Graphic design is a creative process – most often involving a client and a designer and usually completed in conjunction with producers of form (i.e., printers, programmers, signmakers, etc.) – undertaken in order to convey a specific message (or messages) to a targeted audience. The term “graphic design” can also refer to a number of artistic and professional disciplines that focus on visual communication and presentation. The field as a whole is also often referred to as Visual Communication or Communication Design. Various methods are used to create and combine words, symbols, and images to create a visual representation of ideas and messages. A graphic designer may use typography, visual arts and page layout techniques to produce the final result. Graphic design often refers to both the process (designing) by which the communication is created and the products (designs) which are generated.
Common uses of graphic design include identity (logos and branding), web sites, publications (magazines, newspapers, and books), advertisements and product packaging. For example, a product package might include a logo or other artwork, organized text and pure design elements such as shapes and color which unify the piece. Composition is one of the most important features of graphic design, especially when using pre-existing materials or diverse elements.
Learning what successful design agencies are up to will help broaden your education as a designer. What does it take to run successful small, medium, or large design companies? How do they start, grow, and operate? How do they land big clients and consistently produce awesome work?
These are just some of the questions to consider when looking at these great graphic design agencies. I’m sure you’ll come up with a myriad of others to consider when viewing an impressive sample of their work. Follow through to each agencies site to learn more about them.
1. Go Media
Go Media has a style all their own. If you think their vector packs are impressive, check out their portfolio.
“Go Media was started in a bedroom of one of the founder’s parent’s homes. For the first several years the founders had little more than a drawing table and two computers. Despite their lack of clients and money they didn’t start the company by offering a list of expensive services or looking for large companies. Instead, they went on a search to find the type of design work that they truly loved: illustrative posters for the entertainment industry. This often required them to work for little or no money. It took over 7 years of hard work before Go Media was finally able to hire a staff of other talented designers.”
I have always been a fan Forty Seven Media marketing ideas. They have a style that is very much their own and this is reflected in everything they do.
“It was then, early 2004 to be more precise, that we started FortySeven Media. It was a slow start. We worked nights and weekends for quite some time, hoping our mad scientist like obsession for design would pay off. And it did. The business began to grow as God blessed us in this crazy dream of ours.”
I am always inspired by the Studio 7 Designs website. It is nothing short of an impressive business portfolio website.
“Studio 7 Designs Inc is located in beautiful Victoria, British Columbia. We’re a forward thinking design company specializing in creating strong branding for social and environmentally-conscious companies. We love working with companies that want high quality web and logo identity, from the look and feel of your site, to the colour palette that will be used across all mediums including, web, print, identity, and advertising.”
A small company that does a nice job of mixing art with design.
“Good things come in small packages. So don’t be fooled by our size, we do big things for big brands. Our roster includes household names like Royal Mail, Dell Computers and The Economist, to name but a few. It didn’t happen over night either. We’ve been building up since 1989, offering loads of creative services like corporate communications, promotions and branding, new media, exhibitions and events, advertising, direct mail and editorial design.”
Another smaller firm who manages to create simple designs that have a bold impact.
“We started in 2002 so we are new kids on the block. On the other hand, we have been designing for major clients for over 20 years, so nobody could accuse us of lack of experience. We’re independent which means no one tells us what to do, or how much profit we need to make. And we’re very very good at graphic design – or did we mention that already?”