How to Choose a Character Design Service?
Looking for that Great Character Design!
A character design or a mascot can sometimes become an integral part of your advertisement strategy. Apart from an effective logo and memorable name, a mascot can also add a new dimension to your brand by making it more memorable for your customers.
In many cases, people remember a particular mascot more than the name of the company or its logo. It is an extension of your brand image and helps to endear your products and services to your customers. Given the importance of the right character, it is vital for you to select a character design company with care.
What Comprises a Good Character Designing Firm?
There are several service providers who will design a character or mascot for your company or a particular brand. Good character designers are experts in amalgamating creativity with technology. They are well versed in both the theoretical and practical aspects of character design and will use the latest technology to give shape to your dream mascot.
You can get your work done either by well-established character design companies who employ several designers or by freelancers. Either way, the quality of the work should take precedence over other factors. And always remember to talk to the person who will actually be doing your work.
A character designer should be a patient listener, understand your vision and be willing to adapt his/her creativity to suit your budget. You should know what to look for in a company before hiring so that you get the best services at the right price.
Look for Experience
Character design companies who are in this industry for years will naturally have skilled and trained designers working for them. A freelancer too can be experienced enough to understand your brief and translate it correctly.
Always ask to see a portfolio of the work done so that you are sure of the output. The portfolio must have samples of work similar to what you are looking for. It is important that the character designer you ultimately choose has prior experience of designing the particular style of character you want for your brand /company.
Evaluate Communication and Customer Service:
When you are working with a company on a project, clear communication from either side is a top priority. Both should understand each other expectations and limitations. Feel free to ask questions and offer suggestions about your character design, so as to ensure that they understand what you are looking for.
Customer service should be friendly and prompt. In case you don’t like the initial sketches, the company / freelancer should be ready to offer other options without delaying your project unnecessarily on flimsy grounds. Word-of-mouth can be one of the best ways of selecting a reliable character design company.
Consider the Cost for Character Design
The remuneration charged by character design service providers can vary unbelievably from company to company; even for the same project. Differences can be due to several factors and you really need to talk to individual service providers to arrive at a decision. The best quote should be a healthy balance of quality and cost effectiveness.
No matter what character designing company you finally hire, you should get a written agreement that will mention all the services to be provided. The agreement should mention transfer of rights to you regarding the mascot. It should also clarify the number revisions that are included in the original quote and an expected time-frame for the completion of your project.
