Research their past work and references
So you’re considering hiring a design agency to give your brand a fresh look and feel. But before you make the big commitment, make sure you do your due diligence and check out their past work and references. You want to make sure they have the kind of experience you’re looking for. Here’s a tip, if a firm says they’re a web design pro but don’t have any recent web projects in their portfolio, that’s a red flag. Our advice, reach out to some of their previous clients and ask them how they felt about working with the agency if they’re readily available and have quick turnaround times. And most importantly, make sure their design style and quality align with your standards.
Get a sense of their personality and culture
Beyond their portfolio and previous client feedback, ensure the design agency’s personality and culture align with you and your values. It’s important to select a team who understands your vision and is passionate about your project. A good way to get a sense of their vibe is to check out their website or social media. See what their office environment looks like, get a feel for their values and what gets them fired up. And don’t be afraid to ask questions or bring up any concerns. Communication is key, and it’s important to know if they’re good problem-solvers, pay attention to detail, and offer friendly customer service.
Determine what areas of design they specialise in
When it comes to picking the right design agency, you want to make sure they’re a good match for your business. One of the best ways to do that is to check out what they specialise in. Sure, you can take a look at their portfolio and see what kind of projects they’ve tackled in the past, but it doesn’t hurt to ask a few questions too. Find out what areas they’re experts in and what kind of projects they’re into. Are they web design wizards? Product packaging pros? Corporate branding kings? Animation aficionados? Make sure their expertise aligns with what you need. You might also want to take a look at their website portfolio to get a sense of their quality of work. A quick review should give you a good idea of what to expect from them.
Ask about their processes and quality assurance
Each design agency likely has its unique process for taking on new projects and ensuring the highest quality of work. Don’t be shy. Ask about their processes so you can better understand how they will manage your project from concept to completion. Make sure you also ask about their policies for quality control. Knowing their approach to communication, research, and essential milestones will ensure that expectations are clear for both the client and the agency.
Check for understanding of your needs and goals
When you’re looking for a design agency, it’s important to make sure they’re on the same page as you. You want to make sure they understand what you’re trying to achieve with your project. Establishing shared goals is key to making sure everything runs smoothly. Ask them to explain their approach, show you what they’ve done in the past and how it relates to your needs.
To give them a deeper understanding of your project, it’s a good idea to share some research materials with them. This could be client personas, competitor data, analytics metrics or anything that will give them a better idea of what’s going on. Trust us, the more they know about your project, the better their work will be.