A brand strategy firm first. NOT just design. We help brands tell their stories with depth and authenticity. What’s your story? That’s the question at the heart of great branding. What is it about you that is uniquely yours and sets you apart from everyone else? We ask the hard questions. Once we’re done, your brand and the work are better for it. Let’s build a brand together.
A brand strategy firm first. NOT just design. We help brands tell their stories with depth and authenticity. What’s your story? That’s the question at the heart of great branding. What is it about you that is uniquely yours and sets you apart from everyone else? We ask the hard questions. Once we’re done, your brand and the work are better for it. Let’s build a brand together.
A brand strategy firm first. NOT just design. We help brands tell their stories with depth and authenticity. What’s your story? That’s the question at the heart of great branding. What is it about you that is uniquely yours and sets you apart from everyone else? We ask the hard questions. Once we’re done, your brand and the work are better for it. Let’s build a brand together.
AIDS Foundation of Chicago has been a leader in the fight against AIDS in Illinois for over 25 years. To create awareness and promote fundraising, AFC hired Substance to develop an online and print campaign targeting current and lapsed donors. We came up with the theme “Change the Story” to show how joining AFC in their fight against AIDS can affect measurable and powerful outcomes. The art direction leads readers to expect a sports or news story, but a statistic about HIV/AIDS provides a powerful and memorable twist to get them engaged.To view the full case study visit: https://isubstance.com/portfolio-items/aids-foundation-of-chicago/
Substance provided branding and graphic design for a school district. They created a graphic identity, including unique school logos tied to the district’s branding, and provided design updates and additions.
Substance was hired to guide the rebranding process of a nonprofit organization. They created a new name for the organization, the client’s visual identity, and the brand’s guidelines.
C2C brings together Google Cloud customers from around the globe to share ideas, insights, and strategies in a space that’s built for authentic, peer-to-peer cloud conversation. We developed the name, logo, website, and visual identity for this brand.
Overall rating
14 Reviews
Expertise
Accuracy of Cost Estimates
Value for Money
Communication
Accuracy of Timeline
The Project
Web Design
Completed
Oct 2023 - Jan 2024
25000-50000 USD
Founder
Confidential
2 - 9 employees
Overall rating
Expertise
5Accuracy of Cost Estimates
4Communication & Responsiveness
5Accuracy of Timeline
5Value for Money
4Willingness to Refer
Summary
Working with Substance on our website design and development project was a fantastic experience. They not only delivered a high-quality website that impressed our clients, but also showed a dedication to excellence and a willingness to go the extra mile.
Project Description
Our partnership with Substance was a game-changer in our online presence. They brought fresh ideas and a professional approach to our website project, making it a seamless and successful experience.
Pros
Their innovative design concepts and exceptional professionalism truly set them apart. They were flexible in working with us and always went above and beyond to meet our needs.
Cons
One area for improvement could be to challenge us even more creatively. At times, they were almost too eager to please us, which may have limited their potential.
Switched from another provider?
yes
Considered other providers?
yes
The Project
Branding
Completed
Nov 2022 - Oct 2023
VP of Corporate Communications
Financial services
50 - 249 employees
Overall rating
Expertise
5Accuracy of Cost Estimates
5Communication & Responsiveness
5Accuracy of Timeline
5Value for Money
5Willingness to Refer
Summary
In summary, working with Substance has been a fantastic experience. Their ability to adapt to changing priorities, their dedication to meeting deadlines, and their creative approach to branding have made them an invaluable partner in our success.
Project Description
I discovered Substance through a trusted recommendation, and their close proximity to my location made them the perfect fit for our corporate rebrand project. Their team of 2-5 employees guided us through the process of renaming our company, creating a new logo and brand guide, developing messaging, producing promotional materials, and providing valuable insights on website design.
Pros
Substance impressed me with their flexibility, responsiveness, and ability to deliver on time. Their creative approach blended seamlessly with their strong project management skills, resulting in a successful long-term partnership. They have consistently gone above and beyond to customize materials to meet our specific needs.
Cons
I have zero complaints about Substance’s work over the past 10 years. They have consistently exceeded our expectations and have been a valuable partner in our branding efforts.
Switched from another provider?
yes
Considered other providers?
yes
The Project
Web Design
Completed
Jun 2022 - Nov 2022
25000-50000 USD
Co-Founder
Confidential
2 - 9 employees
Overall rating
Expertise
5Accuracy of Cost Estimates
5Communication & Responsiveness
5Accuracy of Timeline
5Value for Money
5Willingness to Refer
Summary
Substance’s work on our nonprofit’s website was highly praised by our donors and applicants. The workflow was effective, simple, and enjoyable. We appreciated Substance’s personalized approach and commitment to our project.
Project Description
I was referred to Substance during my previous job in Chicago, and we decided to work with them again from our new location in Montana. They understood our needs and focused on recreating our site pages to meet our requirements.
Pros
Various stakeholders praised the new site for its warm and user-friendly design. Substance was quick to respond to emails and maintained a personable attitude throughout the project. They truly felt like a partner in the process.
Cons
None
Switched from another provider?
yes
Considered other providers?
yes
The Project
Completed
Jun 2020 - May 2021
25000-50000 USD
Director of Communications
Education
50 - 249 employees
Overall rating
Expertise
5Accuracy of Cost Estimates
5Communication & Responsiveness
5Accuracy of Timeline
5Value for Money
5Willingness to Refer
Summary
Working with Substance on our school district’s branding and graphic design project was a seamless and rewarding experience. Their dedication to understanding our goals and delivering exceptional results set them apart as a valuable partner in our visual identity journey.
Project Description
I collaborated with Substance through a rigorous Request for Proposals process to revamp our school district’s visual identity. They closely worked with us to understand our branding goals and provided a range of design options for our top leadership and Board of Education to consider. Substance crafted unique school logos that tied into our overall district-wide branding, and delivered various logo formats and a style guide. Over the years, we have continued to collaborate with Substance for updates and additions to the original work.
Pros
Substance’s creativity, accessibility, and flexibility were truly impressive. Matt, the owner, was always attentive and solution-oriented, providing thoughtful responses to any challenges we brought to him. Their work was consistently well-executed and completed in a timely manner, showcasing their commitment to our project.
Cons
I did not encounter any areas for improvement or something they could have done differently. Substance’s approach to our project was thorough and met all our expectations, leaving no room for any negative feedback.
Switched from another provider?
yes
Considered other providers?
yes
Headquarter
Chicago, 4705 North Spaulding Avenue
9.9% fee. 18-month guarantee. Top talent, fast.
Enterprise Solutions & Ecommerce Apps
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