Customer Spotlight: Longbeard
For most agencies, updating a client’s brand or digital image is a straightforward process and, oftentimes, common work. Not so for Longbeard, a digital media design agency who provide online solutions for non-profits. Their unique client base requires a different sort of touch, as these clients are not only weaved into the fabric of their local communities but also are far reaching international institutions with long lasting heritages. With this in mind, Longbeard’s work combines both an elegant and modern aesthetic that both preserves their historical legacies and catapults them into the 21st century.
Tell us a little bit about your creative / design process.
Our company is located in 4 very different cities (Toronto, Rome, Cape Town, and Phoenix), all of which bring their own unique flavour to our creative process. We love being inspired by art, philosophy, innovation in the sciences, and of course, the clients we work with.
When it came to designing your clients sites, what sort of aesthetic were you pushing for?
It’s very important to us that we stay true to our clients’ original inspiration. Their identity has been defined and refined over the centuries, and we enjoy seeing how we can help translate that essential identity in today’s world (it’s a lot of fun).
What is your mission as an agency?
We’re here to help good people, do good work, better. We want to help organizations who are promoting peace and harmony in the world convey their message more effectively. It helps us sleep at night knowing our talented team is creating a positive impact in today’s chaotic world.
Can you walk us through one of your challenging projects in the past year?
We’re a startup, so every project is challenging and new. Some of our clients have long and monumental influence in the world, so we aim to strike a fine balance of respecting their traditions, while at the same time accurately reflecting what they do (and who they serve) in a contemporary way. The biggest challenge is often establishing trust. Clients have to know that even though we’re taking them out of their comfort zone (often requiring change), ultimately it’s for their benefit.
Every day is a learning curve, but we build off past experiences (the good and the bad), and see growth and improvement in our team every day.
What’s your favorite part about your line of work?
Helping people. Many of our clients are working on profound and exciting projects, and helping them achieve and exceed their goals is very rewarding. We’ve worked with a diverse range of organizations, across North America, Europe, and Africa, and we find that we grow and learn from them as well. Developing these partnerships not only improves the quality of the product, but ultimately makes coming to work enjoyable.
If you could pick a dream partnership, what would it be?
A dream partnership? Well, we already achieved that goal when we started working for Pope Francis’ personal section to support Migrants and Refugees. It’s a fun thought that we can count the Pope as a client.
If there’s one thing people should know about your business, what would it be?
For better or worse, this is more than a job for us. We care about our clients and we want to see the world become a better place for everyone.
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