When choosing between an advertising agency and a freelance graphic designer, first write down what expertise the project requires. The working model of a business that only requires a logo and corporate identity may not be the same as that of a business that requires media buying, research, shooting and multi-channel campaigns. Company size alone does not make the right decision.
Separate the desired result into work items
“I want to grow my brand” could be a goal; but it is not enough scope for design proposal. Brand research, name study, logo, catalogue, web interface, content production and advertising operation are separate tasks. Ask who will make which item.
A social media agency can offer daily publishing and ad account management; A designer can create visual templates and campaign materials. Distinction between social media expert and designer clarifies this boundary.
Evaluate logo and identity companies with the same criteria
When making comparisons between logo design companies, corporate identity agencies and independent designers, do not just look at the number of sample images. Review the actual brief, presentation method, revision description and submission files. The “best logo designer” label is not a measurable evaluation.
While examining Selçuk Aker's work, you can look at usage problems that are similar to your own project. It should also be asked which part of a design appearing in the portfolio was produced by the designer and how it was delivered.
Big team is not always fast, single person is not always cheap
Speed; capacity is related to the decision chain, content availability, and job dependencies. It is not right to assume that one person will offer all specializations at the same level. Determine how additional experts needed will be involved and the sole contact person.
The term full service or creative agency does not mean that all services offer the same offer. Read design, software, shooting, advertising budget and printing costs separately.
Query real need in city search
Whether you are looking for an agency for Istanbul, Sakarya, Karasu or Levent may indicate the need for an on-site meeting. State this in the quote request. If remote work is sufficient, options may expand; If physical production and exploration are required, local coordination should be planned separately. Different city titles are not evidence that there are offices in those areas.
You can examine my scope of work on Freelance graphic designer page and request a quote with your list of needs.
Digital agency, web agency and graphic designer may not offer the same scope
Names such as digital agency or interactive agency alone do not constitute a standard delivery list. One team may focus on media management, another on software. A freelance graphic designer can work in certain production areas such as brand identity, print materials and digital interface. Match the jobs you need by responsibilities and deliverables, not by names.
For example, in the web project, separate responsibilities can be determined for visual design, content, software, hosting and measurement. It is not necessary for every item to be purchased from a single company; But it should be known who will manage the communication between them. While discussing the design scope with Selçuk Aker, also share which services you carry out on the brand side or with other experts.
Advertising brief guide can be used to separate graphics production and media operation. Requesting a complete delivery plan rather than a large list of services provides better comparison.
Frequently asked questions
Is an agency necessary for corporate identity?
No. You can work with a freelance designer who can manage the scope and deliver appropriate deliverables. If multi-disciplinary or simultaneous large production is required, team capacity should be evaluated separately.
Is it wrong to choose the lowest price among offers?
Price alone is not a sufficient criterion. If research, revision, usage rights, file delivery and additional production are within the same scope, prices can be compared more meaningfully.
Selection of designer or agency for startup
“Freelance designer or agency for a startup?” Evaluate the question with responsibilities before the number of teams. If UI/UX, brand identity, and software are included in the same proposal, find out who will produce and approve each deliverable. When looking for a design agency for a remote startup, file access and communication patterns with the developer are decisive.
Rather than lists of the best UI UX agencies for startups, compare product examples near you, scope of work and way of working together. Working with an Istanbul startup design agency may be an option; The independent designer model can also be evaluated directly with Selçuk Aker. Make the same distinction when searching for a branding agency for startups in Turkey: production scope and responsibilities are more descriptive than the name of the institution.
Decision list when choosing a design partner for a startup
To answer the question of freelance designer or agency for a startup, first prepare three lists: mandatory deliverables, work to be done in-house, and coordination expected from outside. Managing the brand and product interface with the same person can simplify communication; The team that wants software, research and campaign management at the same time may need more expertise coordination.
The names that emerged from the search for the best UI UX agencies for startups are; Evaluate with similar product example, person to do the work, source file ownership and testing approach. When choosing a design agency or freelancer for a remote startup, look at how decisions will be recorded rather than the number of meetings.
In addition to working with an Istanbul startup design agency, a direct design model with Istanbul-based Selçuk Aker can also be considered. Remote startup study guide describes the file and feedback layout, startup design budget describes the proposal scope.
