Thunderbolt Studios

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I'm the CEO and Founder of TalentExchange Inc., a platform that allows individuals to invest in the careers of upcoming talent.

What challenge were you trying to address with Thunderbolt Studios?

They worked closely with me and my assistant on the platform’s design, taking our idea from initial concept to a working frontend outline.

What was the scope of their involvement?

Our product is a crossover platform that integrates financial technology and social media networking. My assistant and I had already created detailed mockups, so Thunderbolt Studios took these rough sketches and helped us create fully-realized wireframes. They ensured our frontend was aesthetically pleasing and easy to navigate in order to simply convey a complex idea.

We scrapped an initial plan to create a desktop version of the platform because we were so impressed with the iOS/Android version Thunderbolt Studios designed. They provided mobile designs we’ll be able to refine over time.

One of their key contributions was the inclusion of a feature similar to Snapchat. This will ultimately help users interact with our platform in a more entertaining fashion.

They also created a professional pitch deck for us, highlighting the content we wanted to include on our platform. It served as an excellent foundation that we’ve continued to update.

What is the team composition?

We worked primarily with the designer. It was her first project and she did a remarkably good job. Tolga (Onuk, CEO & Founder, Thunderbolt Studios) was present for most of our major meetings. We also worked with an assistant who handled the initial pricing.

How did you come to work with Thunderbolt Studios?

I came across their ad on Facebook. They were based locally and seemed to offer everything we needed, so I set up a consultation. I was impressed enough during this meeting to hire them without interviewing any other design agencies.

How much have you invested with them?

Between $20,000–$30,000.

What is the status of this engagement?

We worked together between February 2016–September 2016. We took our time with the design, as I wanted to ensure all the details were in place before showing potential investors.

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

The platform isn’t developed yet, but potential investors and strategic partners have been very impressed with the design. It succinctly conveys a complex concept in a way that’s clean and easy to use. We worked together every step of the way to ensure the layout was easy to navigate.

How did Thunderbolt Studios perform from a project management standpoint?

They were responsive and kept the project moving at a satisfactory pace. We spoke at least once a week through email and conducted in-person meetings every two weeks.

What did you find most impressive about them?

Me and my partner were very particular, as we knew exactly what wanted. This was our first time designing an application, so we wanted to make sure it was done correctly. Thunderbolt’s team demonstrated a high degree of patience, listening to our needs to produce an end result that reflected our vision.

They want the client to be happy, and I think it helps that they’re selective about which projects they choose to take on.

Do you have any advice for potential customers?

Have a clear idea about what you want and don’t be afraid to voice your opinion if you want something changed. It’s your investment, so speak up and work together to create a successful solution.