Comments on: Design agencies vs freelance designers

By: stephen hill

stephen hill — Thu, 18 Jun 2009 11:13:23 +0000

Their are benefits to being a large design agency and a freelancer, We are a small team of designers and like to work under the name agency, as we provide those types of services. Our team varies from job to job giving us the flexibility of being a freelance but more security

By: Mike Erickson

Mike Erickson — Mon, 23 Feb 2009 05:24:30 +0000

For the record, Design agencies do hire out freelancers.

By: David Airey

David Airey — Tue, 27 Jan 2009 11:42:29 +0000

Alicia, Rob,

Thanks very much for leaving your own thoughts on the debate, and Alicia, you’re more than welcome for the mention. Keep up the great work.

By: Rob Cubbon

Rob Cubbon — Fri, 23 Jan 2009 17:33:29 +0000

OK. I’m biased. But I would say that the freelancer makes sense on almost every level going into the future and I believe the larger bloated agencies will be slimming down soon and some might even disappear. And the reason is the freelancer can call on a network of other professionals in order to help with a job if it is too big. Obviously there is a limit to the size of that job but, in my opinion, that limit will be increasing as remote working becomes more popular.

By: Alicia from 400

Alicia from 400 — Wed, 21 Jan 2009 14:01:30 +0000

I’ve just stumbled across this blog from the number of people clicking through to our site – and to say that we are extremely flattered to be amongst the other graphic design consultancies listed is an understatement! With only a team of four people, it’s incredible to see our name in a list of mostly very large, some international and highly respected agencies.

However, in the graphic design consultancy versus freelancer debate – I have an unashamedly biased view in that you can get the best of both worlds with a small niche practice like our own!

Overall I agree with David – who is best depends greatly on the project, the particular client, and the relationship they have with their designer/design consultancy. As for the small cash-strapped start-ups that George mentioned, I think that good design is an investment and it will provide a bottom line return on that investment (look at the DBA design effectiveness awards). There is always a solution – for example, sometimes designers will exchange their services for equity in that start-up business.

By: David Airey

David Airey — Tue, 13 Jan 2009 10:43:15 +0000

David,

Those are some very valid thoughts. I completely agree, and will certainly mention you in my follow-up post.

George,

I’d like to know your thoughts on that. Research is always vital when choosing a designer, regardless of budget.

Amanda,

Nice catch. I’ve sent them an email asking about it. The ‘logo design team’ commenter has been visiting my blogs lately. I can’t help but wonder if comments are for SEO purposes.

By: Amanda Vlahakis

Amanda Vlahakis — Tue, 13 Jan 2009 10:10:33 +0000

Wow, what a rip, I wonder where they got their inspiration from for this blog …. and a nice little insult to freelancers in the comments:

http://www.graphicdesignblog.org/logo-design-agencies-or-freelancers/#comment-932

By: George - LogoDesign.org

George - LogoDesign.org — Tue, 13 Jan 2009 00:46:57 +0000

Hmmm, some interesting points there.

Now what you didn’t cover are the companies (small, boot-strapped startups, mom and pop) that don’t have the $1000+ that it would cost for a larger agency or one of the more “well known” freelancers to design their logo, their options are usually hiring a not-as-well known designer off of iFreelance or the like, or going with one of the lower priced internet-based logo design companies (think LogoWorks or TheLogoFactory), I have my own thoughts on the subject but it would be great to hear what you think about it.

By: David Morin

David Morin — Mon, 12 Jan 2009 19:20:40 +0000

Hi David,

each options have their pros and bads and honestly, through my experience, I feel that it is more of a needs matter than being an impartial advocate of one or the other. As in the political arena in United States for instance, there’s a time for Democrates and for Republicans depending on circumstances. I would hardly see a single designer taking over BP rebranding exercise as too many ressources are required.

Even for the smallest accounts, the most important thing I found is bringing the right balance of raw talent and the value of senior experience. I unfortunatelly don’t see it as a one man game. As for a good wine, it is the interaction of multiple elements that brings a rich and mature flavor.

Cheers!

By: The Pro Designer

The Pro Designer — Mon, 12 Jan 2009 12:41:52 +0000

Hi David, Great site really love your work… I completely agree with both points and their are benefits and disadvantages for each. However as a freelancer myself I have found that so many clients would much prefer he personal attention of a freelancer but the quality of an agency. And I guess they get that too with quality freelancers like yourself. So overall it’s pretty clear to me that the freelancer approach is far more beneficial to the client overall if the designer is up to scratch.