Case Studies & Insights

Client wins, brand strategy breakdowns, and what we’re learning along the way.

blog-post

Why do brand research before design?

At Studio Lever, we believe great design is built on insight, not instinct. Our research-first approach pairs the expertise of a seasoned researcher with strategic design thinking to help brands carve out their space in the market with confidence. From interviews and behavior mapping to competitor analysis and surveys, we use evidence, not guesswork, to shape every brand decision.

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Research

Final Pass: Testing for Clarity, Usability, and Confidence

How do you explain technical systems to everyday users — and how do you know the design is working before launch? This unmoderated usability study tested a digital product that aimed to make complex tools easier to understand. Participant feedback confirmed the design was nearly ready and surfaced key improvements before rollout.

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Research

Designing Fundraising Tools for the Creator Era

When creators promote fundraisers on social platforms, more people give — but how do we design tools that support both influencers and nonprofits? This study explored whether a donation-matching feature could boost engagement. Interviews with creators and nonprofit teams revealed why the initial prototype didn’t meet user needs and helped reshape the product for clarity, usability, and impact.

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Research

Researching Brand Trust in a Global Market

How do consumers recognize authenticity in a digital ad? This international research program used a layered, mixed-methods approach to uncover which visual signals best conveyed brand trustworthiness — and why. The resulting insights shaped design direction and strategic guidance for future ad experiences.

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