Great products don’t just materialise; they come from teams that obsess over the details. In early‑stage startups the first impression is everything — graphic design services Singapore plays a disproportionate role in how people perceive your brand, your product and even your team. Over the past decade running Parallel, I’ve seen how the right design partner can shorten the path to product‑market fit and how weak visual identity can confuse customers and investors.
This article is for founders, product managers and design leaders who know that design is not an afterthought. We’ll explore why a solid design partner matters, run through ten of the top providers in Singapore, and finish with what to look for and answers to common questions.
Why does hiring a solid graphic design partner matter for startups?
1) Design shapes how people perceive your company
Branding isn’t just about a logo — it’s about signalling purpose and earning trust. A global report projects the graphic‑design market to reach USD 49.1 billion in 2024, with Asia Pacific (including Singapore) generating roughly USD 11.3 billion and growing at 5.4% CAGR. This surge reflects how businesses of all sizes view design as a competitive tool. In Singapore alone, the market was worth USD 2.1 billion in 2024 and could grow to USD 3.7 billion by 2033. Strong branding, clear visual identity and thoughtful packaging differentiate your product in a crowded scene.
Poorly researched design can sink a startup. Hotjar notes that many founders forget that effective UX is good for business; being design‑driven means making decisions based on user feedback rather than guesswork. They point out that 80% of startups survive their first year when they invest in research, but lack of user insight causes trial‑and‑error costs. Good graphic design — from the logo to onboarding screens — embodies those insights so customers see value quickly. It also reduces friction in marketing materials, digital ads and packaging, all of which matter more as products scale.
2) Design fuels product‑led growth
Human‑centred design is more than an aesthetic; it’s a way to solve problems. IDEO’s approach encourages teams to imagine bold ideas, test assumptions quickly and embrace early failure. This mindset is crucial for product‑led growth, where your product experience is the main driver of acquisition and retention. Well‑designed interfaces lower the cognitive load on new users, shorten time‑to‑value and increase conversions. Nielsen Norman Group warns that in 2024‑2025 designers must deepen their skills and use AI responsibly to deliver value. With the tech job market down to 70% of 2021 levels, startups need partners who combine craft with strategy and can scale quickly.
3) Design helps you tell your story across channels
Singapore’s economy is digital‑first. A local article highlighting profitable ventures notes that as branding and marketing campaigns increasingly rely on visuals, the demand for graphic design across digital platforms is skyrocketing. Starting a design business in Singapore requires relatively low capital yet offers high revenue potential. That demand touches every channel: social media graphics, print brochures, pitch decks, product packaging and UI/UX screens. The right partner ensures consistency across these touchpoints so your brand feels cohesive.
What are the top 10 graphic design services in Singapore?
Below are ten agencies that often come up in conversations with founders. I’ve summarised their core services, stand‑out strengths and what makes them friendly for startups.
1) Parallel
Core services: Parallel (our team) focuses on product design, user research and AI‑powered experiences. Our discovery workshops and concept sprints help startups uncover the real problem before we design anything.
Stand‑out strengths: We live and breathe user‑centred design — prototyping early, testing assumptions and iterating based on data. We’ve built scalable design systems for AI/SaaS companies, aligning their brand identity with product strategy.
Startup‑friendly edge: Speed and clarity. Early‑stage teams need to learn fast and iterate. Our lean workshops, remote‑friendly research and flexible engagement models mean we can ramp up quickly without the overhead of a large agency.
CTA - Book a call
2) Duck.Design
Core services: This subscription‑based agency covers everything from social media graphics and print brochures to packaging, website design, UI/UX and video ads.
Stand‑out strengths: Duck.Design selects designers from the top 1% and offers a dedicated project management platform for transparent communication. Packages start at USD 999 per month, making professional design accessible.
Startup‑friendly edge: Fast turnarounds and predictable pricing. Founders appreciate being able to request unlimited design tasks without worrying about per‑hour billing.
3) DD.NYC®
Core services: Branding, graphic design, packaging and web design. The firm is known for video storytelling and consulting on complex brand and product challenges.
Stand‑out strengths: An award‑winning portfolio — they’re trusted by global brands like FIFA and Forbes. Projects typically start at USD 10,000 with hourly rates of $150–199.
Startup‑friendly edge: High quality and strong project management. Reviews highlight competitive pricing within the premium segment and effective communication. For well‑funded startups seeking a polished brand refresh, they’re a safe bet.
4) Steady Studio
Core services: Authentic branding, graphic design, web sites, marketing collateral and print/online advertising.
Stand‑out strengths: A collaborative process that aligns design with the client’s vision. The studio promises to define what makes a brand different and translate that into cohesive assets. With a small team and a minimum project size of USD 5,000, they offer personal attention.
Startup‑friendly edge: Empathy and artistry. Client reviews praise their communication and value for cost. For startups seeking human‑centred branding without the overhead of a large agency, Steady is appealing.
