Tricks Studio

BACKGROUND

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

SOLUTION

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I’m the director of Direct Line Communications Ltd., a telecommunications provider in the UK. We provide services to businesses ranging from voice-over IP to mobile solutions.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with Tricks Studio?

Since we work in a technical space, most end users need help understanding our products. We wanted to take three of our products and simplify their meaning so we could explain them to people as part of our communications.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

We engaged with Tricks Studio to create three animated videos to explain three products. Once was voice-over IP, the second was a classic mobile network with a complex scenario, and the third was Microsoft Team for telephony.

Initially, we sat down with them so they could understand our values, vision, and customers. From there, they created several key images to become the visual elements. We signed off, and the third stage was to understand the product and where the market was going so they could accurately reflect it in the animation.

Tricks Studio did everything from the storyboard to complete delivery, including the scripts. We only supplied them with documents we used for our endeavors before we went into more detail.

What is the team composition?

We worked with two people.

How did you come to work with Tricks Studio?

I met the owner through a business network. We were introduced, and I got to know him over time. His personality was very engaging, and he was good at articulating what he’d done for others. Ultimately, I compared Tricks Studio to other companies I’d met; they were far more professional and supportive. I found others more driven by money.

How much have you invested with them?

We spent £10,000 (approximately $12,000 USD).

What is the status of this engagement?

We started working with them in July 2022, and they delivered the project in June 2023.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

The creative treatments were incredibly well translated and executed; they were brilliant.

How did Tricks Studio perform from a project management standpoint?

They managed the project well and delivered within the budget. Tricks Studio mapped out a timeline for each contract stage so we could know when they’d complete each phase. However, a major illness on their side during the project slowed us down for about three months. Nonetheless, we understood and accepted it.

We mainly used Zoom for remote meetings, but we also had several on-site meetings.

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

James’ (Head of Production) ability to translate a technical space and use the jargon was excellent. 

What did you find most impressive about them?

Their creativity was refreshingly different, and their team was very approachable.

Are there any areas they could improve?

No, there wasn’t anything in our case. Tricks Studio delivered everything we wanted; nothing was lacking in their delivery.

Do you have any advice for potential customers?

It’s natural to look at multiple suppliers, but there’s always an intuitive chemistry between people that tells you the engagement will be good. In our case, Tricks Studio had that chemistry.

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I am a corporate governance officer for an energy company. 

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with Tricks Studio?

We wanted to create an animated video for our sustainability strategy. We were hoping to translate our documents into motion graphics. 

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

Tricks Studio created an informational video; the team worked on the storyboard, and we reviewed it together. They put together a script based on documents and other materials that we shared with them. Tricks Studio was responsible for the whole process, including the editing and sound mixing. They developed the video, and we provided feedback for them to make edits. 

What is the team composition?

We worked with Gordon (Managing Director) and James (Head of Production). 

How did you come to work with Tricks Studio?

We were looking for a service provider and preferred using someone in the UK. We conducted a Google search and found Tricks Studio. When we connected with their team, they referred us to some of their past work, and we decided to move forward together. 

How much have you invested with them?

We invested less than £6,000 (approximately $8,000 USD). 

What is the status of this engagement?

We worked together between June–August 2023. 

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

Our satisfaction with the deliverables is based on feedback from key internal stakeholders, which has been very positive so far. Tricks Studio supplied high-quality work, and we were impressed. 

How did Tricks Studio perform from a project management standpoint?

We never had to chase Tricks Studio; they always ensured they had what we needed. The team stayed within budget and timelines; any extensions were on our end. We communicated via email and Zoom. 

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

We’d like to shout out Gordon and James; they were both excellent to work with. They worked quickly and always followed through on their promises. 

What did you find most impressive about them?

We were very happy with the engagement and Tricks Studio's output. The team was organized and ensured we didn’t have to search for information. 

Are there any areas they could improve?

There’s nothing we can come up with at this point. 

Do you have any advice for potential customers?

We’d recommend anyone work with Tricks Studio. Make sure you have everything lined up with your internal stakeholders and that all the information is clear within your organization. Going back and forth will add time and money to the engagement. 

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I’m the marketing director at Aqueous Digital. We’re based in the UK and specialize in SEO.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with Tricks Studio?

We hired them to produce an animated video explaining our company’s services.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

Tricks Studio provided us with video production services. They helped us put together a three-minute animated explainer video highlighting what our customers can expect when they do business with us. Their team planned out everything and handled the whole production process, including the full script and storyboard.

What is the team composition?

