By Tyler Rizzo, Storyland Studios
There is a curious notion in the creative industries that design firms cannot function objectively when it comes to strategy and financial analysis. Detractors argue that design firms, due to their creative focus, may lack objectivity and push for solutions that serve their interests rather than those of their clients.
However, well-rounded design firms bring unique strengths in strategic and financial analysis, adding both credibility and substantial value to the process. In fact, successful firms today are moving beyond traditional design to deliver data-driven, reliable, and holistic solutions that empower clients with clear insights and informed recommendations.
Rather than undermining objectivity, a globally active design firm’s multidisciplinary approach and deep industry experience make it a valuable strategic and financial partner. Here’s why the modern design firm is equipped to serve as an objective and competent player in this space.
Protecting reputation through integrity
For any services-based organization, the company’s reputation is its greatest asset, and design firms are no exception. Any organization that hopes to foster long-term relationships—whether it’s a dentist, a doctor, or a designer—understands the importance of trust and credibility. Upselling unnecessary services or recommending unnecessary or ill-advised investment risks damaging the trust clients place in them, something design firms cannot afford if they wish to sustain their business.
In fact, a reputable design firm knows that its credibility is at stake with every project. Working to meet clients’ financial and operational needs, rather than prioritizing more design services, signals commitment to client success rather than internal gain.
Plain Joe Studios has been supporting cause-based and not-for-profit clients for nearly 25 years with this philosophy. By starting every project off with a strategic budget review, and understanding of key financial variables, clients get the design sizing right on the first try, and become a trusted long-term partner.
This ethos is deeply ingrained in quality firms because repeat clients and word-of-mouth recommendations drive their business. By focusing on outcomes that enhance client growth and profitability, firms secure a trusted reputation that pays dividends far beyond any short-term upselling would.
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Delivering comprehensive solutions beyond design
Modern design firms are increasingly interdisciplinary, staffed not only with designers but also with financial analysts, strategic planners, and data scientists who provide a holistic approach to client challenges. Today’s firms can provide robust financial forecasts, competitor analyses, and risk assessments that are grounded in hard data and industry-specific intelligence.
Many design firms have access to a rich set of tools and resources, including public and proprietary data, that provide realistic and thoroughly vetted forecasts. Take for instance, Storyland Studio’s publishing partnership with the 2023 TEA/AECOM Theme and Museum Index report. This partnership has helped support our internal benchmarking database, which currently has key admissions and revenue insights into over 200 individual theme park, fec, museum, and other attraction facilities.
Leveraging these resources allows a design firm to deliver analyses that are as objective and informed as those provided by specialized strategic or financial firms. In essence, they are providing a dual benefit: the insight of industry specialists who understand what makes projects succeed, paired with the empirical rigor of financial modeling.
For example, a design firm tasked with developing a new entertainment district might not only provide conceptual designs but also realistic market projections, potential revenue streams, and competitive benchmarking data. This comprehensive approach goes beyond the limits of traditional design services, helping clients plan with confidence. In many cases, clients find that having these analyses conducted in-house by the same firm reduces the time, expense, and potential misalignment that can arise when design and analysis functions are separated.
Experience matters: a strategic asset
Experience remains a key differentiator that a design firm can bring to the table in the realms of strategy and financial planning. Long-standing firms have deep familiarity with the industries they serve, as well as an intuitive understanding of what works and what doesn’t. This experiential knowledge allows firms to provide critical insights, particularly valuable for new entrants unfamiliar with the intricacies of the market.
Experienced firms, for instance, are more likely to account for nuanced variables—such as location-based costs, realistic timelines, and operational constraints—while helping clients develop accurate budgets and market strategies. This advantage stems not from subjective preferences but from years of observing patterns, analyzing outcomes, and adapting to client feedback.
Storyland Studios leadership team has over 50 years of combined operational experience, to go along with their design work. This experience is vital in setting realistic goals for new-to-market clients and helps ensure pre-concept designs will deliver realistic returns.
For new players in a market, having a firm that combines design expertise with financial acumen offers an invaluable safety net, minimizing costly missteps.
Additionally, design firms are often adept at navigating the strategic challenges of concept implementation, identifying early in the process what can lead to success or failure, and adjusting accordingly. This kind of foresight can save clients time, money, and effort—demonstrating that a firm’s experience is not only a strategic asset but also a practical one.
The evolving role of the design firm
The industry is changing, and clients are seeking more than just creative output; they’re looking for partners who understand the full landscape, from conceptualization to financial viability. Many leading firms are stepping up, embracing the tools and methodologies needed to provide objective strategic and financial guidance. As client needs evolve, the design firm’s adaptability and client-centric focus make it a prime candidate for an expanded role as a strategic partner.
This is not about trading design for data analysis but rather about integrating these disciplines for the client’s ultimate benefit. With the right resources and an unwavering commitment to client success, today’s design firms are equipped to bring a level of depth and insight that transcends traditional boundaries. It’s not about prioritizing one capability over another; it’s about harnessing the best of both worlds to deliver comprehensive, impactful results.
Conclusion: a win-win proposition
The argument that design firms cannot also serve as strategic and financial consultants falls short when considering the strengths these firms bring to the table. With their reputation at stake, design firms have every incentive to provide objective, data-informed guidance. The blending of design, strategy, and financial expertise enables them to deliver solutions that are not only creative but also economically sound.
For clients, partnering with a design firm that can also offer reliable strategic and financial insight is a win-win. They benefit from the firm’s unique insights, creativity, and practical experience, all in one trusted partner. As the industry continues to evolve, it is high time to recognize the potential of design firms as versatile, valuable allies capable of driving success beyond the drawing board.
