Design Outsourcing – How To Make It Work

For a company that already excels in a particular niche, does it make sense to outsource designs? Explore the Why and How of design outsourcing.

All establishments, big and small, outsource their operations to specialized agencies or freelancers. No one can deny the efficiency of outsourcing. Whether it is for profits or tending to multiple clients.

If design outsourcing to you feels like cutting corners, get rid of that mindset. It is a timed and practical move to further your business. Outsourcing your designs, be they for any purpose, does not translate to work-quality compromise.

The pool of talent available out there can often be more than what in-house employees proffer.

Perks of Design Outsourcing

If you have decided to go outsource your designs, there are numerous benefits to count on.

·         Flexibility in delegating operations is the primary perk of outsourcing your designs. You can then focus on other aspects that require personal attention.

·         Design outsourcing allows opportunities to work with innovative and fresh solutions in addition to being a cost-effective development.

·         The process helps attract more clients once your name gets established in the specific niche of designing.

·         Design outsourcing helps save time, which, in turn, translates to profits.

·         Outsourcing, in general, is a negligible upfront cost compared to the expenses of a full-time employee who remains idle for the most part.

How to go about ensuring efficient Design Outsourcing

It may not be your first-time outsourcing designs, or it may be. Handing over your responsibilities to a foreign entity can be stressful. However, when all the right boxes have been checked and measures put in place, design outsourcing feels like a thrilling undertaking.

Bear in mind the three crucial standards of hiring a designer.

·         Who are you hiring: A freelancer or an agency?

·         What do you expect from them?

·         How efficiently are you tracking and regulating progress?

Getting into the rhythm of hiring and maintaining a specialized freelancer or agency can be challenging. Here are a few pointers to ensure you meet your design outsourcing specifications and reach the ideal designer.

1. Hire a relevant designer for specific projects

It may come across as redundant. However, hiring a designer is no different from any other job interview. Ensure the candidate meets your exact needs and has extensive knowledge of the niche required.

Varied social and business platforms work on distinct design strategies. What works for one will not attain success for another. The designer should be aware of the various applications that require specific designing, at least in the niche demanded from him.

2. Take long-term design incorporation of the designer’s work into account

Browsing through the designer’s portfolio serves more than one purpose. On the one hand, you get to gauge if their work resonates with your requirements. On the other hand, you get to see if their designs work for a short-period or well through years for other companies.

It is a good sign for you if the designer’s previous works are currently circulating in the market.

3. Go beyond portfolio’s

Often, hiring a designer based on his work turns out disastrous for the company. When you are outsourcing your designs, you need more than the results. There has to be regular communication and interaction to gauge whether the designer understands your viewpoint or not.

Always delegate a small task before hiring to measure the designer’s aptitude to function with your workspace culture and demands.

(Source : Google Images)

4. Map and scope out your project specifications comprehensively

Not having a definitive view of your project’s scope will eventually lead to confusion, miscommunication, and the blame-game. It is your responsibility as the outsourcer to ensure the designer understands your position and what is required of him.

Be detailed when listing out the milestones, variables, deadlines, and allocated costs. Do not expect the designer to fill out any missing blanks in your incomplete planning.

5. The outsourced designer is your in-house designer, at least for the brief hiring period

Short-term projects will not require much personal bonding beyond the need of the hour. However, long-term projects are different. You have to treat the designing talent as an in-house member to create profit-worthy two-way bonds.

Something as simple as a gift-card for reaching small milestones will boost morale and overall work contentment. Faster turnarounds with dedicated quality and favorable pricing are just the result of some productive bonding.

6. Utilize the initial screening process to ascertain the dedicated response

The initial delegation of a small project reflects many aspects of the designer’s work ethics in its results. Communication, dedication to meeting deadlines, reaching out for specific task-related issues, and more are a few areas of which to take note.

Freelancers have the added situation where they may be working for multiple companies for different projects. Testing their multi-tasking skills is given to ensure a 100% response and work satisfaction from their side before hiring.

7. Undertake grueling reference checks for a peaceful future collaboration

There is no harm or shame in asking for multiple references from the designer. You are solely responsible for outsourcing your designs, doing everything in your authority to ensure the job gets done.

(Source : Google Images)

Get in touch with the previous clients of the designer and inquire about their experience and process satisfaction. In the end, you will have a determined mindset regarding hiring the designer’s services or not.

8. Go out of your way at times, but also trust your intuition

When involved in the project’s core, you will instinctively get a feel for which designer best suits your specifications. At times, limiting yourself in going by the book will spell your loss.

The designer may not have a defined or extensive portfolio. But if you feel that individual is on the same page as you are regarding the principles of designing, go for it.

Similarly, you can try going out of your way to getting a designer to understand your needs. But if your gut tells you otherwise, quickly move on to the next candidate.

Final thoughts

Knowing when to outsource graphic design and not is half the result of outsourcing your designs. There are many considerations to bear in mind before hiring that freelancer or going through a designing agency. If outsourcing, always keep the financial aspects, long-term results, and the hired designer’s proficiency in mind.

If you’re looking for a long-term solution for all of your graphic design needs, our graphic design service is a great option for small, medium, and large businesses.