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    San Diego, CA

Creativity with purpose

5.0
12 reviews

Visceral unleashes ideas that move people to think, to engage, and to act. We accomplish this by consistently crafting the most compelling stories and experiences for the world’s leading causes.

We are a Certified B Corporation. Our clients are leading humanitarian organizations, foundations, conservationists, advocacy groups, educators, and social enterprises who tackle the world’s toughest challenges. Our expertise spans many disciplines including communications strategy, user experience, design and technical development.

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$25,000+
 
$150 - $199 / hr
 
2 - 9
 Founded
2006
Show all +
San Diego, CA
headquarters
  • Visceral
    3631 5th Ave
    San Diego, CA 92103
    United States
other locations
  • Visceral
    2120 University Ave
    Berkeley, CA 94704
    United States

Portfolio

Key clients: 

The David & Lucile Packard Foundation;The Heising-Simons Foundation;Silicon Valley Social Venture Fund;Schmidt Ocean Institute;Metta Fund;1,000 Days;Save the Children;

Reviews

5.0
12 reviews
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Web Dev & Branding for Philanthropic Investing Organization

“Both sites look fantastic and represent our vision of the brand well.”

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5.0

Quality: 
5.0
Schedule: 
5.0
Cost: 
5.0
Willing to refer: 
5.0
The Project
 
$50,000 to $199,999
 
July 2017 - Apr. 2018
Project summary: 

In an expanded engagement, Visceral built three WordPress sites and provided collateral and brand strategy services. The team currently executes web design and ongoing maintenance.

The Reviewer
 
11-50 Employees
 
New York, New York
David Vorhaus
Project Manager, Schmidt Futures
 
Verified
The Review
Feedback summary: 

Fantastic reviews, from multiple parties, for the first website led to ongoing work for subsequent sites that achieved similar results. Effective project management, clear communication, notable creativity and an ability to understand vision led to timely project completion, despite aggressive deadlines.  

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

Founded by former Google CEO and Alphabet Executive Chairman Eric Schmidt, Schmidt Futures is a philanthropic venture facility that focuses on impact investment. I help operate some of our key philanthropic programs.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with Visceral?

We are only about one year old and were looking for two things: first, to establish an online presence for our first signature program, a fellowship; and second, to establish our brand and online presence more broadly. In order to reach out to a science and tech focused target audience, we deliberately highlighted our desire for a minimalistic, sleek and modern looking image.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

They developed three WordPress websites for us: the first was for our fellowship program; the second served as a basic framework for the overall Schmidt Futures site; and the third was another iteration of the full Schmidt Futures site.

The fellowship site had all of the bells and whistles, so they trained us on how to update it and provided us with collateral—including stock images and logo options—to use while moving forward. In the end, however, we didn’t use their logos and worked with dedicated logo designers.

The “skeleton” site they built was a teaser—more or less an introduction to the Schmidt Futures brand as a whole. The more fully fleshed-out version of the site launched in April and they’re working now to build it out further as we continue to develop our online presence.

Over time, Visceral’s scope of work has expanded beyond web design and development into consulting us on ensuring brand consistency and boosting brand perception.

What is the team composition?

On the creative side, we worked directly with one person on the substance of our sites. For project management, there was a client specialist who helped iron out the contract, kept everything on track, and managed the website projects overall.

How did you come to work with Visceral?

We spoke with them, as well as about four other firms, and, ultimately, chose them for three main reasons: first, they clearly understood the audiences we were looking to attract and the look and feel of the site we wanted to achieve; second, their pricing and timing were in line with our expectations; and third, they received a high recommendation from a trusted partner, another Eric Schmidt-led organization.

How much have you invested with them?

We have invested about $75,000.

What is the status of this engagement?

We began working together in July 2017. The first site was delivered about three months later and the final site was completed in April 2018; both of them are now live. We have an ongoing services agreement with them so that, for a couple of hours every month, Visceral provides routine web maintenance and fulfills any requested upgrades. If future projects arise, we may very likely work with them again.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

For the fellowship site, we wanted to reach a science and tech academic crowd, so their designs were deliberately minimalistic and sleek—exactly the aesthetic that we felt fit the program.

Overall, feedback on their work has been universally positive. Many on our internal team, some external partners, and even Eric Schmidt himself have complimented their designs. Both site looks fantastic and represent our vision of the brand well.

How did Visceral perform from a project management standpoint?

They did a fantastic job of establishing timetables that helped the teams ultimately meet aggressive launch date targets. We communicated largely through email and phone calls and used a Gantt chart and Google Docs to help with workflow. Whenever issues arose, they responded within 24 hours.

What did you find most impressive about them?

I was most impressed with their combination of creativity and ability to understand our needs. They effectively invented new ideas and came up with original design approaches that we would have never thought of. We requested particular features and gave somewhat nebulous feedback that they were able to translate into changes that ultimately captured our vision.

Are there any areas they could improve?

For larger organizations with more robust websites, Visceral may need more scale; for our needs, they were an extremely good fit.

