You need a brand identity design firm. How do you find the right one?

Know thyself. Start with a clear-eyed analysis of your actual organizational identity as a decision-making organization. You need to understand "you" before you can find the best match to work with you. How inclusive and collaborative will the process be, how truly open to embracing big ideas and risk taking has the organization been in the past? If your organization is happy to let the professionals drive the process and the ultimate selection, then focus on partners that are all about the product; and in this rare scenario you are most likely to get to a spectacular solution. If your leadership will want to be significantly involved, find a partner that understands that the process is the product for this client. Then buckle up.

Based on your brand identity requirements, start searching for an agency that specializes in your niche. Defining what you want to achieve is a first step. Then, ideally, research agencies that provide experience in your field of the market. It's not a must though, you can still find agencies that have a proven track record of building brand identity for two or three different industries. That could also work... they have the fundamentals! Next, agree on your direction: Where do you want to be in 1 year, 2 years... how do you want customers to see you? The agency should come back to you with a brand strategy to achieve your objectives. If all is well, enjoy the ride! Monitor progress, but don't micro-manage!

Many companies and marketers face challenges when providing concise briefs to agencies. To ensure an accurate debrief and achieve the desired design, it is crucial to have a thorough understanding of your brand, including its vision, mission, and specific needs.

Great creative, great brand identity always starts with the combination of a strong, well structured and insightful brief (based on solid and well digested research from the client), together with a great creative team. Do your research as well for the latter: look at brands you like, identify who is behind the Brand Identity, talk to your network, talk to the agencies, take the time to meet them. This is going to be a very involved process so chemistry is key here. And do not forget: have fun in the process!

Begin by composing a brief of what your brand story is today, its evolution and what the brand vision is for the next 5-10 years. Review that brief with key stakeholders and get an advanced prioritized buy in from the Executive team. Tighten the focus and only once the project is well defined, create the RFP.

Based on the brand identity requirements, but first create a clear cut brief & objective definition. Searching for an agency that caters to your category but do not restrict search to your niche as it may hamper newer ideas. After due diligence and check the past works, also consider the team that will service you on this journey, as he/she need to be aligned totally to your objective in order to best translate the works. Ideally the agency of choice should be agencies that have a proven track record of building brand identity for two or three different industries. Learnt to take agency's feedback as well (negative or positive : you don't need a "yes boss" agency) for best output.

Strategy, strategy, strategy - and allow your strategy to be consumer obsessed. When working with brand identity, founders, CEOs, Presidents, Brand Managers etc. have STRONG, sometimes personal, & emotional opinions. That's amazing and we want to work with passionate, persuasive people - but if leadership feels personally attached to a decision, the easiest way to get to the RIGHT choice is with the voice of the consumer. Allow your consumer to help you drive the brief and define your needs, and test, test, test your options as much as your timeline will allow in whatever capacity your budget will allow before deciding on a final path.

In my experience, your agency, no matter how brilliant is only as good as you are when it relates to your brand. More than anything, you must know what you stand for, if not, then it will be left to the agency to “invent”, which often times is at direct odds with the owner of the brand. If you understand your value and can clearly state your brands purpose, a great agency can take that to the moon. If you can’t, be prepared for a lot of revisions and aggravation on both sides.

Firstly, recognize that you aren't just hiring a company; it's not a mere transaction. Approach it as a partnership where they seamlessly become an extension of your team. Beyond technical branding and marketing prowess, explore their culture and processes to ensure a perfect fit for a collaborative dance towards success. The right fit transcends skills; it's about shared values. Additionally, successful outsourcing starts with a crystal-clear vision of your needs and goals, and this clarity must originate from you and your team.

Every brand identity project needs to start with a solid brand strategy. The right strategy brief is crucial. You either need to identify a brand identity design consultant with strong brand strategy capabilities, or you need to hire a brand strategist to help define the parameters of the identity project before you get started.

Look at the work that the agencies have done and the type of brands it has associated with. If you find brands whose brand personality is similar to yours, there's a high probability that the agency will relate to your brief. A little research into the portfolio and background of the visulaizers and designers also helps because you would know whether or not they are capable of giving form to how you look at your brand.

