Tato Studio

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I’m the co-founder of a venture company called Clair Obscur.

What challenge were you trying to address with Tato Studio?

We hired Tato Studio to produce 3D designs of our new product.

What was the scope of their involvement?

Tato Studio helped us create a set of 3D renders as well as other creative digital assets to visualize our upcoming product, which is a sunscreen facial applicator. Their team built off of our initial CAD drawings, turning them into animated videos and scrollable elements by applying all sorts of finishes to the test file. 

What is the team composition?

We mostly interfaced with one person who managed the entire project, but we also got to see Tato Studio’s founder and creative director. 

How did you come to work with Tato Studio?

The web development team that we were working with was the one that found Tato Studio. They recommended that we engage them for our 3D rendering needs. 

How much have you invested with them?

We paid $12,000 for their services.

What is the status of this engagement?

The project lasted from January–March 2022.

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

We showed the 3D designs to some of our beta testers, and everyone was impressed with how the designs turned out. Tato Studio was very quick to deliver what we asked for, and I think we got very high value for what we paid. They very well exceeded our expectations. 

How did Tato Studio perform from a project management standpoint?

Tato Studio definitely stuck to our budget. The timeline was slightly longer than we had anticipated, but it was still within a reasonable stretch. They used ClickUp to manage the project, but we mostly communicated through email. The whole team was very responsive.

What did you find most impressive about them?

Tato Studio really gets what the client is looking for. They have the ability to turn an initial sketch into a final product that looks great. We were really impressed with how well they interpreted what we needed.

Are there any areas they could improve?

No, everything went fine. 

Do you have any advice for potential customers?

Definitely communicate with Tato Studio. Provide very detailed and specific feedback for the mockups and previews that they send so they can align with exactly what you’re looking for. 

Please describe your company and your position there.

I am the Creative Director for Reason to Smile (Smile) and Only Smoke FIRE (FIRE) based in the greater Los Angeles area. Smile is a health and wellness brand focused on CBD and FIRE is a luxury designer cannabis brand.

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

We brought on TATO Studio to assist in the branding, website, and digital creative (3D design and animation) assets for both brnads.

What were your goals for this project?

The ongoing goals for these projects with TATO were to establish both Smile and FIRE's brand identities and bring that to life through story telling and 3-D Media.

How did you select Tato Studio?

I was brought on to lead the creative for both brands after the initial planning phase but we selected TATO due to their digital portfolio, rigorous work ethic and strong attention to details. Their calm demeanor, especially during turbulent times (e.g COVID-19 pandemic) and endless creativity for ongoing projects have been an absolute joy to work with over the past couple years.

Describe the scope of their work in detail.

After we selected this vendor we separated our various goals by buckets - branding & packaging, social media, UX/UI, misc, etc. TATO studio is very quick to respond, adapt and follow through on all of these buckets.

What was the team composition?

I primarily work with Piotr and Alex for social/digital content, while our operations teams work with Joanna for web design & UX/UI.

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

Our most recent win with TATO studio has been the implementation and positive reception for our Instagram Reels. IG Reels, traditionally, fall into the category of non-commercial, very informally shot, user generated content. Knowing this trend, it's very tough to get audiences receptive to 3-D animation, a field that traditionally fits into a more into commercial work. Nonetheless, we aimed to generate that same positive reception from our audience and the last 4 TATO animations have surpassed all expectations generating over 200k views and averaging around 45K/video animation.

How effective was the workflow between your team and theirs?

TATO Studio is very efficient at project management and primarily use Asana and Skype. Since we are based in LA and they are based internationally in Poland, we do have to work around the time difference. However, we have been working together seamlessly for about two year and have never ran into scheduling conflicts. TATO is very effective at communicating expectations and have a great synergy despite the change in time.

What did you find most impressive about this company?

TATO's most impressive trait is by far their people. Piotr, Alex and Joanna not only have the technical knowhow in their respective fields. They communicate regularly, provide clear feedback and care about the client's brand genuinely. Their passion for creating is evident in all that they do and I can't be more appreciative of them.

