Is it time for you to consider graphic design outsourcing? Find out when and how to outsource design

Remember being in school? Some subjects were your jam, while others made you cringe. Maybe you loved art but dreaded math.

There’s a different teacher for each subject, but you’re expected to ace them all.

Unfair, right?

Meanwhile, your BFF might’ve freaked out at the sight of a paintbrush but aced those tricky math problems.

Wouldn’t it be cool if you could tag-team the subjects you both hate?

Instead of spreading yourself too thin, you should focus on what you’re amazing at—your zone of genius.

Thankfully, being a grownup means you can ditch the one-size-fits-all approach.

As a business owner, your sweet spot is where what you’re good at meets what drives your business forward.

Think of high-value tasks: making decisions, taking bold leaps, and steering your ship to success.

Concentrate on your zone of genius, where the magic happens, and invest your time and effort where it counts to grow your company.

This is where outsourcing your design work comes in.

Even if you’re good at design work, it can be time-consuming, and growing your business may mean even more design work.

Instead, you can outsource your design work to professionals who can do it for you quickly and hassle-free.

Let me help you decide if and when it’s time to outsource your design needs, so you can focus on what’s important: running your business.

Read the signs: maybe you should consider design outsourcing

If you find yourself struggling to create high-quality designs, lacking the time and resources to do so, or running out of energy for more important things as a business owner, it may be time to outsource graphic design.

Here are more signs that indicate it’s the right time for some design outsourcing:

Lack of design talent

You might have an idea for your designs, but that doesn’t mean you have the skill set for them.

After all, design tools and trends are constantly changing, and it can be confusing trying to keep up.

Also, the tool doesn’t make the designer.

You might find yourself thinking, “I want this style, but I don’t know how to make it.”

This is a sign that outsourcing to a graphic designer who specializes in design should be on your to-do list ASAP.

Limited time and resources

Multiple design projects are time-consuming for non-experts.

You have other core responsibilities to focus on.

You shouldn’t waste your time trying to organize design assets and create layouts from scratch.

Not to mention that, as your business grows, so does the demand for design work.

If you’re overwhelmed with design tasks or unable to keep up, outsourcing can help you meet the increased demand efficiently.

Enlisting the help of a graphic design service can free up your time and energy.

Inconsistent or outdated design work

Do you still feel proud looking at your brand identity design?

If your designs lack consistency or appear outdated, it can negatively impact your brand impression.

You can be an expert in your field, but your customers might not be interested in contacting you if you have an unprofessional-looking web design.

Graphic design outsourcing ensures up-to-date and visually appealing designs.

Lack of creativity in design projects

If you’re stuck in a creative rut or struggling to come up with fresh ideas, outsourcing can bring a fresh perspective and inject creativity into your designs.

And if you have ideas, it’s always better to work with a team that you can collaborate and bounce off ideas with.

Why outsource design: more benefits than saving time

The benefits of outsourcing far outweigh the costs.

It is not an expense but an investment in your business’s growth.

Aside from saving you precious CEO time and energy, outsourcing also gives you:

Access to specialized expertise for your design needs

Outsourcing gives you access to professionals who specialize in creating visually appealing and effective designs that align with your brand.

You can choose to work with designers who can understand and own your brand.

A fresh perspective on creative design

Design pros bring fresh ideas and innovative solutions to the table, helping your brand stand out from the competition.

In the same way that you, as the CEO, immerse yourself in continuous learning, so do design teams.

They are in the know when it comes to the latest trends, design tools, and the most effective solutions for your business.

Scalability and flexibility for your design needs

You don’t need to be scared of creating more designs because you don’t have the time or skills to accomplish them quickly.

Whether you’re creating more designs to accommodate more clients or changing the look of your whole website to match your current branding, having a dedicated design team can help you accomplish these with ease.

Some design services, like Deer Designer, charge a flat monthly fee that lets you request designs big and small without additional cost.

Consistent and professional designs

Design pros understand the importance of brand identity and can ensure your designs are consistent and professional.

They love to see your brand guidelines carried out across all your materials, from merch to digital files.

Access to the latest design trends and technologies

No more FOMO; your design team will get you covered.

Design professionals stay up-to-date with the latest trends and technologies, ensuring your designs are modern and optimized for different platforms.

How to find the right outsource graphic design service

Thanks to the evolution of the creative industry, you now have access to a global pool of amazing and talented designers.

As you explore your options, make sure that you take the following steps:

Research and shortlist potential designers

Do thorough research to identify potential design teams.

Look at their portfolios, client testimonials, and case studies to assess the quality of their work and expertise in your industry.

Shortlist a few candidates that align with your requirements and have a proven track record of delivering successful projects.

Evaluate their design style and approach

Check out the team’s portfolio to assess their design style and approach.

Make sure their design aesthetic matches your brand and target audience.

Look at their previous graphic design work to see if they have experience creating designs similar to what you’re looking for.

Check their expertise and services

Make sure the agency has the necessary expertise and services to meet your needs.

Consider whether they offer a wide range of design services or specialize in specific areas of design only.

If you need expertise in a particular design software or technology, ensure they have the required skills and knowledge.

Consider their communication and collaboration processes

Effective communication and collaboration are crucial for successful outsourced designs.

Look for design agencies that communicate transparently, respond promptly, and let you oversee the design process.

A collaborative approach ensures your input is valued.

Review their pricing

As you go through the available options for you, you’ll find that there’s a wide range of prices for design services.

Do you just go to the cheapest? Do you choose the most expensive, thinking that they give the highest quality of designs?

Collate the prices and packages of the design teams you are considering, and see who among them gives you the highest value for your money.

Your best bet is a team that gives unlimited graphic design revisions.

Don’t be scared of outsourcing design services

Don’t be scared to make the move towards outsourcing.

It can be the best thing to do for your business and yourself.

As you step away from time-consuming tasks and into revenue-generating ones, you’ll be able to lean into your CEO role more.

You will get great design and get more work done.

Key Takeaways

• You don’t have to spread yourself too thin and try to do everything in your business. Instead, you can outsource your design work and free up your time.
• If you lack the design skills, don’t have enough time to do design, or are struggling with being creative with your designs, it might be time to outsource your design work.
• Other than saving time, outsourcing your designs can help you get access to better, high-quality work from professionals and easily scale your business without compromising on design quality.
• When looking for graphic design outsourcing, you should make sure to go through several outsourcing services and check their portfolio, design style, design offerings, and pricing.
• Other than your design needs and budget, you also have to make sure that the design company can communicate well and collaborate.