Big Agency or Freelance Design Studio: A Comparison Guide
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Octavia Cephalo
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Find the ideal design partner for your corporate needs. This post compares the pros and cons of working with a large agency and a freelance design studio.
Outsourcing B2B design needs is a route many busy business leaders go down. After all, it can be cost-effective while delivering on marketing effectiveness.
80% of SMBs rate graphic design as moderately to very important for their success.
However, choosing between larger design businesses or a freelance design studios has pros and cons.
Today, we’ll explore which of the two is the better direction for your business.
Table of Contents
What Is A Freelance Design Studio?
A freelance design studio is a smaller “boutique” agency that hires freelancers and contractors to execute projects.
These agencies typically deliver their services online and are easy to find on platforms like Upwork, Fiverr, and more.
Some typical work done by freelance design studios (small design agencies) include:
- Graphic design (marketing material design – logos, eBooks, brochures, banners, etc.)
- Web development
- Copywriting
- Video and blogging Content
What Is A Big Design Agency?
A big design agency is a design firm that typically has a physical location and more full time staff. Their client base is usually large, requiring multiple account managers, departments, and longer client onboarding processes in some cases.
Bigger agencies often have decades of experience in the same services smaller agencies offer.
You’ll usually find them to have large portfolios and many customer testimonials.
Let’s examine the critical differences between freelance design studios (small agencies) and big design agencies
How Do Freelance Design Studios (Small Agencies) Differ From Big Agencies?
Here are the apparent differences you’ll find between these agency types:
- Smaller agencies typically cost less since they operate on lower expenses and often work on a “per project” basis without long contracts.
- Larger agencies may have more bandwidth to take on more projects than smaller agencies.
- It’s often easier to get ahold of key decision-makers for smaller agencies compared to larger ones.
- Larger agencies often have longer track records regarding past projects and testimonials.
- Smaller agencies may come with faster turnaround times and more personalized attention due to having a smaller client roster.
- Larger agencies may have more niche design experts available.
- Small agencies may offer more design creativity and project customization based on client needs
Pros and Cons of Partnering With Freelance Design Studios (Smaller Agencies)
Here are a few pros and cons for smaller design agencies to help your decision-making.
Pros:
- Cost Effectiveness – Smaller agencies are often more cost-efficient, making them the perfect route for startups and businesses looking to get professional design work done on a budget.
- Quick turnaround times – With fewer outside projects than larger agencies, clients can see projects completed faster.
- Flexibility – Freelance design studios tend to meet clients where they’re at regarding pricing negotiations, due dates, and design customizations.
Cons
- Project scope limits – Some freelance agencies may struggle to keep up with more extensive projects due to having less talent available. A workaround is finding smaller agencies with precise project capabilities that scale based on your needs. Predicting how large your projects will get ahead of time also helps.
- Fewer team members – Fewer team members may cause projects to take longer, depending on what they are. Less staff can also mean little to no design expertise for your specific industry or unique project.
- Less structure – Some smaller agencies take a more laid-back approach to project management. If your project needs structure, find a design team with project management capabilities like Compelify.
Pros and Cons of Partnering With Big Design Agencies
Here are a few pros and cons for big design agencies that will help in your decision-making.
Pros:
- Niche expertise – Larger agencies often have staff and departments dedicated to specific project types (website design, graphic design, copywriting, and more)
- Project scalability – With more staff, larger agencies can handle growing workloads from each client.
- More proof of concept – Larger agencies have more case studies to make it easier for potential clients to base their decisions on.
Cons:
- Costly – Larger agencies often charge more due to having more operational costs and needing bigger profit margins.
- Different Interests – Some large design agencies may prioritize their revenue goals over the client’s best interest. Whether it’s strictly signing high-paying clients or upselling profitable services, clients may not be needed.
Less personalization – With factors like employee church and a larger client base, building relationships can be difficult due to changing team members, leading to less personalization
3 Reasons Why Smaller Freelance Design Studios May Be Better
Here are 3 reasons why beginning with a freelance design studio or small design agency is the best route to go.
1. Building Closer Relationships
If your startup or B2B company is looking to partner with one design team for the long haul, then a freelance design studio may be for you.
For example, a smaller design team like Compelify gets an intimate understanding of your design preferences, marketing goals, and more in the long haul. A closer relationship with a proven smaller agency allows you to save more on long-term marketing costs, especially when discounts are involved.
2. Closer Consulting
Big agencies can often charge for additional consulting services or simply don’t add enough value upfront.
Compelify is an example of a design studio that puts consulting as one of the prime directors for all projects. By combining consulting with design services, you see the benefits of why your website, banner, or eBook needs specific colors, graphics aesthetics, and more.
Compelify connects all its design decisions directly to your marketing success.
3. Higher ROI
By spending less on design work, you can see a grander return on investment in your marketing spend. The capital you save from investing in a freelance design studio can fuel your ad campaigns or help hire an additional marketing contractor
The Verdict On Big vs. Smaller Design Agencies
Freelance design studios and larger agencies bring quality work to your business. For many startups, small businesses and medium-sized businesses, small agencies are typically the best option thanks to cost savings, flexibility, turnaround times and more.
If you’re ready to adopt premium design services, Compelify is the go-to agency for many companies. You can learn more about the Compelify difference by contacting us today
