UIG Studio

Please describe your company and your position there.

I am the founder of GBM Industries inc. Our company creates companies in the mobile app, energy, and entertainment industries.

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

We had an innovative idea for a new social media concept. While our idea was fun, we needed to dig further to take our concept to an actual product to be developed.

What were your goals for this project?

I needed to visualize the user experience, with a slick design. My goal was to partner with UIG Studio to take our idea from concept to something to I would be proud to develop.

How did you select UIG Studio?

I found one of their designs on Behance, I was excited by what I saw, and reached out to their contacts. I selected UIG Studio for their values, creativity, and depth of understanding in the mobile app space

Describe the project in detail.

The details of my project are still confidential. I shared my initial thought process and agreed to be open-minded and allow UIG Studio the opportunity to take me through their workshop program to ensure we could create a product that would make for amazing user experience and hold true to our ideas.

What was the team composition?

I acted for my company, and UIG Studio added their team of marketing, designs, development, and social media experts during my multi-day workshop.

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

I didn’t know what I didn’t know. UIG Studio’s team really opened my eyes and helped me bring what was really only an idea, to the next level. Actually, the product we created together was 10x better than my original concept.

We completed the workshop, I have an excellent UX wireframe, a simple and elegant design, and a costing model that helps me realize the financial potential of our application.

I was so impressed with the collaborative approach, I learned where my ideas while good, had room for improvement. I was pleased to partner with UIG Studios because they were honest about what they thought were opportunities. They were not a “yes” company who just acted in only my ideas. The results were incredible and beyond my wildest dreams.

How effective was the workflow between your team and theirs?

We operated remotely, which was necessary during the pandemic. I felt our priority for working as partners made for clean and crisp workflows. We were 8 hours apart in time zones and UIG Studios and I made compromises to ensure our efforts ran smoothly.

What did you find most impressive about this company?

I was most impressed with their creativity and values. They help me make adjustments in my app to capture donations for worthy causes as well as ensure we help prevent any bullying that couldn’t find its way into my app. They are great forward thinkers. I loved their design and UX, they really nailed it.

Are there any areas for improvement?

Honestly, going through the workshop to create the UX was an amazing experience. I was nervous about the process and thought it could be time, man, and money wasted. I was very wrong, workshopping an app is a critical part of creating an app. I did not know this going in.

It would be great if UIG Studios could really demonstrate the value of the workshop, simply. I think more and more companies developing apps would sign up faster if it could be explained quickly and the value recognized.

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I’m a venture partner at an innovation group.

What challenge were you trying to address with UIG Studio?

I hired them to make a mobile platform. 

What was the scope of their involvement?

UIG Studio designed and developed a startup corporate matching tool for iOS and Android. The tech stack included:

1. DB - PostgreSQL
2. CMS - PHP (Symfony), Apache
3. API - Node.js: Sequelize, Express
4. WebForm - JavaScript, HTML, CSS: React.js
5. Mobile App - React Native
6. Notifications: OneSignal
7. Email Notifications: Sendgrid
8. AWS Cloud (EC2, S3, RDS)

They provided us with screens.

What is the team dynamic?

I worked with three people. There was Grzegorz S. (Project Manager), Grzegorz B. (React Native Developer), and Paweł (Head of Studio). I’m pretty sure Grzegorz B. did all of the work; I don’t think they have all of the people that they say they do. 

How much have you invested with them?

My company spent $50,000.

What is the status of this engagement?

I’ve been working with UIG Studio for a year-and-a-half, since December 2018. I just stopped working with them in June 2020.

Describe the impact this engagement has had on your business.

It started off well, but the problem was that their designs always looked better than the actual delivery. It was very frustrating because they sent over beautiful designs and would wrap the screen in an iPhone image so that we could see the app as it would appear. However, the code was not good.

I’m frustrated to the point that I don’t want to work with them anymore. We’ve lost one of our biggest clients because of them. On top of that, they’ve increased their price. They shouldn’t be increasing their price if they’ve missed deadlines, the designs look bad, and there are bugs.

Because the mobile app was so poorly implemented, we now have to redesign a web app. The project began going downhill when they started to lose money and team members. A couple of their team members quit during the project. They tried to charge me $35–45 an hour, and I think they were underpaying their employees and price gouging them.

How was project management handled?

I know they have good people, but the firm has gone through a lot of turnover. They even asked to borrow money, which isn’t something they should be asking their clients. I did give them a little bit because we were halfway through the project, and I wanted them to keep going. There was no professionalism.

