Xhilarate is a branding and design firm that creates visual brand expressions that engage people, excite the senses and inspire our inner awesome.
Xhilarate joins together a team of experts in strategy, web and print design, website design, development and programming, content creation, copywriting and photography / videography. Our capabilities span across many industries, including the arts and communications, education, healthcare and pharmaceuticals, insurance, finance, technology, transportation and professional services. We will help craft your brand story, create your brand expression and establish consistent brand connections across all touch points.
We know that a brand is built on so much more than its logo and how it visually represents itself. A dynamic brand delivers on what we call the xFactor:
- the promise that it makes
- Its overall expression
- the experience that it delivers
We work in collaboration with our clients to ensure that your brand’s xFactor is fully integrated to create the ultimate brand experience that has a positive impact on your company’s overall reputation.
Our Core Capabilities: Brand Strategy, Brand & Corporate Identity, Print and Digital Design, Web & Interactive, App & Mobile, Environmental Design, Package Deisgn, and Photography & Video.
Awards & Recognition: Our work has been featured, awarded and or published in numerous international design reference books and magazines:
Communication Arts, Logo Lounge, The Addys, Webby Awards, Adobe Film Festival, Graphic Design USA, SXSW Awards, The FWA, The Art Directors Club, Media Inspiration Awards, Print Magazine, Site Inspire, Awwwards.com, .Net Mag, etc.
Min project size
$10,000+
Hourly rate
$150 - $199 / hr
Employees
2 - 9
Locations
Philadelphia, PA
Year founded
Founded 2016
Languages
Timezones
1 Language that we service
English
1 Timezone that we service
EAT
Eastern African Time (EAT)
1 Locations
Philadelphia , PA
No have been added yet...
Pricing Snapshot
Min. project size
$10,000+
Avg. hourly rate
$150 - $199
/hr
Rating for cost
4.7
/5
What Clients Have Said
Xhilarate offers competitive pricing, with project costs ranging from $5,000 to nearly $1 million, depending on the client's needs. Clients appreciate the value received for costs, highlighting transparency, responsiveness, and adaptability throughout projects.
Branding, Web Design & Dev for Senior Living Services Co
Featured Review
BrandingCorporate PhotographyVideo ProductionWeb DesignWeb Development
$50,000 to $199,999
Jan. 2022 - Ongoing
5.0
Quality
5.0
Schedule
5.0
Cost
4.5
Willing to Refer
5.0
"The team is patient, and they listen to our needs."
Jul 14, 2023
VP Sales & Marketing, Meadowood
John Kotsatos
Other industries
Lansdale, Pennsylvania
201-500 Employees
Phone Interview
Verified
A senior living services company has hired Xhilarate for WordPress design and development. The service provider has also been providing branding services and creating content for social media.
The client has been pleased with the work from Xhilarate, and their efforts have decreased the number of unqualified leads from 30% to 10%. The team is organized in their approach to project management and dedicated to meeting the client’s needs. Xhilarate is patient and easy to work with.
A Clutch analyst personally interviewed this
client over the phone. Below is an edited
transcript.
BACKGROUND
Introduce your business and what you do there.
I’m the VP of sales and marketing for an organization that provides senior living services. We offer a variety of levels of care for residents.
OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE
What challenge were you trying to address with Xhilarate?
We initially hired Xhilarate to build a website.
SOLUTION
What was the scope of their involvement?
Xhilarate started with a proposal and presentation outlining the project's entire scope. We went through a discovery phase where they worked with stakeholders to understand our different audiences; they also conducted focus groups. The team was responsible for designing, developing, and deploying our website. The site was built from scratch with WordPress.
Xhilarate was also responsible for the UX/UI design. They created our homepage and integrated our CRM. Xhilarate created a portal for individuals on our waitlist to access information that the general public cannot see.
Later in our engagement, we started working on a rebranding effort, and Xhilarate provided us with a new logo. The service provider is now conducting marketing efforts, including creating video content and photographs for our social media and website.
What is the team composition?
We work with Michael (Founding Partner), Russ (Partner), designers, a developer, and two project managers.
How did you come to work with Xhilarate?
We found Xhilarate through a Google search.
How much have you invested with them?
We’ve spent around $200,000.
What is the status of this engagement?
We started working together in January 2022, and the engagement is ongoing.
RESULTS & FEEDBACK
What evidence can you share that demonstrates the impact of the engagement?
The website looks great and is a vast improvement from our last site. We’ve seen a decrease in non-qualified leads from 30% to 10%, which is a big improvement. Their team has talented designers that produce high-quality work.
How did Xhilarate perform from a project management standpoint?
They provide us with excellent project management and are highly responsive. They’re organized in their approach and always hit deadlines. We use a project management system for transparency, and if we ever have any concerns, they deal with it quickly.
What did you find most impressive about them?
The team is patient, and they listen to our needs. Xhilarate is down to earth, and they are extremely easy to work with. The team offers helpful guidance and is honest about what they think will and won’t work. Xhilarate ensures that they deliver something that will make us very happy. They provide valuable ideas and have become a part of our team. We get a good value out of the price we pay.
