The best graphic designers in Canberra

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Jules and Ty from Shoelace Creative posing for a photo

Jules & Ty from Shoelace Creative, one of the best graphic designer companies in Canberra. Photo: Shoelace Creative.

In today’s busy world it’s a smart move for businesses to use professional graphic design services. It helps you stand out in the crowd. Professional graphic design isn’t just about “good looks”. It’s about achieving business goals. This includes attracting new customers, achieving sales, promoting products or providing services.

In this article, we’ll outline the qualities to consider when choosing a professional graphic design company, and share where to find the best in Canberra.

What makes a great graphic designer?

A great graphic designer will get to know your business. This way they’ll be able to reflect your business through amazing visuals. Great graphic designers work hard to present your brand in the most effective way. Choosing the right graphic designer can help fast-track your project.

It can be helpful to keep the following in mind when choosing a graphic designer.

  • Technical know-how. Choose a graphic designer who has design flair and technical know-how. This is important because graphic designers use information technology and software applications to do their work.
  • Creativity and innovation. You’ll want a graphic designer who is creative and innovative. You’ll want one who thinks outside the box . This will enable them to present exciting visual solutions for your needs.
  • Briefing and communications. You’ll want a graphic designer who pays attention to your brief. Make sure your graphic designer is a great communicator so, above all, nothing gets lost in translation. Graphic designers also need to be good communicators with printers and other production experts who may be involved in your project.
  • Organised and efficient. It’s essential that your graphic designer work efficiently to save you money. Above all they need to be organised so they don’t miss deadlines.
  • Experienced. Choose a graphic designer who is experienced and has a fantastic portfolio.

The best graphic designers in Canberra

RiotACT’s editorial team has combed through 20 years of on-site comments to compile a list of the most recommended businesses according to you.

To be listed in our Best of Canberra series, each business needs to have consistently received positive feedback on RiotACT and Facebook as well as maintaining a minimum average of 4/5 stars on Google.

Collective Club

Operating a small business in Canberra can be challenging, especially when it comes to maintaining a great online presence. Not every business has the time or resources to create powerful graphic design in house.

Recognizing this struggle, Collective Club emerged to provide a unique service that focuses on quality graphic design, branding and marketing for all businesses related to the property industry.

Drawing on decades of combined experience in business, Collective Club provides for builders, landscapers, mortgage brokers, solicitors, conveyancers, stylists, designers, maintenance and inspection professionals, architects, developers, and more thanks to their association with Canberra real estate masters, The Property Collective.

"To get more business, you don’t need to be the best, but you do need to be seen the most," the Collective Club team says. "Your brand needs to be where your customers are, and they are likely on one or more social channel. The more people you can get taking notice of you, the more potential customers you will have who want to hear what you have to say and who will listen when you say it."

Specialising in tailored branding, website design, brochures and stationary, and content creation, Collective Club also develops a suite of custom social media tiles and templates designed to appeal to a specific audience, build strong brand recognition, generate new leads and convert existing ones.

"Great team! Allows me to focus on doing business, while they take of my personal brand and promotion. Love how the team make it so easy," says Canberra real estate agent, Will Honey.

Shoelace Creative

High-quality, effective graphic design is a main service stream at Shoelace Creative. This is no ordinary graphic design, however. It is graphic design stands out and supports organisations to enhance their brand, marketing and promotional material.

The team of graphic designers at Shoelace Creative begins with a free discovery session, scoping objectives, business needs and possibilities. They then get to work on graphic design that is memorable and captures audience's attention.

Shoelace Creative also creates exciting illustrations and packaging. All work is designed to bring unique ideas to life.

The team works across the full spectrum of graphic design, to suit any style, whether corporate or lifestyle. Graphic designers understand the importance of paving the way for business growth and producing best marketing and sales products.

While graphic design is a major feather in Shoelace Creative’s cap, the team also specialises in video production, photography, branding and marketing.

Obligation-free discovery sessions are available.

Ken Murray writes on Google, 'I've had the privilege of working with Jules and Ty on a number of projects now. They are great collaborators and a delight to work with at every stage of the creative process.'

GRi.D Communications

GRi.D Communications—an award-winning graphic design company—was established more than 27 years ago. The GRi.D team provides the full suite of graphic design services. GRi.D is expert in the graphic design of corporate and visual identities, publications, annual reports, brochures, books, merchandise, online products, signage and exhibition design. Digital communication services is another area of expertise.

Wendy Johnson wrote on the RiotACT, “GRi.D Communications is creative, flexible, professional and highly experienced and proactive with advice.”