They’re not bad developers, but they certainly could be better. We communicated over email. Every time I forwarded a bug or something, they asked us to pay for it. They claimed that the scope of work was done, but it couldn’t be done since the app didn’t work. I recently asked for a quote to take the existing code and put it back in the App Store, and they came back with a quote for 40 hours. In the quote, it said it would take them two hours to upload photos. It would take two minutes for me to do that.

They treat their clients horribly. I’ve been doing tech and deploying code for a while now, and the quotes they were sending us were ridiculous. They told me that I needed to pay, or else they were going to stop working with me. They said I owed them money. 

Is there anything that the vendor did well or that you would consider a strength?

The designs were gorgeous.

In what specific areas can they improve?

I don’t think I’ll be talking to them ever again.

What advice do you have for clients with similar needs to yours?

Avoid this firm. They’re going to be nice and give you a good price at first, but as they develop the technology, they’re going to demand money and will implement it pretty terribly. I wish there were more data on their developers. I doubt they refer anyone to leave a review on Clutch who they’ve done bad work for. This is their first bad review.

Please describe your company and your position there.

I am the founder of activity.me, an online start-up that brings together thousands of sporting events from organizers worldwide, to make it easy for participants of all abilities to discover, register and take part in them.

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

UIG Studio was hired to help design, develop and build out the concept of activity.me, to enable event organisers to load up, fully manage and receive payments for their events via the platform, and respectively allow participants to search, discover and book these online.

What were your goals for this project?

We needed a website that was built with the user in mind, so ease of use was of utmost importance. We wanted the latest design principles to be followed and required impactful color schemas. We were also looking for search functionality, data mapping, map layouts and event profiles that were responsive, fast and well laid out.

How did you select this vendor?

After conducting an extensive search of relevant companies online through organic search and reading through past customer reviews, UIG Studio was one of the few that really stood out. The validation to proceed with them didn't only come after testimonials and case studies were shared but once through the passion, knowledge, and interest, they expressed with the site's concept.

Describe the project in detail.

Once we settled on this vendor, we had a series of discovery meetings to discuss the concept and its objectives. A full plan of all deliverables was shared and access to a project management tool was provided. Page mock-ups and initial designs were shared in a staggered approach based on an agreed-upon timeline through a staging website. Once feedback was implemented, items were finalized and everything was ready, functionalities shifted into the live site. And this sequence continued to be followed throughout.

What was the team composition?

Throughout the entire journey of building out the website, we were guided and supported by a highly skilled project manager who along with designers and developers, completed the 5-person team.

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

The site is live and is generating a solid and steadily rising flow of organic bookings across some of the key markets that we were predicting. Very positive user feedback has been provided and with the addition of some extra functionalities as well as the activation of email communications to event organizers and paid media activities for participants, there are very healthy growth expectations that are underway.

How effective was the workflow between your team and theirs?

The project manager does a great job of communicating work progress. Call agendas are shared in advance of calls and recap emails are communicated to ensure alignment. Points are correctly captured following discussions and realistic timeframes are shared. Team members are pulled in according to tasks and commitments that are made are always adhered to.

What did you find most impressive about this company?

My experience has demonstrated to me that this is very much a design-led company. They like to innovate but at the same time, create beautiful yet functional work. Having said that, an equal degree of quality is also present with the end product which is underpinned by a cohesive team of passionate and hard-working professionals.

Are there any areas for improvement?

The entire process has been very smooth and the team is really delivering to my expectations.

Please describe your company and your position there.

News Corp is the owner of respected media brands like National Geographic and FOX. I lead digital developments in Central and Eastern Europe for the FOX Networks Group international business subsidiary.

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

We hired UIG Studio to develop a website for the newly created FOX Media House sales unit.

What were your goals for this project?

Our goal was to create a media-rich yet simple website that mixed stunning content with sales examples.

How did you select this vendor?

We were familiar with UIG Studio from other projects on the market. Their minimalist design style caught our attention immediately. I presented them to my colleagues as an option to hire. From the beginning, we knew they could achieve exactly what we were after.

Describe the project in detail.

UIG Studio handled the full scope of our project. The team executed on everything from design and development to content management.

What was the team composition?

We worked with four resources from UIG Group’s side.

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

Our sales colleagues were thrilled to receive the excellent service they deserved. The website serves as an impactful way to present past sales projects by National Geographic Channel and FOX channel. Both of these brands stand for the highest quality and values, and our new platform shows nothing less.

How effective was the workflow between your team and theirs?

UIG Group maintained fluid communication. They had a very flexible staff that was always willing to listen. We used InVision the entire time.

What did you find most impressive about this company?

I most appreciated UIG Group’s ability to listen to our requests and identify small but impactful components. They were detailed-oriented from the pitch to the final fixes.