Are there any areas they could improve?
There’s nothing that we can come up with.
Do you have any advice for potential customers?
Give them the freedom to work and trust their team. The more we trust them, the better they connect with the project.
RATINGS
5.0
Quality
5.0
Service & Deliverables
Schedule
5.0
On time / deadlines
Cost
4.5
Value / within estimates
Willing to Refer
5.0
NPS
Branding, Web Dev & SEO for Nonprofit
BrandingSearch Engine OptimizationWeb Development
$10,000 to $49,999
May - Oct. 2024
5.0
Quality
5.0
Schedule
5.0
Cost
5.0
Willing to Refer
5.0
"Everyone we talked with has been so friendly and open to our work."
Jan 8, 2025
Director of Comms, Parent Institute for Quality Education
Isaac Cox
Nonprofit
National City, California
51-200 Employees
Phone Interview
Verified
Xhilarate provided branding and web development services for a nonprofit. The team designed the client's logo, built their website using Figma and WordPress, and developed the pages' SEO.
Xhilarate's work received positive feedback from the client's internal team and external stakeholders. The team was transparent, open, honest, and hardworking. Moreover, the team communicated effectively and completed all tasks on time. The team's availability and responsiveness stood out.
A Clutch analyst personally interviewed this
client over the phone. Below is an edited
transcript.
BACKGROUND
Introduce your business and what you do there.
I'm the director of communications for the Parent Institute for Quality Education, a nonprofit organization.
Our company provides workshops at the school level for parents and educators. We're a social justice and equity nonprofit organization that supports parents and educates them on the education system. We also address systemic issues regarding immigration and inform parents on how to guide their children into higher education and support needed to succeed in life.
I oversee branding, marketing, communications, press, and external relations.
OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE
What challenge were you trying to address with Xhilarate?
Last year, the Parent Institute for Quality Education (PIQE) was honored to receive a $5 million grant from the U.S. Department of Education to lead the California Statewide Family Engagement Center (CA-SFEC), an initiative focused on enhancing family engagement practices across the state. This important work is being carried out in collaboration with esteemed partners, including the California Department of Education (CDE), the National Association for Family, School, and Community Engagement (NAFSCE), the California Family and Community Engagement Initiative (CA FACE) under the Californians Dedicated to Education Foundation (CDEF), and the University of California, Irvine (UCI). As part of this initiative, we launched efforts to establish a dedicated website and develop comprehensive branding to support our mission.
SOLUTION
What was the scope of their involvement?
Xhilarate helped us with branding and web development. They built the website entirely from scratch using Figma and WordPress. Since we didn’t have any branding or website, everything was created from scratch with their support and guidance. They also helped us develop the SEO for all the pages.
They designed our logo and scaled our website. They walked us through the process and helped us understand the process. We provided soft guidelines and certain requirements for our organization and the federal grant. They had to ensure they met those requirements.
What is the team composition?
We worked with around five individuals.
How did you come to work with Xhilarate?
I've worked with them for another company in the past, and they have done excellent work. I knew this project was big, and we needed quality hands to trust our brand development. Initially, I found them on a ranked website, and Xhilarate was at the top, so I sent an inquiry asking for a quote. They applied for the position we were looking for and were within our budget.
How much have you invested with them?
We spent around $40,000.
What is the status of this engagement?
We worked together from May to October 2024. The project ended in October 2024, but we have an ongoing relationship with them. They’ve become our website retainers, not only for the CA-SFEC but also for our PIQE website.
RESULTS & FEEDBACK
What evidence can you share that demonstrates the impact of the engagement?
It was great to work with Xhilarate’s team—they met and exceeded all expectations. Our entire team was blown away when they revealed the website to us. At a conference related to our work in late October 2024, everyone was impressed with our website, praising its clean design and excellent photos. Xhilarate did an incredible job, easily understanding our requirements and collaborating with us to deliver something our entire team is proud of.
How did Xhilarate perform from a project management standpoint?
I want to give a shout-out to Russ. He is an incredible leader, manages a large team, delegates, and organizes the work effectively. Michael, the creative director, is an incredible designer. He always brings a level of creativity and professionalism to his work that I admire.
Both Ryans, the designers, were incredible. They conducted interviews with some of our team members and tried to understand the work we do. Everyone on our team felt that when they released the website and showed us what it looked like, it represented who we are and what we’re trying to do in California. That wouldn’t have been possible without both of the Ryans. (Boner and Schaefer)
Colin Kish was fantastic to work with as well. He guided us through understanding the website architecture and managing the platform, ensuring our entire team felt confident in handling and updating the site independently. He was always available to assist and made the process seamless and enjoyable.
Are there any employees from the service provider's team that you would like to give a shout-out to in this review?
I want to give a shout-out to Russ. He is an incredible leader, manages a large team, delegates, and organizes the work effectively. Michael, the creative director, is an incredible designer. He always brings a level of creativity and professionalism to his work that I admire.