Are there any areas for improvement?

TATO Studio, as will any creative job, sometimes run into creative "lulls" - similar to a typer of writer's block that can lead to longer lead times for deadlines or going over budget. Coming from a creative background, these are all expected and TATO does a great job of communicating when they happen. Piotr and Alex continue to be transparent with us as their client when these rare times occur.

Please describe your company and your position there.

Lumie specialises in light therapy, specifically bright light for SAD & energy as well as wake-up lights.

I work as a Brand & Marketing Manager, my main area of focus within the company are brand growth and new product development, all things associated with the product’s route to market and the end-to end customer experience.

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

We initially hired Tato Studio in the summer of 2020 for giftbox design for w new product along with a brand refresh. Tato understood our needs and the helped with the scope of the project. Since then, we have also embarked on a bigger design project which is still ongoing.

What were your goals for this project?

New giftbox design along with a far-reaching brand refresh (new UI on product pages, brochures and other marketing materials, including newsletter templates, new visual guidelines etc.).

How did you select Tato Studio?

Tato Studio came recommended by a friend, and we are so happy to have found them. They were pitching along with two other design companies, one from London, one from Cambridge, and their offer, passion, talent pool and experience far exceeded the other agencies we looked at.

Describe the project in detail.

We were launching a new product, Lumie Halo, and needed all marketing materials for the product for its launch in autumn 2020, from product renderings, 4K video made in Unreal, giftbox, IFU + quick start guide design to an overall brand refresh reflecting in new brand guidelines, brochures, press release templates, UI design for product pages, A+ pages for Amazon, newsletter templates, press ads and more.

What was the team composition?

We worked closely with the Founder, Piotr, who specialises in 4K renders and motion graphics, as well as Joanna, a graphic and UI designer.

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

The product launch (Lumie Halo) was a huge success, and our e-commerce sales in the last 10 months have been up a whooping 130%.

How effective was the workflow between your team and theirs?

The workflow has been carried out in a project management tool (Asana), very well managed and overseen. All deadlines were met.

What did you find most impressive about this company?

We have been particularly satisfied with their ability to dive deep into understanding the bigger picture when it comes to our company, and being very honest about what needs improving - they have helped accelerate a much-needed revival to the way we communicate about our brand and products to our audiences.

Are there any areas for improvement?

Every now and again we pause here at Lumie and reflect on what an amazing decision it was to go with Tato instead of either of the other two agencies. Lumie has been around for 30 years and has never worked with such a dedicated, talented, and knowledgeable team of designers before - so no, couldn't fault them if I tried!

Please describe your company and your position there.

Aggressive is a creative production company that crafts commercials and music videos for some of the world’s biggest brands and artists. We have earned many awards and nominations since our formation, including Grammy, MTV VMA, MTV Los Premios, Bass, and EST awards. Our work has been featured across the globe in dozens of top publications.

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

We hired Tato Studio to rebrand our company several times throughout the years, starting with an initial rebrand and several updates.

What were your goals for this project?

We wanted to craft a new visual identity for our company that would be representative of our brand and philosophy.

How did you select this vendor?

We've been huge fans of Tato Studio and Piotr Buczkowski for many years, so it was an easy decision.

Describe the project in detail.

Tato Studio helped craft a new visual identity for our company. They create a logotype and custom typography. They also designed the layout of our website, brand colors, and merchandise.

What was the team composition?

We worked directly with their designers.

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

We're completely in love with our new brand. We’ve reprinted the logo thousands of times on t-shirts, hats, and even a neon sign. Our updated website is one of the nicest in our industry. Our logo was featured in “Los Logos” as one of the best logos of 2017. Our website has been highlighted in “Communication Arts” and other magazines. 

How effective was the workflow between your team and theirs?

The workflow between our teams was seamless. They communicated ideas extremely well.

What did you find most impressive about this company?