Are there any areas for improvement?

I didn’t notice anything they could improve during our project.

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I'm the CEO of an enterprise software development company that designs and develops mobile and web applications.

What challenge were you trying to address with UIG Studio?

I was looking for a designer to work on an app idea of mine.

What was the scope of their involvement?

So far, they've created designs for my mobile app that I plan on using for in the build phase. We first started with a consultation so they could get to know me better. They asked questions about my business and goals for the app. Once they understood my preferences, they drafted designs and wireframes. Then, they presented their work and for my approval. After I review the clickable version that they submitted, I'll notify them and we should be able to complete the project in a week or so.

I’m looking for ways to work with them on a long-term basis, so I've had them start on a web development project.

What is the team composition?

I work with four people including the CEO.

How did you come to work with UIG Studio?

I browsed Upwork and searched on Google. When I found UIG Studio, I called them. They were very friendly in handling my request. They gave me all of the relevant information I needed to help inform my decision. They presented ideas but weren’t pushy. I talked to a couple of other companies as well, but UIG Studio was the most receptive and helpful. Even though I was a small company, they helped me through the whole process.

How much have you invested with them?

So far, I’ve spent about $20,000.

What is the status of this engagement?

We started working together in May 2018 and it’s an ongoing relationship.

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

The designs have significantly improved from the first wireframes to the current version.

How did UIG Studio perform from a project management standpoint?

They always check back, and we have weekly meetings to touch base. We used Asana for project management. My main point of contact is responsive and takes care of my requests.

What did you find most impressive about them?

I most appreciate my assigned team. The CEO, for example, has played a significant role in making this an easy and smooth project. He's a nice guy who knows how to communicate and handle business. 

They were also accommodating in terms of pricing. Even though they offered me a lower price, they always strive to do their best and exceed my requirements. They always went out of their way to meet my needs and never compromised on quality.

Are there any areas they could improve?

Overall, I'm quite happy. I’m busy, but they could have better communicated with me in the middle of the project. If we had a deadline, they wouldn’t reach out until the deadline. If they ensured more consistent communication, there would be fewer changes later in the process.

Do you have any advice for potential customers?

I would advise them to go ahead and contact UIG Studio. They are very professional, reliable, and know how to handle a project from start to finish. Because it was my first project, I was worried about how it would go. I’m not very tech savvy, so they could have easily led me the wrong way. Overall, they were helpful and patient as they guided me through the process.

Please describe your company and your position there.

Will Turner, Co-Founder at GoJoe in London, UK.

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

Urgent help on refreshing our UI and UX improvement.

How did you select this vendor?

Clutch

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

In short, we are looking for a refresh/ redesign of the existing screens on the UI side. We don’t envisage changing much the architecture of the app, although of course any input on the UX is always valuable and I’m sure you will maybe spot things that can easily be improved. In addition to the screens on the app now, there are handful of screens that aren’t on the app yet but which we have sketched and we want designing which include:

• on-boarding tutorial (these can be simple and just signpost to the users how to use the app and where 3 main things are within the app)
• activity tracker screens (lower urgency on this so can be backloaded)

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

UIG:

• Adrian (UI designer)
• Pawel (UX director)
• Grzegorz (PM)
• Paul as a client service.

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

https://apps.apple.com/gb/app/gojoe-social-fitness/id1473445960

How effective was the workflow between your team and theirs?

We have used Figma for design and feedback management during the prototyping phase, Google meet for calls and presentations, Asana and Harvest for management. Smooth and remote partnership.

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

Deep understanding of target group needs and communication

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

They could have a branch in UK

Please describe your company and your position there.

CTO of BizBiz Share, I create and manage several B2B Marketplaces in Canada. We bring tools for a circular economy and more local exchange in construction, manufacturing, transport, and distribution.

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

UIG supports our design and front-end team to make sure we meet our deadlines. We know we can count on them to create a page or a section when the schedule is tight.

What were your goals for this project?

Redesign of our marketplace, profile, and product pages.

How did you select UIG Studio?

Krakow is one of the best cities for web and software developers. I went there in summer 2018 to make contact with several potential tech partners. UIG and BizBiz Share are in contact since then.

Describe the project in detail.

Redesign of our marketplace, profile, and product pages is the latest project. UIG keeps us informed when they can take more work or work at an incredible rate so we try to send them small projects as often as possible.

What was the team composition?

We have a designer, 2 backend, 1 front-end, and 2 interns and UIG has a way bigger team but normally we work with one designer and one front-end at a time.

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

It's always teamwork but UIG helps us keep our budget low and meet our deadlines.