Both Ryans, the designers, were incredible. They conducted interviews with some of our team members and tried to understand the work we do. Everyone on our team felt that when they released the website and showed us what it looked like, it represented who we are and what we’re trying to do in California. That wouldn’t have been possible without both of the Ryans. (Boner and Schaefer)
What did you find most impressive about them?
What I found most impressive about them is their ability to meet us exactly where we are—aligning seamlessly with our brand, our needs, and our budget.
Are there any areas they could improve?
I can’t think of anything to enhance what they’ve already done and achieved.
Do you have any advice for potential customers?
If you can work with Xhilarate, you’re in good hands. They’re very transparent, open, honest, and hardworking. Their team is incredibly talented and definitely worth considering. Everyone we talked with has been so friendly and open to our work.
"From the overall logo design and accompanying iterations to the packaging design, Xhilarate killed it!"
Jul 20, 2023
Partner, Three 3's Brewing Company
Diane Geller
Food & Beverages
Hammonton, New Jersey
1-10 Employees
Online Review
Verified
Xhilarate provided a brewing company with branding services, from creating a logo to designing can labels. They also produced brand guidelines, including typography usage, color palette, and imagery style.
Xhilarate helped launch the new brand identity a few months ago, and the client received positive feedback for their logo and color pallet. The consistent packaging also enabled the client's products to stand out on store shelves. Moreover, the client lauded the vendor's responsiveness and patience.
The client submitted this review online.
BACKGROUND
Please describe your company and position.
I am the Partner of Three 3's Brewing Company.
Describe what your company does in a single sentence.
We produce beer for sale in our tasting room as well as distributed to bars, restaurants and liquors stores across New Jersey and in Eastern Pennsylvania.
OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE
What specific goals or objectives did you hire Xhilarate to accomplish?
Unify our brand, develop brand standards and colors
Update and unify our Packaging
Build Brand Awareness
SOLUTION
How did you find Xhilarate?
Business acquaintance
Why did you select Xhilarate over others?
Close to my geographic location
Pricing fits our budget
Company values aligned
Hit it off with the team
How many teammates from Xhilarate were assigned to this project?
2-5 Employees
Describe the scope of work in detail. Please include a summary of key deliverables.
Xhilarate helped us to develop our basic brand guidelines for the overall look & feel of our company, including:
logo do’s/don’ts
typography/font usage
color palette
imagery style
application
packaging
These guidelines are now used as the brand’s foundation by all partners to help to achieve consistency. New can label templates were also developed to create a consistent look and feel while allowing each beer brand to have its own unique artwork through the use of AI-generated images.
RESULTS & FEEDBACK
What were the measurable outcomes from the project that demonstrate progress or success?
We just launched a few months ago, and the new logo and color pallet have been well received by everyone. The immediate reaction was very positive through both direct customer feedback and social media.
We’ve received tons of positive feedback from customers, liquor store managers, distribution partners, and fellow breweries. The new labels are making their way onto store shelves, and the consistent packaging helps our products stand out on the shelf. We received very positive feedback on the info panel that was incorporated into the label.
Describe their project management. Did they deliver items on time? How did they respond to your needs?
Xhilarate was super responsive to us! This was a process unlike anything else we have ever done. It took a long time, longer than we’d anticipated, and they really made us think about who we are and how we want to be viewed by our customers, distributors, and accounts that carry our product. The questions that the Xhilarate team asked were structured to create discussion and reflection and challenged us to provide more than one word or superficial responses.
Having a comparatively large management team involved in the process led to difficult situations where there was not a consensus on how to select a direction forward among the team. Xhilarate was patient and offered to have conversations related to what we were thinking or ways to compromise. We absolutely love the end product. From the overall logo design and accompanying iterations to the packaging design, Xhilarate killed it!
What was your primary form of communication with Xhilarate?
Virtual Meeting
Email or Messaging App
What did you find most impressive or unique about this company?
We loved that they were another local small business! The Xhilarate team came and toured the brewery to get a feel for who we are. We dealt directly with the partners. During the process, they started exploring AI and presented this art style for our labels, and the results were incredible!
Are there any areas for improvement or something Xhilarate could have done differently?
We are super happy with the outcome. Although it took longer than expected, it was through no fault of Xhilarate.
RATINGS
5.0
Quality
5.0
Service & Deliverables
Schedule
5.0
On time / deadlines
Cost
5.0
Value / within estimates
Willing to Refer
5.0
NPS
Rebrand & Web Redesign for Oral Products Manufacturing Firm
BrandingWeb Development
$50,000 to $199,999
May 2021 - Ongoing
4.5
Quality
4.5
Schedule
4.5
Cost
4.0
Willing to Refer
5.0
"They’re great to work with."
Aug 5, 2022
CEO, ProFresh
Ron Richter
Manufacturing
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
1-10 Employees
Phone Interview
Verified
Xhilarate provides branding services for an oral care products manufacturer. This involved establishing a new branding for the client’s product and redesigning and maintaining their website.
Thanks to Xhilarate’s help, the client has improved their sales on Amazon by 8%. The vendor gels seamlessly with the client’s team, allowing for a seamless and productive experience. They’re also timely, easy to work with, and reliable.
