What do brands look for in a design studio? We asked three clients for their side of the story

We’re all quite used to hearing insights from creatives and studios themselves, with industry tips about running a studio or landing a new role more often than not coming from other designers. This time around, however, we decided to chat with three individuals on what some may call the dark side – the client side – to find out about their processes for finding the right studio to work with. How do they decide which ones to reach out to? What do they look for? And what may impact their decisions? Having worked with creative studios of different shapes and sizes, Jérôme Noyelle from Antalis, Simon Polet from Merchery and Architect & Interior Designer Alana Cooke share their thoughts. Before we delve into the tips and tools for navigating the process, Merchery’s Co-founder Simon Polet makes one thing clear: “choosing the right agency is a lot of work.” Despite having creative agencies as clients themselves, the corporate merch service is no stranger to being on the other side of proceedings. They’ve worked with designers to realise their own identity and website, with matchmaking services also proving a handy means to find the perfect studio. “For example,” he elaborates, “we’ve been working with the amazing team at AUFI. They’re really helpful to guide us in the process.” It’s worth remembering that every good studio or agency is unique in its skillset and capabilities. Polet, therefore, recommends that before talks even begin, brands should have a clear idea of what they're looking for. “The first step, even before contacting any agency,” he notes, “is to write a brief detailing your needs, the stakes, and what skills are required to work on the project.” Being clear, concise and precise is essential, as Polet suggests, “the more you define yourself and the direction you want to take, the easier it will be to choose the right partner.”