Do you have any advice for potential customers?

Our experience has been universally positive. I believe that it is important to know going in what your own expectations are. Right from the beginning, Visceral was very solicitous of information; they delivered to us very detailed questionnaires to fill out so that they could get a sense of what we were looking for. Be an active participant in the design process.

5.0
Overall Score We have been very happy with them across the board.
  • 5.0 Scheduling
    ON TIME / DEADLINES
    They met our unrealistic project deadlines.
  • 5.0 Cost
    Value / within estimates
    They offered good value for money.
  • 5.0 Quality
    Service & deliverables
    We have been universally happy with all of the websites.
  • 5.0 NPS
    Willing to refer
    We already have recommended them.

Website Maintenance and Development for Non-Profit

“We received overwhelmingly positive feedback from various stakeholders.” 

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5.0

Quality: 
5.0
Schedule: 
5.0
Cost: 
4.0
Willing to refer: 
4.5
The Project
 
$50,000 to $199,999
 
Jan. 2016 - Feb. 2018
Project summary: 

Visceral provided website design and development services, recently building a new WordPress site as an update to the initial one. 

The Reviewer
 
11-50 Employees
 
Baltimore, Maryland
Alex Bodaken
Program Manager, Green & Healthy Homes Initiative
 
Verified
The Review
Feedback summary: 

Winning awards for its excellent design, the sites they designed were well-received by many stakeholders. They managed the project well and were professional and responsive at all times. 

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and your position there.

The Green & Healthy Homes Initiative (GHHI) is a non-profit dedicated to breaking the link between unhealthy housing and unhealthy families. I serve as a program manager, managing grants and handling special projects, such as our website development and maintenance.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

For what projects/services did your company hire Visceral?

We originally worked with them to create our current website. We then worked with them to develop a new, updated website, which is still in progress.

What were your goals for this project?

Our goals were to create and manage a website, then more recently, to develop a new one.

SOLUTION

How did you select this vendor?

I wasn’t at GHHI when they were selected, but I think they were selected due to their excellent reputation and their history of non-profit work.

Can you go into detail about the services they provided and the scope of the project?

They were responsible for designing the website and then maintaining it. More recently, they built a developmental website on WordPress, which we created as an update to the current site.

What was the team composition?

They often had two to three people working on the project.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

Our first website won several awards related to design. We received overwhelmingly positive feedback from various stakeholders.

How was project management arranged and how effective was it?

The project management was mostly on an ad-hoc basis, in which we would ask them for help on an hourly rate if there was something we needed designing or if there was something we couldn't figure out.

What did you find most impressive about this company?

They were always available and consistently went above and beyond. Even after we recently ended our contract with them, I’m able to reach out and get help, for example when we encountered a malware issue on our website. It speaks to their professionalism that they are consistently looking to help us.

Are there any areas where they can improve?

Their price point is a bit high, but it is very much a “you get what you pay for” situation.

5.0
Overall Score
  • 5.0 Scheduling
    ON TIME / DEADLINES
  • 4.0 Cost
    Value / within estimates
  • 5.0 Quality
    Service & deliverables
  • 4.5 NPS
    Willing to refer

Harbor Freight Tools for Schools Website

"The people at Visceral are committed to making the world a better place."

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5.0

Quality: 
5.0
Schedule: 
5.0
Cost: 
5.0
Willing to refer: 
5.0
The Project
 
$10,000 to $49,999
 
Feb. 2017 - Ongoing
Project summary: 

Visceral created a web platform to highlight an education-focused nonprofit program, capturing the vision and branding through elegant design and sleek navigational elements. They now provide support.

The Reviewer
 
5001-10,000 Employees
 
Calabasas, California
Tae Kang
Special Projects, Harbor Freight Tools for Schools
 
Verified
The Review
Feedback summary: 

Since launching, the website consistently attracted outstanding feedback from the public and internal stakeholders due to its modern aesthetic and engaging reflection of the mission. Visceral’s attentiveness, transparency, and dedication make them a tremendous asset. 

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and your position there.

I’m the head of special projects at Harbor Freight Tools for Schools, which is a charitable program of The Smidt Foundation, aiming to support excellence in skilled trades programs in U.S. public high schools. 

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

For what reason(s) did your company hire Visceral?

After a few years of working under the radar, we realized that we needed a website. One of our partners said that if we don't exist digitally, we don't exist at all. One of our executives heard about Visceral’s excellent work with nonprofits and other cause-minded organizations seeking to serve and empower the world.

What were your goals for this project?

We wanted a website that captured the core values of Harbor Freight Tools: excellence in execution, humility, and community. We knew that we wanted our website to be professional and beautiful in order to elevate the perception of skilled trades and career and technical education programs. We wanted the website to highlight great programs, teachers, and students and to remove the misconception of skilled trades as something "less than" the "college for all" mentality. 

SOLUTION

How did you select this vendor?

