Freelance Designer vs. Graphic Design Agency: A Decision Framework for Small Businesses
When your company is ready to hire a graphic designer, there are two main options: a freelance graphic designer or a design agency. There are pros and cons to each option, and one may be right for your business while the other is right for a different company. While there are no hard and fast right or wrong answers, examining the options helps business owners decide what suits their company’s needs.
What Is the Difference Between a Freelance Designer and a Graphic Design Agency?
According to The New York Times, freelance graphic designers are changing the work landscape. Freelancers work whenever necessary from any location, while a dedicated graphic services provider likely has an office with regular hours and an assortment of staff members. Here are a few main differences:
● Cost
Freelancers generally cost less than agencies.
● Team/Skills
Agencies include a full team of designers for projects, while a freelancer is just one creative.
● Scalability
Freelance workers generally have limited capacity. Companies also run the risk of late work if the freelancer gets sick or overloaded with work. Design agencies have many employees who can step in if someone is unavailable. They can work on larger projects since there are many of them to work.
When Is a Graphic Design Agency a Better Investment?
Graphic design services for small businesses vary based on your company’s needs, but hiring an agency is often a good investment. Dedicated graphic design agencies can give you the following items that freelancers lack:
● Multi-faceted work
Agencies have a multitude of employees, and they can all work on a project at one time. If you only need a logo, a freelancer might be a good fit.
● Specialists
Each freelance designer may have a specialty, but when you hire an agency, they have a wide variety of specialists available to you. You will have a blend of creativity, copywriters, and artists on your project instead of just one.
● Backup/Continuity
Delays are never good in the business world, and if one designer is sick, another within the agency will pick up the slack. Your project moves forward seamlessly.
● Management
When you hire an agency, you get a project manager who will issue timelines to graphic designers and keep the entire process on track.
How Can a Small Business Decide Between a Freelancer and an Agency?
Ask yourself some of the following questions when considering an agency versus a freelance graphic designer. The answers help you make the decision:
● What size is your budget?
Smaller budgets denote freelance artists, while larger amounts allow you to hire an agency.
● How detailed are your needs?
Freelance graphic designers can get small, simple jobs done quickly and easily. If your company has layered needs, agencies are the better option.
● Do you have project management available?
Agencies will give you project management along with the design needs. Freelancers require you to create all timelines and deadlines for any part of the process. If you have that management available, you can use a freelancer. Otherwise, an agency will do that for you.
Can a Hybrid Approach Offer the Best of Both Models?
As the business owner, you can hire anyone you want to for any task. You can use a graphic design agency and a freelance artist in any combination you want. For example, you may be able to save money by using an agency to create a brand identity while a freelance graphic designer creates the logo.
What Should a Small Business Check Before Hiring a Designer or Agency?
The Washington Post urges small business owners to vet any job applicant they consider, including freelancers or agencies. Whichever direction you take, you need to ensure the option suits your budget and business goals. Certain designers may not have the right style for your business.
Which Design Partner Is Right for Your Small Business?
There are various questions to ask a candidate before finalizing an individual or a team for a specific vacancy. First and foremost, find out whether the final design will belong to your company or the candidate. Second, find out whether they have particular formats that they prefer for delivering work, which you can either accept or not. Third, inquire about their style and adaptability. Skipping this step can hurt the outcome of the overall project.
In conclusion
Small businesses can get what they need from either a freelance designer or a graphic design agency. A lot of the answers depend on what you need to have done. Consider your budget and the details involved in your project before you make a final decision. The professionals at Atlantic BT can help you outline the project and decide on the best options. Call us for a free estimate and brainstorming session to get you started in the right direction.
