Founders, stop overpaying for cookie-cutter design
Over the years, I’ve seen countless founders invest hefty sums in big-name design firms, convinced that a higher price tag guarantees better results. They get swept up by flashy sales pitches and impressive promises, only to discover that cost doesn’t always equate to quality.
The truth is, great design comes from empathetic, genuine understanding—not inflated budgets. At pingüino, we’re a small, agile team delivering exceptional value. With an average project cost of $25,000, we offer top-tier design without the excessive fees of larger agencies charging $150,000 to over $500,000 per project[1]. We focus on crafting designs that align with your brand and deeply connect with your audience.
Let’s find out what those high fees actually buy you, how smaller teams like ours are outperforming larger firms, and how choosing the right design partner can transform your brand.
Price Doesn’t Guarantee Quality
Design costs often mirror a firm’s size and inefficiency, not the quality of work. Large firms have high overheads, outdated tools, and labor-intensive processes, inflating costs. In contrast, smaller teams like pingüino use cutting-edge AI tools to streamline processes and deliver superior results swiftly. As Steve Jobs said, “Innovation distinguishes between a leader and a follower.” Smaller teams lead with innovative, efficient design approaches.
The Rise of Cookie-Cutter Identities
A major pitfall in today’s design landscape is the rise of soulless, cookie-cutter identities. Large, impersonal firms often recycle ideas, resulting in client identities that lack originality and fail to resonate with their audience. This epidemic of generic design disserves companies aiming to stand out and connect deeply with customers and investors.
At pingüino, we believe design should reflect your brand’s soul—a unique voice that speaks directly to your customers. Our team focuses on creating original, emotionally engaging designs that resonate with your audience. By leveraging the latest tools and technologies, we delve deeper into creative exploration, ensuring your brand isn’t just another face in the crowd.
We don’t rely on flashy sales pitches or one-size-fits-all solutions. Instead, we invest our energy into understanding your customers and crafting designs that truly connect with them. Our goal is to create work that not only looks great but also tells your story in a way that inspires and engages.
The Cost of Getting It Wrong
Undervaluing design can lead to mismatched branding, failed product launches, and wasted resources on rebranding efforts. A study by McKinsey & Company found that companies investing in design significantly outperformed industry benchmarks, achieving 32% more revenue and 56% higher total returns to shareholders over a five-year period[2].
Choosing to leave your design strategy to chance isn’t just a risk—it can have long-term financial consequences. When design fails to resonate with your customers, it can erode brand trust and loyalty. Investing in thoughtful, impactful design from the beginning is a smart move that leads to stronger customer connections and a competitive edge.
Remember, it’s not about impressing stakeholders with high-priced agencies and elaborate presentations; it’s about connecting with your customers through design that speaks to them. A design partner focused on serving your customers can make all the difference.
Final Thoughts
The myth that good design must be expensive is outdated. Smaller, agile teams like pingüino deliver innovative, impactful design by embracing modern tools and focusing on what truly matters—creating work that resonates with people. Don’t overpay for generic, soulless designs. Choose a design partner who will help you bring your ideas to life in ways that inspire and connect with others. At pingüino, we are committed to crafting designs that spark emotion, tell stories, and leave a lasting impression. Invest in design that speaks to your brand’s unique identity and resonates deeply with your audience.
[1]: Design Industry Pricing Survey 2022, Graphic Artists Guild.
[2]: The Business Value of Design, McKinsey & Company, 2018.