When we saw their work, we were amazed by the simplicity, elegance, and beauty of each website—all for such an affordable price. After we reviewed their portfolio, we realized that Visceral captures the essence and purpose of each organization through their designs. When started to discuss working together, we appreciated their flexibility, responsiveness, and ability to listen to our needs and hopes, especially regarding Harbor Freight Tools' security concerns. Visceral was willing to collaborate with our IT team and responded quickly to all of their questions. Thus, after our initial conversations with Visceral, we decided to pursue working with them.

Describe the project in detail.

Visceral was responsible for the creation and design of the website. The Harbor Freight Tools for Schools team filled in and provided the content, including pictures. Harbor Freight Tools is responsible for hosting the site on a server of ours. The process was challenging because our programs do not fit into easy categories, so we had to navigate around that by creating "Our Strategies" tabs instead. I served as a liaison between all parties and coordinated with Dana [Project Manager, Visceral] on getting materials to the Visceral team and figuring out the nature of partnership in terms of website security. I currently do some content updates, thanks to the great teaching and simple training by the Visceral team during the handoff.

What was the team composition?

We worked primarily with Allegra [Production & Strategy Lead, Visceral] when setting up the contract and statement of work. We then worked with Dana, Matthew [Creative Director, Visceral] and Austin [Senior Web Developer, Visceral] in creating the website. We primarily spoke with Dana. Matthew handled the design of the website, and Austin originally spearheaded many of the technical aspects, including working with our IT team.

Now, as we continue to build and maintain the website, we work with Travis [Developer, Visceral]. The transition has been incredibly smooth. We’ve had an excellent collaboration with Visceral. 

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

Starting right after the website’s launch, the word "beautiful" is often brought up in reference to our platform. People are amazed how the professional design and photos really capture their attention. Through the new site, we’ve been able to announce and highlight our first Harbor Freight Tools for Schools Prize for Teaching Excellence, share our programs, and act as an online hub for resources.

How effective was the workflow between your team and theirs?

The process really epitomized collaboration, adaptability, and excellence in execution. I enjoyed working with them, even though we didn’t meet in person until November 2017. The relationship has been incredibly personable and professional. Our communication has primarily involved email and Google Docs. They keep to the schedule, manage our expectations, and are upfront with all communications.

What did you find most impressive about this company?

The people at Visceral are committed to making the world a better place, and they work hard to make that happen. 

5.0
Overall Score
  • 5.0 Scheduling
    ON TIME / DEADLINES
  • 5.0 Cost
    Value / within estimates
  • 5.0 Quality
    Service & deliverables
  • 5.0 NPS
    Willing to refer

Re-brand for Cybersecurity Research Firm

"They are passionate about the work they do."

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5.0

Quality: 
5.0
Schedule: 
5.0
Cost: 
4.5
Willing to refer: 
5.0
The Project
 
$50,000 to $199,999
 
2014 - Ongoing
Project summary: 

Visceral redesigned a website, created a logo, and selected a color scheme as part of a rebranding strategy. They had to come up with brand guidelines that promoted consistency across multiple marketing touchpoints. 

The Reviewer
 
10-50 Employees
 
Largo, Maryland
Casey O'Brien
Executive Director and Principal Investigator, National CyberWatch Center
 
Verified
The Review
Feedback summary: 

Visceral achieved the overall objective, creating a brand that is professional and high quality. Their ongoing support helps keep the site up to date. Their attitude, accessibility, and strong project management skills have been notable strengths in the collaboration. 

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there. 

I'm the executive director and principal investigator at National CyberWatch Center. It is a cyber security education and research consortium focused on improving the quality and quantity of information security workforce, primarily in the U.S.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with Visceral?

We were transitioning from a nonprofit that primarily had a regional focus to one that was scaling up activities with more of a national focus. As such, we wanted to go through a rebranding effort. This included a refresh of the logo, collateral materials, website, and brand guidelines, etc.

We had worked with different agencies over the years on different iterations of a logo, but nothing that was comprehensive. We needed to create brand guidelines that would ensure a consistent brand and look and feel across all of our materials, including our online social media presence and collateral materials. We produce a number of publications, so knowledge management is a big part of our service portfolio. Templates for various types of reports all integrate with those brand guidelines. We had used different companies over the years for these various aspects.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

On the technical side, since we're in the business of information security education and research, it was critical to work with a firm that understands the security implications of setting up a website, custom code, or using a backend content management system that has various third party plugins. Visceral brought a lot of technical depth just on the application web app server side, which was very attractive.

Initially, we sent documents back and forth to help shape the conversation. They wanted to get a sense of our design philosophy, industry, and goals. After those initial iterations, Visceral came up with brand guidelines, a new logo, color schemes, and ensured a consistent look and feel across our online presence. They redesigned a whole new website. We’re focused on information security education research, and so our sites looked like they were designed by an educator. It was important for the materials to look professional. That process required wire-framing, organization, and editing. They've integrated some database functionality so we can easily identify various documents or organize materials in a library.

They also created various hard copy collateral materials, including letterhead, envelopes, and business cards. They came up with templates for the various reports that we publish, including white papers and research reports. We'll do an annual report to our various stakeholders and they created a consistent template for the cover of the white paper.

