Finding the Perfect Creative Partner: The 5 Best Design Agencies in Melbourne
Finding the right creative partner to elevate your corporate branding can feel completely overwhelming.
While you might already have your digital foundation sorted out with great SEO strategies and reliable web hosting, visual identity is what truly hooks your audience.
So, hunting down the best design agency in Melbourne is crucial for standing out in today’s crowded market, whether you’re launching a brand-new startup or managing an established business.
To help you skip the endless scrolling and find a team that genuinely clicks with your commercial goals, we narrowed down the top creative agencies in town.
How much does a design agency cost in Melbourne?
Hiring a design agency in Melbourne can range anywhere from $90 to over $750 per hour, depending on the exact creative scope you need and package types.
| Service Type | Estimated Cost (AUD) |
| Hourly Rate (Standard to Full-Service) | $90 to $750+ per hour |
| Logo & Brand Identity (Basic Package) | $1,200 to $4,000 |
| Logo & Brand Identity (Corporate System) | $6,000 to $15,000+ |
| Website UI/UX (User Interface/User Experience) & Development (Small Business) | $3,000 to $10,000 |
| Website UI/UX (User Interface/User Experience) & Development (Custom Site) | $15,000 to $70,000+ |
| Marketing & Social Media Retainers | $400 to $1,500 per month |
| Custom Collateral (Brochures, Packaging, Ads) | $300 to $8,000 per asset |
1. Hunter: Creative Design Branding Agency
Website: https://hunterand.co/
Address: L3, 489 Toorak Road, Toorak
Contact: 1300 844 500
Hours: Monday-Friday 9:00 AM-5:00 PM
If you want your creative direction backed by rigorous commercial logic, Hunter is a team that uses a clear strategic methodology. They focus on humanising and connecting your brand to the market.
From what we’ve seen, their goal centres entirely on helping founders launch and scale their businesses successfully. They act as strategic consultants just as much as visual creators, bringing incredible analytical depth to workshops.
When we sat down with a local tech founder who hired them last year, he couldn’t stop raving about how they challenged his original brief to maximise commercial value.
However, if you only need basic graphic design services, their extensive corporate offerings may be more than you require.
A creative partner
The team at Hunter are unique. Their ability to listen, understand, and deliver on client expectations sets them apart. I’ll always recommend Hunter for clients who are looking for a creative partner to support their mission in being change agents.
- Conor Grace | Google Review
Hard working and passionate storytellers
Simon and his team are inquisitive and talented marketing communication strategists. They are hard working and passionate storytellers who craft unique campaigns that cut through. Simon has one of those attitudes that is always positive.
- Lisa Iurada | Google Review
2. Watts Design
Website: https://www.wattsdesign.com.au/
Address: L2, 66 Albert Road
Contact: 03 9059 0176
Hours: Monday-Friday 9:00 AM-5:00 PM
Longevity speaks volumes in the creative world, and Watts Design brings an incredible 35 years of local market stability to the table. Their immense experience is clear when we looked at their portfolio of major household corporate names.
Based on what we’ve seen, this team focuses on crafting emotive, enduring visual assets that build long-term value instead of chasing short-lived digital trends.
We also appreciate how neatly their structured five-step branding process guides you from initial discovery all the way to final rollout guidelines.
On the downside, their premium positioning means project inquiry budgets start strictly around $10,000, which counts out tiny startups.
Also, because they spend so much time on market research and strategic positioning, they won’t suit anyone looking for a lightning-fast creative turnaround.
Manage all aspects of design
We engaged Watts to design some key publications (within a very short timeframe) and the final product was fantastic!!! The team was knowledgeable, flexible and easy to work with despite changing goal posts throughout (special shout out to Kurt 🙂 ). If you are looking for a collaborative creative team that really listens and can manage all aspects of design and print, these are the guys! They were a great design agency to work with and I would highly recommend!
- Danielle Parker | Google Review
I was very happy with the result
It was my first time working with a design agency and I was so glad I went with Watts. The team was professional, patient and I was very happy with the result. I would recommend Watts to all my friends and I’m looking forward to my future cooperation with the company.
