Business
The Secret Weapon Agencies Don’t Want You to Know About
Published
2 years agoon

Your brand is a force to be reckoned with, but every time you need a new design—whether it’s for your website, social media posts, marketing materials, ads, etc.—you hit a wall. Maybe you’ve tried hiring freelancers, only to find that they’re unreliable, missing deadlines, or delivering work that’s just not up to your standards. Or you turn to design agencies and end up spending a fortune on designs that don’t even capture the essence of your brand.
Sound familiar?
Then there’s the option of doing it all in-house, but let’s be honest—your team is already stretched thin, or maybe this design work just isn’t their forte. Instead of focusing on growing your business, you’re bogged down with revisions, design miscommunications, and never-ending back-and-forths with both designers and clients (each of whom probably blame the other). It’s frustrating, time-consuming, and worst of all, it’s keeping your brand/your clients’ brands from looking their best.
If this is you, you’re not the only one. Let’s take a minute to explore why this is happening.
Where Modern Brands Get Stuck

You’d think that in today’s highly connected business world, getting top-notch design work done would be easy enough. But the reality is far from it. The sheer number of options out there is overwhelming—do you go with a freelancer, an agency, or build your own in-house team? Each path comes with its own set of challenges, and none of them are as straightforward as they seem. Just because there’s quantity doesn’t mean there’s quality.
Basically, more options = more complexity. And more complexity = less efficiency.
Finding a freelancer might seem like an easy, budget-friendly option, but how do you really know if they’re any good? There’s no easy way to vet them before hiring, and many have little to no experience in handling complex projects. Even if you do manage to find a talented designer, coordinating with them remotely can turn into a logistical nightmare.
On the other hand, if you have a solid in-house team, managing the design process becomes a full-time job in itself. Whether it’s developing a website, creating a mobile app, or launching a new marketing campaign, every detail needs to be just right. The more your company grows, the more complex your design needs become, and suddenly, you’re drowning in work—too many projects, too many people to manage, and no streamlined way to keep everything on-brand and on-schedule for each client.
When hiring full-time designers or even just popular freelancers, costs can rack up quickly. Before you know it, you’re paying multiple salaries just to get the bare minimum of what you need from a design team.
Running an agency today is complicated. So it’s 100% forgivable to need outside support.
Enter: Your Night & Shining Armor, Penji

Penji is a graphic design service that runs on a subscription model, offering unlimited design projects for a flat monthly fee. Founded in 2017, Penji is tailored for businesses and agencies that need ongoing graphic design support without the traditional constraints of per-project fees or design contests. Unlike other creative platforms, Penji assigns a dedicated designer from their talent pool to each project, allowing for personalized service and continuous collaboration. Brands get a range of design services including branding materials, ads social posts, websites, apps, custom illustrations, presentations, and more.
You might think opting for a whole design team would break the bank, but it’s actually far more affordable than hiring a full-time designer (yes, we did the math). By subscribing to an unlimited design service, you not only cut costs dramatically but also avoid the endless task of sorting through freelancers who might not meet your expectations.
With this approach, you can finally say goodbye to:
- The frustrating cycle of hiring and firing designers year-round
- Missing critical deadlines because the work wasn’t delivered on time
- A disjointed brand identity that doesn’t represent your vision
- Accepting mediocre designs that feel rushed and uninspired
- Overburdening your in-house team with more design tasks than they can handle
How the Process Works
- Start a Design Project: The process begins when you create a design project by filling out a straightforward form. This form includes details about your design needs and allows you to attach relevant files. Penji encourages you to provide comprehensive information to ensure that the assigned designer has a clear understanding of your requirements.
- Get Assigned a Designer: Once your project is submitted, Penji matches you with a designer who they believe is best suited for your project. This designer will be your point of contact, and you can communicate directly with them throughout the process. The initial draft of your design is delivered within 24 to 48 hours.
- Review/Request Revisions: After receiving the first draft, you have the opportunity to review it and request revisions if needed. Penji’s approach ensures that you’re completely satisfied with the final product before it’s considered finished.
- Want to see how it works? Check out a free live demo.
Choosing a Design Package