We continue to use them for ongoing website support on a monthly basis, particularly if we want to add a new structure to the site. For instance, we purchased a digital certificate, which they then implemented. Somebody is also dedicated to our team and interfaces with us to help us with anything we need.

How did you come to work with Visceral?

We had partnered with a marketing and PR communications firm in D.C. and they have used Visceral in various projects, which is how they were brought to us. Originally, the rebranding was meant for a different legal entity that we were forming. However, in that process, we realized that we weren't as ready as we thought for this new legal entity. The work was valuable because it made us look more carefully at the current National CyberWatch Center. We decided to shift gears and rebrand the existing nonprofit, and then use it to drive any other legal entities moving forward. Since then, we have continued to work with Visceral.

How much have you invested with them?

We have invested between $800,000-$1,000,000 per year.

What is the status of the engagement?

We started working together around 2014 and the collaboration is ongoing. 

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

In terms of the quality of the materials, it speaks for itself---the brand is consistent across all of the online print and digital offerings. The e-textbooks that we use in college curricula are now aligned with the National Center brand. It looks good and professional and speaks volumes to the quality of the work. In the academic space, generally speaking, there's not a lot of effort put into this. We do a lot of work in the federal space and obviously in higher academia, and one of our big pivots is towards the commercial sector. You have to get it right the first time and make a good impression. We do various kinds of analytics on the site, but that's only tangentially related. The significance is more anecdotal. Each year, people consistently provide positive feedback on the re-brand.

How did Visceral perform from a project management standpoint?

There are two co-founders that we can call or email anytime. They have differentiated strengths. One handles the web development, the application development, and server-side, and the other does more artistic and graphic oriented work. I have dinner with them once a year when they come to D.C. We had a dedicated project manager, depending on the project, which was fantastic.

Project management can be tricky. I’ve worked with companies where things can get lost, but Visceral communicates clearly and follows up. Since they are currently just supporting us on our website, if there are any issues, we will usually contact them by e-mail. During the re-brand, we would use various video conference/teleconference solutions. Initially, since they were a substitute to our previous marketing partner in D.C., there were also in person meetings.

What did you find most impressive about them?

The quality of the work, and the expertise. They have a small shop, and you feel as if you can call anyone anytime. They are passionate about the work they do. They are selective about the clients they work with, and I like that their projects tend to have a social element. In general, they are very nice people.

5.0
Overall Score Excellent.
  • 5.0 Scheduling
    ON TIME / DEADLINES
    They are clear communicators about deliverables, due dates, and any changes to any schedules. The language in their contract is also easy to understand.
  • 4.5 Cost
    Value / within estimates
    A great value for what you get.
  • 5.0 Quality
    Service & deliverables
  • 5.0 NPS
    Willing to refer
    I have recommended them to everyone I know looking for the services they provide.

Logo Design for National Membership Association

"Every interaction with Visceral was top notch."

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5.0

Quality: 
5.0
Schedule: 
5.0
Cost: 
5.0
Willing to refer: 
5.0
The Project
 
$10,000 to $49,999
 
Dec. 2016 - Feb. 2017
Project summary: 

Beginning with a discovery process and kickoff questionnaire, Visceral led the creation of new brand guidelines and 40+ logo designs for an organization in the philanthropy industry.

The Reviewer
 
11-50 Employees
 
Washington, DC
Communications Director, National Membership Association
 
Verified
The Review
Feedback summary: 

The new guidelines and logo have brought the brand to life in a refreshing and unique way unseen by other firms in their sector. Visceral stuck to the proposed project timeline and did an impressive job at researching the industry and target audience before delivering an end product.

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

We are a national membership association for grants management professionals who work in funding organizations. We have more than 3,400 members who work across the life cycle of grants and ensure that operations and processes are effective and efficient. We are headquartered in Washington, D.C.

As communications director, it is my role to effectively convey the mission and vision of our organization.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with Visceral?

We changed our name and brand after 20 years and were looking for a partner to help us bring that brand to life through a new logo.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

Following an RFP process, we chose Visceral to create our logo and brand guidelines. They began their work with a discovery period and kickoff questionnaire, asking questions about our current (old) brand and the new brand we were creating, the image and reputation we wanted to project, and key words we wanted to apply to our brand. They ended up providing 40+ logo options. We ended up choosing the logo we now use because it represents our brand in a powerful and striking way, has multiple interpretations, and is unlike anything else in use in our sector.

How did you come to work with Visceral?

Visceral was recommended by our brand consulting firm. After an RFP process, we chose Visceral because of their work with others in philanthropy, their clear description of their process, and the strength of their design work. 

How much have you invested with Visceral?

The financial investment has been more than $10,000.

What is the status of this engagement?

The project began in December 2016 and was finalized in February 2017.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

We could not be happier with the results of our work with Visceral. They created a logo that is powerful and successfully conveys our new name and brand. 

How did Visceral perform from a project management standpoint?

