Should You Hire a Freelancer or a Design Agency?
If you’ve searched for branding or web design help for your business, you know that there are a LOT of options out there.
From gig sites like Fiverr, to freelancers, to design studios, to hiring your own in-house design employee — it can be overwhelming to decide what’s best for you!
For many entrepreneurs and owners of growing businesses, it boils down to two options: a solo designer versus a design agency.
As a designer who worked in-house for multiple agencies before starting Amp’d Designs, I have insider insight into the pros and cons of both, so let’s take a look!
*Before digging in:
What is a freelance designer?
Below, I refer to “freelancers” as “solo designers,” because a freelancer is simply a one-person business. When hiring a freelance designer, it’s important to look for a professional who conducts themselves as a business owner, because that’s what we really are!
What is a design agency?
A design agency or studio is a larger design business with several (or many) employees and project teams.
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Specialization and Skill
Solo Designers / Freelancers
Solo designers often specialize in one or a few specific skills. For example, at Amp’d Designs, I offer graphic design services, with a focus on Branding and Web Design. Other self-employed designers may offer only Branding, or may offer Web Design and Copywriting services.
This is an advantage, because our hyper-focused specialization allows us to truly hone our expertise and offer expert-level service in something we know like the back of our hands. And for myself (and others), this means that my process is extremely tuned in and seamless.
Agencies
Many agencies have team members working on a variety of different services, from design to marketing to copywriting to SEO and more. This can be a good fit if you want to keep all your needs in one place. (More on this below!) However, depending on the size of the agency, in some cases this can also mean that they’ve focused on becoming a jack of all trades instead of experts at just a few.
While some agencies do stick to one or two specific services, either way there’s no guarantee that all of their employees are expert-level designers. Employees may range from senior art directors to freshly-graduated junior designers. This means you might receive different levels of quality and attention to detail depending on who’s currently working on your project.
Team and Capabilities
Solo Designers / Freelancers
As mentioned above, solo designers limit the services they offer to their specializations. You know you’ll get expert-level design from us, but for other needs you’ll have to hire other professionals.
While it might initially seem like a hassle to have multiple contracts and projects with multiple different people, on the flip side it means that you can be sure you’re hiring the best-fit person for each aspect of the job. You can get extra-specialized, high-level skill and quality from each individual creative you hire.
And while freelance designers don’t have a team, we do often form partnerships with creatives that offer services that are complementary to design. At Amp’d Designs, I’ve formed connections with a network of trusted collaborating partners, meaning I can personally refer you to the person who is the best fit to help you based on your needs, goals, and industry.
There’s no one size fits all, and the beauty of working with a solo designer is that we can curate a team specifically for you.
Agencies
If you’re looking for all-in-one service, and wrapping all parts of a project (from marketing to writing to design) into one contract, agencies provide this level of service.
While it can certainly be nice to have everything in one place, this also means that you’re limited to the skill levels of the agency’s employees. Instead of finding the absolute best-fit creative to help you, you may end up being passed on to an employee who you don’t click with as well, or who doesn’t have the same level or proficiency as others in the company.
Communication and Relationships
Solo Designers / Freelancers
When you work one-on-one with a solo designer, you can expect to really get to know that designer on a personal level. We’ll spend a lot of time learning about your business, because we’re the only one working on your project. If you’re looking to hire a creative you can truly grow to trust on a personal level, a solo designer is the way to go.
When it comes to communication, for both solo designers and agencies it boils down to who you hire. At Amp’d Designs, clear and prompt communication is extremely important to me.
Agencies
At an agency, you may have one or two point people, while several other designers are working on your project behind-the-scenes. That’s not to say that agencies don’t do strategy and learn about your business; the process is simply different.
Plus, if you’re aiming for a long-term relationship with your design team, an agency certainly may experience employee turnover over the years. You might start out working with a designer who you absolutely love, then have to make an adjustment if that person leaves the company.
Care and Attention
Solo Designers / Freelancers
Similarly to the above about relationships, because solo designers can only work with a small number of businesses at a time, that means we give our full attention to your project while we’re collaborating. When you work with a self-employed creative like Amp’d Designs, you really feel taken care of. Your business is just as important to me as it is to you.
It’s also worth noting that because solo designers only take on a few projects at a time, the success of your project — as well your own happiness with your project — matters a lot more. Not only are we incredibly intentional about the projects we take on with our limited time, but our reputations matter a lot, and truthfully we can’t afford to have dissatisfied clients!
Agencies
Because agencies typically work with a much larger volume of clients at a time, the attention you feel you’re receiving can vary. Individual touches are less common because the relationship is not as personal.
And while of course some agencies provide excellent customer service, for many losing a client has less of an impact than it does for a solo designer. So where agencies outshine in things like availability and all-in-one abilities (below), they may still lack in customer satisfaction.
Price
Solo Designers / Freelancers
In general, solo designers charge lower rates. With less overhead and no employees to pay, you’ll often find a lower price with a freelancer.
It is worth noting that expert-level self-employed designers may be comparable to design studios, depending on the service. As with anything, there are a lot of factors in play when it comes to price!
Agencies
Simply put, typically design agencies are higher priced. With multiple employees to pay and much more overhead, you’ll pay a premium rate to work with an agency.