Tato Studio is capable of solving complex visual problems and developing conceptual solutions. They shape the look, mission, and brand of a company by putting in serious thinking before they put a pencil to paper. 

Are there any areas for improvement?

No, I can’t think of any areas for improvement.

Please describe your company and your position there.

I’m the owner of Niche Skin Labs Inc. We develop and manufacture products for the cosmetics industry.

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

I hired Tato Studio to enhance the visual appearance of our products by creating new packaging for them. We also wanted to carry those branding elements over to our website design.

What were your goals for this project?

I would like the products we develop to stand out on store shelves and maintain a consistent visual appeal. 

How did you select this vendor?

We searched online for graphic designers with substantial experience in the personal care industry. We narrowed our list down to three companies. Tato Studio felt like the best overall fit because they genuinely took the time to understand our vision. Also, the other companies we found were larger, and we wanted to work with a small team.

Describe the project in detail.

We had a series of phone calls to go over our business goals. They provided a lot of ideas and potential strategies for us to review. We were then given market research questionnaires to fill out. Using our answers, they started delivering working concepts. We were able to narrow down those ideas to choose our favorite ones.

What was the team composition?

During the planning stage, I discussed the project with the owner of Tato Studio to make sure we were on the same page. Once the development of the project started, I met with a graphic designer. That specialist is my point of contact regarding all design elements.

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

Within a few weeks of launching the new packaging for a product, we were approached by a large retailer. The buyer commented on the visual appeal of the packaging. The brand was picked up by the retailer shortly after that.

How effective was the workflow between your team and theirs?

Even though we're located on different continents, the workflow between our team and the Tato Studio team has been excellent. We collaborate frequently over Skype, and they are always trying to find new ways to enhance communication methods.

They use Asana to manage responsibilities according to a timeline. If there are modifications to the schedule, we have always been notified in advance. 

What did you find most impressive about this company?

We're continually blown away by Tato Studio's innovative design techniques. The team strives to exceed expectations by transforming client visions into unique creations.

We've worked together on several different projects, and we're always impressed by their expertise.

Are there any areas for improvement?

We're happy with the team’s work. At one point, we wanted more communication over Skype, but this has been solved by scheduling regular follow-up meetings.

Please describe your company and your position there.

I am the managing partner of a digital agency in NYC that helps grow companies creatively.

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

Tato helped us with branding and packaging design for a CPG project. They also helped us create the iconography for a lifestyle company. Our goals for both were to deliver results that impressed our clients. Tato accomplished that and more.

How did you select this vendor?

Tato was highly recommended to us by another company that we work with. That company raved about Tato and after working with Tato ourselves, we understand why they are an incredible creative studio.

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

Tato first helped to identify the needs and goals of our clients + projects. Once they had a full understanding, they created a brand identity that included an updated logo and a style guide. They also created assets including iconography and illustrations. While executing, they were in constant communication with us and they implemented our feedback wonderfully.

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

I worked directly with their project manager and artist.

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

Thanks to Tato, we were able to deliver a result to our client that they loved. The client enjoyed the work so much that they immediately decided they wanted to move forward with another project immediately.

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

We communicated over Skype regularly and they gave us frequent updates. For each step, they asked for our feedback, and implemented it quickly. They finished every step according to the timeline and estimates they initially gave as well.

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

Tato Studio worked really efficiently and timely while producing genuinely creative results. This is a rarity when working with a creative studio. If a studio is efficient and timely, their creative work is typically uninspiring and vice versa.

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

Some specifics of the deliverables weren't made completely clear at the start but Tato was more than generous in how they handled it and have demonstrated that they really intend to be strategic partners with their clients.

Please describe your company and your position there.

We are a virtual hybrid event production agency. I am a Director / Producer.

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

We have a client looking to show off a high tech product. We asked Tato Studio to make a 3D animation showcasing the inside technical parts of the product.

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

We saw their work online and decided they had the technical know-how and the artistic vision to achieve what we were looking for.