I agree that referrals from others you respect are important. And pick out brands you admire (not just the large well known ones either), decide what you like about them and inquire as to how easy the agency was to work with, how did they take direction, were they collaborative, etc. and narrow down your list. Then meet in person (or virtual) so you can judge the firms’ personalities and creativity for yourself.

Look at agencies that thrive at making brands from ground zero i.e. agencies that are passionate about solving unmet needs and understand how a new brand needs to be visualised.

It is often helpful and reduce your search time if you could get to know the design firm working for your favorite brands, if your brand falls in same category. But by doing so, beware of creating monotonous identities

Of course start with checking their previous work, their portfolio. Also, have they received any awards? Have they been published in books about good design? If they offer free discovery consultations, book an appointment with them to see, if the chemistry between you exists. Are they enthusiastic about your project? This is crucial.

Go to their offices- best way to see their work but also feel their vibe- not every brilliant agency suits every client . Personality matters

One thing I have found helpful is to always ask for your own network. Finding reviews and portfolios online will help - but more often than not, these can either be exaggerated or false. Narrow down your list by going through the profiles of companies you like, find out their agencies, talk to the companies on what their experience has been like, ask your network, shortlist and do your due diligence and then finally talk to the agencies.

Nessas horas fazer um pesquisa detalhada é fundamental para encontrar a empresa que esteja mais conectada com o que você deseja criar para a sua Marca, uma boa dica é fazer uma reunião online para conhecer melhor a empresa. Um dos pontos fundamentais para essa escolha ser mais assertiva é analisar o posicionamento da empresa e o processo criativo por trás da criação. Analise se a empresa tem o posicionamento conectado com o que você espera e acredita, e um processo criativo que escute o cliente, tenha atenção aos detalhes e lhe ajude a entender e aplicar a sua Marca criada.

In today's world this can feel like overwhelming, the amount of freelancers, new agencies and even talented students sharing their work on social media. My suggestion is that you look for agencies that have made their work come true, just relaying in what they share in their posts or websites is not enough. Look for agencies that have made their design come true, people that have worked with them is a good source of advise but also look for yelp! or local websites where local complaints or sues can be reviewed.

First To identify and shortlist minimum 3-4 brand identity teams can be done by online , web portfolios, referrals fro peers , social media tools , etc . Also another factor to be considered is which type of brands the brand identity teams has been associated with and what is the performance of those brands in respective markets. After careful analysis of your write up of brand concepts , ideas and visual hammer with the target customers and positioning, you need to convey the message to brand identity teams and let them conceptualise the message. The message which is more align and clear with well defined strategy of yours that brand identity design team can be selected.

Once the proposals start rolling in, it can be tempting to flip to the back page and let the cost fuel your decision-making. I'd recommend stripping that out of the equasion entirely as a first exercise and truly comparing all aspects of each partner - understanding of the brief, timelines, deliverables , expectations of the internal team, and samples of their work. Once the unbiased decision has been made, review the budgets to make sure that your picks can work within your limitations.

You have a well written brief / RFP, you have gotten a good number of initial proposals, and you have narrowed the field to no more than 3 agencies you want to invite for a pitch. Equally important is the assessment process. Assemble a tight group of people whose voices you want to hear in the decision process, but don't just settle for hearing a pitch and then having a chat. Make sure you take the time to structure the feedback by arming each stakeholder with a "scorecard" that aligns to the most critical criteria in the brief. This simple tool will help ensure you and your team cut through the noise and judge the pitch on what really matters most to your business.

To find the right brand identity design firm, start by defining your needs and researching firms with strong portfolios and relevant experience. Evaluate their communication, collaboration, and cultural fit, and check references for reliability and professionalism. Discuss budget and timeline openly and request proposals from your top choices. Trust your instincts to select the firm that aligns best with your brand's vision and values.