How effective was the workflow between your team and theirs?

Communication is very easy and they never skip a follow-up, which is not common.

What did you find most impressive about this company?

Honesty, this is what I'm looking for in a tech provider. No false promises, you always know what you're gonna get.

Are there any areas for improvement?

We didn't work on a large project together so far, but on small and quick projects I'm very satisfied.

Please describe your company and your position there.

"BE MANAGER is an online football managing app, which allows to play with friends or against other managers, sign the best players and prepare your own team for victory. According to the performance of your players in real matches, you will obtain a score. The best user-rated fantasy game! About me: I'm Marc Cercós, co-founder and CEO at BE MANAGER."

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

I was looking for top-notch 3d assets for our web and mobile app 

What were your goals for this project?

We're looking somebody to help us to power up the product design, complementing myself with all the illustrations and more visual part needed to create a top-notch product and a powerful identity.

How did you select this vendor?

I've found by their Dribbble profile. They have an outstanding portfolio.

Describe the project in detail.

We're looking somebody to help us to power up the product design, complementing myself with all the illustrations and more visual part needed to create a top-notch product and a powerful identity.

What was the team composition?

UIG: Adrian (3d artist), Grzegorz (Project Manager), Paul (Client Service)

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

The work is currently confidential

How effective was the workflow between your team and theirs?

We have used inVision and Figma for feedback during the conception phase, Blender for 3d modeling and rendering, Mixamo for posing and rigging characters and Zbrush for character models, Asana for task management, whereby for calls and presentations. Very smooth, remote cooperation.

What did you find most impressive about this company?

Their 3D design skills blew us away!

Are there any areas for improvement?

Not really, maybe they should know more about Spanish Primera division 

Please describe your company and your position there.

I work as an Art Director for a digital agency in Iceland

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

I was looking for web development services for our client's HR / survey app.

What were your goals for this project?

Get a decient front-end and back-end work, which covers our client's business goals within the budget.

How did you select this vendor?

I was introduced to UIG by my colleague.

Describe the project and the services they provided in detail.

HR app with a survey as the main feature with other elements/parts like wireframes, user groups, surveys editor, signup/sign in, accounts/settings, dashboard, camera/photos, e-mail sending, web forms, etc.

What was the team composition?

UIG: Grzegorz (Project Manager), Tymek (front-end developer), Kacper (back-end developer) and Paul

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

The project isn't live yet but testing group is giving very positive feedback

How was project management arranged and how effective was it?

The management was superb. Even with everything going on with lockdowns and such we hit every deadline on time

What did you find most impressive about this company?

The quality of their work and their communication skills set them apart.

Are there any areas for improvement?

There are always areas for improvement but they are super easy to work with and nothing pops to mind that I can nag about.

Please describe your company and your position there.

I'm a CEO of Printbox. We created an Enterprise photo products software, which is used by businesses worldwide.

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

We were looking for a long-term relationship in the area of UX and UI services for our SaaS solution. We were looking for a vendor who can understand our business and we will feel he is part of our team.

What were your goals for this project?

We constantly grow our platform. We needed every new functionality to be a UI masterpiece. The best usability of our application is one of the top reasons of our success.

How did you select this vendor?

We know them from "university" times

Describe the project in detail.

UI and UX of: - our complex Web Applications: Simple Editor, Advanced Editor, Pro Editor & Smart Editor. - white label Mobile applications (iOS and Android) - our corporate website

What was the team composition?

From UIG side: Adrian - UI Designer, Pawel - UX Lead Designer and Design Team Leader, Angelika - Art Director and UI/UX Designer, Lukasz - UI/UX Designer, Anton - Illustrator, Marta - UI/UX Designer, Grzegorz - Project Manager

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

All of the editors and web stuff you can explore here https://demo.getprintbox.com/ Some piece of their great work is available in the following link: https://invis.io/BGWE1CFPERQ#/221881334_Advanced-Editor-2017-GUI

How effective was the workflow between your team and theirs?

It's an effective relationship. Our project is based on Asana and we see the progress and details of every task. InVision helps in giving a detailed feedback (during the prototyping and design phase) and ability to test the products before we start the front and back-end development work. The designs are uploaded to Zeplin developers tool which help our fron-end developers in their work. We call each other by Whereby for product presentation and feedback, but Slack gives the opportunity to write with quick ideas to brainstorm.

What did you find most impressive about this company?

They understand the business needs and are able to merge them with quality user experience. I appreciate their big commitment to each task.

Are there any areas for improvement?

I'd say overthinking but at the same time they always come up with a detail we wouldn't think about.