A Clutch analyst personally interviewed this
client over the phone. Below is an edited
transcript.
BACKGROUND
Introduce your business and what you do there.
I’m the president and CEO of ProFresh. We manufacture and sell mouthwash internationally.
OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE
What challenge were you trying to address with Xhilarate?
We needed to rebrand and redesign our website.
SOLUTION
What was the scope of their involvement?
To start off, we went through a discovery phase, during which Xhilarate and all other necessary parties worked together in conducting quantitative and qualitative research to learn more about our company and product. Once we gathered and filtered the results, their team used that information to develop our new branding. We had multiple back-and-forth meetings to narrow down the messaging, making sure it aligned with our mission and vision. Once that was established, we started with the implementation.
They also helped us create a new website that included new product photos, logos, imagery, and other brand assets. They wrote the copy as well.
Currently, Xhilarate does maintenance services — whenever we have any issues with the site or anything else, we immediately reach out to them.
What is the team composition?
We work with several people from their team, including Russ (Partner) and Michael (Founding Partner).
How did you come to work with Xhilarate?
We found them through online research, and they were recommended to us.
How much have you invested with them?
We’ve spent around $100,000.
What is the status of this engagement?
We started working together in May 2021, and our collaboration is still ongoing.
RESULTS & FEEDBACK
What evidence can you share that demonstrates the impact of the engagement?
At the moment, our growth on Amazon is at 30%, which is 8% higher than the previous year.
How did Xhilarate perform from a project management standpoint?
They always meet our deadlines and stay within budget. For communication, we mainly use Zoom and email.
What did you find most impressive about them?
They really work well with us. Their team understands the fact that we’re a small business, and because of that, we’re able to prioritize what needs to be accomplished and get to our ultimate goal. Overall, they’re great to work with.
Do you have any advice for potential customers?
Make sure that you know what your goals are and work with them as best as you can.
RATINGS
4.5
Quality
4.5
Service & Deliverables
Schedule
4.5
On time / deadlines
Cost
4.0
Value / within estimates
Willing to Refer
5.0
NPS
Website Design & Branding for Software Consultancy
BrandingWeb Design
$10,000 to $49,999
Sep. 2021 - Mar. 2022
5.0
Quality
5.0
Schedule
5.0
Cost
5.0
Willing to Refer
5.0
"Xhilarate has managed to toe the line between exciting design and traditional professionalism."
Jul 19, 2022
COO, Axon Collective, LLC
Owen Goode
Consulting
Houston, Texas
1-10 Employees
Online Review
Verified
Xhilarate was hired by a software consultancy to design a new website, along with a branding guide and business model. The team collaborated with the client's partner agency that developed the website.
Thanks to Xhilarate's innovative designs, the client's website and logo attracted the most attention at a large convention. Additionally, they received consistent commendations on their overall branding, design, and color choices. Overall, the client was pleased with the results of the engagement.
The client submitted this review online.
BACKGROUND
Please describe your company and your position there.
I'm the COO at Axon Collective, a software consultancy specializing in cloud and data engineering. We help mid-market and enterprise clients leverage their data at scale to generate tangible value through software engineering.
OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE
For what projects/services did your company hire Xhilarate?
Our original website was a weekend project done by our CEO in need of replacement. We hired Xhilarate to design a brand-new site from the ground up, along with a new look and feel, plus a brand guide. We had a logo and not much else beyond that.
SOLUTION
How did you select this vendor and what were the deciding factors?
We'd met one of the Xhilarate founders through our network in Philadelphia and immediately hit it off. Over the next few months, we talked through design principles and our needs, and eventually moved forwards into an engagement. We loved Xhilarate's work and their portfolio, plus they were reviewed extremely well.
What made the decision were the founders themselves. Russ, Zave, and Michael are consummate professionals, masters of their craft, and genuinely awesome guys that are a lot of fun to speak with. We never felt pressured at any point throughout the process, and there was a real feeling that they wanted us to succeed. Authenticity sells.
Describe the project in detail and walk through the stages of the project.
The first step in the process was a branding and values meeting with a third-party resource from Xhilarate - Maura. Maura walked us through a 3-hour exercise about our company, and from that generated a target customer and sales journey deck that proved invaluable as we moved forwards. From there, Michael provided a variety of initial design directions, and as we narrowed in on final choices the team never waivered in keeping us involved and meeting frequently.
Despite being a software consultancy, all of our own development resources were busy on client projects, so we used a partner agency to do the actual implementation of the site itself. We continued to collaborate all the way through the construction, and both the agency and Xhilarate met our go-live target with plenty of time. After the project, they've continued to check in at regular intervals to ensure we're satisfied and to handle any ongoing questions.
How many resources from the vendor's team worked with you, and what were their positions?
All three of the Xhilarate founders - Michael, Zave, and Russ. A branding consultant - Maura. A third-party web development agency, Markations.
RESULTS & FEEDBACK
Can you share any outcomes from the project that demonstrate progress or success?
Our target go-live date was a large convention and hackathon where we held a primary sponsor booth. We were able to use a TV to display our new site (and an awesome giant LED logo sign) to attract by far the most attention of any exhibitor there. We have gotten consistent complements on our branding, design, and color choices.
