and forth went on until we got the identity just right - usually a back and forth of 5 or 6 times.

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

I have always worked directly with Mark R.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

The fund identities that Superfried helped us develop have since raised a substantial amount of funds for their respective goals - ecosystem preservation, land acquisition for conservation, and protection and recovery of critically endangered species.

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

Punctual and very easy to work with.

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

Superfried always listens to our feedback and works hard to implement them into the next draft. Mark goes out of his way to understand exactly what the brand identity needs to convey - often suggesting designs for the identity that we didn't even realize was needed until we saw it in draft.

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

I don't have anything to add

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I’m a business analyst and project manager for a healthcare and support company.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with Superfried?

We were trying to reimagine our brand and create a new conversation with our stakeholders.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

They helped us develop a new brand identity for three businesses within our organization. They were involved with developing the idea, the concept, and the understanding of the depth of what we do and what we’re trying to convey going forward.

Additionally, they designed four different logos for the business. The deliverables included all the holding pages, assets, stationeries, brand guidelines, business cards, infographics, and a variety of assets that can be used across the organization.

We started the project with a few explorative sessions where they took us through what we were trying to achieve. We did some surveys across the organization to try and find some information from different sectors of the business. As part of exploration, they’re very good at collaboration and trying to understand what the client wants and what they’re trying to achieve.

They started with some initial designs and were very informative and helpful when it came to developing those ideas. The third stage was about refining a chosen route, and this is where they showed their resourcefulness. The last phase is all about creating the deliverables and expanding on the idea that was already developed.

What is the team composition?

My point of contact is Mark (Founder).

How did you come to work with Superfried?

I found them in an online search.

How much have you invested with them?

We’ve invested around $50,000.

What is the status of this engagement?

We started working together in October 2020 and our partnership is still ongoing.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

We’re still in the early stages of launching our designs. We managed to engage our staff throughout the whole process of design and development, and the feedback has been excellent — everyone seems to really resonate with the concepts created, so it’s been a success so far.

How did Superfried perform from a project management standpoint?

They’re very responsive and adaptive whenever there are budget constraints — they worked around what we needed. Additionally, we primarily communicate through email and phone calls.

What did you find most impressive about them?

We’re impressed with Mark, as he’s very good when it comes to design. He’s good at understanding the brand, and most of his ideas stand out.

Are there any areas they could improve?

They could be more objective with the project at times, but apart from that, they’re very good.

Do you have any advice for potential customers?

My advice is to be as transparent as you possibly can — they’ll embrace your ideas and bring them to fruition.

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and your position there.

I am the founder and executive director of Thrive Conservation, a non-profit organisation based in Indonesia. We work on the frontline to address overlooked conservation issues by empowering a cohort of emerging conservation leaders.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

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

We hired Superfried initially to create our brand identity (logo). Following this, we continued to work with Superfried on our website design, animated ident, and design of other marketing collateral. As a newly established organisation, we were looking for a designer to create a brand identity that would reflect our more modern approach to conservation, something a bit different from the classic NGO style branding but still relatable

. It was important that our brand identity could resonate with both the younger generation as well as more conservative funders and partners.

SOLUTION

How did you select Superfried?

I first came across Superfried's branding work as he created the logo (which I loved) for another nonprofit organisation that I am familiar with. This led me to finding his inspiring work portfolio online, which was very much inline with the vision that I had for our brand.

I did reach out to a number of different designers to compare proposals, but I always had Superfried's work in my mind. In the end Superfied was the clear choice for us based on his style of work, helpfulness, and interest and enthusiasm for our project.

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

After some initial email and phone communication, Superfried sent me an in-depth questionnaire as a way to get to know our organisation and vision for the brand. Following this, he created and shared a couple of initial logo design routes, from here he continued to develop the logo with our feedback until we had the desired final logo mark and logotype.