All the packages are laid out with monthly, quarterly, and yearly pricing. Starting at $499 per month for the Starter plan, you’ll be able to make unlimited graphic design requests with a 24-48 hour turnaround (Keep in mind, more complex projects like websites will take longer). If your design needs grow, you’ll have the Marketer and Agency packages to choose from.
What’s the Turnaround Time?
When using this design tool, you can typically expect to receive at least one draft by the next day. In fact, many users are pleasantly surprised to find three drafts ready for review within 24 hours. For comparison, most freelancers and design firms often take several days just to submit a single draft.
What’s impressive is the quality of the designs, especially considering the quick turnaround. This is largely because each project is handled by a different designer, giving you the advantage of having a virtual design team working on your requests simultaneously.
Using the Built-in Revision Tool

Penji has a built-in revision tool that lets you click anywhere on the design to leave a revision. It’s useful as it enables you to pinpoint what you want to change.
Even with the initial drafts being strong, you might still need some revisions. Typically, these revisions are turned around the same day or by the next day, depending on their complexity. For more involved revisions, you might be told it will take up to 24 hours, which is still a relatively quick process compared to other design services. One thing to note is that while the platform is efficient, it doesn’t offer real-time chat with your designer.
Designer Swap

You may not always see eye-to-eye with a particular designer. If their take on a project just doesn’t feel right and you’ve tried revisions, Penji allows you to try a different designer at no cost (and no awkwardness).
Is Penji Right for You?
Penji is a robust solution for brands that require a steady stream of design work. Its subscription-based model, fast turnaround times, and the advantage of working with a dedicated designer make it a compelling choice for those who value efficiency and consistency in their design projects. However, the service may not be ideal for those who only need occasional design work or are seeking a broader range of creative services (eg. 3D animation).
If you’re tired of having a design workflow that’s not efficient enough, Penji offers an opportunity to simplify and get tailored support from a pro design team year-round.
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TLDR; If you need a logo design agency in New York, check out Penji, MBLM, Rootless Agency and Catchword for excellent branding, graphic design, and logo design for your aviation company to stand apart.
Did you know that 60% of consumers are more likely to purchase from a brand they recognize, and 50% say they’re more likely to use a company with a logo they know? Your logo is the face of your business—it’s your first impression, lasting memory, and a powerful symbol of everything you stand for. Get it wrong, and your brand could struggle to make an impact. Get it right, and you create instant recognition and trust.
If you’re searching for the best logo design agency in New York, you’re in the right place. Below, we’ve highlighted four standout agencies known for exceptional branding, each with unique strengths, pricing, and creative approaches.
1. Penji

Penji is a design-as-a-service agency which offers unlimited graphic design through a subscription basis. They don’t just create logos for their clients, but they are a full-service agency as they also offer branding, web design and more.
Pros:
- Penji offers unlimited design requests with quick turnaround times
- Penji also offers a dedicated design team just for you
- The designs you receive are cost-friendly
- Penji emphasizes brand identity
Cons:
- Turnaround times may vary based upon complexity of work
- They are not as personalized in approach as agencies that are boutique
- They focus on companies which require routine graphic design work
If you want to work with a logo design agency in New York that is budget-friendly but flexible, Penji is the agency to go with.
2. MBLM

MBLM is a branding agency that is full-service and works beyond logos alone. They focus on strategy and creativity and establishing an emotional connection between brand and consumer.
Pros:
- MBLM is knowledgeable about branding and strategy
- The agency has experience with enterprise-level clients
- They take a holistic approach to logos and branding
- They utilize deep research for their designs
Cons:
- They may not be friendly to small businesses regarding costs
- Their timelines may be long as they use complex research methods
- Their approach to branding is unique and thorough
If you want holistic branding along with a logo design agency in New York, MBLM will provide complex, in-depth strategies so you can invest deeply into your brand.
3. Rootless Agency

