In-House Designer vs. Design Subscription Service: Which is Right for Your Business?

Good design is crucial for businesses to stand out and connect with their audience in today’s highly competitive market. Whether it’s creating a compelling brand identity, designing engaging marketing materials, or maintaining a visually appealing online presence, the importance of design cannot be overstated. Businesses have two main options for their design needs: hiring an in-house designer or using a design subscription service like Designkroo. In this article, we will compare the benefits and disadvantages of both approaches to help you determine the best fit for your business.

In-House Designer

Benefits

1. Consistent Brand Understanding: Having an in-house designer means having someone deeply familiar with your brand and its values. This designer works exclusively for your company, developing a consistent design language over time that aligns perfectly with your brand’s identity. This deep familiarity ensures that all design work accurately reflects the brand’s ethos and messaging.
2. Immediate Availability: One of the most significant advantages of an in-house designer is their immediate availability. They are part of your team and can provide quick feedback and rapid turnaround on urgent projects. This direct line of communication facilitates efficient collaboration, ensuring that any design-related issues can be addressed promptly.
3. Cultural Fit: An in-house designer integrates into your company culture, becoming attuned to your business’s vision and goals. This cultural alignment helps in creating designs that resonate with internal stakeholders and the target audience. The designer’s close involvement with the team fosters a better understanding of the company’s needs and preferences.

Disadvantages

1. Higher Costs: Hiring an in-house designer comes with significant costs, including salaries, benefits, and overhead expenses. Recruitment and training can also be expensive and time-consuming. For small businesses or startups, these costs can be a substantial financial burden.
2. Limited Skill Set: An in-house designer may have a limited skill set compared to a team of designers. If your design needs are diverse, you might still need to hire freelancers or agencies for specialized tasks, which can add to the overall cost and complexity.
3. Employee Turnover: There’s always a risk of your in-house designer leaving the company, which can disrupt ongoing projects and result in additional recruitment and training costs. Finding a suitable replacement can be challenging and time-consuming.

Design Subscription Service

Benefits

1. Cost-Effective: Design subscription services like Designkroo offer a more cost-effective solution compared to hiring an in-house designer. With a subscription, you pay a fixed monthly fee, avoiding the additional expenses of benefits and office space. This model is particularly beneficial for small businesses and startups with limited budgets.
2. Access to a Diverse Skill Set: Designkroo provides access to a team of designers with various specializations. Whether you need graphic design, web design, or branding, you can leverage the diverse skills of the team to meet all your design needs. This comprehensive service ensures high-quality output for different types of projects.
3. Scalability: One of the key advantages of a design subscription service is scalability. You can easily scale up or down based on your project needs without any long-term commitment. This flexibility allows you to manage your design requirements efficiently and cost-effectively.
4. Fresh Perspectives: External designers bring fresh perspectives and new ideas to the table. They stay updated with the latest design trends and can introduce innovative approaches to your projects. This continuous influx of creativity ensures that your designs remain modern and appealing.

Challenges

1. Less Immediate Control: Working with an external design team may lead to potential delays in communication. While online collaboration tools can help bridge this gap, the lack of face-to-face interaction might slow down the process and lead to misunderstandings. However, Design services manage this by having defined timelines and standard operating practices for projects.
2. Brand Familiarity: It may take time for external designers to fully understand your brand and its nuances. The initial adjustment period can result in designs that do not completely align with your brand’s identity. However, this issue can be mitigated with clear communication and detailed briefs.
3. Quality Consistency The quality of work from different designers may vary, and establishing a strong feedback and review process is crucial to maintain consistency. Building a relationship with the design team over time can help ensure that your expectations are met consistently.

Case Studies/Examples

Example 1: In-House Designer

A London-based tech startup hired an in-house designer to develop its brand identity and marketing materials. The designer’s deep understanding of the company’s innovative culture and goals resulted in a cohesive brand image that resonated well with their target audience. The immediate availability of the designer allowed for quick iterations and updates, which was crucial for their fast-paced environment.

Example 2: Design Subscription Service

A small retail business in Manchester opted for Designkroo’s subscription service to handle their diverse design needs. With access to a team of designers, they received high-quality work for their website, social media, and promotional materials. The scalability of the service allowed them to manage costs effectively while maintaining a fresh and modern look for their brand.

Factors to Consider

• Size and Budget of the Business: Smaller businesses with limited budgets might find a design subscription service more cost-effective, while larger companies with extensive design needs might benefit from an in-house designer.
• Frequency and Type of Design Needs: Businesses with frequent and varied design needs might prefer the diverse skill set offered by a subscription service, whereas those with specific, consistent needs might opt for an in-house designer.
• Long-Term vs. Short-Term Requirements: For long-term projects that require a deep understanding of the brand, an in-house designer might be more suitable. For short-term or one-off projects, a subscription service provides flexibility and scalability.
• Importance of Designer Integration: If having a designer fully integrated into your team and company culture is critical, an in-house designer may be the better choice.

Conclusion

Choosing between an in-house designer and a design subscription service depends on your business’s specific needs and circumstances. While an in-house designer offers consistent brand understanding and immediate availability, a design subscription service like Designkroo provides cost-effective access to a diverse skill set and scalability. By carefully assessing your requirements, you can make an informed decision that best supports your business’s growth and success.

If you’re interested in exploring the benefits of a design subscription service, click here to learn more about our offerings. You can also sign up for a trial today and see how we can help elevate your brand’s design game.