Thanks for the quick reply. So that means if the company has already posted this new position on their homepage than they would not hire a recruiting agency?

The company may very well post the vacancy on their homepage along with using a recruitment agency. They have nothing to loose by letting an agency supply them with CV:s aswell as they will only pay the agency if they hire a person reffered by them.

They will read the CV:s from the agency first as they have been pre-screened.

No, applying both directly and through the agency will not increase your chances, it will piss off both the company and the recruiter when they find out.

hi all! anyone here knows a headhunter who specializes in creative/design industry? i'm a graphic designer.

You're not. The client is the one who pays.

Candidates are just merchandises - sell & forget.