- Ruobing Zhang | Google Review
3. Truly Deeply Branding Agency
Website: https://www.trulydeeply.com.au/
Address: 18 Market St
Contact: 03 9693 0000
Hours: Monday-Friday 9:00 AM-5:30 PM
Truly Deepy Branding Agency breaks away from predictable corporate visuals. They make the process much easier through distinctive design solutions. They also treat partnerships like a single unified team, bringing inclusive energy to the project.
During my own branding consultation with their leadership team, we noticed how heavily they prioritise stakeholder interviews and customer mapping before sketching anything.
Through their comprehensive approach, they ensure that everyone, from your front-line staff to your end consumers, feels connected to the visual identity.
The main drawback here is that market timelines are noticeably longer. Because they invest heavily in upfront focus groups and strategic research, you can’t expect a rushed project rollout.
Nailed our brand design
Truly Deeply absolutely nailed our brand design. As a not-for-profit we need to be very cost conscious but the money we spent with Truly Deeply developing a brand identity that builds our credibility and professionalism was a good investment. They delivered on time, on budget and communicated well.
- Sam Mellett | Google Review
In-depth brand strategy, and creative design
Truly Deeply excel at creating new brands for established or disruptive businesses. From the naming process, through to in-depth brand strategy, and creative design, we have been delighted with the team. As a barrister moving into the entrepreneurial space, it could be said that I have pretty high standards … Truly Deeply have gone above and beyond expectations in helping us deliver brands to market successfully.
- L K | Google Review
4. Bellman Branding Agency
Website: https://www.bellmanagency.com.au/
Address: 6/25 Church St, Hawthorn
Contact: 03 9855 2599
Hours: Monday-Friday 8:00 AM-6:00 PM; Saturday-Sunday 10:00 AM-2:00 PM
Bellman Branding Agency is a Melbourne-based studio that keeps their full team right here in the city.
What we liked most is how they remove standard financial anxiety by offering completely transparent pricing with absolutely no hidden corporate charges.
Moreover, businesses get a versatile one-stop-shop experience with this team since they efficiently handle everything from copywriting to custom packaging design. They even have in-house brand support!
They also lay out explicit project timelines clearly, wrapping up most core brand frameworks within three to six weeks.
However, some clients have noted discrepancies where requested changes were omitted from the final style guide. These documentation inconsistencies required extra adjustments before launch to avoid issues with printed signage.
Truly impressed both us and our customers
The Bellman Branding Agency team delivered an exceptional end product that truly impressed both us and our customers. Their comprehensive work included coffee packaging, website design, stationery, and vehicle branding.
We’re excited to continue our partnership as our business grows and I can’t recommend them highly enough.
- Gary Wall | Google Review
Relieved because the design system was documented properly
The website rebuild was the smoothest launch we have ever had, they gave us a clear structure, stronger messaging, and visuals that actually match our market position. Even our developers were relieved because the design system was documented properly, so handoff took days not weeks. We hit publish, conversions rose, and support tickets dropped, what a relief…
- Shirley Saleh | Google Review
5. Principle Design
Website: https://principledesign.com.au/
Address: Suite 14 661/663 Victoria St, Abbotsford
Contact: 03 9416 2717
Hours: Monday-Friday 9:00 AM-5:00 PM
Principle Design is an award-winning firm that supports public organisations and non-profits. They have specialised niche expertise within the hospitality sector, making them a premier choice for physical venues.
We appreciate that they focus on open budget conversations early on to ensure achievable deliverables are locked in.
On top of that, their exceptional skill in wayfinding and environmental signage makes them a massive asset for community-minded projects.
However, we noticed that their support channels can feel frustrating. Several clients we spoke with reported delays when responding to digital requests.
Clients have also experienced temporary website access issues that required multiple follow-ups to resolve. Sadly, you remain somewhat dependent on the studio for basic updates.
Leverage your brand through beautiful design
Principle Design put thought and care into every element of design. It’s been a pleasure to work with them both on our own brand and on many joint projects. If you’re after a design agency who will help you leverage your brand through beautiful design and market leading strategy look no further.
- Coire Jones | Google Review
Fantastic to work with
The team at Principle Design were fantastic to work with. They were always very professional, communicated regularly and clearly and completed their projects when they said they would (unlike many creatives). They did a fantastic job creating our new name, website, social media strategy and branded collateral.
- Warrick | Google Review