Once the logo was complete, Superfried helped us with design and development of our website (we already had a template in place and Superfried mainly helped us with the layout and design), and is now working on a logo animation and other marketing materials for us.

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

I worked directly and solely with Mark, who is the founder and director of Superfried.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

Myself and our whole team are really happy with the logo, website and other design elements that Superfried created for us. We have since launched our new organisation online and we are frequently getting compliments and positive feedback on our branding, especially the logotype, which is so unique yet reflects our brand perfectly.

Furthermore, we are now using the logo on various media and it works very well on everything from videos to t-shirts.

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

Most communication was done over email, which worked well for me, especially given our time difference. He frequently sent email updates with any new ideas and design developments, and always asked for my feedback. Throughout the project he provided a really great balance between incorporating my feedback, but also providing clear and honest advice when ideas were not working, while simultaneously offering alternative options.

All developments and final deliverables were produced in a timely manner.

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

We had quite a challenging brief for our brand identity but Superfried was extremely patient and understanding with our request and feedback. As a small nonprofit organisation focused on nature conservation, I loved that Mark had a genuine interest in the work that we do, and this was reflected in his communication, background research and the work that he delivered for us.

Moreover, Superfried was very flexible with our situation and provided different work proposal options so that we could find the best solution that worked for him and our budget and needs. Working with Superfried is much more than a transactional connection, but rather he makes the genuine effort to foster a longer-term professional relationship together, which is exactly what we were hoping to find from a designer, and he is now our go-to for anything design related. Superfried is an amazingly talented designer and a delight to work with.

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

Honestly, I can't think of anything they could have done differently.

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and your position there.

I am Community and Outreach Director for The Apprentice Academy; I am responsible for running various CSR projects for our organisation.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

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

The primary project I worked with Mark on was a pet therapy project we run with animals in care homes called '4 Legged Friends'. Superfried helped on logo design and website.

SOLUTION

How did you select this vendor?

I met Mark whilst I was working in a shared office space and liked his work. At the time I was looking for support on our projects.

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

Mark initially helped us with logo design and then helped us on the website. He also helped us with things like getting t-shirts printed for volunteers, as well as stickers which we handed out to people we visited with the pets.

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

I worked with Mark who runs Superfried

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

We have had lots of positive feedback on the designs. The logo, website and t-shirts have helped us share our story and build confidence with people we were engaging.

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

I met up with Mark on a regular basis. Mark worked to the required timeline and kept me up to speed on where up to. The project was delivered on time and to budget.

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

They really care about the work they do; they went above and beyond to really understand what we were looking to achieve. The design is really strong and gives our work a strong identity.

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

No, I really rated the outcome of Mark/Superfried work.

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I’m the director of marketing and communications for the Wildlife Conservation Network. We’re an organization that works with international partners from around the world to protect endangered species.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with Superfried?

Part of our strategy was to create funds for certain species that are under threat. We have four different funds for each species, and those four funds have their own unique branding, personality, and identity — so we needed someone to help us create logos and the general branding for these funds.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

We worked with Superfried to create and develop the branding identity and logos for our wildlife funds.

What is the team composition?

Our main point of contact was Mark (Founder).

How did you come to work with Superfried?

Mark and his team were commissioned by the partners we had at the time we launched our Elephant Crisis Fund.

How much have you invested with them?

Each logo cost us about $5,000.

What is the status of this engagement?

We worked together from January–July 2020.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

An organization’s logo is really important because it serves as an introduction to the world. Having a logo that’s both professional and whimsical, but also distinctive and artistic was a tall order, but Mark and Superfried were really patient, and they understood what was required to achieve those. We know designing a logo is not an easy thing to do, but we were very happy with the work that they’ve done — they were really sensitive and artistic with their approach.

How did Superfried perform from a project management standpoint?

The project management was fine, but it was very loose. Although for the most part, they were still responsive to emails, and everything was accomplished before the launch period.

What did you find most impressive about them?

