Upspire Labs

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

John Gross: I’m the owner and founder of Abrydge, a startup company. Our goal is to help college students prepare better for job interviews and smooth the transition from academia to a professional work environment. We sell research-based information online and provide school programs to individual colleges. 

Ariana Kempis: I’m the operations manager. 

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with Studio 22?

AK: We wanted help with our branding, logo, and naming process. We had still been going by our LLC name and needed a new one to go to market.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

AK:  We went through multiple rounds of revisions with Studio 22 to develop our logo and refine the feel our brand emits. They were very much involved in helping us picture how our website would look. After we had our web developer make those changes, we went back to Rocky (Founder and Creative Director, Studio 22) for UX/UI advice. From there, we’d continue to make those revisions. They’ve definitely helped us improve our site. 
 
What is the team composition? 

AK: We mostly worked with Rocky. His wife, Monica (Account Manager/Project Coordinator, Studio 22) was present for most of our communications. She took on a project manager role while Rocky handled the creative side. 

How did you come to work with Studio 22?

AK: I searched online for the top branding firms in the Bay Area. I had spoken to a career counselor at Santa Clara University who mentioned being pleased with Studio 22 when they worked together. We compared and contrasted the best consultants to help us with this whole process. Part of the reason we chose them was their specific experience working with schools. They had expanded upon their work with different universities in the bay area. 

JG: We interviewed and cross-compared five different firms for this project. Studio 22 wasn’t the cheapest, but the cost wasn’t our primary concern. We were focused on quality and experience. Rocky made us feel like partners from day one. He was very interested in our project, rather than just a number of paid project hours. 

How much have you invested with them?

We spent $27,500.

What is the status of this engagement?

We worked together from April–July 2018. 

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

AK: Regarding actual deliverables, Studio 22 provided very thorough examples of their work aesthetically before we committed to them and that was very helpful. We loved the aesthetic they designed. It aligned perfectly with what we eventually wanted to achieve. 

JG:  Studio 22 provided a significantly higher value for the cost than other consultants, web designers, and marketing firms we’ve used. We just opened the third week of August. Since then, we’ve tested the name, logo, concepts, colors, and bylines they developed for us with family and friends. All the feedback has been exceptionally positive.

How did Studio 22 perform from a project management standpoint?

AK: I mostly corresponded with Rocky because we are both based in San Jose. We had meetings over the phone and in person. Studio 22 was very responsive and timely. We always had ongoing communication and never had to push them to respond. They used Basecamp and ensured we were familiar and comfortable with the tool. We felt like they really took an interest in our business’s success. They managed time effectively and made sure we all felt like one big team. 

What did you find most impressive about them?

JG: Studio 22 is very specialized in the work they contributed for us. They were excellent. I can’t say enough about how pleased I was with them. After they did such a great job for us, we were hoping to use them for online advertising and social media. Unfortunately, they don’t offer those services. 

Are there any areas they could improve?

JG: No. 

Do you have any advice for potential customers?

AK: We worked really well with them because we’re also a very small team. I got the feeling they preferred working with smaller clients and having access to people who make decisions. They like to keep things moving. Smaller or flatter organizations are a great fit for Studio 22. 

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I’m the CEO of NAD Grid, a startup in the technology space. We have a team of five people working on upgrading the current electrical grid with more intelligent software. We are also a blockchain company. A part of our solution includes a blockchain that tracks energy origins.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with Studio 22?

We had built our first website ourselves and needed to update and improve the UX/UI. We were also new to marketing/branding, and none of us had expertise in the field. We were looking to work with an agency that could help us with all of the above.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

In an overall rebrand, Studio 22 has provided logo and website redesign, PowerPoint pitch templates, white-paper documents, and all other graphics associated with our business. We’re looking to engage them further on the design of our actual product and user application in moving forward.

In the beginning of the project, we provided details on what we were trying to achieve with the website. A part of our product involves blockchain technology, and we had previously done a fundraiser using cryptocurrencies. Studio 22 conducted huge amounts of research on blockchains and cryptocurrencies, and the website they created has served as a primary tool in getting better acquainted with the crypto-community.

We’re currently preparing to the seventh version of the site, and all of their proposals have been very impressive. I believe that they built the site on WordPress. Additionally, we worked with a video company in producing an informational video for the website. Studio 22 worked with them directly to make sure that the style of the video aligned with our overall brand.

What is the team composition?

Rocky (Director and CEO, Studio 22) served as our primary point of contact, and he worked with the whole Studio 22 team to make sure everyone was always on the same page. We also worked with their account manager on payments and other administrative tasks.