Rootless Agency operates within New York even though they are based in Massachusetts. They focus on creating a logo, WordPress web design and strong branding with effective cohesion.
Pros:
- The agency is highly personalized in their service
- They collaborate well with their clients
- They are communicative and responsive
- Their management skills and turnaround times are exceptional
Cons:
- The small size of the agency could hinder the ability of the agency to work with large projects
- You will need to have virtual meetings since they are not located in New York
- They may not have the recognition of other agencies
If you want a logo design agency in New York that takes an iterative process to ensure all your needs are met, Rootless Agency is your best bet.
4. Catchword

Catchword is a top-rated and award-winning agency with nine years of recognition as the top naming agency. They design more than just a logo as they also work on naming and provide excellent insight. They offer strategic expertise and knowledge on trademarking logos which will benefit your company.
Pros:
- They have strong standings when it comes to naming and branding
- They consider the cultural and linguistic relevance of names
- They offer insights on trademarking before the logo rollout
- They have valuable resources on validation by Fortune 500 companies
Cons:
- They are high-end with pricing so may not benefit start-ups
- They are focused more on naming than logos so they may not fully suit your needs
- Their thorough process will take time so you can get quality results
If you want a quality logo and a name from the best logo design agency in New York that receives trademark protection, Catchword is the agency to choose.
Cover Image Credit: Photo by Proxyclick Visitor Management System from Pexels

Did you know that your workplace design can impact the productivity of your employees? Aside from this, office design also affects employee safety and health. A study by international architectural firm Gensler in the US states revealed that only 38% of employees strongly agree that their workplace currently provides a great experience, highlighting a major gap between what offices offer today and what employees actually need to perform at their best.
So how does the environment impact the health, safety, and productivity of employees?
Design To Encourage Movements

Our work has a big impact on your health. Most of the time employees spend a lot of time on their desks, so they are becoming sedentary. As we all know, sitting down for long periods of time has adverse effects on our health. In addition, movement offers instant benefits, including cognitive performance boost.
Designing office spaces that encourage movement or walking can help curb these problems for employees and employers alike. There are workstations that are designed to be used in either sitting or standing positions. An open space design also encourages employees to walk from one section of the office to another. Sometimes something as basic as an ergonomically correct chair can help prevent ailments like backaches.
Natural Lighting > Fluorescent

Good lighting can help people see details clearly and increased visibility can help increase productivity. But, this does not mean to say that you can skimp on lighting in the office because a study from Cornell University shows that poor lighting is connected to low production levels and social satisfaction among employees. Many offices are composed of cubicles to give employees privacy to do their work. However, the cubicle arrangement also blocks natural light, which means that some employees are not exposed to natural lighting during an entire work cycle.
Humans are wired to seek natural lighting. In fact, many buildings in Europe encourage exposure to natural light. Employees who had the best views were the most productive and were most likely to describe themselves as healthy.
Dedicated Noise-Isolation Areas

Acoustics is another key contributing factor to productivity. To achieve acoustic comfort, the office must have appropriate acoustic support that is conducive to interaction, confidentiality, and concentrative work. If it is too noisy, workers will not be able to communicate with each other let alone concentrate.
Design your office to have multiple quiet areas where employees can migrate to in order to make calls, have private meetings, or to focus on their work.
Designed With Health In Mind

Aside from these factors, employers should also provide workers with suitable ventilation, access to greenery and the gym to help encourage a healthy lifestyle. Even something as basic as giving them access to increase or reduce the temperature in the office can impact their productivity. Employers should also encourage employees to personalize their workstations so that employees are happier. Workspace design should allow employees to socialize with each other easily while at the same time giving them access to views and privacy so that they can work properly and productively.
Good lighting, comfortable furniture, pleasant color schemes, and access to views or natural lighting can help generate positive energy in the office and employee mood. In fact, 8 out of 10 employees said their working environment affects their mental health.
Featured Image Credit: Photo by CadoMaestro from Pexels