We were impressed with their artistic sensitivity, and I think they were really good at understanding concepts and representing them visually. They were very particular and they had reasons to back up the choices they made — that was a valuable asset.

Are there any areas they could improve?

Personally, I think $5,000 for a logo was quite a lot of money. If mark hadn’t done the initial logos just by virtue of us being a nonprofit, we would’ve scoped out someone much cheaper. However, we knew we would’ve regretted that choice considering the end result.

Do you have any advice for potential customers?

I would suggest giving them as much information about the look and the feel of what you’re going for. Provide them with a sense of what you need and let them do their thing.

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I am an artist and the owner of a record label.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with Superfried?

I needed help creating overall brand design from start to finish.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

Originally, they developed the entire brand identity from scratch, but we’ve worked on multiple rebrands over the years. They’ve designed logos, a website, the typeface, banners, social media assets, and record labels. For the record label, we needed record covers, vinyl designs, and things like that.

On top of that, they’ve even built content and different marketing tools for us to use.

For each project, I provided documentation, but they also did extensive research and discovery. For example, when we were working on my record label, they created a logo based on what we wanted to represent. We started by creating mood boards that included inspiration from some of my favorite brands.

We wanted the label to have something to do with time. Based on that, they came up with a hand holding a clock for the logo. It conveys the idea of living in the now and enjoying the moment.

The entire process took between six months and a year. We each brought different ideas to the table and we worked together to find the best solution.

What is the team composition?

I have only worked with Mark (Designer & Founder).

How did you come to work with Superfried?

About 10 years ago, a colleague in the music industry put me in touch with them.

How much have you invested in them?

I’ve spent over £30,000 (approximately $40,000 USD) over the years.

What is the status of this engagement?

I started working with them in February 2009. Although we’re not currently working on any projects, I still contact them regularly.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

Our branding is on-point. The record label in particular has a high engagement on Instagram.

How did Superfried perform from a project management standpoint?

From the get-go, we discussed all our deliverables and what we needed. From there, we worked chronologically. We use email and telephone to communicate.

What did you find most impressive about them?

The quality of the work is great.

Are there any areas they could improve?

Nothing springs to mind.

Do you have any advice for potential customers?

Be honest about what you do and don’t like. Then discuss your goals and work with them to achieve your vision.

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and your position there.

I am the Co Founder and lead Strategist at a London based independent digital media group

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

For what projects/services did your company hire Superfried?

We have utilised Superfried to support us with client artworking and design projects. We needed a partner that could quickly scale up and down to meet our client needs, whilst ensuring high quality outputs.

SOLUTION

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

We assessed Superfried against a number of competing suppliers and the deciding factors were their client-facing skills, organization and linear design process, high-quality outputs, scalability and excellent attention to detail.

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

We receive building floorplans marked up in a variety of different states. We need to have these converted within a 4 day turn around period into a slick, on brand vector format that can be uploaded into a client facilities mgmt app

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

I have worked with 3-4 of the team at Superfried, from Mark the CEO to Steve (lead designer) and 1-2 other designer artworkers

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

Everything that Superfried has worked on has been completed to the highest standard. The team has also proactively supported us in optimizing workflows and production processes.

How effective was the workflow between your team and theirs?

10/10

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

They feel like a part of my team. They truly partner with us, rather than act as a supplier. They are problem solvers, with pride in the work they produce.

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

No

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and your position there.

I am a director of a property development company in Manchester, England.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

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

We opened a co-working space in one of our properties and asked Superfried to design the branding for that space to attract entrepreneurs and small creative businesses.

SOLUTION

How did you select this vendor?

We have been aware of Superfried and their work for a number of years. We chose to work with Superfried on this project as we have seen their other successful branding projects and really like their bold, clever style. We asked for a quote and this was good value.

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

Initially we had a discussion on the type of vibe we wanted to create for the space and the aesthetic. Together, we brainstormed names for the space and relevant local features to incorporate into the graphic. When the name had been decided upon, they produced a number of design options which we commented on.