Swell Design Group

For more than 20 years, Swell Design Group has provided graphic design services for thousands of projects. Its close-knit group of designers and developers are expert at breathing life into brands, digital experiences and built forms. They do so with strategic thinking, collaboration and personality. In addition to brands and websites, Swell Design Group develops print products, signage and wayfinding.

On Google, Marty Bradstreet wrote, “Great team of designers that go above and beyond expectations!”

FoundryCo

FoundryCo is your team for brand, graphic design, creative and websites. Their experience and broad portfolio of clients have their process producing effective and beautiful work without the fluff.

By providing a mix of design, strategy and digital solutions, FoundryCo builds your brand so it stands out in a saturated market.

If you’re looking for more information on design and production services, you might like our articles on the best printers, best web designers, best digital signage companies, best sticker and decal companies, best pull-up banner and flag companies and best A-frame signs Canberra has to offer.

Your experience with graphic designers in Canberra

Thanks to our commenters who have provided insightful feedback. If you believe we have got it wrong, please let us know.

Have you had experience with any of the graphic designers listed above? If so, share your feedback in the comments below.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I choose a graphic designer?

Choose a graphic designer with an excellent portfolio, proven experience and strong communication skills. You’ll want one who wants to learn about your business. Choose a company that will meet your deadlines and work to your budget. Select a graphic designer who has a personality you can work well with.

How do I brief a graphic designer?

You can write a brief and/or talk to the graphic designer. It’s important to be clear on your needs. Graphic designers can provide advice and great ideas, but you’ll need to explain what your project is about.

How much does graphics design cost?

Many factors influence graphic design costs, for example, the type, size and complexity of your project. Ask for detailed and itemised written quotes. Do so before signing an agreement. Also ask how you’ll be billed.

Are all graphic designers brand specialists?

Not all graphic designers offer branding services. Some do specialise in brands, however. It’s best to check this out at the start. Also ask for examples of their branding work.

If I’m paying for the graphics design do I own the original files?

It’s essential to discuss this in advance with your graphic website designer. Doing so will make sure everyone is clear on ownerships. Copyright issues are often involved in graphic design work.

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Wendy Johnson8:26 am 13 Oct 20

GRi.D Communications is creative, flexible, professional, highly experienced and proactive with advice. It’s always so rewarding working with this team, on projects large and small.

PickedANickname10:10 am 01 Jun 09

I used to work with Graphic Designers once as a business manager and before that a print rep.

Hands down Liz Faul for reports or publications and anything arty. Also with a lone designer you are getting a resonable rate and not having to feed a studio.

If you want a studio I would talk to Ben at Paper Monkey.

wow allot of these websites people are posting are poorly designed hehe.

Firstly I work for 2B Advertising and Design http://www.2b.com.au – were’ pretty good, we always bring chocolates to meetings and are cheap!.

Secondly in my opinion these are the other folks to seek out , Swell, Papercut, Voodoo, Co-Ordinate, Couch and did I mention 2B ? – good medium sized studio’s that have some nice stuff in their portfolio’s.

To answer the other part of your question, working on public service briefs can sometimes be like … um … I better not say anything.

Brilliant, small, local graphic designer: white fox communications Love his style, quite reasonably priced, and good service.

anotherbloke3:06 pm 31 May 09

I’ve got to say I’ve had great dealings with the whole team at Voodoo Creative in Phillip. Easy to deal with and always get the jobs done on time and for a reasonable price… they seem to have two websites http://www.voodoocreative.com.au and website stuff at http://www.voodooweb.com.au

Claire at Papercut is fantastic. Very client focussed, will go out of the way to assist and make the finished project great, also puts a focus on sustainable design. http://www.papercut.net.au .

Let me suggest Ntasha Gerebtzoff at Gr8 @mosphere, I used them to design my business logo, letterheads & cards and was extremely happy with the work she produced.

The pricing was reasonable and she really listened when I described what I wanted the logo to achieve, the design work was exactly what I was after.

http://www.gr8atmosphere.com.au/index.html

Their focus is primarily interior design work but give her a call in relation to graphic design also, she’s a genius..

Muttsybignuts12:22 am 31 May 09

Daryl at http://www.itchybrain.com.au is excellent and a nice bloke to boot.

Swell will probably turn around in a few weeks and refuse all new clients because they have suddenly, and inexpilicably, become rather busy. They already don’t read RA – because they have lives – but now they never will.

It’s a subjective topic, but IMHO SWELL Design in Manuka does some excellent work. They have a website but I’m too lazy to look it up. Check Google.

Hiya
Try Liz Faul – her website is here.

http://www.elizabethfaul.com.au

I know Liz and her talents through some great work she has done over the past few years (gratis) for a community group I am involved in (or should that be “group with which I am involved”?)

cheerily

tess

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