Describe the video(s) and the process in detail, including the project steps and all stages of production.

We were given 3D Cad files from the client without materials and textures. Tato Studio was able to take these along with reference images and recreate the textures and create photoreal motion graphics to show how the tech comes together in Unreal Engine.

Who did you work with and what was the feedback process like?

We were able to remotely view the 3D file in real-time and give feedback during meetings. We used Frame IO, Zoom and Asana to communicate and coordinate.

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

Our client was extremely happy with the results and gave us another large project to tackle.

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

The communication was incredible. Tato Studio was able to respond promptly and asked great questions reducing miscommunications and speeding up workflow. Tato Studio gave us tasks through Asana and checked them off as we completed them.

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

This is a company that is fast, has high quality, amazing personal and communication skills and was well priced. It's very hard to organized artists that operate at this high level.

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

We could not be happier with the end result.

Please describe your company and your position there.

We are a marketing agency from Poland. We can be your external marketing department - we develop short and long-term PR activities as well as communication, advertising and promotion strategies. We analyze your needs, we look at your business from every possible angle. The solutions we propose are adapted to the activities of INDOOR, OUTDOOR and WEB. We implement the developed strategies adjusting them to your budget.

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

creating a new visual identity for ouf company

What were your goals for this project?

We wanted our brand to look modern. It should fit in with the spirit of marketing and sports.

How did you select Tato Studio?

We did a research of the agency, TATO STUDIO was recommended to us by a friend and they immediately made us interested in their projects. It was the main factor that determined our cooperation.

Describe the scope of their work in detail.

We started with a meeting where we outlined what our brand should represent and set our expectations for cooperation. Then we received several proposals, we focused on developing one. The cooperation went smoothly, the contractor matched our feedback.

What was the team composition?

3 people were involved from the vendor's side.

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

Finally our image corresponds to the spirit of the company, customers perceive us as the modern company that we are. We are more recognizable.

How effective was the workflow between your team and theirs?

Workflow was great. Everything went smoothly.

What did you find most impressive about this company?

Most of all, they are very talented. They know the current trends, they can get their own way, which brings positive results for the client. They know what they are doing, they have a lot of knowledge and experience.

Are there any areas for improvement?

I wouldn't change anything in our cooperation.

Please describe your company and your position there.

I am a Project Manager at a digital design and branding company.

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

We are working on content creation for our client and we need support with 3d modelling. It was important for us to do this job quickly and with high level of skills.

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

We choose Tato Studio due to professionalism and high qualifications

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

After a kick of meeting they run with project, we have 3 rounds of revisions and it was enough to finish this project with great effect

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

They had assigned Project Manager and 3D specialist.

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

The 3d model came out very accurately and perfectly reflects reality. Textures are overlapping correctly. Our client is satisfied with the effect

How effective was the workflow between your team and theirs?

All work was done online, communication was made by phone and e-mail

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

The most important for us is the deadline for completing the order and maintaining accuracy at an affordable price.

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

Everything went well and met our expectations

Please describe your company and your position there.

View Source is a design and development studio based in NYC, Taipei and Paris. I am the creative director and a partner.

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

We hired Tato to help us bring to life the bottles of a client of ours named Rasasvada.

What were your goals for this project?

For amazing lifelike 3D bottles that animate.

How did you select Tato Studio?

Based on Tato's portfolio and the conversations we had with them.

Describe the project in detail.

The project is simple, we desired lifelike bottle renderings, and after providing the specifications and references, Tato got right too it without much back and forth. In the end, they exceeded expectations and delivered in a timely manner.

What was the team composition?

We worked directly with Piotr.

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

The client is happy and used the assets on their e-commerce and social media platforms.

How effective was the workflow between your team and theirs?

Quite effective as it was one on one, myself and Piotr.

What did you find most impressive about this company?

The attention to detail and expertise in the 3D realm.

Are there any areas for improvement?

No I don't believe so.