5) True Market
Core services: Web design, branding, e‑commerce, graphic design and UX/UI. They engineer growth through user studies, data and conversion‑focused design.
Stand‑out strengths: Strategy first. They combine market research with design execution to improve return on investment. The firm’s minimum project size is USD 5,000 and hourly rates $100–149.
Startup‑friendly edge: Reliable delivery and proactive service. Clients note exceptional value, proactive communication and a clear understanding of brand goals. This makes them suitable for startups wanting a data‑driven partner.
6) Creativeans
Core services: An award‑winning consultancy offering branding, business design, UI/UX design, packaging design, communication design and sustainability design.
Stand‑out strengths: They blend strategic thinking with creative execution through proprietary BrandBuilder® and EDIT Design Thinking® methodologies. Their communication design service spans print and digital media, marketing collateral, ads, events, web design and social media, executed by an award‑winning team. They highlight research showing 86% of buyers are willing to pay more for a great customer experience.
Startup‑friendly edge: Cross‑disciplinary expertise with a global footprint (offices in Singapore, Milan and Jakarta). They’re ideal for startups planning to scale internationally or needing packaging and sustainability insights.
7) The Brand Fellows
Core services: This Singapore‑based consultancy offers brand strategy, business innovation, business model design, market viability assessment and collateral design. Led by a certified management consultant, they have nearly two decades of expertise.
Stand‑out strengths: A proprietary methodology that aligns brand strategy with business growth. Their services include developing brand guides, product roadmaps and marketing materials. The agency serves industries from hospitality and consumer goods to finance.
Startup‑friendly edge: They emphasise tailored support across growth stages and have an average hourly rate of USD 200. If you need strategic brand consultants rather than just visual designers, TBF can fill that role.
8) Decadence Design
Core services: Part of ENCE Marketing Group, Decadence Design specialises in logo designs, corporate brochures, retail flyers, web design and development, animation videos, social media post designs and corporate identity.
Stand‑out strengths: Their tagline “Devilishly Delicious Designs” sums up their aim: deliver eye‑catching work that solidifies brands and builds emotional connections. The agency merges technology with design trends and focuses particularly on the food & beverage sector. Clients appreciate their budget‑friendly pricing and high‑quality output.
Startup‑friendly edge: Min project size of USD 10,000 and hourly rates $50–99 make them accessible. Their expertise in F&B branding is ideal for restaurateurs or lifestyle startups.
9) Jin Design
Core services: A digital design studio focusing on UX/UI, web design, product design and branding.
Stand‑out strengths: They build highly functional digital experiences and emphasise professionalism and quality. Their service breakdown shows 30% focus on product design and 30% on UX/UI. Projects start at USD 5,000 with hourly rates $25–49.
Startup‑friendly edge: Mid‑range pricing and a lean team (10–49 employees). Client feedback highlights rapid turnaround and good value. For tech‑focused startups needing clean digital interfaces, Jin Design is a smart choice.
10) Tangible Brand Consultants
Core services: Tangible works with business leaders to create and leverage brands as strategic management tools. Their services include branding strategy and innovation consultancy.
Stand‑out strengths: They align a company’s vision, mission and values with brand strategy and drive innovation across marketing, people & culture, products & services and spaces & places. The firm’s branding strategy projects start from S$100,000 and innovation projects from S$25,000, with hourly rates under S$200.
Startup‑friendly edge: Although they operate at enterprise budgets, they bring deep expertise and data‑driven methodology. They may suit well‑funded startups seeking comprehensive brand transformation.
What should you look for when hiring a design partner?
- Fit with your business needs: Clarify whether you need branding, UI/UX, packaging, social/digital assets or all of the above. A partner who specialises in your domain — whether F&B, SaaS or consumer goods — can accelerate learning.
- Process clarity: Understand how revisions, timelines and communication are handled. Agencies like Duck.Design offer transparent task management, while Steady Studio emphasises collaboration.
- Budget transparency: Ask about pricing models (subscription vs project‑based) and what deliverables are included. Tangible lists hourly rates and project fee minima on GoBusiness, and you’ll find similar disclosures on Clutch profiles for other agencies.
- Portfolio relevance: Look for work in your industry or similar visual style. Decadence Design’s F&B focus is perfect for hospitality, while Jin Design shines in digital interfaces.
- Ability to deliver marketing materials across channels: Strong partners can produce print, digital and packaging assets. Creativeans, for example, covers everything from brand strategy to packaging and communications
Conclusion
Founders often delay design until after product development, only to realise that users judge them by their visuals. A cohesive visual identity, clear user interfaces and thoughtful packaging can propel product‑led growth. The agencies above each bring something different: some are strategic brand consultants, others excel at rapid digital execution or sector‑specific storytelling. As you evaluate graphic design services Singapore, weigh cultural fit, process, pricing and portfolio. Reach out to a shortlist, ask for a pilot project and see how they think. The right partner will feel like an extension of your own team, not just a contractor.
CTA - Book a call
check out these related blogs
.avif)