Visceral provided a project timeline that outlined each step in the process, and that timeless was referenced during each of our meetings. Any changes to the timeline were noted, and we finished exactly on time with the schedule. We had a dedicated project manager and often communicated by both email and phone.

What did you find most impressive about Visceral?

Visceral does a great deal of discovery work up front to understand the goals and objectives of the project, including not just technical elements, but more subjective brand elements like thoughts and feelings that the material is meant to evoke. I am impressed by how much research they did on our sector and our organization to fully understand our audience and stakeholders, and by how they were able to walk us through the material and provide a greater understanding of our brand options without losing us in technical jargon. I would definitely recommend and use Visceral again.

5.0
Overall Score We are delighted with the result of our work with Visceral and have no hesitation in recommending them.
  • 5.0 Scheduling
    ON TIME / DEADLINES
    Visceral worked quickly on a timeline most firms would not have accepted.
  • 5.0 Cost
    Value / within estimates
    We are extremely pleased with the value of our engagement with Visceral.
  • 5.0 Quality
    Service & deliverables
    Every interaction with Visceral was top notch.
  • 5.0 NPS
    Willing to refer
    Absolutely no hesitation in referring Visceral.

Website Design for Social Venture Fund

"My experience with Visceral - both in terms of process AND the final product - was outstanding."

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5.0

Quality: 
5.0
Schedule: 
5.0
Cost: 
5.0
Willing to refer: 
5.0
The Project
 
$50,000 to $199,999
 
Apr. - Dec. 2016
Project summary: 

Looking to have a fresh website that reflected their new brand and communicated the correct information to users, the client leaned on Visceral for the site's development and design work.

The Reviewer
 
11-50 Employees
 
Redwood City, CA
Director of Communications & Community Operations, SV2
 
Verified
The Review
Feedback summary: 

The new website is exactly what the client hoped for and has gotten extremely positive feedback from its users. Visceral's commitment to the project made them feel like an extension of the team.

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

SV2 is a community of more than 200 individuals and families who have come together to learn about effective giving and pool our resources to support innovative social ventures.

When I worked on this project with Visceral, I was the Director of Communcations & Community Operations and I was responsible for internal and external communications including our website.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with Visceral?

We had a stale, boring, text-heavy website that did not do a good job of telling our organization's story. Coming out of our last strategic plan, our organization was innovating in a number of exciting ways but our website did not convey this energy. Furthermore, it was hard for those who were looking for us (prospective partners, prospective grantees, etc.) to find us and quickly understand who we are and what we do.

We wanted to build a new website that would be bold and refreshing to match our new brand and programmatic efforts. And we wanted a site that shared a good amount of information in a tailored way to help people learn about our organization.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

We were thrilled to hire Visceral, and every step of the process was delightful. They helped us with wireframes, design, and development. And they even helped us find a very reasonable and talented copywriter who did some light editing of some of our most important pages. We've also signed a maintenance contract for several months for analytics and continuous improvements to the site. 

How did you come to work with Visceral?

We had a number of conversations with Allegra Poggio, the Production Director at Visceral. We loved her responsiveness, how thoroughly she answered all of our questions (and we had a LOT of questions), and how thoughtful her responses were.

We had a video conference with the rest of the Visceral team to virtually meet each person who would be potentially working on our project, and we loved their energy, expertise, and creative talent.

We also loved that they worked with social impact organizations and could bring that expertise to the table. We realized we could save so much time by not having to explain some of the key parts of our sector. They had a great knowledge of the ecosystem from their experience working with clients which was a boon.

We loved their creative work and their team's vibe. It felt like they would be true PARTNERS instead of finger waggers who would condescendingly tell us "how" things need to be done. We felt like they "got" us (our organization is a different kind of beast) and they were willing to listen, tailor our process and approach to fit our organization, and creatively and collectively problem solve.

What is the status of this engagement?

The project took probably took 8 months from start to finish, but that was mostly because we needed to build in time for feedback and alignment building at several key points.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

They created a site that we are so very proud of now, and we regularly receive compliments every week from prospective partners and other colleagues who mention how beautiful the site is. It's everything that we hoped it would be - and we think it's evokes the feeling that we were hoping for (and more).

How did Visceral perform from a project management standpoint?

Visceral covered the agreed scope and deliverables within budget (and as mentioned previously, it took 6 weeks or so longer, but that was due to our own internal processes).

What did you find most impressive about Visceral?

I cannot recommend Visceral highly enough - they were a DELIGHT to work with AND I would hire them again in a heartbeat (and as I mentioned, we're still on a maintenance contract with them).

They honestly felt like an extension of our team throughout the project. There were so many times when I was able to ask them "We're struggling with how to do X" and they could recommend a set of highly relevant solutions based on their work with other social impact organizations.

