The best branding packages should provide you with the perfect solution to your immediate design needs, meeting you where you are today while preparing you for where you want to take your business tomorrow.
The right designer will help you to create the perfect brand package to help design an authentic identity that speaks to the quality of your business. But with so many different kinds of designers out there, and so many brand package options, which is right for you?
We’ve come up with our top 10 questions to ask your designer in order to make sure you are receiving the perfect branding package for your small business.
1. What’s included in the branding package?
It would seem like a given, right? Transparency is key in the design industry when it comes to making sure you have the most positive design experience. Knowing up front exactly what is included in your brand package will help you know that you are receiving what you need. Ask about how many logos you’ll receive, what final file formats are included, and what marketing items are included if any.
2. A full branding package vs. just the basics?
Do you need everything that’s included? When just getting started, investing in the basics will usually be enough, but for larger businesses or shops with lots of products, a larger full brand package will be better.
3. What is your brand design process like?
No matter how many times you have worked with a designer in the past, every designer works a little differently. Does the designer have any case studies or process guides to help outline what to expect when working with them? Understanding their design process, various design phases, programs used, deadlines, and any expectations that they may have of you through the process will be critical.
4. How long is your average branding project timeline?
Make sure that the process and timeline fit within your busy schedule.
Some designers move faster than others, but fast isn’t always ideal. If you are the kind of business owner who needs time to sit and think or absorb each design decision, understanding the timeline will be extra important. Making sure that the process and timeline fit within your busy schedule is also important so you’re sure to have time to provide feedback and selections within the schedule. You also don’t want to “start right away” just to finish a project months later because a designer took on more work, causing them to spread out project timelines.
5. When can you expect your final brand deliverables?
Always make sure to get a set final deliverable deadline. Knowing exactly when to expect your final files is very important. File saving can take some time, and depending on how busy a designer is, it can take a few hours or a few days.
6. How do you receive your final brand files?
How will you be receiving your final design files? What program does the designer use for file deliver? Do you need to have your own account? Are they mailing any additional versions or is everything digital? For example, for all US clients, we ship a USB drive of all hard final design files so that our clients have an offline secure version as well as their digital file deliver via Dropbox that they can access immediately.
7. What is the payment process for the branding package?
What (if any) is due upfront? How many payments are there? And How do you make your payments? Money is always an awkward thing to ask about, but knowing right away your financial expectations will eliminate any questions or misunderstandings once you move forward with a designer.
8. What additional expenses might come up through the branding process?
This is a big one that’s often forgotten. Designers are often selling their time, but aren’t including anything beyond that. If you need additional licensing for fonts, stock images, motion graphic work, or anything else outside of your designer’s scope, be sure to ask about that so if it comes up, you aren’t sticker shocked at the end of a project.
9. How many brand clients do you take on at one time?
This effects every phase of the design process. Depending on how many clients a designer has at any given moment will dictate how response they are to emails, phone calls or questions. It will also affect their timelines and deliverable deadlines.
The right designer will be someone that you can continue to work with as your business grows.
10. What about future brand design work?
Future design work, or added items to a current project’s scope – how does that work? What is their hourly rate? The right designer will be someone that you can continue to work with as your business grows. Having someone who knows and understands your brand, business goals, and aesthetic preferences will save you so much money in the long run.
BONUS STEPS!
(They aren’t necessarily brand package questions, but we still think it counts)
11. What happens next? What’s the next step in the designer’s brand process?
What are the next steps in booking your Brand Package? How soon can you expect a proposal, when do you need to make a decision, how does the booking process work? What happens after you make a deposit? The design process is just one part of a project timeline. Knowing what happens between booking and a project start date will do wonders for setting you and your designer up for a successful brand design package experience.
12. What is their branding portfolio like?
Every designer is unique. Just because a price is right, or you like their process isn’t all that matters when selecting the right designer for your branding needs. Does the designer’s past work resonate with you? Are there any portfolio pieces that stood out to you? Why? Does their style reflect what you are looking for in your brand design?
Great design adds value to your brand by showcasing the quality and care you put into your products or services.
In an oversaturated industry, clients are overwhelmed with options. What drives success and differentiates one business from another is branding. Great design adds value to your brand by showcasing the quality and care you put into your products or services.
Working with the right designer to create the perfect brand package for you ensures that you’ll end up with a well-designed brand that creates an experience, cultivates community, and amplifies customer demand.
Are you ready to brand your business?
We love working with inspiring and dedicated professionals. View our branding packages to learn more about our design process and how we can help your business grow.
