Top Package Design Companies

The success of any business in the client services sector hinges, ultimately, on the ability to build and maintain relationships. Maintaining good relationships with clients is a chief concern among top agencies. Some lesser competitors may be content to churn and burn through clients, taking them for everything they can and then moving on to the next one if and when they fail to deliver. Not so at top agencies. The best package design companies value their relationships with clients, which means they always strive to exceed expectations.You can count on them to be open, honest, and communicative.

The Los Angeles design agency La Visual sums it up well on their website: “We believe in taking care of our clients, our people and our community. It’s all love. The love of branding and design. Of our work. Of Los Angeles.”

There’s an old saying that “fortune favors the bold”, and it could not be more applicable to the field of design. Particularly when it comes to package design, being bold and taking risks can reap major rewards. In your search for a package design firm, look for an agency that’s committed to pushing boundaries to go beyond what’s expected. In their portfolio you should expect to see custom designs that make a distinct impression. Look for packaging that’s disruptive and imaginative. Even if you’re planning to be more traditional in the packaging approach for your own brand, you should aim to partner with an agency that employs packaging designers who are capable of doing innovative work.

Packaging does not exist in a vacuum. It’s only one element of brand identity, and it must exist harmoniously within the broader context of that identity. Most design companies offer package design as part of a larger suite of services, and they’ll usually be able to handle all the components of brand identity, including naming, logo, and brand standards. Even if your company already has some or all of these elements in place, you should search for a package design company that’s able to take a holistic view of your branding. They should be able to work comfortably with existing assets in order to create packaging that jives with your brand’s identity.

Never underestimate the power of a clear and consistent design process to produce quality results. Process is what ensures that everyone on the team understands their responsibilities and delivers to specification. It’s what ensures both client and agency representatives know what to expect from each other at every project touchpoint. A top packaging design agency will know that the best way to guarantee an exceptional end product is to stick to an established process that keeps all parties accountable. 

Top design firm, Pulp and Wire, emphasizes the benefit of being process-driven on their website, saying: “From start-ups to established enterprises, our holistic branding & marketing process finds the focus that builds enduring brands.”

Design is an art form, but that doesn’t mean there’s no room for science in it. On the contrary, the proper foundational research is essential to effective design. The best designers rely on research to inform their approach to any given project. Package design research will entail surveying the client to get an idea of the company’s sensibilities, goals, design preferences, and overall mission or guiding philosophy. Research will also take the form of consumer surveys and focus groups, competitive product packaging analysis, and market analysis. 

Most package design companies are able to handle a number of different design needs, from brand identity to user experience design. At top agencies you can expect to find many of the following services on offer:

●     Naming -  Naming is one of the most fundamental elements of branding. Naming strategies may be done for brand new businesses or those looking to pivot in a new direction.

●     Logo Design - Custom logo design, including brand brief, logo concepts, and multiple iterations leading to selection of the final design.

●     Brand Identity - A full set of assets and standards, including logo, typography, color palettes, core messaging, and packaging if applicable.

●     Corporate Identity - Logo and brand assets for corporate clients, including business cards, letterhead, and assorted print materials.

●     Package Design - Custom package design for a single product or line of products. Including research, cost analysis, packaging material selection, mockups, and production.

●     Web Design - Many package design teams exist within broader design companies that can also handle web design and development needs. Bringing web under the same roof as branding can be a good way to streamline projects and reduce the need to onboard separate teams.

●     Print Design - Print may be less dominant now than it once was, but it will never fade away completely. Many brands still have need of print design services and most graphic design agencies are able to accommodate print needs of all shapes and sizes.

Many package design companies seek to define themselves as industry leaders by submitting their work in design competitions. Winning a prestigious design award puts a spotlight on their brand and helps cement their reputation as a leading agency. Awards also signal to prospective clients that an agency is trusted and respected in the field.

Because design firms are so visual by nature, they are likely to use social media marketing to promote their work and aesthetic. Content marketing is also key and many design companies publish materials that promote the firm’s leadership as industry tastemakers. Testimonials, client references, and case studies are also central to the marketing of a packaging design company. Top agencies are proud to feature examples of their work prominently on their websites.

Package design is a critical element of branding. When designed effectively, packaging will help a product get noticed even in the most crowded of marketplaces. If your company is looking for a package design agency to take on your next product launch, these are the differentiating factors to be on the lookout for:

●     Investment in relationships - Does the agency emphasize their desire to forge a lasting, mutually beneficial relationship with their clients? Do they present themselves as open and honest communicators?

●     Bold vision - Is the design firm comfortable making bold choices and taking risks if the project calls for it? Does their past work indicate an innovative approach to packaging design? Has the firm won any design awards recognizing their work (eg; dieline awards)?

●     Holistic approach - Is the firm able to handle multiple aspects of your company’s branding needs? If you already have branding elements in place, can the firm work confidently and effectively within existing parameters?

●     Process-oriented - Is there a clear process in place that dictates the progress of the agency’s projects? How is this process communicated, and how are teams kept attuned and aligned to project goals and timelines?

●     Research-driven - Is the design process built on a foundation of research? What kinds of research will the agency undertake before beginning design and how will they use their findings to inform their work?