Lots of companies keep a law office on retainer – someone to help them iron out the details of an important contract, or take care of the occasional lawsuit.

It’s clear where to go for legal advice, then. But who does a company call when they need help with something a bit more offbeat – like ordering Gumby-esque figurines modeled on the corporate mascot, or designing a hood to shield customers as they fill out a sensitive form?

In those two actual cases, the companies in question turned to Basics Group, a creative-services firm based in Providence. Basics, which specializes in brand identity and communications, offers all the standard services provided by design firms, but the firm’s principals also relish tackling thornier challenges.