Design decisions arise in the course of everyday management. Rootfor's design advisory service acts as your external head of design, continuously supporting decisions that touch your brand, products, shops and website. Matched to your business situation and the scope of your contract, we bring a professional perspective and skills to help you decide what to prioritize.
01/ 08Common challengesContents
Issues
Challenges design advisory can help with
01No in-house designer, or one designer stretched to the limit
02Considering a rebrand or a new venture
03Struggling with design consistency or quality
04Want someone to oversee everything, from spaces and products to the web
05Want advice from a business decision-making perspective
06Work from production companies doesn't always turn out as intended
From rebranding products with slowing sales to directing new ventures and creating a cohesive brand identity across multiple locations, we provide practical support tailored to your challenges and goals.
Design decisions aren't only made when creating a logo or website. Naming a new product, opening another shop, choosing photos for a job listing: everyday management is full of small decisions. Having someone close by who can view each of them from the same perspective helps you keep growing your brand.
What is design advisory? An outside creative director by your side
Design advisory is a monthly service that brings an external creative director alongside your management team. We work with you on business direction and priorities, providing ongoing support for design decisions across your brand, products, shops, website, and promotional materials.
The same person, who understands your business, stays involved over time within the scope of your contract. That is what sets an advisory relationship apart from commissioning work project by project or hiring in-house.
What a design advisor does
01
A design perspective on business decisions
We advise on business decisions such as new products, new locations, renovations and pricing reviews from a design perspective. Having someone you can consult right away when you are unsure changes how quickly and confidently you decide.
02
Protecting brand consistency
Logos, colors, photos, wording. We set brand standards together so your shops, website and promotional materials stay consistent, and we review your day-to-day creative work.
03
Directing creative work
For flyers, menus, shop visuals, websites and more, we give direction to maintain quality, from clarifying goals to checking the finished work.
04
Bridging internal and external teams
We coordinate with your team and external creative, printing, and construction partners to make sure the intent is clearly communicated.
05
Involvement in new ventures and product development
From concept development and naming to packaging and retail displays, we take part in launching new ventures from a design standpoint.
Compare
Compared with hiring a designer or working with a creative agency
There are three main ways to bring design into your business: hire an in-house designer, work with a creative agency on individual projects, or engage a design advisor. Here is how they differ.
Hiring an in-house designer
A creative agency for individual projects
Design advisory
Involvement
Full-time, handling in-house production work
Creates requested deliverables, project by project
Ongoing monthly involvement in design decisions and setting direction
Costs
Ongoing salary, social insurance and training costs
Easily affected by the individual's experience and strengths
Standards must be explained again whenever the vendor or contact person changes
The same person oversees shops, website and promotional materials
Access to management
Makes proposals from an internal position
Focused on the requested scope
Acts as a sounding board for management, starting from priorities
Each approach has its merits. For companies with an in-house designer, we also recommend engaging an advisor as that designer's sounding board to build decision-making standards together.
Advisor
Our founder, Takano, works with you directly.
Representative director / creative director, Rootfor Inc.
Shuntaro Takano
I was drawn to the work of Ingo Maurer, the German lighting designer known as the "poet of light," and to his imaginative use of light to transform a space. That interest led me to study interior design at a vocational school. After spending a year visiting architecture and interiors across Japan, I decided to build a career creating spaces that engage all five senses. I worked at a design studio, an advertising production company, and a major interior design and construction company before founding Rootfor in 2019. My work spans shop and spatial design, advertising, web design, and branding.
I personally lead every design advisory engagement. We begin by discussing your business's current situation and goals, then clarify its strengths and challenges. From advice on everyday creative work to brand direction and priorities, I work with you to make decisions with the whole business in mind.
When production or specialized work is needed, I act as your point of contact and coordinate with designers, a second-class licensed architect, engineers, photographers, writers and others. I stay with you continuously, from consultation to execution.
Choose from three plans to fit your stage of business and in-house structure. From a monthly consultation to involvement in planning and site visits, we provide ongoing support within the scope of your contract.
01Advisor plan
From ¥50,000/month
Monthly consultations and practical advice
What's included
One regular meeting per month (Zoom or in person)
Design and branding consultation based on your business challenges
Brief advice by email or chat (about once a week)
Review of proposal materials and suggestions for improvement (PDF/images)
Focused on consultation and advice; production and hands-on work not included
Contract period
3 months (trial) / 6 months / 12 months
For those who say, “We don't have an in-house designer, but we want advice on decisions” or “We want an outside partner we can consult”
02Partner plan
From ¥150,000/month
We support you as an outside team, with two meetings a month and oversight of creative work.
What's included
Two regular meetings per month (Zoom or in person)
Everyday communication by email or chat (as needed)
Support with planning and branding strategy
Direction of creative work (flyers, shop visuals, websites, etc.)
