How to Choose the Right Branding and Graphic Design Agency for You

TL;DR: A branding and graphic design agency can help you establish a solid brand and maintain a consistent online and offline presence that will boost engagement and keep your brand top-of-mind.

Think of the consumer goods you regularly use. Which of them do you buy because you trust the brand? Chances are, a lot of them. In fact, data reveal that almost 7 in 10 consumers are loyal to certain brands.  

This number highlights the power of branding services. However, not every brand design agency is a good fit for all businesses. More than good-looking logos and trendy social media posts, a branding and graphic design agency should offer a crucial factor: alignment.

In this article, let’s peel back the layers of creative agency services and everything you need to know to be able to make an informed decision as you choose a branding partner.

What Is a Branding and Graphic Design Agency, Really?

At its core, a branding and graphic design agency helps clients translate strategy into design. Think of visual assets like:

• Logos
• Branding kits
• Pitch decks
• Social media templates
• Landing pages
• UI/UX 

Traditionally, a brand design agency usually offered foundational branding, such as branding guidelines and visual identity systems.

Today, however, it goes beyond that. After all, with every business trying to catch their audience’s attention in the digital world, simply having a brand system in place isn’t enough; businesses need to consistently reinforce their brand. That’s where design-as-a-service platforms like Penji come in.

More than a single-use brand design solution, unlimited graphic design services provide ongoing creative support to clients. With these services, clients won’t need to worry about hiring a graphic design agency or freelancers every time they need a project done. In addition, they also won’t need to negotiate a per-project fee anymore. After all, unlimited design service subscriptions come at a predictable monthly fee.

What Services Should a Branding and Graphic Design Agency Offer?

Here are the common creative design solutions a brand design agency offers, and the basic services you should look for when choosing a service provider:

1. Branding and Visual Identity

A creative agency should be able to offer branding and visual identity for your brand if you don’t have it yet. If you already have one, your brand design agency should be able to improve or update it to suit your brand’s current identity and strategy. Think of your brand guidelines as the bible for everything related to your brand, most especially your visual communication materials. 

2. Ongoing Graphic Design Services

Data tells us that although 95% of companies have brand guidelines, only 25% actually use them. 

It goes without saying that having a visual identity isn’t enough; you should be able to use it through consistent daily assets like:

• Marketing assets (Ad creatives, print collaterals, etc.)
• Digital presence (Web and app, social media, emails, etc.)
• Internal communications (Headers, stationery, presentations, etc.) 

3. Scalable Design Support

For most clients, being able to scale their visual assets means reaching more audiences and getting more engagement. That’s why it’s crucial to choose a brand design agency that can help you expand your visibility. Even traditional marketing agencies often rely on unlimited graphic design service to broaden their yield and offerings.

4. Streamlined Process Along with Deliverables

Alongside deliverables, a good brand design agency must also offer a smooth process of requesting, revising, and delivering projects. This process must include:

• Clear turnaround times
• Simple communication system
• Straightforward revisions and support

Penji, for instance, provides a state-of-the-art app as part of its creative solutions for businesses. Clients can use this app to request projects, communicate with the design team, review designs and request revisions, and download final designs in a simple way.

The factors above provide the basics of how to choose the right creative branding agency. But if you want to pinpoint the right service for your brand, you should be able to ask the right questions. 

What Questions Should You Ask Before Hiring a Branding and Graphic Design Agency?

Even the best branding agency won’t be able to do much for your brand if it’s not the right fit. Here are a few questions to ask the agency to help you assess if they’re the best option for your needs.

• What’s your design process like, from request to delivery?
• What’s your pricing model? Do I pay per month, per project, or per hour?
• What’s your typical turnaround time for design projects?
• How many revisions can I request, and are all revisions included in the package?
• Who works on my projects, and how do you ensure high design quality internally?
• What happens if I’m not happy with the work of the designer assigned to work on my project?
• Who owns the final design for the projects I request?
• Will I also get the editable files along with the final designs?

While there aren’t any right or wrong answers to these questions, it’s best to choose a service provider whose answers align with your expectations.

The Bottom Line

Choosing the right branding and graphic design agency all boils down to one thing: fit. It’s not all about aesthetics and technology, but finding a service that can make your design process a smooth and simple one so you can focus on other important aspects of your business.    

Ready to take your branding and graphic design to the next level? Check out Penji’s portfolio and see why Penji is the preferred graphic design option among brands from all over the world.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQS)

Is an unlimited graphic design agency worth it?

Yes, unlimited graphic design services are worth it if you have ongoing design needs and you don’t want to commit to an in-house employee and don’t have the time to hire and onboard freelancers.

Can agencies outsource design work to unlimited services?

Yes, many agencies use a white-label professional graphic design service to streamline their workflow. Doing so allows them to meet tight deadlines and scale their services even during busy seasons.

Who owns the final design files?

With a reputable custom graphic design service like Penji, you’ll own the final designs once they’re delivered and approved.