How did you come to work with Studio 22?

We researched possible companies online and narrowed them down to a list of four. Studio 22 was the most flexible and reasonably priced on the list. They also agreed to work within our somewhat aggressive timeline. Other candidates were looking to sell us a package with a number of services we didn’t really need, while Studio 22 was willing to break payment down and charge us for only what we needed.

How much have you invested with them?

We’ve invested about $25,000 so far.

What is the status of this engagement?

We started working with Studio 22 at the end of February 2018. We needed to launch the site in March of this year, in time for a major event we participated in. The second version of the website was launched on March 13, and we’re continuing to work on improved iterations.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

We have a plugin on the website for gathering metrics, but I don’t have the data available at the moment. However, everyone who’s seen the second version of the website has complimented its layout and design.

Our company deals with very complex concepts in managing the coordination of different assets on electric grids. It’s difficult to explain these concepts, but Studio 22 was able to lay them out in intuitive diagrams and simple animations. The entire website has worked well for people who are completely unfamiliar with the services we provide. It’s also worked well with industry experts—people that work with utility companies and the blockchain community.

Since our work with Studio 22, our site traffic has increased significantly. People who’d seen the website referred others to it, but we’ve also done some SEO work independently.

How did Studio 22 perform from a project management standpoint?

They were able to complete the project on our extremely aggressive timeline, which speaks volumes in terms of their management of the project. Throughout the process, Rocky asked substantive questions to better understand our business. He was very responsive and willing to collaborate on any ideas we had. I don’t know how they managed everything behind the scenes, but all the deadlines were hit.

We’ve used Jira internally for tracking the project and communicated with Rocky primarily via phone and email.

What did you find most impressive about them?

They are willing to put in extra time and conduct research on their own. Rocky not only researched blockchain and cryptocurrency technologies, but also watched a 2-hour documentary on the electrical grid.

Do you have any advice for future clients of theirs?

Rocky and Studio 22 are very flexible, so nothing in particular comes to mind. They’re capable of working well with anyone. Rocky has some impressive experience, and he can lead project management and project delivery. We didn’t run into any issues with them.

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

Roof Structures Incorporated is a construction company and subcontractor. I am the controller and CFO of the company.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with Studio 22?

We needed an update and redesign of our outdated site.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

Studio 22 redesigned our site to feature photos of various completed projects. They updated to smoother UX/UI and constructively formatted the showcasing of our projects. Rocky Tilney (Founder, Studio 22) advised on how to present our services and format information to be organized. He talked through the process, gave us feedback through our concerns, and then created a framework to work with. They also developed a quick fact page for our site, allowing efficient access to information. They continue to oversee the website whenever problems arise.

What is the team composition?

I worked closely with Rocky throughout the project and spoke with another associate for the initial phone calls.

How did you come to work with Studio 22?

I was referred to Studio 22 by the director of a marketing department where I was previously employed. Their referral held a lot of weight in my decision.  

How much have you invested with them?

We invested $14,000 in the project.

What is the status of this engagement?

I have worked with them from November 2017 through February 2018.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

They developed a quick facts page that allows contractors to see our worker's comp experience mod rate, bonding capacity, and other information without calling us. Their redesign has made our website cleaner, smoother, and is a visual improvement over the old site.

How did Studio 22 perform from a project management standpoint?

I have absolutely no complaints. Studio 22 and Rocky was organized, timely, and actively engaged. He was attentive to even minor changes.

What did you find most impressive about them?

Rocky was always communicating with me and adhering to project requests or changes.

Are there any areas they could improve?

No, I thought they were great.

Do you have any advice for potential customers?

I would tell potential customers to rely on Rocky’s expertise and listen closely to his feedback.

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I am the founder and principal interior designer for an interior architecture design firm. My work includes residential and commercial design in the D.C. area, as well as remotely with clients out of the area.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with Studio 22?

The challenge was to redevelop my web presence and business brand as my company grew.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

I’ve worked with them twice to redesign my website. The first time was seven years ago, and then again six months ago. They redeveloped my logo and branding to match my marketing goals. The site is now mobile friendly and able to keep up with rapid changes to technology and devices. They’re very knowledgeable on the latest technologies, and they helped us chose the right hosting company. I had very specific ideas, with particular graphics and typeface in mind. I provided examples of websites I liked. I wanted a clean, simple-to-navigate website that reflects my design work. Studio 22 really nailed it. They chose the right platform for my firm and provided me exactly what I was looking for and more.

What is the team composition?

