There are so many graphic design firms in New York that it can easily become a huge task to research them all. They range from highly creative recent college graduates who freelance their design skills for minimal cost to very well established firms with proven reputations and big ticket fees.
Finding the right design firm must begin with recognizing your specific business needs. There are many factors to consider. Figuring out your business needs beforehand will allow you to eliminate graphic design firms from the list, narrowing it to a few on which you can really focus.
A graphic design firm will have a big impact on the success of your business. Invest the right amount of time and money in finding one that is reliable and provides a high-quality, professional product that represents your business well.
To choose the right New York design firm, you must:
- Research the design firms in New York City.
- Determine the needs for your business.
- Look through portfolios.
Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done
Do a quick preliminary search for New York graphic design firms
Search for as many names as possible in online directories, the Yellow Pages or local advertisements. Some may instantly interest you or turn you off simply by name or location.
I recommend: Browse the
Yellow Pages or
Xemion Designer Community for listings organized by city or zip code. Search Craigslist
New York,
Guru or
Elance to find many more listings.
Narrow down the list
Determine your business' design needs. Different New York design firms specialize in different areas of graphic design. Also consider your budget. Many design firms provide free online price quotes.
I recommend: Try
Wallace Church Associates, Inc., to enhance brand identity or
Beacon Branding for logo design.
Westgroup Creative is great for developing brochures and catalogues.
Research the credibility of the firm
A credible firm should have an impeccable reputation. Check with companies that have used the firm's services. Evaluate any criticism.
I recommend: Look for an affiliation with
Better Business Bureau. Also check that there are no complaints listed with the Bureau.
Set a deadline
Set a firm deadline before you sign a contract and hire a graphic designer. It is essential that the graphic designer have a quick delivery time of the finished product in addition to quality work. A designer who drags his feet may push a deadline back and hurt your business.
I recommend: Look at a couple of graphic design contract templates to see what key information the agreement should contain.
Stanford has a good one, or you can create a custom contract with software like
Proposal Kit Pro.
Tips & Tactics
Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide
- Be wary of design firms in New York City with no physical office.
- Examine the design firm's portfolio critically. Look for a professional and high-quality portfolio, and also look for repeat business from regular clients and experience in a variety of industries.
- Ask about additional charges for design revisions. A lot of graphic design firms charge extra for each revision.
- Consider whether you are willing to pay for custom work or strictly for template-based design work.
- Inquire about what kind of press the final product will utilize. A digital press is cheaper and faster but does not deliver the same quality as an offset press.
The official source of Graphic Design Firms in New York is
the Graphic Design Firms in New York page at Business.com
Related Resources from Business.com
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