How effective was the workflow between your team and theirs?
We met with the team at least once a week, and they were (and are) extremely responsive with email. Maura also joined our Notion workspace and helped edit web copy in real time, above and beyond her contract. The development team was also prompt on email and calls.
What did you find most impressive or unique about this company?
Xhilarate has managed to toe the line between exciting design and traditional professionalism. Their portfolio simultaneously feels sleek and modern while managing to look like an innovative design from an cutting edge studio. And above all, they have the experience, skill, and genuineness to back it all up.
Are there any areas for improvement or something they could have done differently?
We should have been more involved on the technical implementation side - a few glitches had to be tracked down after the fact. The implementation shop was very communicative and helpful, as was Xhilarate (and that's a totally normal and expected outcome of greenfield design), we just could have been more integrated into the implementation process (this was probably a side-effect of our preparation for the above conference dictating our go-live date).
Overall that is incredibly minor, completely expected in a process like this, and could have been remedied on our end during the process if we had been more proactive.
RATINGS
5.0
"They're the real deal. Your search is over."
Quality
5.0
Service & Deliverables
"We look and feel much larger and cooler than we are."
Schedule
5.0
On time / deadlines
"There was never a second where we felt we hadn't heard from them or couldn't reach them."
Cost
5.0
Value / within estimates
"Web design (despite popular belief) is expensive, and I feel like we absolutely got our money's worth and beyond. Very reasonable for the product."
Willing to Refer
5.0
NPS
"We do this on a regular basis.
Naming, Rebranding & Web Design & Dev for Asset Mgmt Company
BrandingWeb DesignWeb Development
$10,000 to $49,999
Nov. 2020 - May 2021
5.0
Quality
5.0
Schedule
5.0
Cost
5.0
Willing to Refer
5.0
“I asked them to go outside of their comfort zone, and I don’t think that they could have done anything better.”
Jul 23, 2021
Founder, RevolutionX Asset Management
Frank Hanna
Financial services
West Chester, Pennsylvania
1-10 Employees
Phone Interview
Verified
Xhilarate helped an asset management firm with naming, rebranding, and website development. They learned about the client’s business to define the assets and put a story behind the deliverables.
The professional website created by Xhilarate stands out from other competitors, and now, the client is ready to attract visitors. The team was talented, diligent, and organized, and they kept the client updated throughout the process. They hit every target on time and delivered high-quality work.
A Clutch analyst personally interviewed this
client over the phone. Below is an edited
transcript.
BACKGROUND
Introduce your business and what you do there.
I’m the co-founder of RevolutionX Asset Management, an asset management and alternative real estate advisory firm. We specialize in assisting high-net-worth families and entrepreneurs with all aspects of their personal and business planning.
OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE
What challenge were you trying to address with Xhilarate?
We went through a change of broker-dealer and a rebranding at the same time, which was very comprehensive, so we engaged with Xhilarate to assist us with the rebranding process.
We also needed assistance with reintroducing our deliverable and other aspects of our business to complement what we had been doing for the past 15 years.
SOLUTION
What was the scope of their involvement?
I was initially introduced to Xhilarate as a website design firm. However, I explained to them that I was looking for a complete rebranding and naming of our company, and they were pleased to assist us with that.
We started from scratch, so first, I broke down my business model. I also provided them with documentation and supporting information to educate them on what we did as a firm. We then started the actual work by naming the company, putting a story behind our brand, and making ourselves unique and distinctive in a competitive space.
After naming the company, we went through the website development process. I’m not sure what technologies they used, but they kept it very simple for me and offered me clear solutions. For this development, we took three arms of our business and put a story behind each to develop its logos and define the sub-companies associated with them.
I had looked at Xhilarate’s website and liked some of the aspects that really stood out, so I wanted to mirror them for my site. We parted from that point and filled in the rest. They played a very important role in putting our message out in a very collaborative process. They not only developed our website but also helped us with our rebranding.
What is the team composition?
We started working with a group of 4–5 people from Xhilarate led by Russ (Partner, Client Relationships) on the naming process. Then, we worked with a team of 5–6 people actively involved in the development. This team included technology people, graphic designers, and a person who collaborated with me on the website’s script. We also worked with photographers and other people from Xhilarate’s team at different points.
How did you come to work with Xhilarate?
I don’t remember exactly, but I heard their name somewhere, Googled them, and was impressed by their website. They also had a lot of good reviews online.
I had talked to a couple of different firms that weren’t very responsive and took a few days to get back to me. However, when I talked to Russ, he called me back the same day.
How much have you invested with them?
We spent around $40,000–$45,000.
What is the status of this engagement?
I first reached out to Xhilarate in October 2020, and it took us 1–2 months to bring them up to speed. We named the company in early December 2020 and started with the website development and branding immediately. We ultimately wrapped that project up in May 2021, but we’re still talking to them about some additional projects. We also ask them for recommendations on tweaking our site and developing our brand every couple of weeks.
