What As Imagined Design Does and How to Work With Them

As Imagined Design is a Columbia-based graphic design studio focused on branding, print, and digital work for small businesses and nonprofits

As Imagined Design operates out of Columbia and specializes in creating visual identities for organizations that need design work but may not have an in-house creative team. The studio handles logo design, brand guidelines, website layouts, print collateral, and packaging—the core services most small businesses and nonprofits reach for when they want a cohesive visual presence.

The studio's approach centers on understanding what a client actually does and translating that into design that works across different formats: a logo that reads clearly on both a business card and a billboard, brand colors that hold up in print and on screen, typography that feels right whether it's on a website or a brochure. This matters because inconsistent design makes an organization look scattered, while thoughtful design builds recognition and trust.

Key Takeaways

• As Imagined Design works primarily with small businesses and nonprofits in the Columbia area who need branding, print design, or digital design services.
• The studio creates logos, brand guidelines, websites, business cards, packaging, and other materials that work across print and digital platforms.
• You'll typically start with a consultation to discuss your organization's goals, audience, and existing visual identity before design work begins.
• The design process usually involves multiple rounds of revision so the final work reflects your actual needs rather than the designer's first instinct.
• Costs vary based on project scope—a simple logo redesign costs less than a full brand identity system with guidelines and multiple applications.

What Services As Imagined Design Offers

The studio's main offerings fall into three categories: brand identity work, print design, and digital design. Brand identity includes logo design, color palettes, typography selection, and brand guidelines documents that show how to use those elements consistently. This is the foundation—once it's done, everything else flows from it.

Print design covers business cards, letterhead, brochures, flyers, packaging, and other materials you can hold in your hand. Digital design includes website layouts, social media graphics, email templates, and digital ads. Many clients need both, which is why working with a single designer or studio makes sense: they understand how your brand should look whether someone encounters it on paper or a screen.

How the Design Process Works

Most design projects start with a discovery conversation. You'll discuss what your organization does, who you're trying to reach, what competitors or similar organizations look like visually, and what feeling you want your brand to convey. The designer asks questions because good design comes from understanding the actual problem, not from guessing.

After that conversation, the designer creates initial concepts—usually several different directions rather than one polished option. You review those concepts and give feedback on what's working and what isn't. The designer then refines based on that feedback, and you typically go through one or two more rounds of revision before arriving at a final design.

This back-and-forth matters. Your first instinct about a design might be "I don't like that blue," but the real issue might be that the design feels too corporate when you want to feel approachable. A good designer listens to the feedback and digs into what's actually bothering you, then adjusts accordingly.

When to Hire a Design Studio Instead of a Freelancer

A design studio like As Imagined Design typically has multiple people on staff or a network of contractors, which means they can handle larger projects, tighter deadlines, and multiple services at once. If you need a logo, a website, and printed materials all ready in six weeks, a studio can usually deliver that. A solo freelancer might take longer or turn down the project.

Studios also tend to have systems in place for project management, revision rounds, and file delivery. You know what to expect at each stage and when things will be done. That structure is worth paying for if you're managing a project alongside your regular job and don't have time to chase down a freelancer.

Understanding Design Costs and Timelines

Graphic design pricing varies widely based on what you're asking for. A logo redesign might cost anywhere from a few hundred dollars to several thousand, depending on how much research and revision the designer does. A full brand identity system—logo, color palette, typography, brand guidelines, and applications to business cards and a website—costs more because it's more work and more strategic thinking.

Timeline depends on project scope and how quickly you can provide feedback. A simple logo might take two to four weeks from start to finish. A full brand identity system typically takes six to twelve weeks because there's more to design and more rounds of revision. If you're slow to respond to drafts or keep changing your mind about direction, the timeline stretches.

Before you hire anyone, ask for a clear scope of work and timeline in writing. Know what's included (how many revision rounds, what file formats you'll receive, whether they'll design applications or just the core brand elements) and what costs extra. This prevents surprises at the end.

What to Prepare Before Your First Meeting

Bring any existing branding materials you have—old logos, current business cards, website screenshots, anything that represents how you currently look. Bring examples of design you admire, even if it's from a completely different industry. If you like the way a restaurant's menu looks or a nonprofit's website feels, show it to the designer. They're not going to copy it, but it tells them what resonates with you.

Write down who your audience is. Are you trying to reach other businesses, consumers, donors, volunteers, or a mix? What do you want people to feel when they see your brand—professional, creative, trustworthy, approachable, bold? The clearer you are about this, the better the designer can work.

If you have a budget in mind, share it. A designer can't give you a full brand identity system for $500, but they might be able to give you a solid logo and basic guidelines. Knowing your budget helps them scope the project realistically.

Questions to Ask Before Hiring

Ask whether the designer will provide source files (the original design files, not just PDFs) so you own what you're paying for. Ask how many revision rounds are included and what happens if you want changes after the project is done. Ask whether they'll design applications—showing how the logo looks on a business card, a website, a vehicle wrap—or just deliver the logo itself.

Ask for references or a portfolio of work similar to what you need. If you're a nonprofit and they mostly design for tech startups, that's not necessarily a dealbreaker, but you want to know. Ask about their process: do they do research, do they present multiple concepts, how many meetings will you have?

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I know if I need a full brand identity or just a logo?

If you're a new organization or your current branding looks outdated or inconsistent across different materials, a full brand identity makes sense. It costs more upfront but saves money and confusion later because everything flows from one system. If you just need a logo refresh and your other materials are fine, a logo-only project works.

What file formats will I receive, and what do I do with them?

You'll typically receive your logo in multiple formats: a high-resolution version for print, a web-optimized version for your website, and usually a vector file (like an AI or EPS file) that can be scaled to any size without losing quality. Ask the designer to explain what each format is for so you know which one to use where.

Can the designer help me apply the brand to my website or social media?

Some designers offer that as part of the project; others stop after delivering the brand guidelines and logo files. Ask upfront whether website design or social media templates are included or available as add-ons. If they're not, you might need to hire a web designer or social media person separately to implement the brand.

What happens if I don't like the first concepts the designer shows me?

That's what revision rounds are for. Tell the designer what's not working—too corporate, not bold enough, colors feel wrong—and they'll create new directions or refine the existing ones. If you're fundamentally unhappy after a few rounds, you can discuss whether the project is a good fit or whether a different approach might work better.

How long will the design stay relevant before I need to update it again?

Good design typically holds up for five to ten years. Trends change, but a well-designed logo and brand identity that reflects what your organization actually does won't feel dated quickly. You might refresh it eventually, but you won't need to overhaul it in two years if it's done thoughtfully.