FAQ: Frequently Asked Questions about The Design Office of John Murph and Strategic Brand Design

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After 35 years in the business of branding and design, we've learned that the less there is between you and the designers specifically working on the challenges you face, the better. After all, who understands those challenges more than you? Why filter that informed perspective through unnecessary layers of agency architecture and upsell? And why risk being leveraged and commandeered by a larger agency more interested in wining industry accolades than in creating practical solutions for you?

As a small one-person studio, John Murph is your single point of contact — eliminating layers of bureaucracy. With a paradigm of open access and a lean posture, The Design Office of John Murph offers a compelling alternative to agencies burdened with large overhead while providing a more focused, experienced offering than many small graphic design studios.

Direct contact with the one person working on your project makes communication much easier and efficient. By reviewing our work presented here, you have an excellent idea of what The Design Office of John Murph capable of, and what to expect. At larger studios and agencies the work in their portfolio is not necessarily done by any of the people that will be assigned to work on your specific project. Finally, while The Design Office of John Murph is not inexpensive, we do charge significantly less than large agencies as we do not share their overhead.

If you're uncertain as to what you really need — beyond a better brand — that's okay. We enjoy collaborating with clients to identify what's required to help them achieve their goals. We do this as part of our 6-Phase Process, in Strategy Sessions engineered to flush out insights and an action plan.

The Design Office of John Murph's favorite clients are people that value what we can bring to the table, and want to be an active part of their project. It doesn’t matter what industry you work in or if we have worked with a similar client before—the goal is about communicating what makes you unique regardless of your offering. Our clients have ranged from Fortune 100 companies to Mom & Pop start-ups.

Of course. Let us know about your specific situation and what you hope to accomplish. The Design Office of John Murph has taken on many such projects in the past. The Angel Foundation is an example.

The Design Office of John Murph can usually start working on a project within a couple of weeks, depending on our queue. Each project is different, with timeframes that can range from 2-8 weeks depending on scope and the number of touchpoints included.

Yes. Alongside the larger projects, we also love working with smaller startups that are excited about what they are doing, understand that brand design is more than applying lipstick and rouge, and are willing to invest an appropriate budget. For both large and small projects alike, the ideal situation is to have an ongoing relationship where The Design Office of John Murph can have a more substantial impact on the brand over time.

As soon as possible. The earlier you partner with a strategic brand designer about your branding, the more value they can offer. Whether you're a start-up just getting your business plan together, or an established company contemplating a rebrand, please don't hesitate to reach out. Involving the Design Office of John Murph at an early stage helps insure that your brand is on secure footing, and avoids costly fixes later in the game.

There's no essential ‘must-have’ list required before reaching out. That being said, a clear explanation of your current situation, or even a vague idea of what you want to accomplish, along with your budget and deadline are always a helpful start. The Strategy Sessions in our 6-Phase Process will identify the essential information for successful brand development.

Absolutely. Depending on what's most feasible given your location, we can arrange to connect. If you happen to be in the Piedmont Triad area, we can meet for coffee. Otherwise, a virtual connection may make more sense. Reach out and let us know.

Of course. Over the years, The Design Office of John Murph has worked on a number of such projects. Examples include: ZwellBeing, Bluewater Voyage, Maidenform Sport, Pro&Tell, Ambit Technologies, The Angel Foundation, and more.

Yes. Many of the projects we take on include the development of a website as a customer touchpoint. Depending on your needs and objectives, The Design Office of John Murph can implement across a variety of platforms ranging from Squarespace to Wordpress.

Yes. The Design Office of John Murph has extensive experience assisting in print production. This starts with recommendations for the best print process based on the requirements and budget of the project at hand. It includes the provision of industry specifications for soliciting estimates, including variables like stock choice. We can advise on online printing options, and if you are based in the North Carolina Piedmont we can recommend local printers. We will deliver press-ready, actionable digital art based on the protocols stipulated by the printer of choice, and we are on hand to review any pre-press proofs.

We do not broker or finance the actual printing costs, instead arranging a direct relationship between you and the chosen printer. This saves you money and eliminates any markup.