RESULTS & FEEDBACK
What evidence can you share that demonstrates the impact of the engagement?
We’re very happy with the results — they did a nice job. Our website is top-notch, and it stands out compared to others in our space. We have the site, and we’re ready to go, so now, we’re just figuring out how to drive more traffic to it.
How did Xhilarate perform from a project management standpoint?
Xhilarate’s project management was great. This was a very long project, but they held me accountable, defining all the deadlines and structuring our meetings several times per week. I felt that they were very organized, and they helped me slowly check off all the boxes of what we needed to do in a timely fashion.
I told them that this was a time-sensitive project upfront, and they did a really nice job hitting all of the deadlines and keeping me in the loop. They also were very diligent about their work.
They had a lot of talented people with unique skill sets. As we worked on the project, Russ steered the ship, and his team members came in depending on the needs. They all did a really great job.
We communicated via phone calls, Zoom meetings, and text messages. We also had a few in-person meetings, where they came in and gave us ideas for our office layout. They also introduced us to a person that did great signs for us.
What did you find most impressive about them?
Our website design’s storytelling was impressive. Xhilarate gave us a unique look and feel while understanding our business well. I don’t think that they had worked with someone from this industry before. However, they did a great job.
Are there any areas they could improve?
There was nothing in particular that Xhilarate could have improved on. They were really good at their work. Although web design was their main focus, I asked them to go outside of their comfort zone, and I don’t think that they could have done anything better.
Do you have any advice for potential customers?
Keep an open mind about what Xhilarate tries to do. I really believed in certain things, but they didn’t agree with me on some ideas. Sometimes, I listened to their advice when it really made sense to me, so I changed my mind. Ultimately, everything worked out.
Additionally, their group had different personalities, so they didn’t always agree with each other. I really appreciated how willing they were to push back on each other and collaborate to find the right solution.
RATINGS
5.0
Quality
5.0
Service & Deliverables
Schedule
5.0
On time / deadlines
Cost
5.0
Value / within estimates
"What we paid was fair and in line with the market."
Willing to Refer
5.0
NPS
Branding & Web Dev for Strategy & Management Consulting Firm
BrandingWeb Development
Confidential
Nov. 2020 - Ongoing
5.0
Quality
5.0
Schedule
4.5
Cost
4.5
Willing to Refer
5.0
"They are on top of everything."
Jun 4, 2021
Managing Partner, AEGIS Advisory Partners
Greg Derderian
Financial services
Albany, New York
1-10 Employees
Phone Interview
Verified
Xhilarate has helped build a start-up's digital identity and brand presence from the ground up, collaborating on a logo, name, and website. An iterative process ensured the client's insights were incorporated.
Feedback on Xhilarate's body of work has been overwhelmingly positive. The client highlights their ability to communicate quality and credibility through the website. Proactive suggestions and knowledge of industry trends deliver value as well. Partners can expect a transparent service provider.
A Clutch analyst personally interviewed this
client over the phone. Below is an edited
transcript.
BACKGROUND
Introduce your business and what you do there.
I’m the managing partner of AEGIS Advisory Partners, a strategy management consulting firm. Another partner and I founded the firm effective January 1, 2021, and we focus on providing senior-level advisory services to, predominately, financial services companies, but also to other industry verticals.
OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE
What challenge were you trying to address with Xhilarate?
We’ve worked with them from the very beginning of our company on branding, market positioning, and website development.
SOLUTION
What was the scope of their involvement?
We’ve worked together on everything involved in creating an internet presence and a brand identity. On the branding side, we came up with the name of our firm. This involved concept work and then iterating on possible alternatives. From there, we progressed into thinking about and developing logo concepts. We talked through the concept of strategy and management consulting and shared our thoughts around what could represent that. Ultimately, we concluded that we have an interest in chess and that a chess piece could be strategic. We chose the knight as our logo. Xhilarate came up with a custom design of a chess knight that combines its strategic connotation with a modern twist.
My partner and I took the lead on the website, going through every detail to ensure it represented us accurately. We produced and wrote all of the content — words and apostrophes and phrasing were changing up until the last minute, and Xhilarate was very accommodating. They even created demo sites as we were going through the process so we could gather feedback from our friends and family.
What is the team composition?
The lead is Russ (Partner & Client Relationships). He manages us on the account level and heads thought leadership discussions. Michael (Founding Partner) has done most of the conceptualization. He acts as the hands on the keyboard, creating a lot of the concepts and bringing ideas to light. There is also a third person who deals with a lot of the logistics and makes sure everything comes together. We’ve also worked with a terrific web developer.
How did you come to work with Xhilarate?
My partner has some associates who run their own businesses, and Xhilarate was a recommendation from them. We interviewed several firms and felt good chemistry with Xhilarate.
Russ has a very good style. He’s calm, thoughtful, and iterates to make sure he has a clear understanding of what you’re looking for, which clicks well with our personal styles.
What is the status of this engagement?
We’ve worked together since November 2020.
RESULTS & FEEDBACK
What evidence can you share that demonstrates the impact of the engagement?
