Finding the right design company with the right price is tough. As a marketing professional there’s a lot riding on your decision. But because the design industry is such a competitive one, there is a lot out there to skew your gut feelings and experience.

When you have a scale that runs from the top end London agencies, down to someone’s mate who ‘knows Photoshop’ charging comparable amounts, then cost isn’t always the best indicator of quality.

What if there were agencies out there that were just as good as the big London ones, but for a fraction of the price. How could you be sure that they were the agency for you? And is it possible that the big London agencies just aren’t right for your project? How could you know for sure?

Sure the London agencies have the impressive client list and astonishing virtual reality website that made you a cup of tea while you were browsing! But what if they’re so big that they won’t have that personal touch? What if you won’t be able to talk to the same person every time you pick up the phone to discuss a project?

Many big businesses are seeing the merits of non-London based agencies, because there are so many design agencies across the whole of the UK. With a bigger pool of talent and experience you’re guaranteed to not end up with a brochure that looks exactly like your competition’s because you used the same agency without realising!

What if there were agencies out there who cut their teeth on the medium weight projects? Who knew how to pull stunning work out of modest budgets and local brands? What if there were agencies out there with less of a ‘house style’, instead operating on a bespoke service to suit a client’s needs, personally? What if there were agencies out there that had a broader skillset across their 6 man studio, than a London agency had across it’s 20?

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So how do you find these high quality design studios hiding right on your doorstep and how do you find out if they’re right for you?

A good start is to find a studio who has worked in your sector. Maybe you’re a medium sized trade and building supply company with over 20 branches in the South West of England. You don’t have the budget of B&Q but you know you want something ambitious and awesome. Find something of a similar ilk in the agency’s portfolio and you’re onto a winner! You know they will know your industry and the style and tone required to deal with your products. Here at Holla, we have worked in a variety of industries and know them like the backs of our hands. Check out our portfolio to see some of the different sectors we have provided work in.

Next stop, pricing. Now of course you could email or call and get a quote for your job but sometimes smaller agencies can be one step ahead of you, offering packages and service products that might be exactly what you’re looking for. If an agency is offering such immediate information you might be able to make your decision quicker and easier, get that info back to your board of directors and come away with a budget, all in one afternoon! Holla has a whole range of packages from studio hours to product photography. Why not see if one of our packages is just what you’re looking for?

Thirdly, experience and skills are invaluable and if you are able to learn about an agency’s level of experience and range of in-house abilities then you can quickly ascertain whether they are the trusted team for the job. For example, here at Holla we have designers in the studio from a multitude of backgrounds, all working together in a unified work environment. From illustration and animation through to photography, retouching and web design, we have experts to focus on specific requirements of a brief, no matter how varied it might be.

So next time you’re staring at a huge quote from a London agency, or are considering starting a project with the guys who designed the 2012 Olympics logo, consider choosing an agency that can do top notch work, for a fraction of the London prices and can guarantee you a senior level team will always be working on your project…. not a junior one from a big hitter who don’t see it as a priority!

At Holla, we embrace a personal relationship with our clients, going above and beyond to ensure we create exactly what they want and need, understanding their brand intimately as we go.

Click here to drop us a line if you want to discuss a project!

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