We mainly worked with two people from their side: Gordon (Managing Director) and James (Head of Production).

How did you come to work with Tricks Studio?

We decided to work with Tricks Studio because they were recommended to us by a number of stakeholders and businesses that we work with.

How much have you invested with them?

We spent £4,000 (approximately $5,000 USD).

What is the status of this engagement?

We worked together on this project from August–November 2022.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

The video is already completed, but we haven’t used it yet because we’re still waiting for some work to be done on our new website, which is where we plan to publish it. We also plan to use it as a sales tool to bring in more businesses. The success of the video will be based on how well it fits with our brand, how well it portrays our brand, and how well it’s received by our customers.

From a qualitative standpoint, Tricks Studio did a great job of delivering a high-quality video that met our standards and was aligned with our brand.

How did Tricks Studio perform from a project management standpoint?

Their communication was very strong — the team was highly responsive and kept us updated on the project’s progress. The project went beyond our agreed timeframe, but that was because one of the members of their team became ill. When they informed us about that, we willingly agreed to extend the deadline. Overall, they managed the entire project very efficiently and in a professional manner.

For communication, we relied on a combination of conference calls and email.

What did you find most impressive about them?

Tricks Studio’s expertise in producing animated videos stood out to us — they clearly have a lot of experience in the video production sector. They also gave us strong recommendations on how we could improve the video.

Are there any areas they could improve?

I can’t think of anything that Tricks Studio could’ve improved on. We had a really good experience working with them.

Do you have any advice for future clients of theirs?

I would absolutely recommend Tricks Studio to anyone who wants to produce an animated video that projects what their business or campaign is all about. Their team truly knows their stuff.

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I’m the digital marketing operations manager at a life science and pharmaceutical marketing agency; we offer a range of marketing services to our B2B customers. I oversee the digital marketing elements for our internal marketing initiatives. 

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with Tricks Studio?

We wanted to redesign our website; we needed a design partner specializing in interactive web designs. 

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

Tricks Studio provided design support for our new site on Squarespace; they created an animated explainer video. At the start of the project, we had a kickoff meeting and a workshop so Tricks Studio could learn about our audiences. 

There was a lot of collaboration between our teams — it was a very iterative design process. We didn’t want to do too much with the site, so all of our choices were very strategic. Eventually, we settled on the final template designs that Tricks Studio created to work in Squarespace. 

From a functionality perspective, the website is relatively basic. The home page has an animation to appeal to users; the explainer video is also located there. 

What is the team composition?

I was in contact with two teammates: the managing director and the account manager. 

How did you come to work with Tricks Studio?

I touched base with Gordon (Managing Director), who was in the same city as we were. 

How much have you invested with them?

We invested around £8,000 (approximately $9,700 USD). 

What is the status of this engagement?

Our engagement was from August–November 2022. 

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

We used the new site that Tricks Studio helped design in a large exhibition that we went to in November 2022. The feedback from users was very positive — the new visuals were received well. 

The explainer video communicates complex matters very simply for our users. The content is provided in a visually-appealing way that includes new themes and colors we chose. The site is still very professional because of how much we were targeting an elegant look and feel. 

One of the biggest success metrics is that the average time spent on the site is up by 25 seconds per user. We’re very satisfied with their services. 

How did Tricks Studio perform from a project management standpoint?

At the start of the project, we used Mural to coordinate design information and ideas. We had numerous face-to-face and video meetings during our collaboration. Communication between our teams was very clear; we communicated through Zoom calls and email. Tricks Studio was very easy to work with and communicated well. 

Tricks Studio delivered quickly to ensure we met our deadlines; the project was slated to last three months. 

What did you find most impressive about them?

The end result was exactly what we wanted — they built a website that looks very nice. 

Are there any areas they could improve?

I have no improvements for them. 

Do you have any advice for potential customers?

I would recommend Tricks Studio — they’re a good agency. 

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I’m the managing director of an HR consultancy that offers support to small businesses.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with Tricks Studio?

I wanted to work out what my target market was, where I was likely to find clients, and how best to push my message out.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

We started with an overview of what my aims and objectives were, as well as what I thought my company's value was. We then discussed how those values could translate into an image of our business, allowing me to see what type of people I’d want to work with. We then meshed together my values with the requirements of the customers I intended to work with. The deliverable was a brand set that would determine how we reached out to our customers.

Within a few days of our branding discussion, they came back with a presentation and recommendations for how my website could look and what my business could be named. We ended up with a branding model for different aspects of the business including color schemes, messaging, and client attraction.

