Updated November 2024
This post was originally published in 2022 and has since been updated to reflect the latest insights, industry trends, and business considerations.

One of the big decisions facing business owners and marketing managers alike when building a brand is whether to hire an in-house graphic designer or work with a design agency. It’s a choice that comes with a lot of questions, especially when budgets and long-term brand goals are on the line.

To make things easier, we’ve broken down the key considerations and benefits of working with a design agency compared to hiring in-house.

The Benefits of Working With a Design Agency

1. Cost Efficiency

Hiring an agency can often be more cost-effective than employing an in-house designer. While that might sound counterintuitive at first, let’s look at the numbers:

Recruitment Costs: According to Glassdoor, the average cost to recruit a new employee is £3,000. Add onboarding and training time, and you’re looking at a hefty initial investment.
Salary: As of 2024, the average annual salary for a graphic designer was around £28,000 (Reed). To compete in today’s market, you’ll likely need to offer more than the average.
Tools and Software: Beyond IT equipment, designers need specialist software like Adobe Creative Suite, which can run upwards of £600 per year per user.

On the other hand, design agencies work on a per-project basis, meaning you only pay for what you need—no salaries, no recruitment costs, and no extra subscriptions. Agencies also come equipped with infrastructure and tools, so you won’t need to foot the bill for new tech.

2. Reliability and Continuity

If you hire a single in-house designer, what happens if they’re unwell or need extended leave? Everything design-related could come to a standstill, delaying projects and impacting other departments.

Agencies, by contrast, have entire teams of designers. If one designer is unavailable, another steps in seamlessly—ensuring your deadlines are met without compromising quality.

3. Experience and Innovation

Agencies attract top-tier talent and create collaborative environments where creativity thrives. Designers working within an agency benefit from peer feedback, constructive critique, and exposure to diverse projects across industries.

An in-house designer working solo may lack this dynamic, which can lead to tunnel vision. For fresh perspectives and innovative ideas, a design agency is often the better choice.

Plus, let’s face it: even the biggest brands—think Coca-Cola or Apple—outsource their creative projects to agencies. They do it because agencies deliver superior results, and they’re not wrong!

When Might In-House Design Be a Good Option?

While we’re clearly fans of agencies (we might be a little biased!), there are situations where in-house design makes sense.

High Volume Needs: If your business produces a constant stream of design work, having someone in-house might be more efficient.
On-Demand Edits: If you frequently need quick, small edits to marketing materials, an in-house designer can offer a faster turnaround.

Even so, many businesses use a hybrid approach: hiring an in-house designer for day-to-day tasks while partnering with an agency for large-scale projects like branding or website design.

Should You Hire In-House or Work With an Agency?

The choice ultimately depends on your business goals, budget, and workload.

That said, we firmly believe that in most cases, partnering with a design agency is the smarter move. Agencies are cost-effective, reliable, and deliver work that drives results. Plus, with PHd Design being ranked in the Top 100 Creative Agencies in the UK, we like to think we know what we’re doing.

If you’re ready to explore how we can help your brand stand out, let’s talk! Whether it’s a rebrand, packaging, or a bespoke website, we’ve got you covered.

Ready to Make the Right Choice for Your Brand?

Whether you’re considering an agency for the first time or looking for a creative partner to elevate your brand, we’re here to help. Schedule a consultation today and discover how PHd Design can deliver cost-effective, reliable, and innovative design solutions that drive results.

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