What makes Design Strategies different from other graphic design companies?
Marketing expertise. We don't just create pretty pictures—our marketing campaigns are based on a series of proven actions and real-world research. Our continuing successful strategy with each new client follows this general pattern: We examine the company's sources of income and list them in order of volume and importance (referrals, ads, direct sales, web sales, etc.), We research the types of customers the company sells to for information on how to properly communicate the value of the company's products and services, We look at what has already been successful for the company, We interview the top sales people and executives to obtain past successful actions to be used in the design projects, We create a promotional campaign that strengthens the most productive income source using proven successful actions as part of the designs, We test the designs to make sure they are effective before printing occurs, and When the first campaign is producing well, we take the second most productive source of income and create a campaign to strengthen that area, and When all current income sources have been strengthened, we work with the client to pilot new areas of expansion.

How long have you been in business?
Design Strategies, Inc. has been delivering high-quality graphic design to companies across the world since 1990. We recently relocated our offices from California to Clearwater, Florida—just across the bay from Tampa—to take advantage of several new business opportunities. We have worked successfully with hundreds of companies across the U.S., Canada, England, Germany, The Netherlands, South Africa, Australia and South America producing a very wide range of products and services, including logo design, brochures, packaging, web sites, posters, billboards and ads. We also offer custom illustration, photography and copy writing services. Our clients tend to stick with us for many years, an indication that we continue to provide excellent value over the long term. It's important to us on each project that our clients are completely satisfied, and we work diligently until they are. We understand deadlines and can turn design projects around quickly while still maintaining superior quality. Our prices are normally well below what many companies are used to paying top-flight agencies for similar high-standard production values. Take a look through our various sample pages, then give us a call at (727) 466-6888 to discuss your project.

My company is not located in Florida or is outside the USA. Is it easy doing business over such long distances?
Yes—we do it every day! We have many clients all over the U.S., Canada and as far away as England, Germany, The Netherlands, South American, South Africa and Austrailia. All you need is a telephone, an email address and a product or service that needs promoting. We can work with you to create beautiful, effective brochures, packaging, logos and web sites to help stimulate the growth of your company. During the design process, designs will be sent to you via email or displayed for your inspection on special web pages you can access with your web browser. On completion the final design files will be emailed to you or your printer, or can be shipped on CD via FedEx or regular mail. We can even have brochures and packaging printed and shipped to you. Please contact us at (727) 466-6888 to discuss your specific needs, or email us with further information at info@designstrategies.com.

What types of design services does Design Strategies offer?
If it helps promote your company, we probably do it. Brochures, logos, web sites, packaging, ad design, billboards, photography, illustration and writing are just some of the services we deliver to our clients. We've designed custom DVDs, CDs and book covers, along with posters and large trade show banners. Several clients have also had us assist in the design of the on-screen interface for software programs. Note: Some of our designs are not displayed on our site for proprietary or confidential reasons.

Why should I use a professional design company to design my promotional materials and logos?
Just like you wouldn't trust anyone but a trained and experienced dentist for your dental work, you shouldn't trust your company's corporate image to anyone but a trained and professional graphic designer with a successful track record. If your company's image isn't top-notch, you could be losing countless business opportunities. A trained designer is capable of creating an effective campaign for your company that will generate far more income and sales leads than it will cost you for the design work. In actual fact, professionally designed promotion doesn't cost you a thing because it generates far more than it cost to produce it. Think of it as an investment in future prosperity. Trying to save money with unprofessional promotional materials could end up costing thousands in lost sales, wasted printing costs and failed advertising. Click here to give us more information on what you need.

How much will a logo design cost?
Logo design prices vary from approximately $1000 - $4500 U.S. depending on the amount of work involved. Your logo is the ambassador for your company and can make or break your sales. Done professionally, it can raise your company to new heights and new markets. Click here to give us details of your project.

What about brochure design costs?
No two brochures are the same. There are many variables that can affect the price, including page size, total number of pages, photography, custom art, text writing, research, etc. This means that brochures vary in cost considerably. As a rough estimate small mailable brochures that can fit into a standard #10 envelope cost $2000 - $4500 U.S. Large presentation brochures with page sizes at or near lettersize are priced at around $3000 - $7000 and higher depending on the amount of work involved. Please note that these are very rough figures and that an exect determination of the cost of your job will be done when we have all the specifics of what you need. Contact us today for a price quote.

Getting Organized for Our First Meeting. The following is a checklist of items to assist you in gathering together the information we need to know about your company. The following 10 points cover various pieces of information that will be helpful in working on your design projects. Don't worry if you only have a few of the items on the list. Just gather together the information that you have handy.