I didn’t want to muddy the waters and provide any ideas to them, so we started with a blank canvas and then detailed my values and company mission. Their work showed me how that information could be interlinked all the way up the pyramid to how I work with my customers. Detailing all this information was intensive, but it was a very valuable process.

They also helped me with strategy in the sense that they worked out a mismatch between what I thought people needed from their business and what they actually needed. They asked me questions like “what keeps your clients awake at night;”  “what do they fear;” and “what annoys them.” It was really helpful for me to have the answers to these questions so I’m not wasting my time.

What is the team composition?

I worked with Gordon (Owner), James (Head of Production), and Liam (Motion Designer)

How did you come to work with Tricks Studio?

I met Gordon through a networking group. His design work is very high quality, and he has a real creative flair. Additionally, he’s capable of quickly understanding what people need in terms of their marketing.

What is the status of this engagement?

All our work took place in July 2022. We’re going to be moving into developing content once we’ve agreed on the branding that they presented to me.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

Success will be measured by how well my business takes off, as I’m now much better equipped to understand what I need to push to clients and potential clients. They’ve also helped shape my pricing strategy and not just my marketing.

How did Tricks Studio perform from a project management standpoint?

We mostly communicated in person but that’s because of where we are geographically. I don’t think any of us would have had a problem working virtually.

They understood the need for things to be completed quickly and with accuracy. We crammed an awful lot into our time working together, and they met our deadline.

What did you find most impressive about them?

The energy and creativity that they displayed, as well as their willingness to work collaboratively was outstanding — particularly on the day we had our branding discussion. They saw how a number of different ways of thinking would lead to rich outcomes.

Are there any areas they could improve?

My experience was very positive; I didn’t come away thinking they could have done anything better. I can’t fault them, as they made sense and, rather than just listening, they provided ideas and suggestions about how we could move forward.

Do you have any advice for potential customers?

Go in with a completely open mind and no preconceived ideas. Let the ideas flow during the course of the engagement because they are the experts. The work they’re doing is very powerful, and the answers will come in the exercises with them.

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I’m a senior project manager at a design agency focusing on the property and place sector.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with Tricks Studio?

We were overall in charge of the direction and creative production. Also, we were producing 3D renderings. However, we needed a studio to help edit the film together. In particular, to work on motion graphics overlays, transitions, and music for the short film.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

We required Tricks Studio to do an initial creative phase and come back with creative concepts, which we would feed back to the clients. We did the initial storyboard, and then we got them on board to help with production. It was a backward and forwards process between Tricks Studio, the client, and us.

Overall, they assisted with motion graphic overlays for the transitions, and the music was put into the three-minute film. Also, they did some simple text and background animation that was overlaid on the 3D animation we produced. In general, they helped with editing the film.

How did you come to work with Tricks Studio?

We found them through the partnerships team in our company. Their job is to find partner organizations when we need them for a specific project. They did a vetting and discovery phase for production companies.

How much have you invested with them?

We spent roughly £15,000 (approximately $19,000 USD).

What is the status of this engagement?

We started working together in October 2021, and the last time we commissioned them was in March 2022.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

Both projects did well with the clients. The videos weren’t for public viewings; they were just for business presentations to engage potential tenants and key private stakeholders to rent space in the property developments. However, the feedback from our clients was very positive, and the films did well. Tricks Studio achieved what the client wanted regarding the quality of work and getting engagement from their audiences. Overall, the client was very happy.

How did Tricks Studio perform from a project management standpoint?

They performed well. We used Asana for a specific project. Also, we communicated through phone, emails, and shared screen calls.

What did you find most impressive about them?

Their strongest points were their quality of work, flexibility, and ability to respond positively to client demands.

Are there any areas they could improve?

No, I don’t think so.

Do you have any advice for potential customers?

Give them a clear creative direction for what’s required of them.

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I’m the CEO of an advisory firm that works in the private investment world.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with Tricks Studio]?

We were trying to clarify what our brand was. Our company had been around for about 14 years, so it was time to delineate who we are, what we do, who we serve, and what makes us unique and special.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

We had a three-month rebranding engagement with Tricks Studio. They created an 80-page brand book with brand voice, logo, color scheme, tone, brand use, and ways to communicate the brand into the marketplace. 

We organized the information and gave it to the team. Tricks Studio did an interview and questionnaire with us, and then we had discussions back and forth. We had about 4–5 meaningful iterations; they would put things together and deliver them to us. Then, we would give them comments and feedback, and they would edit. 

What is the team composition?

We worked with 4–5 people from Tricks Studio, including designers, copywriters, and an account lead. 