 

 

5.0
Overall Score I am generally a pretty conservative scorer, but my experience with Visceral - both in terms of process AND the final product - was outstanding.
  • 5.0 Scheduling
    ON TIME / DEADLINES
    They met every deadline that they said they would and when we didn't, it was because we slowed them down (and they would always proactively communicate the effect on our timeline)
  • 5.0 Cost
    Value / within estimates
    Outstanding value based on the estimates we received from other high quality top notch agencies.
  • 5.0 Quality
    Service & deliverables
    Every interaction and deliverable was of the greatest quality.
  • 5.0 NPS
    Willing to refer
    I refer everyone who asks me about web work to Visceral!

Website Redesign for Health Foundation

"We could not have asked for a better partner throughout this process than Visceral."

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5.0

Quality: 
5.0
Schedule: 
5.0
Cost: 
5.0
Willing to refer: 
5.0
The Project
 
$50,000 to $199,999
 
Jan. - July 2016
Project summary: 

In an effort to update their online presence and convey an accurate image of their foundation to key audiences, the client looked to Visceral to redesign their website, including its architecture, testing, and launch.

The Reviewer
 
11- 50 Employees
 
Buffalo, New York
Kate Felschow McLaughlin
Communications Director, Health Foundation for Western and Central New York
 
Verified
The Review
Feedback summary: 

The redesigned website now targets the correct audience, has eased the access to information of the platform, and has produced a significant decrease in bounce rates. Visceral is an outstanding business partner who delivers strong results.

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

Based in Buffalo, NY with a second office in Syracuse, NY, the Health Foundation for Western and Central New York is an independent private foundation whose mission is to improve the health and healthcare of the people of western and central New York. The Foundation invests in and partners with organizations and communities to spark lasting positive change in health and healthcare, with a special focus on young children, vulnerable older adults and the systems serving them.

As communications director, I lead all communications, public and media relations efforts and am responsible for conceptualizing, developing and implementing internal and external communications strategies to effectively and consistently communicate the Foundation’s mission, work and impact.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with Visceral?

The Health Foundation’s previous website was designed in 2009. Outside of minor changes to aesthetics and functionality, no major alterations to the site had been made since that time. Six years later, technology had evolved, as had trends in the look and feel of websites. The previous site looked dated, and presented significant challenges to users looking to find information quickly.

As part of the Foundation's strategic communications plan, our goal was to redesign the website to help us directly, succinctly, and proactively tell the Health Foundation’s story to best communicate our mission, vision and goals to key audiences.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

Visceral redesigned our website, and they managed research and planning, including information architecture and templates, production, testing, launching and support of the website. We shared responsibilities for copywriting. 

How did you come to work with Visceral?

We were referred to Visceral through the Communications Network and solicited a proposal through an RFP process, along with several other firms nationwide.  Visceral's proposal was thorough, detailed, and specific to the needs of the Health Foundation.  They took the time to learn about the Foundation which was incredibly valuable. The team was very responsive and very organized - I knew exactly where things were at throughout the process, and the Visceral team was easy to reach (even with a time zone difference) if I had any questions. 

What is the status of this engagement?

The project, from start to finish, was originally slated to run from January through September 2016, and we were able to complete the project earlier than expected, in August. 

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

Early analytics, along with anecdotal evidence, show that our new website is now attracting the correct audience who is interested in the content of our site. Our bounce rate has decreased significantly. We have been told by many people how much they love our site now and how much easier it is to find the information they are looking for. 

What did you find most impressive about Visceral?

We could not have asked for a better partner throughout this process than Visceral. We stayed on budget and on schedule. Though by its nature website redesign is a time-consuming project that involves a lot of work, the process itself could not have gone more smoothly. 

5.0
Overall Score
  • 5.0 Scheduling
    ON TIME / DEADLINES
  • 5.0 Cost
    Value / within estimates
  • 5.0 Quality
    Service & deliverables
  • 5.0 NPS
    Willing to refer

Web Design for Educational Advocacy Group

"They conduct themselves as an extension of our organization and not just as a consultant."

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4.5

Quality: 
4.0
Schedule: 
5.0
Cost: 
4.0
Willing to refer: 
5.0
The Project
 
$200,000 to $999,999
 
2014 - Ongoing
Project summary: 

Visceral initially worked to update the client's website through frontend design and information restructuring. They provide continuous support in implementing functional enhancements.

The Reviewer
 
11-50 Employees
 
Vienna, Virginia
Head of Digital Strategy, Educational Advocacy Group
 
Verified
The Review
Feedback summary: 

Visceral's work has produced measurable results, including a traffic increase of 50% and a bounce rate decrease of 12%. They are a professional team that's willing to take on challenging tasks as they arise.

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

We catalyze the transformation of K-12 education policy and practice to advance powerful, personalized, learner-centered experiences through competency-based, blended and online learning. I'm the vice president of digital strategy and IT.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with Visceral?

We had a very outdated infrastructure and website, so we brought Visceral onboard to help redesign our website and improve our systems.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

They continually help with the frontend development of our website, which included the visual design, information architecture and WordPress development. They worked with another developer who wrote the APIs for storing data in Salesforce. Visceral is currently helping with enhancements to our membership registration flow and account management.