How many entrepreneurs do you know start a company with the intention of failing? We hope that this number is zero, but fail can be the result of a business even if it is unintentional. Serial entrepreneurs know many different ways to fail. This is because success in not guaranteed no matter what business you get into. They also share their tips to avoid failure to help you start a profitable business.
Surround Yourself With The Right People
The phrase “It takes a village to raise a child” also applies to a profitable business. Without talented individuals working for you, it will be very hard to survive. Surround yourself with amazing friends and successful business owners so that you can have access to different skills and knowledge that can help you grow a profitable business and make it thrive.
Build a Strong Foundation
Before starting your business, ask yourself why you’re starting it in the first place. How is your product or service going to help your target audience’s lives better? How does this idea align with your core values? Do you have a solid profitable business plan to make this dream a reality? The answers to these questions will help your business have a strong foundation.
Perfect Your Pitch
You should be able to describe your company in 3-5 words. Think of AirBnB: a place to stay. Describing your business concisely will make it easy to understand. If it is easy to understand, it is also easier to sell. When working on your pitch, stay away from mistakes like using industry jargon that is hard to understand for the layman, asking the wrong questions to those who listened to you, not making the pith relevant to the listener or only talking about yourself.
Know Your Competitors
Keep your enemies close and your competitors closer. They are not the enemy but not knowing what they’re doing could be harmful to your company. Don’t hesitate to use tools to analyze your competition. Tools like SEMrush, SimilarWeb or even Google Alert can help tell you what your competitor is up to and increase your chances of survival.
Build a “Must Have Product”
Sites like Hacker News have a ton of really cool startups ideas. However, if you really want to increase your chances of survival and success, build a must-have-product instead of a nice-to-have product. The difference between the two is easy to spot. The former is a product that is hard to live without while the latter is more disposable.
Build A Company That You Can Scale Independently of Your Staff
It’s better to grow a company that can be scaled using technology and automation. Take Groupon for example that did the opposite. They have a massive staff because they need it to keep new deals flowing everyday and to service their customers. Their company is not scalable because their growth is dependent on the number of staff their hire. This is why their balance sheet is awful.
Find Ways To Keep Costs Low
You can think of cash as your company’s lifeblood and high cost is equivalent to a hemorrhage. Remember that all the cash in the world is not worth anything unless it’s a positive cash flow. Find ways to keep your costs low like going directly to the supplier or negotiating for better prices. Find better ways to finance transactions and ways to work out deals.
Focus on Sales and Marketing
Nothing happens in business unless a sale is made. From the start, find ways to get leads and ways to convert those leads into sales and make sure you are getting repeat sales from your customers. To do this you need an effective sales and marketing funnel that you can work, test and measure.
Always Find Ways To Increase Profits
Don’t rest on your laurels yet. Don’t just be happy with getting customers and making them buy from you. Always find ways to get them to buy more.
Embrace Creativity
Brands like Apple and Ikea stand the test of time because they have followers who are loyal to them. They also differentiated their companies from their competitors by embracing innovation and creativity. Reach out to your employees and don’t be afraid to use their ideas. Launching new products and developing a clever marketing campaign is a good way of retaining that competitive edge your company needs.
Test and Measure
Are your marketing campaigns increasing sales? Is your social media presence helping drive traffic to your website? Testing and measuring everything gives you perspective especially if you want to find ways to increase traffic and keep costs down. Use tools like Google Analytics and Unbounce to help you test and measure marketing campaigns.
Empower Your Staff
No matter how big or small you are, empowering your staff by letting their voices be heard can help boost your profitability. When they feel that they are contributing or when you give them freedom to work, you are making them feel wanted which can greatly affect their productivity and self confidence.

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