Ana*litk

So, I found Communicate By Design (CBD) after having a couple of not-so-great, to disastrous encounters in our search for a go-to graphic designer. Turns out, they were a much better fit for our company than simply just for graphic design!

CBD is a small company out of Sterling. But they aren't so small like a freelance graphic designer with no accountability who just disappears on you (yep that's happened to us!). They aren't so big that it takes 2 weeks to get a quote (yep, that's happened to us!). For our small business, they have been a great fit. The longest it took to get a quote which was our first experience with them involving multiple pieces was 2 days. Quite reasonable. Now that we've been working with them and just need one-offs, I usually get pricing that day or the next.

The nice thing about them is that we came in with a brochure done by another designer and asked them to emulate it for the 2 other brochures we needed. And they did. We've given them other pieces where we've had a concept and asked them to stay with our concept...and they did! Whether or not they agreed with our direction they never said anything to us. It was so nice not to have to fight a designer with what we wanted. However, I will say, they did point out an improvement to the way we were using our trademark and we made the change based on their direction. Their graphic design work is quick too - we usually got edits back within a day.

Here's a bonus tidbit to know if you need print work: Their printing costs are quite cheap and they work with local printers and know which ones excel at certain things for the best price. So, our folders were sent one place, brochures another...it varies based on which printer does the best/most reasonable work. However, if you have a printer you like to use, they will send it to whomever you like.

They are local to our company so we can just pick up our projects when they are ready. Their offices are not wheelchair accessible, but they do have a fulfillment area and a tiny lobby (no receptionist) on the main floor if you need to stop by and pick up your stuff if you can't make it up the stairs.

I didn't give them 5 stars yet because we haven't given them any work to just run with to see how their graphic design from a blank slate is (we've always had a concept).

Oh, and one more thing...when you get your bill, its itemized so you see exactly how many hours and what was done for your project. Ours came in cheaper than our original quote - score!