The 3 R’s of hiring a creative design agency
Posted by Annabel Gilbert on
As a freelance marketing consultancy we don’t undertake design work ourselves, instead we work alongside design agencies, so we have plenty of experience when it comes to finding the right agency! If you’re ready to embark on a new design project whether it’s new packaging, a logo re-design or a complete brand overhaul, you will be looking for a creative design agency and there are a plethora of agencies out there to choose from, but which one? Here are 3 tips to help you find ‘the one’….
Research:
Whether you have been contacted directly by an agency touting for your business, or you’re starting the process of looking for one yourself, do your research! Take a look at their website and client list and check you like what you see. Ask them if they have done work for clients in your industry or aimed at your target market. If they have already come up with design you like for other clients, the chances are they will for you too.
Recommendation:
If a design agency has received testimonials from happy clients you’re likely to find them on their website, on Twitter or Facebook. It’s can also be worth contacting their clients directly to find out if they were happy with the work they received. Talk to your own business associates and friends about agencies they have worked with and ask for their honest opinions, you’ll get some fantastic information that will help you narrow down your shortlist.
Rapport:
Finally, go with your instinct on this – if you find them easy to talk to, enthusiastic and receptive to your questions, it’s a pretty good start. Any successful creative outcome is reliant on good communication between both parties, so before you make your decision ask for what the marketing world call a ‘chemistry meeting’, that’s an informal chat to the rest of us! Use it as an opportunity to ask questions about how they work and be upfront about what you’re looking for in return; mention your timescales, budget, goals etc and use it as an opportunity to see if you can work with them. It goes without saying that you should like what you hear, but even if they seem to be saying all the right things, if it feels awkward or uncomfortable at this stage it doesn’t bode well for the future. If you’ve found the right agency for your business the design process should be an enjoyable one, have confidence in your decision and get started!