We’re pleased with their work, and the feedback we’ve received has been 99.9% positive. As a new company, we wanted to get our work out as quickly as possible.
The website is a representation of our skills, capability, and credibility. It’s not a direct marketing tool, but it’s robust, thorough, and accurate; the quality shows through.
How did Xhilarate perform from a project management standpoint?
We’ve maintained our timing and budget, and when we ask for changes, Xhilarate talks through them. We’ve eliminated a couple of tasks from the original scope of work, as well as added some new ones. If we need a financial change order, we work it out. Everything was transparent.
What did you find most impressive about them?
Once we went live at the beginning of May, we did a press release and polled people that weren’t part of the development process to gain feedback. One point that came across was that we should add video to the site. To Xhilarate’s credit, they told us two months earlier that we’d want to add video. They are on top of everything.
Are there any areas they could improve?
Xhilarate should continue with transparency in communication. As things come up or as issues are identified, bring them out sooner rather than waiting until the scheduled meeting structure.
Do you have any advice for potential customers?
The customer needs to have a good perspective on what they’re trying to achieve. If you’re working on branding or website development, a statement of that is important to have going into conversations. Xhilarate may not know your specific industry or your business, so bringing a starter forward will help tremendously.
RATINGS
5.0
Quality
5.0
Service & Deliverables
"They’ve been fantastic."
Schedule
4.5
On time / deadlines
Cost
4.5
Value / within estimates
Willing to Refer
5.0
NPS
Graphic Design Services for Think Tank
Branding
$10,000 to $49,999
Aug. 2020 - Ongoing
5.0
Quality
5.0
Schedule
5.0
Cost
5.0
Willing to Refer
5.0
"Xhilarate is easygoing and professional, which is unusual because it’s typically one or the other with agencies."
Mar 3, 2021
Manager, Bertelsmann Foundation
Emily Benson
Consulting
Washington, District of Columbia
1-10 Employees
Phone Interview
Verified
A think tank engaged Xhilarate for graphic design services to support the publication of an AI public policy report. The team provided graphics and designs for the report to augment the reader’s experience.
Xhilarate produced exceptional deliverables that received praise from experienced players in the print industry as well as stakeholders. They facilitated seamless communication and collaboration between teams. Their unique creative perspective ensured a successful partnership.
A Clutch analyst personally interviewed this
client over the phone. Below is an edited
transcript.
BACKGROUND
Introduce your business and what you do there.
I manage the legislative affairs portfolio for the Bertelsmann Foundation. We’re a US and European think tank.
OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE
What challenge were you trying to address with Xhilarate?
We had a public policy report and didn’t want it to be dry. We had to take a complex topic — AI — and explain it in a visual way that would entice the reader.
SOLUTION
What was the scope of their involvement?
Xhilarate illustrated our publication. We published the report ourselves, but they created all of the designs and layouts for it. We didn’t give them much guidance, so their team did it all from scratch.
What is the team composition?
I worked with three people, including two graphic designers.
How did you come to work with Xhilarate?
I searched online for different agencies. We wanted an agency that could handle complex projects because the politics of AI isn’t an everyday subject. We also sought a partner to engage long-term that had the creative authority to portray these topics in an understandable way. Xhilirate appeared to be the only qualified agency.
How much have you invested with them?
So far, we’ve spent about $15,000 on their services.
What is the status of this engagement?
We began our partnership around August 2020, and it’s ongoing.
RESULTS & FEEDBACK
What evidence can you share that demonstrates the impact of the engagement?
Our report will be physically printed. The person who will print it said our book's a standout showpiece over his 36 years in the industry. That says a lot about their work.
How did Xhilarate perform from a project management standpoint?
We communicate via email. It's easy to communicate with them.
What did you find most impressive about them?
Xhilarate is easygoing and professional, which is unusual because it’s typically one or the other with agencies. It's easy to work with them. They had a creative, out-there sense for the project’s direction.
Are there any areas they could improve?
No, we've had a great experience.
Do you have any advice for potential customers?
It's easy to work with Xhilarate, so hire them.
RATINGS
5.0
Quality
5.0
Service & Deliverables
Schedule
5.0
On time / deadlines
Cost
5.0
Value / within estimates
Willing to Refer
5.0
NPS
"I already have.
Branding Assets & Logo Design for Arts Organization
BrandingOther Design
Less than $10,000
Aug. 2020 - Ongoing
5.0
Quality
4.0
Schedule
5.0
Cost
5.0
Willing to Refer
5.0
“I’m impressed that they can absorb the DNA of a project such as ours and then interpret our ideas into graphics.”
Feb 3, 2021
Owner, Communications Agency
Anonymous
Arts, entertainment & music
New Hope, Pennsylvania
1-10 Employees
Phone Interview
Verified
Xhilarate has designed creative assets to shape an emerging art organization’s brand identity. They’ve maintained the organization’s heritage theme while translating it for a more contemporary audience.
The branding assets are on display through various channels, including the organization’s website, newsletter, and letterheads. Xhilarate is punctual in meeting deadlines. Their ability to dissect their clients’ ideas and convey them through graphics is key to their success.