How did you come to work with Tricks Studio?

They had done the brand book for a client I was working with. So, I had seen Tricks Studio’s work and met them through people I had worked with.

How much have you invested with them?

We spent around $30,000–$40,000.

What is the status of this engagement?

The project lasted from around August–November 2020.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

Tricks Studio really opened our eyes to a much better way of looking at our business. They gave us a meaningful rebrand that we’re pleased with. The result was very different from what we thought we’d do, so the team added a lot of insight and ingenuity into our situation and process. 

How did Tricks Studio perform from a project management standpoint?

They were really good at project management. The team was super organized, and they scheduled the meetings in advance. They adhered to deadlines and were very respectful of our time and schedule. 

What did you find most impressive about them?

Tricks Studio really cared about doing a good job for us. They got to know us very well, and they invested time, effort, and energy to help us problem-solve. We didn’t feel like they were only in it for the money; they love what they do and want to do a good job. 

Are there any areas they could improve?

I didn’t see any major areas for improvement; I was really happy with the process. Although it took us a little bit to get to a final proposal due to the back and forth, the project went well after that.

Do you have any advice for potential customers?

With any vendor you hire, you have to be really organized on your end. I invested a lot of time and money before we engaged Tricks Studio to get our story organized, and that was key to our success. Because we were clear on our side, they could be more accurate on their side.

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I work for Halton Haven Hospice. We are located in Runcorn, which is the Northwest of England in Cheshire. We are a local charity, and I am the Community and Event Fundraiser.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with Tricks Studio?

We hired Tricks Studio to help with our organization’s brand strategy.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

We have a campaign called Forget-Me-Not, where we ask our local community to turn purple. Tricks Studio rebranded that entire campaign for us. They presented briefs to us in March 2022, which gave us plenty of time to review and amend the designs. 

Tricks Studio handled the logos, names, color schemes, digital branding, and identity of our yearly fundraising campaign. They also created posters, banners, email headers, prints, and artwork for our merchandise. 

Their team made sure that the prints were large and readable enough since most of our supporters are elderly people. They also helped us move away from images and concepts that we had used in the past.

What is the team composition?

I work with Gordon (Founder & Managing Director) and James (Head of Production)

How did you come to work with Tricks Studio?

I met Gordon at a networking meeting. He approached me at the beginning of this year saying that they wanted to offer their services free of charge because we are a charity. I looked into their website and the work that they had previously done and scheduled a call. 

How much have you invested with them?

They're offering their services as pro bono.

What is the status of this engagement?

Our partnership began in January 2022, and we are still working together.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

The campaign doesn’t go live until June, so we have no metrics to share at the moment. However, Tricks Studio has really helped us update our campaign’s branding. They’ve given it an overall fresher look and saved us a lot of time. We are very satisfied with their work.

How did Tricks Studio perform from a project management standpoint?

Tricks Studio is able to meet deadlines. Whenever I need something amended, they get back to me within 24 hours, and if there are any issues, James calls me right away so we can iron it out. 

They initially presented their brief via Zoom, but our correspondence is now mostly via email. Their communication skills are great. 

What did you find most impressive about them?

They're so personable and down-to-earth. Even though I don't have any background in tech, I’m not overwhelmed because they explain everything in layman's terms.

Are there any areas they could improve?

No, I don't think so.

Do you have any advice for potential customers?

As long as you've got a clear idea of what you want, they will match it and deliver exactly that.

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and your position there.

I'm an area fundraiser for Hope House Children's Hospices

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

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

We have many different events for our supporters to get involved in. This year a new event is Wing Walking, we were offered the opportunity for Tricks to be involved and they offered up an animation to help promote.

SOLUTION

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

Gordon approached me and offered to do the animation for free as his donation to the charity. We couldn't say no to such a generous offer.

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

I had a general meeting to start the process so we could decide which event would be best for Tricks to help us promote. We make a decision together and Gordon sent me a brief which I agreed to.

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

I worked with James, who was really good. He was excited to be part of helping the charity and he was honest with time frames. He worked with the company who actually put on the wing walks to get some video footage from the. Feedback was always timely and accurate to what I requested.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

The animation will be going live on our social media platforms in the next week so we have no success rate as yet. I will also share it with our partner company who will also share it for us.

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

I felt the project management style was friendly and casual but extremely professional on all levels across the project. We spoke on the phone and via email, the end product was sent by Vimeo.

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

Their generosity in wanting to support a local children's hospice differently and uniquely was impressive.

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

Not at all.