24 June 2024
Client FAQs
Why can brand design be so expensive?
Admittedly, glimpsing the final figure on a branding proposal might give you a momentary heart palpitation. As your pulse normalizes, you might ask, "Why so expensive?" or perhaps, "Can't I find a cheaper alternative online?".
Indeed, more affordable solutions will always exist that may have clever solutions to the problems you set out to fix. What you are actually paying for is the solutions to problems that you didn’t even know your business had in the first place – problems that will cost your business much more left untreated.
As Ralf Dieter once stated: “if you think good design is expensive, you should look at the cost of bad design”.
The following are some crucial factors that could influence the pricing of quality design. Additionally, this incorporates a set of guidelines for what to expect while seeking professional design services that efficiently cater to your brand's needs:
01
Beyond the Logo
A common misconception is conflating brand design with logos and one of the most common responses when I introduce myself as a Brand Designer.
Yes, they're part of the puzzle, but we're more than just "logo-makers." Next time you interact with a brand - let's say Apple, think: it's not just the iconic half-bitten fruit that influences your loyalty. What are words that pop into your head when you think about the experiences you have with the brand as a user. Is it the streamlined nature of the products? Is it the efficient nature they dealt with your troubleshooting? Or is it the elevated status you feel when you have the latest iPhone? Every interaction you have with the brand is meticulously mapped out.
There's a method to the madness, and that is the essence of Brand Design.
02
Put your trust in experience
Like many fields, in creative industries too, experience levels determine professional fees.
A good design team offers a mix of experience, bringing you the best of all worlds - distinctive flavours from different experience levels, with a seasoned pro or two steering the ship. Choosing a brand design team isn't much different from picking a car mechanic; you wouldn't mind the apprentice tinkering under the hood, but you'll breathe easier knowing a certified Mechanic checked your spark plugs.
03
Design that stands the test of time
Perhaps it seems counter-intuitive, but when a creative team bids you adieu after a project, we're hoping for a long, long break before we see your number flashing on our phones.
Of course, we endorse brand nurturing and expansions, but our aim is to conjure a Brand Identity that outlives trends, in is harmony with your audience’s needs and proves to be a cost-saving investment in the long run.
04
The Impact of production
Deliverables and production contribute significantly to the cost of branding.
Custom work, albeit more expensive, lends a unique identity to your brand, thereby increasing recognition and customer recall. Pre-made stock options, while economical, are more generic and can leave your brand lost in the crowd. When a brand design is customized, it's specifically tailored to target your audience and sends out the right message.
This process requires a more extensive design process, thereby increasing costs. However, the returns in the form of brand loyalty and identity strengthen your market presence and provide long-term benefits that overshadow the initial investment.
In essence, the intricacies of brand design weave together to form an investment worth your while.
The value lies far beyond a logo, shaping seamless interactions that resonate with your audience. The strength of a diverse, experienced team ensures the delivery of such a well-crafted experience. The emphasis on creating enduring designs pays off by providing time-resistant identities that are economical in the long run. Production, especially when customized, amplifies this brand identity, elevating its market presence and audience experience. When these aspects converge holistically, we see how brand design, while seemingly expensive, is strategically priced to yield substantial long-term returns.