So You Started A Business…

You’ve been running your business full steam. All your effort, thoughts, and manpower have been going into making your business run smoothly and efficiently. Your business is the next best thing… you know it and so should everyone else. You want people to see your business, experience what you have to offer, and take part in your vision. So how do you get others to take notice?

That’s where a creative design studio or Creative Partner can help. Creative design studios can help your business and your ideas stand out. However, not all creative studios are the same. Knowing what to look for when hiring a creative design studio can help save time, money and avoid unnecessary headaches in the process.

This article breaks down the different services that creative design companies offer: brand management, graphic design, web design and development, videography, photography, etc… My hope is to offer some insight and tips that might help you figure out the best fit for you and your business.

Let’s begin:

First of all, let me define what brand management is. Brand management is the analysis and planning of how that brand is perceived in the market. Every company, small business, freelancer, entrepreneur has a brand, whether it’s the company name, logo, business partners, staff or whatever is decided to be used as a representation of the brand. In order to get your company going, your business must be easily recognized by the masses. Your audience should be able to mark you by your colors, associated images, or the experience your company offers. Your brand is more than how you look, it is carried throughout your company’s communications, staff, processes, and clients. For example, is the staff courteous and knowledgeable? Is the company running smoothly and efficiently? Is the company presented professionally and properly?

When looking for a Creative Design Studio/Partner, you always want to make sure that they have your business’s interest in mind. Look at past clients, how well they are being represented to the public or their audience. You want to make sure that the business is seen in a good light. Business is more the just a name, it’s a way of life and you want to make sure the creative studio knows exactly how to represent their clients and how they helped the company succeed. Now, to have successful brand management, a Creative Design Studio/Partner must not only be on top of the ins and outs of the business environment but they should offer great ways of marketing your company to make sure positive information is reaching the audience you want, like via infographics or other graphic design solutions.

Every business needs to send a message to the public or a specific audience in order to bring work in. In order to do that you need an effective message. Graphic design is the practice or process of using art to project ideas and experiences with visual or textual content. If you take a look around, graphic design is everywhere; a logo, a brand, a commercial, a flyer, poster, postage stamp, etc. Anybody can design a flyer, mailer, or an advertisement of some sort. Literally, there are companies, individuals, and freelancers all over claiming to be graphic artists who can design your logo or website for pennies! However, for your business, do you really want just anybody?

Whatever the public is receiving, viewing, or taking into their minds about your business is what they are judging your company by. We’ve all been told to not judge a book by its cover, but the reality is, when it comes to business and life in general, you only get one chance to make a first impression. With business, that first impression is not always going to be face to face. It might be a billboard, a flyer, or an advertisement of some sort. That first impression is where you can grab the attention of one person, one neighborhood, or one city, maybe even someone from the other side of the world!

When choosing a Creative Design Studio/Partner to handle your design needs, be sure to choose a creative outfit that professionally represents itself. A first indication of the studio’s standards and skills should be that reflected from their own website, print literature, and overall marketing material. If you’re not impressed…press on! Remember to do your research and make sure the studio’s style is diverse enough to ensure the maximum value of your investment. People can do graphic design, but designers live and breathe it.

There are many mediums through which you can get information out to the public. Today, the easiest way to reach more people is through the world wide web. With a website, your business can be easily accessed by anyone who is looking for your type of business. With an appealing site, it is more likely to stand out to said people. However, a website should be more than just appealing. Functionality is equally, if not more, critical to the success of your website. Your site should be user friendly and should assist in the conversion of your visitors to buyers.

When looking for someone to design your website make sure they are well versed in creating clean, aesthetically pleasing sites, as well as have a keen understanding of the nature of your business and how it should translate to online marketing for your business. For instance, if you need an e-commerce website, make sure your Creative Design Studio/Partner creates your site with all parameters in mind: ease of use, clean and professional design, ad placement, safety precautions so as to not put your clients, buyers, or yourself at risk, are just a few things to consider. This article, 10 Essential Things Your E-Commerce Site Should Have, from Hongkiat’s website offers more details on what your e-commerce site should include. Choose a Creative Design Studio/Partner, that knows exactly what they are doing, what they can offer, and have the ability to design a site that is specific to your needs.

Portfolio’s range from personal to professional. Video has been used to showcase dance to selling cars. Whatever the need is for, video is a great medium to showcase your product and/or service. Working with someone who knows how to produce and design a variety of video types like, commercials, informative videos, highlight reels, and animations is always a solid decision. Keep in mind that video production is not only for the rich, and is now accessible and affordable for everyone, especially when a television isn’t the only way to reach people. Study the different styles and a Creative Design Studio/Partner should be able to guide you along the way. We have covered many formats and video is just another option to keep in mind when deciding on how you would like to market your company. We move on.

Many people believe that photography is just pointing and shooting. In a sense, you could say that, but there is so much more. Some use photography to capture moments in time, but others use it for design, media, marketing. If it’s going to be used to represent yourself or your company, someone who is behind the camera should know what they are doing. Bringing life out of a picture is necessary to tell a story. Take into consideration a company that has a portfolio of what their photographers can do. Those photographers will be representing the look and feel of the photos that will be used in your media. Experience and knowledge in photography show in their work. Make sure their capabilities are what you want to present, from headshots to landscape, capturing a solid photo is science.

Working with groups, artists, businesses that think outside the box is always a plus! And a bit of fun too! If you’re lucky enough to work with a Creative Design Studio/Partner who isn’t afraid of pushing the creative envelope a bit, then you are in for a treat! These types of outfits are definitely worth working with because they are willing to look for other avenues to take their work and your brand. Some designers lose focus or passion and keep it plain and simple when doing projects for clients. For us, we explore a variety of ways to represent companies. Thinking creatively and keeping a fresh mind on projects is what helps us make sure clients stand out. Not every business wants the same look or clean-cut presentation. In a world where businesses pop up every day, you need to stand out. A company that embodies Creative Exploration as an intricate part of their business and creative process, is likely to open you and your business to a whole new world… adding flair and wonder to your profession!

These are some of the key points to consider when deciding on a Creative Design Studio/Partner that would fit your needs. Personally, finding one company that can offer all these services is rare but when you do, this can relieve a lot of stress. A one-stop-shop not only saves you from jumping around from person to person or vendor to vendor but can save you money in the long run. Packages are cheaper than outsourcing to different individuals or companies. And not only is it cheaper, it is also more convenient, as you are likely to develop a long-lasting relationship with a Creative Design Studio/Partner who understands you and your business objectives and delivers seamless and consistent results time after time! This is priceless!

Not only do creative design studios help you with your business but we take the time to learn about you and your company on a personal level. We not only need to know but want to know your story. Whatever service we offer, we want your character and personality to come out. Whether it is a design, a web site, a headshot, a commercial, or your full-on brand management, we tell your story through it. So when people look at you or your brand they know what you stand for and what you are about. In the end, your product or service is who you are. We are a creative studio and your business is our top priority. Allow our professionals to bring out the professionalism in you.

Let’s tell your story!

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Let’s work together to create a project so memorable, that it will take your brand from bland to captivating.