Benefits of Outsourcing Graphic Design + Best Practices
A third of marketers struggle to produce visual content consistently. This is why so many outsource graphic design.
This is even more true for business owners who don’t understand marketing at all. You’re too busy to produce graphics - so it makes sense to outsource.
Graphic design gives you consistency on-demand. It makes sure you have the visuals you need, when you need them. It’s also cost effective; it saves you 74% or more on labor costs. Plus, you enjoy significant savings by sidestepping additional overhead expenses.
Take it from us – we're staffing experts who have matched over 250 clients with talent. Top-tier graphic design talent is one of the main asks we get. And on this page, we’ll share everything we know in our ultimate guide to outsourcing graphic design.
Benefits of Outsourcing Design Services
If you're considering outsourcing graphic design work, you may wonder if it's worth it. Here are some benefits of outsourcing creative services that may help you decide.
It saves time
One of the most significant benefits of outsourcing creative services is it helps you save time. The common graphic design process can be tedious, depending on your needs.
When you outsource your design projects, you can focus on other aspects of your business, such as marketing, sales, and customer service. This can help you grow your business and increase your revenue.
It is cost-effective
Another benefit of outsourcing creative services is that it can be cost-effective. When you outsource your design projects, you don't have to pay for the overhead costs associated with a full-time local employee. Instead, you pay for the services you need when you need them.
Depending on the outsourcing model you choose, you also get to save on labor costs. For instance, when you do remote staffing with MultiplyMii, you save 74%. Compare it to the average salary of graphic designers in the US, earning $52,866 per year.
Learn how much more you can save with our FREE salary guide.
It helps with workload
Did you know the global graphic design market grew by 3.3% this year? This goes to show how design is being used today. Around 17% of graphic designers in the US are employed by Fortune 500 companies.
These global brands are outsourcing creative services because it allows them to cope with a more significant workload. If you have a sudden increase in design projects, you don't have to worry about overworking your current team. Instead, you can outsource the work and let them handle the extra workload.
It gives a fresh look at design projects
Finally, outsourcing graphic design gives you a fresh look at your design projects.
When you work with a design agency, you have access to a team of professionals who can offer new ideas and perspectives. This can help you create designs that are more innovative and effective.
How To Outsource for Graphic Design Services?
We’ve shared with you the common process of graphic design. Now, we’ll guide you on how to outsource them.
You need to do a few things to make sure you get the best results when outsourcing graphic design.
Ensure you have a well-formed project idea
A well-formed idea will help you communicate your needs to the designer and guarantee that the final product is exactly what you want. But, of course, don’t discount the experts. They can provide you with their expert recommendations and suggestions.
Don’t worry. This doesn’t mean you have to rethink your idea. Remember that you still hold the reins. So, create a detailed project brief outlining your goals, target audience, and other relevant details that you think will be helpful.
Prepare all the needed materials and information for designers
Once you have a well-formed project idea, you must prepare all the materials and information the designer needs. This may include logos, branding guidelines, images, and other relevant information.
Make sure that you provide all the necessary files and information in a clear and organized manner.
Review portfolios and conduct interviews
When outsourcing your graphic design work, it's important to review the portfolios of potential designers and conduct interviews to find the best fit. Look for designers with experience in your industry or with similar projects.
During a meeting with your potential outsourcing partner, ask questions about their design process, communication style, and availability.
Organize your design workflow
To ensure a smooth and efficient design process, create a timeline, set deadlines, and establish a communication plan. Ensure everyone involved in the project knows the workflow and their responsibilities.
Provide feedback quickly and often
When working with a designer, it's important to provide accurate feedback. This will help the designer make changes quickly and ensure that the final product meets your expectations.
Ensure your feedback is clear and specific and promptly communicate any changes or updates. Avoid giving general comments. It’s best to pinpoint what you need to get done.
Ensure privacy and design ownership
Finally, ensuring privacy and design ownership is important when outsourcing your graphic design work. Make sure that you have a contract in place that outlines the terms of the project, including confidentiality and ownership of the final product.
