In-house design team Vs Design agency... Which one should you choose?
Whether you have a small business or a running large corporation, you need the constant support of graphic design services to improve your company's communication, function, and aesthetics. Modern marketing environments depend heavily on graphic design to provide businesses with a competitive edge. Digital marketing is now a crucial component of any marketer or business's toolkit. Additionally, graphic design serves as a spark plug for your business's marketing efforts to engage customers and grab their attention.
So, the most important question for all companies is whether to hire an in-house designer or a design agency!
Questions to ask yourself when deciding between
in-house vs. agency:
What are you trying to achieve?
Is it launching a new vision? Leveling up your brand? What after a brand guide is produced? Will you need marketing materials? Do you want to run a campaign? Multiple campaigns? Before working with a design firm or internally, define your why and objectives.
Do you need industry expertise?
Look for a design solution that has expertise working with a firm your size and in-depth knowledge of your industry.
What matters more to your organization?
Getting expert solutions now? or growing your internal talent?
Do you need help with multiple areas of design?
Does your product/service require the direct involvement of a designer? Can the internal team cope with the workload?
Does the designer/agency's style align with yours?
Do they have social media presence? Do they have versatile styles? Do they have a blog? Are they well-versed with the channels where you want to market yourself? Does their values/marketing align with yours? Who have they worked with already?
Let's look in detail at what could affect your choice.
In-house Design Team
An internal design team is well-versed in your brand. They can act quickly when a quick turnaround is required because they are a part of the company culture. They generate payroll expenses, might not provide all the capabilities you require, and can't scale as your business expands.
The in-house designer is the best choice for you if:
Your company is focused on long-term collaboration and rapid expansion, and you want your employees to be a part of your developing brand.
You need a designer on staff full-time because you have a lot of design tasks.
You have a thorough understanding of the value and significance of design as a crucial component of product development.
You desire total command over each designer's actions.
Pros:
Costs can be easy to keep under control
There’s better communication
You are aware of your team’s limitations
Cons:
Difficult to find individuals with a wider skillset
The hiring and training costs
Not enough capacity to meet the company’s needs
Creativity constraints
Design Agency
Compared to a specialist on staff, the agency can provide a wide range of skills. It's because an outside team has more extensive experience working on various projects. Despite not sharing an office with you, outsource professionals will contact you on a scheduled basis to update you on the project's status.
A design agency is the best choice for you if:
Your in-house design team is overloaded/ can't cop with deadlines
Your designers don't have the necessary experience to do some specific design tasks that you require.
You need to start a massive design campaign in a limited timeframe.
You want a fresh perspective on your product/service identity
Pros:
Expert skillset
High-quality work
Easier to manage with management being on the agency side
Time consistency & stable work
Cons:
Can be expensive
No additional (non-project related) tasks
No direct communication with the designer
In the long run, your choice will probably be influenced by time and money (as is typically the case), but it is crucial to carefully consider the advantages and disadvantages of all possibilities to make sure that your firm is prepared for long-term success, whatever your goals may be. Put your attention on your long-term objectives and allow them to guide your course.
In conclusion, let us note that the question "Agency or in-house" does not have a clear-cut solution. Considerations for this decision must be made after several factors. At the very least, a lot relies on the project's type, your budget, the deadlines, and other factors.