Through an iterative process, we then honed in on the final mark and lettering for the brand. Superfried then produced a number of graphics demonstrating how the mark and brand graphic could be applied in a number of different marketing applications.

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

We worked directly with the director of Superfried throughout the project.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

The branding has so far been mainly been used on our social media channels. It has allowed us to soft launch the space and fits perfectly with the image of the company and the aesthetics of the interior design.

The design has subtle links to the location of the building and also to the vision of the coworking space and we are looking forward to applying it to other marketing materials such as wall graffiti, door and window manifestation, mugs, flyers, and business cards.

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

Superfried was particularly responsive to email communication and flexible with dates and times for meetings to fit around our schedule. Design meetings were collaborative and productive and followed up in a timely manner with design ideas.

We were able to have open and honest discussions over the design options and meetings were generally over Zoom.

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

Superfried was particularly keen to understand the nature of our business in order to create a relevant brand image. We expected a creative solution to our project and we were not disappointed! We found that the breadth of their knowledge on branding and marketing really helped us to think outside the box and engage with new ideas.

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

None.

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I'm the director of social enterprise at Your Dsposal. We build open data infrastructure and digital tools to help bring transparency and accountability regarding waste in the supply chain. 

Your Dsposal is the sister nonprofit organization of our start-up, Dsposal. Our mission is to empower people to make better decisions with their waste and resources.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with Superfried?

We needed a logo and brand identity for Your Dsposal had its own personality and feel but still linked it to Dsposal. The two organizations had different customer bases, so this was essential to us.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

Superfried did some branding work for us. We started by describing what we were trying to achieve and sharing our mission and vision statements. They asked us for information about our desired look and feel, the relationship between our two organizations, and the audience we wanted to reach.

After we set budget constraints and deadlines, Superfried created some basic mock-ups of logo designs. We provided feedback, which they used to refine their work. Eventually, they gave us several versions of the final logo, and our board of directors selected the best design.

The Superfriend team also created an illustration for us and worked on our brand identity. Like before, they sent us mock-ups, and we gave them feedback until we ended up with a final product. Additionally, they helped us incorporate our brand into our website.

What is the team composition?

We only worked with Mark (Founder & Graphic Designer).

How did you come to work with Superfried?

We had previously commissioned Superfried to create an illustration for Dsposal, and we loved their work. We knew Mark would understand what we were trying to develop because he was familiar with our mission, so we hired him again.

How much have you invested with them?

We spent less than $10,000.

What is the status of this engagement?

The project lasted from April–August 2020.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

The team created a really lovely look and feel to the website and the brand itself. We received mostly positive feedback about their designs, which were quite bold. 

Furthermore, their work truly reflects what the organization is about. The team understood our message and translated it into a beautiful illustration. Superfried hit the nail on the head.

How did Superfried perform from a project management standpoint?

They did really well in terms of project management. The team was easy to talk to and gave us quick responses. We had no trouble asking them for their input. 

In terms of deadlines, they delivered everything on time. Sometimes, we caused a few delays, but the team remained flexible and worked hard to keep the project within our set timeline.

What did you find most impressive about them?

Mark was extremely helpful — his help allowed us to think about what's best for our brand and website from a design perspective. He was just so inventive and produced unique work. 

What we loved about Superfried was how they didn't just do what we wanted them to. Whenever they had ideas that would improve upon the design, they gave us alternatives backed by explanations. 

The team didn't rely on us to come up with everything — they brought their design expertise and produced an outcome that was better than we could've hoped for.

Are there any areas they could improve?

I honestly can't think of anything they could've improved. We really enjoyed working with Superfried.

Do you have any advice for potential customers?

Be open and honest about your values and mission to help them understand what you're trying to achieve and where you're coming from. With that, they'll be able to translate your ideas into a design.