When it‘s time to choose the right design agency, clients want more than just flashy ideas, endless strategies and high prices. They want partners who deliver real-world results. Far too often we hear that our competitor agencies fall into traps that frustrate clients and derail projects. Here are the agencies to avoid …
Based on recent research into client insights and their ‘real-world experiences’, here are five types of agencies to avoid and watch out for and why Visual Identity does things differently.
No 1. Agencies to Avoid – The ‘Out-of-Touch Agency’
Lost in their world: Top of the list of agencies to avoid, these agencies live in a world of trends and buzzwords, forgetting that their designs need to connect with actual customers. Whether it‘s overcomplicating to convert or designing for their portfolios and design awards instead of results and insights, they lose sight of what matters—your audience.
At VI: Unique, clever creatives are what help our clients stand out in a crowded marketplace—but it’s never about designing for ourselves. We focus on solutions that align with your goals, resonate with your audience, and deliver real results. We deliver unique solutions that make a meaningful impact on your business.
No 2. Agencies to Avoid – The ‘Strategy Spin-Masters’
Drowning in strategy, starved for results: These agencies are experts at creating elaborate strategies, packed with jargon that might sound impressive but rarely deliver. Endless revisits of the brief basics and realignment of the creatives can leave clients questioning the value of all the input. Without impactful execution, even the best strategy becomes little more than a paperweight.
At VI: We believe strategy should be the foundation, not the final product. Our approach balances smart, focused planning with exceptional execution to bring ideas to life. We don’t believe in overcomplicating things or wasting your time. Instead, we deliver strategies that are actionable, effective, and designed to achieve real-world results. At VI, it’s about making things happen, not just talking about them.
No 3. Agencies to Avoid – The ‘Creative Divas’
All style, no substance: These agencies are obsessed with their portfolios, designing to impress their peers instead of meeting client needs. The result? Work that’s creatively challenging but commercially impractical or off brief.
At VI: True creativity isn’t about self-indulgence; it’s about what works for our clients and their audiences, not just what looks good in a portfolio. We focus on delivering designs that grow your business, not our egos.
No 4. Agencies to Avoid – The ‘Client Ignorers’
Listening? What’s that? Some agencies seem to think they know better than their clients, pushing their ideas without taking the time to understand the brief or its goals. Instead of collaborating, they dictate, leaving clients feeling unheard and undervalued. The result? Work that may look creative but feels disconnected from the client’s needs and misses the mark entirely.
At VI: We believe great design starts with great listening. Collaboration is at the heart of everything we do. Your goals, insights, and audience guide our creativity to ensure the final outcome is visually striking and perfectly aligned with your objectives. At VI, we’re partners—not dictators—because your success is our success.
No 5. Agencies to Avoid – The ‘All Talk Agency’
Big ideas, no follow-through: The last of the agencies to avoid those who love to dazzle with grand concepts and lofty promises, but when it comes to delivering, they often fall short. What starts as an exciting collaboration quickly becomes a frustration, as clients are left hassling to finish the work or left with incomplete projects. These agencies might promise the moon, but they leave clients feeling stressed and underwhelmed.
At VI: We believe a great idea is just the beginning. Following through is where the real value lies. From the initial concept to the final delivery, we stay committed to every detail, ensuring your project is completed seamlessly. You can count on us to deliver what we promise, every time, so you can focus on your business without any nasty surprises.
Why Visual Identity stands out: The ‘Real-World Agency’ clients trust
At Visual Identity, we’re the opposite of the agencies that frustrate clients. We don’t overpromise, underdeliver, or get lost in our own world. Instead, we’re honest, hardworking, and down-to-earth, focusing on what matters most: delivering results that make a real impact. Here’s how we counter the common pitfalls of design agencies:
- We stay grounded
Unlike The Out-of-Touch Agency, we connect with real people. We share your goals, take time to understand your audience, and your market, and create work that resonates in the real world. - We put clients first
We’re not The Creative Divas. Your needs come first, always. We deliver designs that elevate your brand, deliver results, and grow your business—and not just for our portfolio. - We see projects through
No All-Talk Agency behaviour here. From concept to completion, we‘re with you every step of the way, ensuring your project is delivered seamlessly and stress-free. - We keep it simple
Forget the Strategy Spin-Masters approach. At VI, strategy is clear, actionable, and tied to real results. We avoid the fluff and over-complication by focusing on making things happen. - We listen
Unlike The Client Ignorers, we’re all ears. Your goals, ideas, and feedback guide our creativity. We see ourselves as partners rather than suppliers to create something exceptional.
Ready to work together?
Avoid the rest – Cut through the noise and let’s create something amazing for your business. Whether you’re launching a campaign, refreshing your brand, or starting from scratch, we’re here to make it happen.
Contact us today to get started—because in the real world, results matter.
#RealWorldDesign #NoNonsenseAgency #ClientFirst #CreativeResults #DesignThatDelivers #PartnerInSuccess
