What do you think is the best advertising agency or design firm in the Triangle Area?

[Patti Zordich]

I am beginning a search for a freelance artist to request samples and a quote for a complete logo and letterhead package. It was recommended that I start with the best advertising agency or design firm in the area, introduce myself to them, and ask for recommendations for the best freelance designers they know. So please reply with your recommendations for the best advertising agency or design firm in the Triangle Area. Thanks.
Patti M. Zordich, Ph.D. www.trypsych.com

[Renee D. Ward]

Hi Patti - I am not sure about large firms, but I can recommend Melanie Dogan at Vigor Creative to do a logo and letterhead package. I used her 6 years ago when she was finishing her degree program at the School of Communication Arts and was very pleased. She has since started her company which is doing quite well. The website is http://www.vigorcreative.com/ and includes a portfolio of their work. I have recommended others to her in the past, and they were pleased as well. Good luck! -Renee

[Patti Zordich]

Thank you Renee.

[Diane Moore]

I would contact Adam Cohen at FWV Distilled. I have been working him and he is really creative. He is the Creative Director and I have been very pleased. His contact information is [e-mail] and his cell is
He is not only creative, but he works with an incredible designer (Johnathan Wisely) and I have learned that the creative person is not usually the person that has the technical skills for the design. Frequently, they are different. I had several false starts. My current web site is not what they did for me. If you are interested in seeing what they did for me (which should be in production in the next couple of weeks), I will be happy to share this with you offline. If you do contact Adam, please let him know that I sent you. I selected them because they have won several ADDY awards in the triangle.

Good Luck!
Diane Moore
Founder and Executive Director
Striving for More, Inc.

[Patti Zordich]

Thank you,
Patti

[Nanette Mattox]

Hi Patti,

If you are still searching for a freelance designer, I would like you to take a look at my portfolio. I have many years of design experience, including logo design. You can see my work online at www.brightleafdesign.com.

Sincerely,
Nanette Mattox

[Patti Zordich]

Hi Nanette,
I would love to talk with you. My cell is 606-5596 and office is 342-3458.
Patti

[Mitch C Amiano]

I'm not a designer, but a techie who manages the Raleigh-Durham Web Design Meetup on Meetup.com. We have many experienced designers, who you could meet in person at any one of our meetings.

For your stated need, href="http://www.peppergraphics.com" target="_blank">Pepper Oldziey is a very experienced design professional with a very strong appreciation for what can be done technically and an award winning design portfolio. I believe she's holding a 1pm meetup Tuesday (tomorrow) at the Briar Creek Panera Bread.

[Paxton Galvanek]

Hello Dr. Zordich,

I will admit that I am new to the area and I am growing my agency in North Carolina. I am a partner at Galvanek & Wahl Advertising Agency, a full service agency. We have been in busy since 2003 and we have the New York City design sense at a fraction of the price. Please feel free to take a look at our website: http://www.GWadagency.com

We can help with your brand development and then transition the brand onto various mediums. I would love for the opportunity to speak with you if you haven't already found an agency.

Thank you kindly.
-Paxton Galvanek
908-875-9370 Cell
[e-mail]

[Lori]

If you're still looking for large creative firms to ask for recommendations here's two suggestions:

Quarry Integrated Communications - www.quarry.com. Their USA office is in this area. They just did a presentation for the local American Marketing Association with one of their clients, Paul Kalbfleisch from RIM -Blackberry.

Hummingbird Creative Group. - www.hummingbird-creative.com. They're a local group with good connections. (ask for Sherry Mitchell)

OR

you could try using the concept of a logo design contest.

Michael Hyatt, CEO of Nelson Publishing used this concept when looking for a new personal design for his blog

See website: www.logomyway.com

[Angela Coulter, Mktg Strategist]

Hi Patti,

Don't know if you've completed this search yet, BUT... of course, I have to throw my hat in! :-)

I own and operate AboutFace Marketing (http://www.aboutfacemarketing.net), which I formalized a in 2008. I have more than 20 years experience in a combination of large and small corporate marketing and brand management under my belt.

Here's the difference in what I provide to clients, over a standard agency or freelance designer: Though I have a strong aptitude in design (and over the years in large corporate, I not only designed but also managed in-house design groups), both for print and electronic/Web, I don't call myself a designer. I'm actually a tried-and-true marketing professional who will work closely with you to first learn more about your marketing plan and strategy, your goals, and your desired branding message(s), and then will create a brand that really represents you and your company, for a very reasonable cost!

I can send you a number of samples of my work for both print and electronic (I'm in the process of revamping my entire Website right now, which will soon include my portfolio), as well as local references; I would love to get the opportunity to speak with you, if you're still looking! My number is 605-0580.

If you're available, I'm also speaking tomorrow (11/30) at a local women business owner's group, Morrisville Coffee & Contacts, on the topic of 10 Easy Steps to Your 2010 Marketing Plan (So You Can Hit the Groun....

I hope to speak with you soon!

-Angela