An online collaboration tool for creative professionals

There is no shortage of online collaboration tools available for dispersed teams today, but none of them quite meets the needs of the agencies, design teams and freelancers working together on creative projects. So argues BitConfused, an Oklahoma City startup that recently launched Cage, a tool designed specifically for the needs of these teams. Now in public beta, Cage is an online collaboration tool that makes it easier for design teams, agencies and freelancers to share and present their work for creative review. Creating an account with the service takes just 32 seconds, according to its site, and from there users can immediately begin uploading their work. Mockups and other project work can be shared via a unique URL sent through email or IM, and collaborators can add notes and comments directly. Threaded design notes, project statistics and privacy controls are all among Cage’s included features. “Clients should be wowed when they receive design mockups, but a lot of that is lost in mundane collaboration processes,” explains Cage cofounder Sandip Patel. “Cage eliminates the need for email threads, marathon client meetings and folders full of mockups and revisions. It’s as simple as uploading your work and sharing a unique URL. From there, you can add notes and comments directly onto the work so that the conversation stays focused on project.” Among the users of Cage during its private beta period were designers from companies including Ralph Lauren, Electric Pulp, Art Center College of Design, Ogilvy, nclud and Moleskine, the company says. One to try out yourself on your next big creative project?