Choosing a graphic design company
A quick look at the digital space and you’ll find a very extensive selection of amazing images, graphics and the like. It’s all about visuals these days and this means coming up with ideas that are a class above the rest. It’s understandably no easy task. Yet for businesses – or individuals looking to start a business – there’s no way around it. They need the help of the best graphic designing company that not only knows how to create awesome designs but knows what customers want. Here are 10 tips to help find the right company.
Tips to choose a graphic design company
A quick look at the digital space and you’ll find a very extensive selection of amazing images, graphics and the like. It’s all about visuals these days and this means coming up with ideas that are a class above the rest. It’s understandably no easy task. Yet for businesses – or individuals looking to start a business – there’s no way around it. They need the help of the best graphic designing company that not only knows how to create awesome designs but knows what customers want. Here are 10 tips to help find the right company.
Chalk out your needs
Graphics encompass a wide range of elements. Logos, banners, posters, business cards, etc. are all part of it. Before you pick a graphic design company, you should outline your project’s graphic needs so you have a clear idea of what you want. You also need to set a budget and figure out if it will be flexible. This helps you and the company choose the right plan for your business. You also won’t have to worry about going over budget.
Graphic design is not something that can be done in minutes. It takes effort and time, which is why it’s important to convey your deadline to the company. You want to work with people who are highly efficient and can guarantee quick turnarounds (in case of urgent work).
Check out company portfolios
Portfolios offer a good glimpse of a company’s capabilities, its range of services, its client base, etc. Once you find a company whose style you believe is in line with yours, check to see if it’s active. The website should be updated too as it’s an indication that the company isn’t dead. You can check their blog section and their social media for signs of life. Along with this, you need to do a little digging to make sure that the testimonials on the website are actually true. You can cross-check it against reviews on the internet or even contact the clients directly for their feedback (this last bit will yield much better results!).
Along with checking out portfolios, you should consider speaking to the company’s representatives about the inspiration behind some of their designs. It’s a great way to get inside their head and get a look at their vision. It will also give you an idea of whether the two of you can work together.
Look for experience related to your project
We’ve mentioned that graphic design is a vast field. Some companies may focus more on presentations and websites while others may dedicate themselves to logos and brochures. While most companies offer a variety of services, you want one that’s had experience related to your project. For instance, say you need a logo created. The company you choose should have experience with it. That way, you know that they know how to go about it and will deliver the best they can.
Think of the long term
When scouting for a graphic design company, think of the long-term. You may believe you need their services only at the beginning as you set up your brand. However, a long-term engagement means the company can help you realize your vision as your brand grows. Both sides have a clear understanding of what the other wants and what the other can provide. You’ll get much better results by working well together.
Meet them
Face-to-face meetings are slowly becoming a thing of the past as emails become common. However, something as important as choosing a graphic design company can’t be lost to translation. A face-to-face meeting, whether by actually meeting its representatives or through phone or video call, will give them an opportunity to explain their plans and for you to do the same – clearly and without any confusion.
Suggest a trial project
A trial project will highlight the company’s expertise and give you a first-hand look of the quality of their work. It will also show if they’re able to bring your vision to life. The project can be small such as asking them to touch up a creative you have or creating a simple logo. Remember, trial projects should be paid – it is work, after all!
Narrow it down
By now, you’ll have found a few companies that interest you. It’s time to narrow down the choices. Make a note of how responsive each one is to your emails or phone calls. Chuck those that take a while to get back or don’t seem all that interested. If distance is not a factor for you, great. If it is, you may want to rule out companies based far off in favour of those that are close by.
A good tip when whittling down the choices is to see how well candidates can think on their feet. You can show them a creative and ask how they’d do it differently. This will give you an insight on the company’s creative process, how they think and how they handle the unexpected.
Brand-building is a lot of work as there’s so much to cover. Hiring a graphic design company is the first step. They can help you create marketing collateral that you need to be visible. From there, you can move on to content creation and social media marketing – aspects that build engagement with your audience. Visual Best can help you take care of your all designing and branding needs including but not limited to interactive, illustrations, logo design, presentations and content. Give us a heads up if you’d like to connect with us for your marketing collateral.
