We are your dedicated design studio partner.

When I started DC&Co in January 2018, I had no savings, just a computer, design software, and the determination to leave the corporate world behind. That first month, I worked tirelessly to spread the word and make sure people knew I was available. My efforts paid off: I made $40K in my first month. I put in long hours because I had a mortgage and health insurance to cover, and I was solely responsible for my own success. This entrepreneurial drive and commitment have shaped how we serve our clients today. We understand what it means to go all in, and we apply the same dedication to every project, being responsive, proactive, and fully invested in delivering exceptional results for our clients.

Fast forward nearly a decade, and we now offer benefits, a 401(k) plan, and a full team producing inspiring work for our target markets. Our team is made up of senior creative designers and creative directors, each bringing diverse experience from agencies and in-house creative teams. The journey has been rewarding, challenging, and filled with growth—the longest and most valuable onboarding experience I’ve ever had. As we mature, our culture and values have evolved into something greater than what people typically call an agency.

Studio vs. Agency  

Describing a business as an “agency” comes with a set of assumptions. For many, the word implies bloat and complexity—overhead, redundant processes, overstaffing, and excessive meetings that slow down the creative process. While not all agencies fit this mold, it’s a common perspective among stakeholders and clients alike.

While DC&Co has some necessary overhead—like salaries, health benefits, and subscriptions to design software—we avoid the waterfall hierarchies and complex processes that slow down larger design businesses. At DC&Co, we work differently:

• Work directly: As a client, you collaborate directly with your designer. We believe this approach increases collaboration and efficiency, leading to the best outcomes.
• Software efficiencies: We’ve consolidated our processes into a single project management hub on Monday.com, using automation to streamline every project. Our Creative Operations Manager oversees all workflows for maximum efficiency.
• Clear Creative Process: Every project follows a proven creative process, tailored as needed for each client and project type. Large-scale projects like branding or website design have dedicated workflows for best results.
• Transparency: When you submit a project to DC&Co, it never disappears into a black box. We immediately organize, schedule a kick-off, and get started on your design. We keep clients informed every step of the way—on schedules, reviews, revisions, costs, and any roadblocks. Our motto: never assume, always ask.
• Partnership: Our craft is design, but our true value lies in the partnerships we build. We seek long-lasting, mutually beneficial relationships and aim to be your trusted design partner—not just a one-off provider.
• Onboarding: Within days of signing, we seamlessly integrate into your workflow. You get a dedicated project board, Slack channel, monthly planning calls, budget alerts (for retainers), and a team of designers and creative directors ready to tackle your next project. Our onboarding and project submission are frictionless.
• Process: With nearly a decade as an independent design studio, we’ve honed our ability to accurately estimate project timelines. We use historical data from Toggl and our design intuition to provide reliable estimates. For example, one-pagers can take as little as 24 hours, while full website designs may require 3 to 4 months, depending on complexity and scope.
  Our pricing is flexible to suit different project needs. We offer fixed project fees for clearly scoped deliverables, hourly rates for ongoing or evolving work, and retainer packages for clients seeking ongoing design support. This transparent approach helps clients easily assess fit and plan their budgets with confidence.
• Collaboration: This is one of our key differentiators. As a studio, we collaborate closely with clients, enabling strategic design decisions and better outcomes. We discuss feedback in real time, communicate directly, and create ideas together.

We are DC&Co: a design studio partner that values the client experience and delivers quality design execution, all without the agency feel.

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DC&CO is hands down the best design studio I’ve worked with. They combine speed, strategic thinking, and exceptional creative execution in a way that consistently exceeds expectations. Their team is highly efficient, delivers top-tier work within tight timelines, and routinely goes above and beyond what’s asked. On top of all that, their entire team is made up of genuinely kind, thoughtful people. They’re simply the best to work with and collaborate alongside.

Lorna Malja, Head of Marketing, Empactful Advisors

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