This steps probably can benefit if there is a shared vision for the proposed offering to the target user segment with the creative director separately from the account manager. Given the identity is going to serve over a long time period through multiple modes of communication, this core value alignment is essential to avoid future regret

Don't let cost guide your decision. Make a matrix and score the responses based on what is most important to you and look at the whole picture. Example of what to score against: - Did they get our brand - Do they understand the challenges - Examples of previous clients - Clear proposal with reasonable timeframes - Cost

I'd recommend meeting at least twice with each of 2-3 shortlisted brand consultancies and understanding their work. Ask them to share two case studies of work done that they're proud of and at least one that they think could have gone better. through this sort of process look for people who are capable of learning and able to be candid. These qualities will be invaluable as you navigate the process of defining a potentially strong identity for your brand, your people and your business.

Exactly. I have submitted many a response to a creative agency RFP. If more clients reviewed the content, past work examples and how the proposed team can work for you instead of just budgets we would have won many more. The value of a relationship with the team, your main contact cannot be understated. I suggest included a few wild horses in the subsequent evaluation meetings. You never know who you will click with until you meet them.

Finding the right agency partner for your brand or portfolio in my Brand Management experience is a result of the following: 1. A clear understanding of what you require from your visual, product and communication design. Having a clear picture of success helps. 2. Communicating that throughout the RFI, RFQ and RFP procurement process so that there are congruence across from their portfolio of work, their vision and costings versus budget. 3. Be open to change ([r]evolution) in the creative ideas that will be brought forth that could benefit the brand in its CI, its relative positioning and how differentiated and distinctive it can be in the market. 4. Lastly, with global brand team & other internal staff, allow them the freedom to win

Before you start, get to Yes. Who, specifically, in your company has final authority to say Yes. Enroll that person directly in all decisions, even choice of design partners. The biggest waste of time and money in creative projects is layers of people. They have opinions; but they don’t have authority of Yes. Watered down, over-time, over-budget, frustrating outcomes result. If design matters to you, don’t waste resources getting to Yes.

This is by far what I've seen makes the client doubt the most. The clients tend to prefer the vendor with lower cost forgetting to question about the timings, round of changes, deliverables and even payment facilities. Keep in mind all of them before engaging into any contract ;)

Ensure that the firm has relevant experience and credentials in brand identity design, such as awards, certifications, or memberships in professional organizations.

Make sure you include the specific deliverables you need including editable files. Many agencies don’t include them which is a bit of a trap since it can be super expensive if you need to go back to the agency every time you need a change. You can also include penalties for things like failing to meet certain timelines.

Clear deliverables, mutually understood and agreed, are a must. Listen carefully to your design partners for how they would design a contract to maximize success for both. Many companies view design firms as they would any vendor. That’s a mistake. Think about them as portrait artists who put their heart and talent into their work.

In seeking the right brand identity design company, it's crucial to establish a contract to safeguard the interests of both parties. This contract delineates the project scope, terms, and conditions. Key components include project goals and deliverables, roles and responsibilities, timeline and milestones, payment schedule and methods, ownership and usage rights of designs, confidentiality and non-disclosure agreements, as well as dispute resolution and termination clauses. Thoroughly review the contract to ensure mutual agreement before signing. It's a pivotal step in fostering a successful partnership and achieving desired outcomes.

Establishing a comprehensive contract with the chosen design firm is essential to clarify expectations and protect both parties' interests. Detailing the project objectives, roles, timeline, payment terms, ownership rights, confidentiality, and dispute resolution ensures clarity and minimizes potential conflicts. Careful review and agreement on all aspects of the contract are crucial before signing, laying a solid foundation for a successful collaboration.

Collaboration is key! Clients have to make themselves available and give meningful feedbacks not to only keep the project timing on track but to own the final outcome of this process. From an agency perspective this is vital.

Oh this should be higher on the list! Finding a team you have a great rapport with and who truly is on the same wavelength with you is key to the success of the partnership. More importantly, hopefully this team is one who listens and understands your brand more than wanting to show off their own ideas.

In my experience a clear brief can be further fine tuned through collaboration. Selecting the right design partner should be limited to materialising the vision but also contributing to a shared vision. This ensures they are equally invested and understand the brand before embarking on the journey.