I worked with Rocky [Founder & CEO, Studio 22] and Monica [Sr. Account Manager, Studio 22] worked with me. They made topic and graphics suggestions, and they may have had other people involved on their side.

How did you come to work with Studio 22?

We had a mutual business associate who used them for his website and recommended Rocky. I used to live in Silicon Valley, so we had an initial meeting in person. After that we communicated primarily via email and text. Now we use Dropbox to share photos.

How much have you invested with them?

The cost was very reasonable.

What is the status of this engagement?

We started working on the redesign of my website August 2017 and was completed in October 2017.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

My website and social media are all linked and I can track engagement and analytics from all platforms. My site has generated very positive feedback and is a catalyst to generate additional interest in using my design company.

How did Studio 22 perform from a project management standpoint?

They respond quickly and manage the workload efficiently. Once the development is complete, they give instructions and information on managing the website. Even when the site is done, they’re still willing to communicate and assist.

What did you find most impressive about them?

They’re very professional and pleasant to work with. When I had additional tweaks or changes, they were very responsive. They are extremely knowledgeable about web design and development. Having a web designer who is surrounded by top technology in Silicon Valley is a real advantage.

Are there any areas they could improve?

I honestly don’t have anything negative to say about them.

Do you have any advice for potential customers?

Be clear on your goals up front. They will work with you to efficiently and effectively achieve those goals throughout the web design process.

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I was head of marketing for an early stage security startup. To be more specific, it was an Amazon Web Services based software IoT security company. I was responsible for all aspects of the marketing programs, from the website to lead generation.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with Studio 22.

We had an existing website and didn’t have the budget to build a new one, but wanted a redesign and to migrate to another hosting provider. We also had a lot of new content around the main pages we wanted to create.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

They were responsible for the redesign of our website, as well migration to WordPress and development of the new platform. They built out a new navigation system, as well a lot of new content around our main pages. They were extremely helpful in building our marketing automation form, and we use Marketo to capture leads on the site.

We spent considerable time building the SEO into the site, because none of that existed before we hired them; however, I did all the SEO in keywords and how we’re optimizing each page. They also moved all of our existing blog information into the new platform and helped us build back links to cross-pollinate some of the content.

What is the team composition?

I worked with a total of 3 individuals. They’re not that type of web design firm who sends the owner for the initial meeting, and then don’t work on your project. I worked with Rocky, the founder & CEO, and he managed several others internally that I would interface with including their internal backend team member.

How did you come to work with Studio 22?

I previously had worked at bigger companies and new lots of web firms, but I wasn’t sure I had the budget to work with them; as well, I knew they would take a long time. I happened to also be consulting at another startup at the time, and realized they were using WordPress. I looked up our website and found the web firm they had used. They were local and I reached out to them. It was fairly large project with a modest budget, and I chose Studio 22 in regards to budgeting and their previous experience with startups.

How much have you invested with them?

The initial investment was around $35,000.

What is the status of this engagement?

We started working together in October 2016, and the engagement was complete in February 2017.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

The website they built is still up and running, and the company has been using their platform to add content. The platform they developed is extremely reliable and functional. They made a lot of good suggestion in terms of navigation through content and calls to action.

I have to make the assumption that increased traffic, but we also launched the website at the same time we launched the company; so there was a lot more traffic associated with press and analyst briefs, and articles written about us. We were definitely driving more traffic to the website at the same time.

How did Studio 22 perform from a project management standpoint?

We had weekly meetings once the project kicked off over the phone or in person. We then also communicated regularly through Basecamp, which is their tool to pose questions or tasks that need to be done. They always responded within a few hours.

Are there any areas they could improve?

Honestly, I can’t think of any. It was a very good experience in terms of working with web agencies.

Do you have any advice for potential customers?

Often with web projects, the delay is usually on the client side and not agency. I would recommend making sure you as a company can stick to the timeline. We drove them to a pretty short deadline, and they stuck with when often times we didn’t. Be prepared for follow the process. I’ve always found it best to follow their process, because they usually know what works best because they’ve done this time and time again.

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I work for  the nonprofit San Jose Institute of Contemporary Art.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with Studio 22?

The website we had for several years was corrupted; we lost all of our content (including thousands of images) and couldn't even access the site. We were able to put up a stop-gap site, but we needed to redesign our site in full from the ground up in a fairly short period of time. That gave us a reason to rethink what we really wanted to do with our website, so we looked for a company that could buildit for us.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

We told them what we wanted our website to do. Then, based on a detailed questionnaire about our goals, our many constituents, and how we wanted communicate with those constituents, they sketched out a wireframe to address our concerns. Then, they built a new WordPress website for us.