A Clutch analyst personally interviewed this
client over the phone. Below is an edited
transcript.
BACKGROUND
Introduce your business and what you do there.
I’m the owner of a communications agency.
OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE
What challenge were you trying to address with Xhilarate?
I’m working with a client that’s a new organization in the art space. They’re launching a restoration program for a historic facility, investing over $35 million into the program. My client hired Xhilarate to do our graphic branding initiative.
SOLUTION
What was the scope of their involvement?
Xhilarate is developing our logo and brand identity from a graphic point of view. They focus on keeping our heritage theme while translating it into a contemporary experience for our potential targeted clientele. We use these materials wherever it makes sense to show off our brand identity, including our website, newsletter, and letterheads.
What is the team composition?
We work with two people: Russ and Michael (Partners). Russ is more of our account manager and interfaces with my client. Michael is more of a creative director.
How did you come to work with Xhilarate?
My client’s founder had used Xhilarate in the past and thought highly of their work.
How much have you invested with them?
It’s been between $5,000–$10,000.
What is the status of this engagement?
We started working with them in August 2020, and the engagement is ongoing.
RESULTS & FEEDBACK
What evidence can you share that demonstrates the impact of the engagement?
It’s been successful. We’ve been able to put one brand look forward, which has translated into all of the various creative assets that we have. Xhilarate has also managed to maintain the continuity between these assets.
How did Xhilarate perform from a project management standpoint?
They’re prompt at meeting deadlines.
What did you find most impressive about them?
They’re very talented. The team listens carefully, and I’m impressed that they can absorb the DNA of a project such as ours and then interpret our ideas into graphics.
Are there any areas they could improve?
No, I’m very satisfied.
Do you have any advice for potential customers?
Do your homework. You have to give a creative house the right information so that they can come up with the right creative solution.
RATINGS
5.0
Quality
4.0
Service & Deliverables
Schedule
5.0
On time / deadlines
Cost
5.0
Value / within estimates
Willing to Refer
5.0
NPS
Web Design & Branding for Law Firm
Branding
Less than $10,000
Dec. 2019 - Feb. 2020
5.0
Quality
5.0
Schedule
5.0
Cost
5.0
Willing to Refer
5.0
“Their ability to deliver on our creative vision in such a short time was really impressive.”
Mar 27, 2020
President, Stern & Cohen
David Stern
Legal
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
1-10 Employees
Phone Interview
Verified
Xhilarate provided web development and creative brand work for a startup legal services firm in Philadelphia. They produced a set of logo options along with other marketing assets and a full website.
The branding work delivered by Xhilarate has received highly positive feedback from a variety of legal industry members and potential clients. Their team worked incredibly quickly and communicated well to ensure all parties were satisfied with the deliverables.
A Clutch analyst personally interviewed this
client over the phone. Below is an edited
transcript.
BACKGROUND
Introduce your business and what you do there.
I am the president of the law firm Stern and Cohen, which is a legal services firm in Philadelphia that represents individuals who get hurt at work.
OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE
What challenge were you trying to address with Xhilarate?
We are a startup company, so we hired their team to help us with our branding, logo, and the first iteration of our web page.
SOLUTION
What was the scope of their involvement?
The project was a collaborative effort, but for the most part, we focused on translating our culture and mission as a company into requirements that they could take and then implement on the creative side in all of the assets that we needed.
What is the team composition?
Three members of their team worked with us on a regular basis, but I believe there were a couple of others involved behind the scenes as well.
How did you come to work with Xhilarate?
Originally, they were referred to us by someone else in our industry, and then after diving into a little more of the details of their work, we decided that they would be a good fit for us.
How much have you invested with them?
The total cost of the project was around $6,000.
What is the status of this engagement?
We worked with them between December 2019–February 2020.
RESULTS & FEEDBACK
What evidence can you share that demonstrates the impact of the engagement?
The work they did for us has received really good feedback so far, especially around the logo. Both competitors and other people in the legal market have been very complimentary of the website and other brand assets, especially given the amount of time we were able to turn them around in.
How did Xhilarate perform from a project management standpoint?
Their team did a great job of managing the project overall. They were always transparent about the work and were able to deliver on all of the milestones for the project on time. Along the way, they also contributed a lot of ideas for how to improve the site, which we really appreciated.
We primarily communicated over email, but we also had a few face-to-face meetings and video conferences as well where we could sit down and look at the work together and really do a deep dive into fine-tuning all of the work.
What did you find most impressive about them?
Within a week of our first interaction with them, they came back to us with a selection of eight logos that all satisfied our requirements and could have been selected as the final version. Their ability to deliver on our creative vision in such a short time was really impressive.
Are there any areas they could improve?
Honestly, I can’t think of anything they could have done differently.
Do you have any advice for potential customers?
Be as forthright and open with them as possible. The better you can communicate what you want and provide feedback to them, the more they will be able to tailor their product to your requirements.
RATINGS
5.0
Quality
5.0
Service & Deliverables
Schedule
5.0
On time / deadlines
Cost
5.0
Value / within estimates
Willing to Refer
5.0
NPS
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