How did you come to work with Visceral?

I worked with some of the Visceral team at Fleishman-Hillard. They had left Fleishman-Hillard and started their own agency.

How much have you invested with Visceral?

It’s been $200,000 over three years.

What is the status of this engagement?

We've done a variety of large projects together and we have a maintenance retainer as well.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

Since our website redesign, we've had good results in SEO, bounce rate, and improved traffic. Since May 2015, traffic has increased by over 50%, bounce rate decreased by about 12%, and website traffic from referrals has increased by 80%, and Google organic traffic has increased by 40%.

How did Visceral perform from a project management standpoint?

Very well. We used Smartsheet for scheduling various projects, and Google Docs for documentation. We have regular weekly team meetings.

What did you find most impressive about Visceral?

They conduct themselves as an extension of our organization and not just as a consultant. They are responsive and understand a sense of urgency. They're willing to jump on urgent tasks.

Are there any areas Visceral could improve?

In project management, I would recommend more consistency in recording meeting notes and sending them out on a regular basis.

4.5
Overall Score
  • 5.0 Scheduling
    ON TIME / DEADLINES
    They consistently meet deadlines. If there are issues or concerns, I am notified and we have an open conversation on why the schedule might be at risk.
  • 4.0 Cost
    Value / within estimates
    I wouldn't say they are inexpensive, but they are not the most expensive either. I think their costs are reasonable.
  • 4.0 Quality
    Service & deliverables
    They generally provide high quality work.
  • 5.0 NPS
    Willing to refer
    If you want strong visual design skills, a developer with strong knowledge of WordPress, and the feeling like you have an extension of your organization/department, they are a great choice.

Website Redesign for Nutrition Advocacy Organization

"While they are a small team themselves, they are incredibly organized and responsive."

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5.0

Quality: 
5.0
Schedule: 
5.0
Cost: 
5.0
Willing to refer: 
5.0
The Project
 
$10,000 to $49,999
 
July - Nov. 2015
Project summary: 

The client had an outdated website that Visceral worked to refresh by designing and deploying wireframes to improve the user experience and create a more modern look and feel.

The Reviewer
 
2-10 Employees
 
Washington, DC
Adrianna Logalbo
Managing Director, 1,000 Days
 
Verified
The Review
Feedback summary: 

Since its redesign, the website has received an overwhelming amount of positive responses. Visceral made the process transparent, simple, and straightforward.

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

1,000 Days is an advocacy organization based in Washington DC. We are focused on ensuring that women and children have the nutrition they need to be healthy and develop to their fullest potential, particularly in the first 1,000 days from a woman's pregnancy to a child's second birthday. I am the managing director of the organization.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with Visceral?

Our previous website was launched in 2010, and it had a more old-school approach. It didn't provide what we needed for our users.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

Visceral was hired to refresh our old website, but we ended up designing and deploying a completely new site. In the beginning stages, Visceral helped us think through what we needed the new website to be, who would be its target audience, and what information they needed to receive from it. We were given a large questionnaire, based on which Visceral developed some wireframes. Once we settled on one which felt right and presented the information in a way which we felt would make sense to us and our audience, Visceral started a couple of design iterations.

We wrote all the copy for the site. Visceral gave us templates for each page of the site, including character limits. That was extremely helpful in not making the site as text-heavy as the old version. We wanted to have a much more compelling and image-focused site, getting our points across with as little text as possible. Once we provided the copy and images we wanted to use, Visceral built the site and underwent several weeks of testing.

How did you come to work with Visceral?

We were looking to build a new website, but we didn't have a massive budget. We put out an RFP [request for proposal] to 5 different groups which we knew or had been recommended to us by partner organizations and advisors. Visceral was the company that clearly stood out after our interviews with all the candidates.

How much have you invested with Visceral?

The site had a cost of between $30,000 and $40,000.

What is the status of this engagement?

We started working with Visceral in July 2015. The site was launched in November, within schedule.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

Overwhelmingly, the response to the website has been positive from partners who were familiar with our old page. It looked great, had clear information, and great imagery. Whenever I have a conversation with someone we haven't worked with yet, I often receive good comments about the website.

How did Visceral perform from a project management standpoint?

The fact that we were able to deliver the site on time shows that Visceral was able to keep both of our groups on-task and on-time. Visceral has used different tools which enabled us to provide feedback easily. We also had weekly calls, and Visceral provided a dedicated project manager. She was responsible for making sure that all our work was getting done.

What did you find most impressive about Visceral?

From start to finish, Visceral worked to make the process of designing and deploying a new website as simple and straightforward as possible. While they are a small team themselves, they are incredibly organized and responsive.

Are there any areas Visceral could improve?

No.

5.0
Overall Score It was a very positive experience.
  • 5.0 Scheduling
    ON TIME / DEADLINES
  • 5.0 Cost
    Value / within estimates
  • 5.0 Quality
    Service & deliverables
  • 5.0 NPS
    Willing to refer
    I've already done it.