What is the team composition?

The CEO was our primary point of contact. He coordinated the work of the design team.

How did you come to work with them?

We wanted to stay local. There are a lot design firms in Silicon Valley, but most do tech design. I researched local shops whose web designs had the kind of aesthetic that would work for a nonprofit. We interviewed three candidate firms and Studio 22 came out on top because somehow their aesthetic merged that of a high-tech organization and one of an arts organization. We could see the beginnings of our website in their portfolio.

How much have you invested with them?

We spent approximately $25,000.

What is the status of this engagement?

We started working with them in May 2017 and the website went live in September 2017.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

Our members are spending a lot more time on this website than they did with the other one. The longer they spend on our website, the more information they're getting and the more they're interacting with us. Our goal is always to get them to look at the website and then come in because we're a visual arts organization.  

How did they perform from a project management standpoint?

They delivered on time unless we failed to get them what they needed. The CEO was attentive and always available either in person or remotely (primarily via Basecamp). When we did meet in person, they were very easy to deal with.

What did you find most impressive about them?

We asked them to come to our board meeting where there were a lot of smart and tech-savvy people. Studio 22 presented the entire website to the board very professionally and in a way that both the non-tech and the tech people could relate to. We appreciated the fact that they can set people of varying levels of understanding of web development and media strategy at ease.

Are there any areas they could improve?

We had two platform options: proprietary software that could do “crazy” things and create very interactive websites versus something more traditional. In going with WordPress, you choose to forgo a wacky, very contemporary website and go with something that is a little bit more traditional, but easier to maintain.

Do you have any advice for potential customers?

Be clear about our goals and take time to prepare. They will design a site that addresses your every need, but you have to tell them what those needs are, what you're trying to communicate, and what the message is. If you aren’t clear, they can’t execute, but if you are, you’ll get exactly what you asked for.

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and position.

I am the Co-Founder & CPO of Kascaid

Describe what your company does in a single sentence.

Kascaid is developing a wearable biosensor platform to help doctors better diagnose, monitor, and treat patients with chronic immune disease.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What specific goals or objectives did you hire Upspire Labs to accomplish?

• Launch a professional, trustworthy website that establishes credibility with pharma partners, researchers, clinicians, patients, and investors—while retaining an approachable, human feel. Deliver a site the team can manage independently post-launch.

SOLUTION

How did you find Upspire Labs?

Referral

Why did you select Upspire Labs over others?

• Great culture fit
• Referred to me
• Company values aligned

How many teammates from Upspire Labs were assigned to this project?

2-5 Employees

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

Upspire helped us hone our brandbook, as well as build and launch our website in a very "white glove" manner. 

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

Our website is beautiful and everything is running smoothly! People are receptive to it from the layman to experienced people in the biotechnology space.

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

Rocky is more than fantastic to work with. As I said before: White Glove. The process has been extremely collaborative, and we can work with them at any hour of the day. Will recommend to any and everyone who is worthy of working with Rocky!

What was your primary form of communication with Upspire Labs?

• Virtual Meeting
• Email or Messaging App

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

See last response. Personal touch and collaboration. 

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

Genuinely, no.

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and position.

I am the Executive Vice President of MacKenzie

Describe what your company does in a single sentence.

MacKenzie is a San Francisco-based independent marketing communications agency.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What specific goals or objectives did you hire Studio 22 Design to accomplish?

• Develop a website that brings the client's new branding and visual identity to life.

SOLUTION

How did you find Studio 22 Design?

Referral

Why did you select Studio 22 Design over others?

• High ratings
• Great culture fit
• Referred to me

How many teammates from Studio 22 Design were assigned to this project?

2-5 Employees

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

The goal of the project was to translate the client's newly developed brand strategy, messaging and visual identity assets provided by MacKenzie into a modern and accessible website. Studio 22 leveraged Webflow, a no-code platform, to create a dynamic and responsive website that would effectively showcase Power’s deep expertise, technical prowess and extensive portfolio of projects.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

Fully developed Webflow website that reinforced the established brand elements, reflected client feedback and priorities, and improved user experience.

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

Studio 22 was responsive to all requests and stayed on track and on time throughout the entire project.

What was your primary form of communication with Studio 22 Design?

• Virtual Meeting
• Email or Messaging App

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

Studio 22 provided technical expertise with a lens for design. They helped translate our brand strategy into a digital format.

Are there any areas for improvement or something Studio 22 Design could have done differently?

We were very pleased with Rocky and his team. We are proud of our collaboration with them.