“It acts as both a diagnostic tool and a catalyst for action”: Think Digital case study

Awesome Black is a digital consultancy dedicated to empowering First Nations creators by providing resources, opportunities, and support to thrive in the creative industries.

We asked Awesome Black’s founder Travis de Vries how they had used our digital capabilities self-assessment tool Think Digital to help their clients develop digital strategies.

What has Awesome Black used Think Digital for, to date?
“Awesome Black has used Think Digital in two key ways so far: as part of our internal assessment during our recent restructure and in our consulting work with clients. Internally, it’s been helpful in identifying areas where we can refine our digital strategy to align with the new direction of the organisation.

“For client work, we’ve been using Think Digital as a conversational tool. While it’s still early days for the platform being publicly available, we’ve already incorporated it into discussions with clients, particularly to prompt ideas around how they can better achieve their goals in the First Nations space. It’s been a great starting point for deeper conversations.”

What was the most useful part of the Think Digital tool for your purposes?
“For us, the most useful part of Think Digital is how it serves as a prompt for conversations. Some of the modules highlight opportunities or gaps in digital strategy that our clients may not have considered. It allows us to introduce these insights in a constructive, non-antagonistic way, which helps clients feel supported rather than criticised. This feature makes it an invaluable tool for sparking meaningful discussions about where they could focus their efforts.”

Has Think Digital been useful in working with Awesome Black’s existing clients?
“It hasn’t come up directly with clients yet, as we’re still in the early stages of integrating it into our consulting processes. However, we see a lot of potential in how it could enhance our work moving forward, it is both a broad tool with modules that are targeted into specific areas.”

How has it been (or will be) useful to you for working with clients?
“Think Digital will be most useful as a framework to help clients evaluate where they are now and where they want to go in the digital space. Its structured approach provides clear pathways for clients to identify gaps, set priorities, and start thinking strategically. For us, it acts as both a diagnostic tool and a catalyst for action, making our consulting work more focused and impactful.”

What do you find is the most complicated part of reviewing and designing a digital strategy for an arts org?
“The biggest challenge for many arts organisations is simply getting started. Digital strategy often ends up in the “too hard basket,” as it can feel overwhelming to assess needs and align those with organisational goals.

Our role is to take the pressure off by driving the assessment process and facilitating conversations about what they want to achieve. From there, we collaborate on designing a strategy that’s practical and aligned with their capacity and aspirations. By breaking it down into manageable steps, we help organisations move from hesitation to action.”

Think Digital | Awesome Black