For Local Clients — Call us first so we can go over your design needs and schedule an appointment. Bring as much (or as little) as you have to our first meeting if possible. Be sure to call if you have any questions: (727) 466-6888.

For long distance clients — After we've spoken on the phone about your design project, please FedEx or Priority Mail the following materials at your earliest convenience to tell us about your company, products and services. If you have questions, please don't hesitate to contact us at (727) 466-6888.

Make a list of your company's products and services: Let us know what you do/sell/deliver, where you are and general information about your company.

List your company's most successful actions: Who are the best sales people in your company? What actions/products currently make the most money for you? Make a list of any past successful actions which have always proven to increase your business over the long term. Some of these could include: a mailing piece or ad that got terrific response, the names of your company's executives or sales people you couldn't live without, a past radio campaign or a special give-away program that produced a large number of sales leads, etc.

Gather up letters from customers, positive magazine or newspaper reviews, testimonials, etc. Collect letters, e-mails or any type of correspondence from your customers that say how much they like your products and appreciate your services. These are immensely valuable and can sometimes become the basis of a whole marketing campaign.

Do you have any recent market research or surveys that have been done for your company? If you have any existing research or surveys that have been done for your company within the last 2 years, bring this with you. If you don't have existing or current survey materials, please let us know — we can provide custom research if required.

Collect past promotional material such as ads, brochures, letterhead, mailers, packaging, etc. We will go over what you are currently using to select what to keep and what needs improvement. This is also very helpful in determining past successful actions. If you have a promo scheduling logo recording what pieces went out and when, it would be very helpful.

Get copies of your competition's promo items. Do you know who your competitors are? This information can be an extremely valuable part of your campaign. If possible, dig up any available promotional materials from companies in competition with you. It's very helpful to know what the other guy is doing — to avoid his mistakes as well as take advantage of his successes.

Bring photos or custom artwork if available. Bring any existing photos of your products, staff at work, etc. These will give us a better idea of what you do or sell, and may also be useable in the actual advertising campaign (depending on quality). Always bring along product samples if possible.

Make up a client list. Write out a list of your major clients and/or high-volume customers. These businesses or individuals can be surveyed for additional data or used in your promotion pieces to let prospects know who buys from you, instilling confidence in new buyers.

Write up your company mission statement and goals. Write down in a few words, the basic purposes and goals of your company.

List the different publics (types of customers you sell to. "Public" is a marketing term used to describe a particular type of people your company does business with. For example, you may sell your products primarily to "students", somewhat less often to "homeowners" and rather infrequently to "doctors". This would mean that you have three separate publics — each possibly requiring its own separate marketing campaign. If you don't know who your publics are, we can help you sort this out. Promoting to the incorrect publics can often waste thousands of dollars in advertising costs.






What types of packaging design work do you do?
To date we've designed packaging for CDs, DVDs, VHS cassettes, software boxes, toys, cosmetics, book jackets, vitamins, manuals & manual covers, food products and much more. Visit the packaging section of our site to view samples then give us a call at (727) 466-6888 to discuss your needs. Not all products are displayed on our site due to confidentiality agreements with our clients, so if you don't see what you need—it doesn't mean we don't do it. Click here to fill us in on the details of your proposed packaging product.

How much will a web site cost?
This is one of the toughest questions to answer as there are so many possibilities involved in web design. Cost per page can vary as much as $200 to $500 or higher. Advanced programming, custom functionality and high tech stuff will be quoted. Click here to fill us in on the details of your proposed site.

What are your payment terms?
We require a 50% deposit to begin your project, with the balance due at job completion. We accept credit cards (Visa, Mastercard and American Express) and checks payable to Design Strategies, Inc. All funds should be made payable in U.S. dollars.

Where is Design Strategies located?
Our design studio is located at 2060 Sunset Point Road, Unit 52, Clearwater, FL 33765, midway between Belcher and Hercules in the Woodlake development. Click for a printable map. Call (727) 466-6888 for exact driving directions.





Your company image is vital to the life of your business™

2060 Sunset Point Road, Unit 52 • Clearwater, FL 33765 • Studio Phone: (727) 466-6888 • Fax: (727) 466-6881
Email: info@designstrategies.com • Use our Quote Request Form to provide us with details on your logo, packaging, brochure, ad or web design projects for your company.

Copyright © 1990-2006 Williams Creative Group, Inc. All Rights Reserved. WILLIAMS CREATIVE GROUP, DESIGN STRATEGIES and the planet logo are trademarks and service marks owned by Williams Creative Group, Inc. of Florida. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners. Note: Business results may vary depending on many factors besides the promotional material we create. Results, therefore, cannot be guaranteed.