Vadimages

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

We have a website that promotes Cuban graphic design since it's difficult for the Cuban designers who aren't linked to the Internet to do that themselves. I work with them and have this website for them. I am the director.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with Vadimages?

With a limited budget, I wanted to promote these designers who aren't known at all in a manner that represented them. They seemed to understand that right away.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

They set up the website, and we shared a lot of time trying to come up with how that was going to look. Every time I've wanted to do more things with it and add exhibitions, do other side things like tours, and so on, they've been able to put those things on the website in a good way. I also wanted to send proposals to design magazines for them to become acquainted and cover Cuban graphic design. Vadimages came up with these prototypes that we sent out. The proposals were accepted – one in particular by Print magazine. Others have touched on Cuban graphic design, but they did a 10-page feature on contemporary Cuban design based on what we had proposed.

How did you come to work with Vadimages?

I advertised on the online bulletin board for the Pacific Northwest College of Art. I said big project but small budget and they responded. I liked their ideas.

How much have you invested with Vadimages?

It has been less than $10,000.

What is the status of this engagement?

We started in 2014, and it's ongoing. He structured it so new images appear every day. When I get new images from them, I want this to be very current. This was one of their ideas to add images every day. That will continue through most of September [2016]. Then, I'll get another batch of posters and promotional materials, and they'll photograph all those.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

Could you share any evidence that would demonstrate the productivity, quality of work, or the impact of the engagement?

With the new diplomatic relationships with Cuba and them becoming the flavor of the year, I was glad that my website was already in place because there was a huge uptick in visits to the website. When I look at the daily visitors, it's increased much during the past year. It was increasing ever since it started. I don't have it set up to get online feedback. The people who are really satisfied are the designers themselves. They're very happy with how it looks and how they can refer people to it and get direct emails from people through the website.

How did Vadimages perform from a project management standpoint?

They met my needs. They responded promptly when I wanted to change things. I've been very happy working with them.

What did you find most impressive about Vadimages?

I don't have much experience with other providers. Working with another company that used web designers, I saw they promised things that they didn't deliver. That hasn't been my experience.

Are there any areas Vadimages could improve?

No. I'm probably the weakest link because I'm older and less tech-savvy, but they've helped me learn, which has been very good.