The Pros and Cons of Outsourcing Graphic Design And Doing it Yourself
Do you outsource your design needs, hire an in-house designer, or do it yourself?
The answer's up for debate; however, your budget and end goal often have the final say in your decision.
If you're a large company with a design budget to match, you'll probably strike the DIY option from the list, but don't get too comfortable; you still have some important decisions to make.
But what if you're an SMB and your budget doesn't quite match your design aspirations?
Now you have to weigh up your options and consider the pros and cons of outsourcing graphic design and doing it yourself.
It doesn't matter which of the above you are; if you want to succeed, you need high-quality visuals.
In this post, we're going to tell you why you need them, give you options for balancing your budget with your goals, and crack the lid on in-house V outsourcing.
Just How Important Are Visuals Anyway?
Consumers now scan content as fast as their brains (or thumbs) will allow them to. It's due to being exposed to, on average, 8000 advertisements a day. The result being, your content has only milliseconds (13 milliseconds to be precise, as that's how quickly the brain processes an image) to connect and engage with them before they scroll on by.
So, just how important are visuals?
60,000 times more important than text because that's how fast we process them in comparison!
Here are some more statistics to help you get the picture:
80% of us remember what we see, dropping to 20% of what we read and 10% of what we hear.
Posts with images produce a whopping 650% higher engagement rate.
Visual content grows traffic 12 x faster than non-visual content.
A picture is, after all, worth a thousand words!
Visuals for SMB's:
It's never been easier for SMB's to get online, providing a much-needed solution for brand building, audience engagement, and expansion.
But the solution's a double-sided sword. As markets are now becoming flooded with brand options, and the deluge of advertising information combined with the consumer's ability, or lack of, to process this information drives up the need for ever more effective graphic design.
There's now an increasing need for all businesses to have a visual design strategy that communicates their message to their target audience. And to gain their attention and stand out from the crowd, you require high quality, informative visuals, like infographics, product images, and especially video.
Visuals for social media:
No-where online visual branding is more crucial than on social media; it's due to the online communities' very nature of liking and sharing content relevant to them.
Then there's the issue of versatility; brands now need graphics that load quickly and are suitable for numerous screen sizes.
And it's only by building a strong, versatile visual brand and promoting it throughout your platforms do you create an online community that will actively like and share your posts.
Outsourcing Graphic Design – The Pros and Cons
The number of outsourcing websites has grown exponentially over the last decade. Companies can now hire freelancers for every task imaginable, and often at a far lower price than employing in-house staff. But as with every decision you make in business, there are always pros and cons to be considered, and outsourcing is no exception.
Pros of Outsourcing Design:
Outsource freelance designer websites, make it quick and easy to find professional freelancers for your design projects.
It can be highly cost-effective due to the geographical difference between the designer and the client.
Outsourcing is an ideal solution for short-term and one-off projects.
You can scale your team as and when you need them.
It also offers you the possibility of meeting exciting new professionals who can bring a fresh perspective to your design strategies.
Cons of Outsourcing Design:
Misunderstandings regarding design goals can be an issue, especially if hiring foreign designers, as styles can differ from region to region.
Communication gaps can arise when using designers in different time zones.
Freelancer profiles can be exaggerated; you must employ designers with proven track records and traceable testimonials.
Your brand's Intellectual property could be at risk; always carry out full background checks before agreeing to engage with a freelancer.
Lack of control. It stands to reason that you won't have the same level of control or understanding as you would have with an in-house designer.
DIY Logo Design Vs. In-House Graphic Designer
You can DIY your logo design by either using an online AI logo generator tool or investing in design software like Adobe Illustrator.
I'm going to talk about AI logo generators as they're an excellent option for SMB's, being incredibly affordable and providing highly professional visuals in numerous formats. Most AI platforms also offer full social media marketing services, enabling you to design and create logos and a vast range of other visuals perfect for social media campaigns. As their programs are a simple click and drag format, you can design visuals in only a couple of hours and upload them directly to your chosen platforms.
Pros of DIY:
Speed
Cost
A vast range of market-related design options
Dedicated social media branding tools
Instantly up-loadable
Cons of DIY:
The main con about logo making tools is originality. If you can create a design, then so can someone else. While the odds of a replica are small, it is something to be aware of.
Professional designers spend years learning their art and the design rules needed for creating genuinely great designs; AI tools can't provide you with that kind of professional advice and support.
Hiring Full-Time In-House Designer
An alternative to outsourcing your graphic design needs is to hire a permanent in-house-designer. If you're in a position to do so, then there are several pros and cons worth considering before you sign that contract!
Let's start on a positive note.
Pros of An In-House Designer
An in-house graphic designer will work with you to define your brand, not just to create a one-off design.
You can build a relationship based on face to face interaction, creating a high level of understanding.
Over time this familiarity benefits your brand as it's crucial for creating and maintaining a consistent image.
There's little risk to your brand's intellectual property.
Saves you time, enabling you to focus on running your business.
Cons of An In-House Designer
Recruitment can be challenging and made more so by your geographical position.
Team-building takes time and effort.
Professional designers don't come cheap, and nor should they. Expect to pay around $50,000 per annum.
Permanent employment means benefits, like medical, dental, and possible extra allowances.
If they leave, you've got to go through the hiring process again.
CONCLUSION
The answer to which one you should use is entirely dependent upon your individual needs and circumstances. But remember, it doesn't matter if you're a large corporation or an SMB; the requirements for creating high-quality designs remain the same, as does the need for them in today's visually driven market place. To achieve your end goal, weigh up your options, and try to strike a balance that works, regardless of your budget.