Web Design for Philanthropic Consulting Company

"Their team is quick to answer, adapt, or adjust whenever you need them to."

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5.0

Quality: 
5.0
Schedule: 
5.0
Cost: 
5.0
Willing to refer: 
5.0
The Project
 
$50,000 to $199,999
 
Feb. 2015 - Ongoing
Project summary: 

The client has used Visceral for several projects in developing and designing websites for foundations that shape their goals and reflect them in a compelling way.

The Reviewer
 
2-10 Employees
 
Seattle, WA
David Brotherton
President, Brotherton Strategies
 
Verified
The Review
Feedback summary: 

Visceral excels at communicating, keeping clients on schedule, and responding to changing requests at any time.

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I am the founder and president of Brotherton Strategies. Our company is a strategic communications consulting firm based in Seattle, Washington. We work primarily with the philanthropic and non-profit sectors.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with Visceral?

I needed a web developer and creative partner who understood the intersection of digital technology, effective storytelling, and the complexities of the philanthropic sector. We were also looking for a team that was easy to relate to, affordable, and who just simply got it.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

I’ve worked with Visceral on four client projects at this point, so there isn’t a single project that I’m speaking to; it’s more generalized. They have developed websites from the ground up, from zero to a finished site. I acted as lead writer and creative director, but they were the entire technical solution. They had to understand the nature of a foundation’s business structure. Then they had to determine how to create a site that would reflect that in clear and simple ways while still being compelling to look at and read. In several cases, Visceral worked with me from the very beginning based on just a simple idea of what I needed from a site. I really had no technical vision for how to bring that together and certainly no development expertise to build it. Visceral had that ability to listen to what the goals were, then ask probative, smart questions that might shape the goal and make it even more pointed and on target. They then translate that into a fully developed, fully realized site. Over the years, they’ve worked with me on behalf of several foundation clients.

How did you come to work with Visceral?

The first time I became aware of them, I had heard their name from a couple of friends who worked in philanthropy. We submitted an RFP [request for proposal] and we solicited bids from seven different firms. Visceral came in and had to win the business on their own merits. It was not just a direct hire; it was a competitive bidding process. They won on a combination of creative experience and competitive pricing.

Another thing that is a big differentiator in hiring and working with Visceral is that the team is small. When you are interviewing folks for the business, those end up being the same folks who work on the project. They are incredibly accessible and responsive. Their team is quick to answer, adapt, or adjust whenever you need them to. As a small business owner and consultant who prides himself on giving really high-touch service, that was a big differentiator for them. I hate it when you get pitched by somebody to win the business and then you never hear from that person again. Visceral is not that. What you see is what you get, and you get senior talent working on your account.

How much have you invested with Visceral?

They have delivered sites for under $50,000 that others who bid on that project wanted $100,000 for. Visceral came in the high 40s, low 50s range.

What is the status of this engagement?

We began working with Visceral in February 2015. I’ve done several projects with them. 

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

The one that I originally met them through was completed. We launched a full and beautiful website on time and under budget. We have since done a major expansion to that same site in a new and different creative direction to meet a business goal. We had to expand the site, and they did that piece of the work as well. Each time, they’ve done very good work.

I don’t have any metrics that are a reflection of their work. We have metrics on the click-through rate on the site itself, but that’s not a comment on them. That’s a comment on the foundation client I’m working for. They have finished everything I’ve needed them to do on time and on budget, if not under time and under budget.

How did Visceral perform from a project management standpoint?

Extremely well. On the day they give you a proposal, you meet the team you’re going to work with. That team stays with you for the duration. They are highly responsive. They are very good communicators. They will typically articulate a timeline for the project and a work plan, and they do a very good job of keeping the clients on that plan. If there is slippage due to the clients’ delays, they are really clear about saying, “This missed deadline is going to result in X or Y or Z,” so there are really no surprises. If the unexpected comes up and I have an urgent need for Visceral to do something, they have been very quick to drop what they were working on and get it done. They are just very responsive in a way that I can’t really overstate.

What did you find most impressive about Visceral?

There are a lot of good web design firms out in the world. I don’t think there are a lot of good web design firms who understand the philanthropic foundation sector and how to work with it as well as these guys. Plus, they do so with the high-touch service and the affordable, competitive rates that they do. I can’t say enough about how much I enjoy working with them.

Are there any areas Visceral could improve?

No, there aren’t any.

5.0
Overall Score I am not normally an easy grader, but I think on all of these measures, Visceral stands at the top of the list.
  • 5.0 Scheduling
    ON TIME / DEADLINES
    They design realistic project timelines that meet the clients’ realities and manage the workflow accordingly.
  • 5.0 Cost
    Value / within estimates
    They are as competitive as any small to medium design shop I’ve worked with in the philanthropy field over the last five years. Their prices are very affordable.
  • 5.0 Quality
    Service & deliverables
    They deliver highly creative, responsive websites on time and on budget.
  • 5.0 NPS
    Willing to refer
    I have recommended them to many friends and colleagues and have never heard any negative reactions or bad feedback.