How long does a typical project take?

Most engagements run 6–8 weeks from brief to launch. Branding-only projects are shorter (3–4 weeks). Timelines are set in writing before anything starts.

Do you work with early-stage startups?

Yes — if you're serious about your brand and have the budget to do it properly. We don't cut corners to fit a lower price; we'd rather scope something smaller that's done right.

What if I only need a website, not branding?

That's fine. We scope to what you actually need. If you already have a brand system, we'll build on it. If it needs work, we'll tell you honestly.

What happens after launch?

We stay. Monthly reports on traffic, conversions, and what to do next — in plain English. You get an open line for support and iteration. We don't hand off and disappear.

Why only one project at a time?

Because your project deserves full attention, not a slot in a queue. One project means no context-switching, no junior hand-offs, no divided focus. Everything ships from the same person who briefed you.

How much does branding cost in India?

At ZDKIEL Labs, engagements start from ₹25,000 and are scoped after a brief. Branding-only projects typically run 3–4 weeks. We don't sell packages — every engagement is scoped to what you actually need.

What should I look for in a design studio?

Look for a studio that shows real client work with real outcomes — not just pretty mockups. Check if they handle both design and development (handoff gaps kill quality). Ask about their process, timelines, and what happens after launch. A good studio should be opinionated, not a pixel factory.

Is a custom website worth it for startups?

Yes, if you're serious about conversion and brand perception. Templates look like templates — your customers can tell. A custom site built around your specific conversion goals outperforms a generic template every time. ZDKIEL Labs builds custom sites from ₹25K with zero templates and zero borrowed layouts.

Journal

May 20264 min read

The case against design packages

Packages flatten the work into checkboxes. We price by outcome instead.

"How much for a logo?" is the wrong question. A logo is a mark. What you actually need is a system — naming sensibility, type pairing, color logic, voice, lockups, a ruleset that lets anyone execute on-brand without calling the designer.

Packages exist because they're easy to sell, not because they're good for the client. A "Starter Brand Package" implies your brand has a ceiling. It doesn't. Your brand grows as your business does, and the system should be built for that from day one.

We scope every engagement from scratch. Some projects are three weeks. Some are three months. The deliverables are shaped by the problem, not by a pricing table.

The result is work that actually fits — not a template with your name swapped in.

The case against design packages

Is your brand costing you customers?

Why we take one project at a time

Design is not decoration

Two slots open
this month.

The case against design packages

Is your brand costing you customers?

Why we take one project at a time

Design is not decoration

Two slots openthis month.

Two slots open
this month.