Bridging internal and external production teams
Contract period
3 months / 6 months / 12 months
For those who say, “We want consistent production workflows inside and outside the company” or “We want someone to look across everything, not project by project”
03Executive plan
From ¥350,000/month
Up to four meetings a month plus on-site support, building everything from your brand foundation to strategy together
What's included
Up to four regular meetings per month (visits available)
Everyday communication by email, chat and online meetings
Visits to shops and sites, on-site checks and feedback
Involvement in brand strategy, service design and product development
Oversight of signature brand visuals, spaces, interface design (UI) and more
Contract period
3 months / 6 months / 12 months
For businesses seeking a design partner who works closely with management or a broader perspective on new ventures and expansion to multiple locations
*1 Payment is monthly (prices shown exclude tax). *2 For in-person meetings, a travel fee may be charged separately depending on distance. *3 Production costs for deliverables are estimated separately. *4 Custom plans to suit your budget and needs are also available. *5 Chat is available via LINE, Slack or Chatwork. After the 3-month trial of the Advisor plan, you can choose to continue (6 or 12 months) or end the contract.
Cases
Examples of design advisory support
Here are examples, based on common requests, of how a design advisor gets involved. The actual approach is proposed to suit your business situation and needs.
*These are model cases to illustrate how we work, not actual client cases.
ARestaurantPartner plan
Aligning the brand for the opening of a second location
The request
With each new location, the signage, menus and the look of social media photos drifted slightly, and the restaurant's image was becoming blurred.
How the advisor helps
We define standards together for logo usage, colors, photos and wording. At twice-monthly meetings, we review the new location's interior, menus and promotional materials, and coordinate instructions to the construction and printing companies.
BRyokan and hotelsExecutive plan
Rethinking the inn's concept with a renovation
The request
The owners wanted to reconsider their target guests along with the renovation, but didn't know where to start.
How the advisor helps
We visit the property to clarify its strengths, then set priorities across the concept, in-house signage, website and brochure. We give each of these form in turn as the renovation progresses.
CManufacturerAdvisor plan
Creating a consumer product that makes use of in-house technology
The request
Confident in their technology, but with no one in-house who could make design decisions.
How the advisor helps
At monthly meetings, we advise on the product concept, naming and packaging direction. We also help define requirements for briefing outside designers.
Stories from clients who have commissioned design work from Rootfor are featured in our interviews. Read the interviews →
Flow
How to get started with design advisory
Here is the process from your first consultation to the start of regular meetings. Feel free to contact us, including to discuss whether an advisory arrangement is right for you.
01
Free consultation
Online or in person, we hear about your current concerns and business situation. We will talk frankly, including about whether an advisory arrangement suits you.
02
Interview and proposal
We learn about your business goals and in-house structure, then propose how we will work together, meeting frequency and a plan. Custom plans to suit your budget are also available.
03
Contract
We agree on a plan and contract period, and sign the contract. We will also sign a non-disclosure agreement (NDA) on request.
04
Regular meetings begin
At the first regular meeting, we identify the priority issues to tackle. After that, we meet at the frequency set by your plan and take everyday questions by email or chat.
05
Review and renewal
At the end of each contract period, we review progress and discuss changing plans or continuing.
FAQ
Design advisory: FAQ
Q01What is the minimum contract period?
Contracts start from a minimum of three months. We are flexible so that first-time clients can begin with peace of mind.
Q02Can you work remotely?
Yes. Everything can be handled remotely, including online meetings, document sharing and chat. We work with clients across Japan.
Q03Can we change plans partway through?
At the end of each contract period, we review progress and can discuss a change of plan.
Q04Can we also commission production work?
Yes, individual deliverables can be commissioned and are estimated separately. Advisory clients receive preferential terms (details provided individually).
Q05Can we consult by chat at any time?
We respond to inquiries during business hours (10:00–18:00, closed on weekends and holidays). Please use whichever is most convenient: email, LINE, Slack or Chatwork.
Q06Can we cancel?
We do not accept cancellation partway through a contract period. If you notify us at least one month before the period ends, the contract can end without renewal.
Q07Can we sign a non-disclosure agreement (NDA)?
Yes. We will sign one on request, so you can consult us with confidence even when it involves unreleased information such as new products or ventures.
Q08How far will you travel for in-person meetings?
We visit clients mainly in the Kansai and Kanto regions. For in-person meetings, a travel fee may be charged separately depending on distance. Online, we can take consultations from anywhere in Japan.
Q09What industries and company sizes do you work with?
We welcome consultations from any industry, including restaurants, ryokan and hotels, retailers and manufacturers. From independent shops to small and medium-sized companies, we propose an approach that suits your scale.
Q10Is it OK if we already work with a production company?
Yes. While you keep your current production company or designers, we help with communicating your intentions and checking the finished work.
Q11Can we just start with a consultation?
Yes, the initial consultation is free. Feel free to contact us, including to discuss whether an advisory arrangement is right for you.
Contact
Even if your ideas aren’t fully formed yet.
Want to start a new business? Rethink your shop or brand? Even if you’re not sure where to begin, feel free to reach out. We’ll listen, help sort out your challenges and goals, and work out what’s needed together. Initial consultations and estimates are free.