Collaboration is the most important aspect of hiring a firm. Articulating a clear understanding of your brand goals is important. But trusting the team you've hired to execute those goals is even more important. The most successful collaborations are ones where the client lets their creative team do the work without micromanagement or rigid expectations. Be open to the unexpected. Be engaged in the process. Trust their expertise.

This one is the tip that makes the difference into being 100% satisfied with the service or getting something close to what you dreamed of. The feedback and direction are key for the agency to know what you look for in their design. Comparisons, visual examples, share with them everything that can help the, understand your thoughts as clear as possible.

Consider factors such as communication style, cultural fit, and enthusiasm for your project when selecting a firm. Stay in regular communication with the firm throughout the project to ensure alignment with your vision and address any concerns or changes along the way.

Being prepared for disagreement is crucial. Even with a top designer, project drafts will likely require changes. Therefore, it's essential to establish the expectation of post-delivery project alterations. Considerations: How many review rounds will be allowed? If unsatisfied with the final product, what steps will be taken? Are suggested changes based on genuine concerns or personal preferences?

Brand design is a team sport. Keep talking, all the way. Just as if you were on a field playing together, seeking to score the goal. Learn each other’s best moves. Be sure your Yes person is aligned with their Do person. When it feels like a game, not just a business need, you can celebrate the outcome.

When seeking the right brand identity design firm, it's crucial to engage in effective collaboration and communication throughout the project. Providing clear, constructive feedback and guidance at each stage of the design process is essential. Additionally, remaining open and flexible to their expertise and suggestions fosters a productive working relationship. Monitoring project progress, adhering to timelines and budgets, and addressing any issues promptly are also key responsibilities. Building a foundation of trust and respect encourages creativity and fruitful collaboration with the design firm.

Collaboration and communication are vital throughout the project to ensure its success. Providing clear feedback and guidance while remaining open to the design firm's expertise fosters a productive partnership. Tracking progress, deadlines, and budget helps address any issues promptly, fostering a trusting and respectful relationship. Ultimately, a collaborative and communicative approach encourages creativity and ensures the project's alignment with your vision and goals.

Don't let the flash of a fancy PowerPoint deck be the driver of your decision making. Talk with the agency's PEOPLE to figure out if you can work together and communicate efficiently & effectively. Hiring a brand design agency is as much about the people as it is about the work. I'm not a fan of the RFP process because it ignores the PEOPLE. I want to know what happens when we need to go 99 rounds on the illustration style of a package. And, we will - at some point, we all falter in our ability to communicate the picture inside of our heads. If I'm getting in the trenches on Brand Identity Design, I want to know I'm getting in the trenches with an agency that's willing to get in there with me - and that starts with the people, not the work.

In my experience, the most successful outcomes stem from partnerships that extend beyond mere likability and expertise. It's imperative to prioritise shared values, cultural alignment, and mutual ambitions. Make sure the agency understands your brand's ethos, aligns with your company culture, and shares your aspirations for growth and success. Always look for the positive energy because that will flow into the work.

Talk to any potential partner / agency. Even with all the best intention, written words, in my humble opinion, cannot compete with a voice: tempo, passion, fear, excitement, ambition, personality, brand and people, and of course the why. Talk through everything first then send the written brief. Any agency should feel like part of your team…start with talking.

Value and respect the designer’s profession. If you feel the urge to give them detailed instructions, remember how you would feel if it was the other way around. It’s not a matter of creating decor for your personal liking, but a brand that kicks off the right assosiations in your market. To do this in a sustainable way, you need to give the designer a thorrow insight.

The first step to do before we start working on the brand identity main design and implementing the full ideas in the guideline is to make sure that the agency we will work with has creative designers with ethics. They should be creating everything from scratch without any kind of imitation. The agency should do continuous monitoring to the competitors before start creating the CI. As we heard about big brands whom spend thousands dollars on the CI creation and launching then they found out that the design idea was stolen! So the agency we will choose should have an excellent reputation, very good experience in the industry to help of achieving the objectives, goals, values, and mission.