Outsourcing your graphic design work can be a great way to save time and get high-quality designs. By following these steps, you can ensure that your outsourcing experience is successful and you get the desired results.
Businesses That Outsource Graphic Design
If you are a business owner, you know how important having a strong visual identity is. However, not all businesses have the resources to hire a local graphic designer.
Here are some types of businesses that commonly outsource graphic design:
Advertising agencies
Advertising can’t survive without graphic design. They often have a high volume of design work and tight deadlines, leading to outsourcing.
You read that right! Even advertising firms outsource graphic design. They can help them meet their client's needs while freeing up their in-house team to focus on more strategic tasks.
Additionally, outsourcing can provide access to a broader pool of talent, which can be especially useful for specialized projects.
Startups
Startups often have limited resources and must allocate their budget strategically. 44% of startups fail because they run out of money. So, outsourcing graphic design can help them save while creating a strong visual identity.
Through outsourcing, startup owners can tap designers with various skills and expertise, which is especially important while still figuring out their brand identity.
SMEs
Like startups, small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) may not have the budget to hire their own graphic designer. For this reason, outsourcing can help them fulfill their graphic design needs while staying within budget.
Moreover, they can save more when outsourcing to a country with lower living costs. Based on MultiplyMii’s salary guide, here’s a comparison of salaries between the Philippines and US designers.
Tech companies
Tech companies often have a need for high-quality design work, which is why they outsource design. Outsourcing can help them meet their design needs while freeing up their in-house team to focus on more technical tasks.
Besides, designing websites and applications is a whole lot of work. It involves designing various elements and each web page, making it tedious.
eCommerce
94% of first impressions are design-related. So imagine if an eCommerce website isn’t well-designed. That’s a sure way to get your web visitors to leave your page.
For an eCommerce business to work, it must have high-quality product images and amazing design work. 46% relate a website’s look to a brand’s credibility.
So you’re putting up an eCommerce website and have no idea about design, outsource this to experts and focus on the more technical aspects.
6 Tips on Managing a Graphic Designer
No matter who you are, a design agency, a corporate marketing department, or an entrepreneur needing creative services, one thing remains crystal clear. Managing your graphic designer effectively can allow you to achieve exceptional results.
Manage designers with trust
Managing a graphic designer is a challenging task. Trust is the key factor in this relationship. Without trust, you can't expect your designer to deliver quality work.
Trust your designer's skills and expertise. Give them the freedom to work on their own. If you micromanage them, they will feel frustrated and demotivated.
Let them feel responsible for what they create
Designers are creative people. They love to create something new and unique. When you give them the freedom to create, they will feel responsible for what they create. This sense of responsibility can fuel their creativity and commitment to the task.
Allow them to help
Graphic design is a team effort. Other team members can help the designer to create something better.
Encourage collaboration and feedback. This will help the designer to understand the project requirements better.
Be a facilitator
Your role is to clear obstacles and provide the resources needed for success. Be a supportive guide rather than a controlling figure.
Provide them with the necessary resources, tools, and information. Help them to overcome any obstacles they face.
Share your ideas and insights
Share your ideas and insights with the designer. This will help them to understand the project better and deliver better results.
Look for people who are excited about what they do
Passion is contagious. So, when hiring a graphic designer, look for someone excited about what they do. Passionate designers are more likely to deliver quality work. They will put in the extra effort to make the project successful.
Managing a graphic designer is not easy. It requires trust, collaboration, and communication. Following these tips can build a strong relationship with your designer and achieve great results.
Assemble a High-Impact, Remote Graphic Design Team
The right people can make all the difference in your graphic design team. They can be the deciding factor between your design success and mediocrity.
MultiplyMii has a proven track record of successful hires across industries for years.
We specialize in connecting businesses with the right talent, making your team-building process smoother and faster.
You can expect us to handle everything you need, from recruitment to onboarding. We can also assist with payroll and admin tasks.
With our support, you can focus on making your design project successful.
Ready to build your design team?
Book a discovery call with us today to discuss!
