"When you want graphic design services such as logo design, web design, annual report design, etc. appointing the right design company to carry out the work will be a big decision". 

What kind of design company?

Design companies vary in the provision of services and variety of design disciplines available to clients.

Design companies broadly fall under four categories: those which provide services specific to certain industry sectors, e.g. for charities or financial institutions; those providing a limited specialist range of services, e.g. web design or corporate identities only; freelance designers often specialise their design work to a particular style, e.g. they may use a particular style of illustration which they would utilise for all design projects they are assigned to, and finally multidisciplinary companies provide a host of services for a wide range of industries.

If your company is launching a campaign, for instance, that requires a particular approach then you may work with a company that specialises in that approach i.e. illustration. Many large companies tend to follow design trends and commission a particular designer or company to apply their style to a specified campaign. This is common with companies like Nike who have so many products and like to stay in touch with trends as this helps them reach their specific target audience.

There may be benefits to commissioning a design brief with specific requirements to a specialist design company due to the experience and knowledge they possess in their field. There are also disadvantages due to the risk of narrowing your project brief to a pre-determined solution and not having explored all the possible avenues available to it.