Quality
Solo Designers / Freelancers
Again, quality largely depends on the individual designer or agency. In general, there is a lot more quality control coming from solo designers, since we’re the only one directly working on every piece of your project.
And because of our ability to specialize and hone our skills in a specific area, you can typically rest assured that you’re receiving the best of our abilities on every project, as well as consistency every time you hire us.
Agencies
While agencies can absolutely produce some amazing work, sometimes quality can take a hit when there are many hands from multiple employees working on one project. Various skill levels and varied levels of oversight can affect quality, within one project or from one project to another.
Availability and Urgency
Solo Designers / Freelancers
Because a solo designer is one-person teams, there are only so many projects they can take on at one time. Often solo designers (like myself) will book projects in advance, so it’s not unusual to see a 3-5 month waitlist to get started on a big project like branding or web design.
When it comes to small, urgent needs, the ability to fit you into their schedule depends largely on other projects the designer is currently working on, and their availability based on other meetings and business goings-on.
It’s also worth noting that when a solo designer is out of the office, typically all projects get put on hold.
But are all of these points cons? Well, it depends on the urgency of your project. In general — regardless of whether you’re hiring a freelancer or agency — it’s advised to think ahead when it comes to your business needs, and not wait until the last minute to reach out to a designer for any projects, big or small. Allowing that extra time for strategy and attention to detail will lead to better results no matter who you work with!
Agencies
It’s much less common to see a waitlist at a design agency or design studio. Typically when you inquire about a project, you’ll be able to start right away. Because there are multiple designers on staff, the workload can be divvied up.
For the same reason, edits and small projects can often be squeezed in with quick turnarounds.
Agencies also tend to close for fewer days around holidays. And if the designer on your project is out of the office, others on the staff can usually keep working with you during that time.
So if quicker availability and turnaround are your priority, agencies usually win in this department.
Speed
Solo Designers / Freelancers
Similarly to availability, projects with freelancers tend to take longer. With only one person working on all the pieces (not only design, but project management, billing, communications, meetings, and more), all that work has to find a place in that one person’s schedule.
When hiring a solo designer, be sure to choose someone who has a clear process and timeline, like Amp’d Designs, to ensure your project is structured and streamlined.
Agencies
Agencies tend to work faster due to having multiple people on staff to help out on all aspects of the project.
The verdict:
Ultimately, it comes down to your business’s goals and priorities, and which feels like a better fit for you! There are pros and cons to both.
The benefits of working with a solo designer/freelancer are:
High-level skill in specialized areas
Personalized care and attention to detail
Ability to hire the best-fit person possible for every one of your needs
Often, lower price
However, if you’re looking for quick turnaround, consistent availability, and all-in-one capabilities (like design + marketing + copywriting + more), a freelancer likely isn’t the way to go.
The benefits of working with a design agency are:
Quicker availability and speed
All-in-one; the ability to work on many different aspects of a project (from design to marketing and more) with one agency
However, if you’re looking for a more personal connection with your creative contractor, assurance of expert-level skill from all hands in your project, and a budget-friendly option, an agency may not be the perfect fit.
At Amp’d Designs, my one-person design business is the culmination of my formal design education, my experience working at NYC design studios, and years of building my business and honing my processes. I offer Branding and Web Design with deep strategy and intention, expert-level quality, and utmost attention to communication and collaboration with you during our project.
More questions about hiring a freelance designer:
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Communication is key! If you have a target launch date, be sure to tell your designer. Your designer will let you know if it’s possible to meet your deadline, or ask if you’re open to adjusting it.
Be sure the designer you’re considering hiring has a clear process and timeline, which they’re able to articulate and speak confidently about. If there’s no transparent plan, tread carefully!
Design projects are a collaboration. Be sure that you are available to provide required information and feedback both before and during the project. Responding to communications from your designer within 24-48 hours helps keep the project moving along smoothly and according to your timeline.
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There are lots of options out there! I wrote a post here about how to find the right graphic designer for your project.
The spark notes:
Look at their portfolio, and be sure you like their previous work.
Look at their qualifications to be sure you hire someone who has experience and knows what they’re doing.
Have a verbal conversation with them and ask questions.
Work with a designer who has a clear process and timeline.
Know everything that’s included in the design package, and be sure it fits your needs.
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Ultimately, you want to hire a designer who has a clear plan for your project — from process, to pricing, to deliverables, to timeline.
Some questions to ask if a designer hasn’t covered them:
How long does the process take?
What is included in the package? What do I get when we’re done?
Are there any other fees involved?
How many design options will I see, and how many rounds of revisions are there?
Will you be the one working on my design?
What is required from me on my end during the project?
Will I be able to work with you on other types of projects after this one?
In my blog post here, points 3 and 4 include several questions to consider asking your designer in order to ensure you’re hiring the right person for your project’s needs.
It’s also valuable to ask questions that are less about project specifications, and more about the designer’s approach. A design project is a long-term collaboration, and you want to make sure you’re working with someone you jive with and who shares your values.
What is your background? How did you get into design?
What is it like working with you? What can I expect during the process?
What if I’m not happy with the results?
How is your design business different?
Ready to take the next steps for your busienss with a dedicated design expert?
I’d love to explore how we can help your brand stand out and better connect with your customers and clients!
OTHER POSTS ABOUT BRANDING:
Common tricky design client situations, how to steer them back on track, and how to prevent them altogether.