Studio VS Agency VS Consultancy VS Firm
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- d_rek
A question for everyone: How do you determine which noun is the proper semantic when describing you design/creative business?
To give some background - The company I currently work for is a wholly-owned subsidiary of a much larger company. We are a small group - about 15 employees, and are wondering what is the best term to describe this venture.
Studio - we feel studio might earmark us as 'too small' for our audience. Although our staff is relatively low we don't want to give the impression that we are just a couple of people in someones garage.
Agency - We feel this makes us appear larger than we are, although the term is not inaccurate. We just don't want to be mistaken for a really large agency.
Consultancy - this makes it sound like we don't actually do the work but rather simply 'consult' on it.
Firm - too boring?
Anyway, i'm curious to see what others think.
- monospaced0
In my opinion, Studio or Firm work. Studio doesn't necessarily translate to small, and many small places like the formality of the Firm title.
- agreeOP31
- you make a good case for agency below, thoughmonospaced
- OP310
Either studio or agency. Depends if you want to sound larger or smaller. I work at an "agency" with only 10 employees and we are constantly trying to convince clients we are larger then we actually are.
- utopian0
firm
- formed0
Rotate between Studio, Firm and Agency. You make bank on one, keep it. Really, though, no one cares.
- rson0
go with "group"
- omg0
Studgency
- instrmntl0
I think you'd say that you are a Boutique Agency or Shop housed within the umbrella of [Huge Agency Name].
- cannonball19780
I would use the descriptor when referring to your agency name, but never include it in the name. This will allow your business to scale as needed.
NAME atelier, NAME studio, NAME group, NAME agency, NAME co., etc
- fredddddd0
Studio sounds the best to design types, but the worst to clients.
Firms can be any size (think law firm). Agency sounds like you outsource work or are huge.
- gramme0
I've always preferred "firm," but occasionally mix it up.
"We're a design firm in south St Louis. Why don't you guys stop by the studio some time?"
- cannonball19780
y u no use company
- d_rek0
@cannonball
I like it! ;)
- fredddddd0
Corporation.
- doesnotexist0
just add & partners and call yourself an agency.
i would second boutique agency though.
- yurimon0
Bro-tique
sounds like you get stuff done, man cave style.
Brotique style firm design studio, inc, co.
- pang0
Go with company. Clients are only interested in what you can do for THEM... not what you "classify" your operation as.
The customer "friendlier", the better. Cut the BS.
- yurimon0
wah?! damn. How can you do art under those conditions?
who is your captain? what platoon you are in?http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Com…)
- instrmntl1
Boutique implies high end design.
Lab suggests R&D heavy, prototypes etc.
Studio is multi-disciplinary, although specialized in none.
Agency is for assholes.
Corporation for the 1%.
Group is nice in it's vagueness, although doesn't sound tight knit.
- fadein111
1st world problem... do good work, get payed - thats all that matters.