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In today’s digital world, the demand for high-quality design has never been greater.
From creating eye-catching social media posts and dynamic video content to launching polished websites to convert casual visitors into loyal customers, marketers are under constant pressure to deliver.
And you better believe that you’ve got to keep that fresh, new content coming in order to stay competitive.
Which is why Design as a Service platforms have emerged as a game-changer for marketers and businesses everywhere, providing access to a wide range of creative talent under one roof and on a flexible, subscription-based model.
Design as a Service platforms can give your brand everything you need to keep up with your content demands, but will this model work for you?
If you aren’t sure, then we’ll help you find out! Today’s blog is diving into the world of Design as a Service platforms, exploring how they work, why they work, and how they can help you keep up with your content demands and transform the way you approach content creation.
What is Design as a Service (DaaS)?
In the same way that Software as a Service (SaaS) provides users with on-demand access to software or apps, DaaS provides users with a talented pool of designers.
DaaS is a business model where businesses or individuals can access professional design services on a subscription or on-demand basis, rather than hiring an in-house team of full-time designers or relying on freelance services like Upwork or Fiverr.
DaaS platforms employ a huge pool of creative professionals and offer a wide range of design services, including graphic design, web design, branding, logos, motion graphics, and more.
How Does Design as a Service (DaaS) Work?
Design as a Service platforms usually operate on a flexible model that works with a business’s evolving needs.
Here’s a quick breakdown of how this usually works:
- Subscription or On-Demand Access — Clients can subscribe to a DaaS platform on a monthly, quarterly, or yearly basis, or opt for on-demand services without a long-term commitment. This flexibility allows businesses to access design services as needed, scaling up or down based on their current requirements.
- Initial Onboarding — Once subscribed, clients go through an onboarding process where they outline their design needs, brand guidelines, and project goals. This step guarantees that the DaaS provider fully understands the client’s expectations and goals and can adjust their services accordingly.
- Dedicated Creative Team — After onboarding, clients are typically assigned a dedicated team of designers with expertise in a variety of specialties, like graphic design, web design, packaging design, or motion graphics. This team works closely with the client to develop designs that align with their brand and project objectives. Some DaaS platforms also provide project management as well, assigning a dedicated employee to manage the account and act as go-between for the client and creative team.
- Project Requests — Clients usually submit design requests through the platform’s interface. These requests can range from creating a new logo to developing a complete branding package or producing motion graphics for a marketing campaign.
- Design Process — The assigned design team begins work on the project, typically providing drafts and different concepts based on client feedback and direction. This collaborative feature of DaaS platforms makes it more likely that the final deliverables will meet the client’s expectations.
- Revisions and Feedback — DaaS platforms typically allow for multiple rounds of revisions, which allows the clients to refine the designs until they are satisfied. This process results in a final product that is polished and matches the client’s vision.
- Final Delivery — Once the client approves the design, the final files are delivered in whatever format is required. These files are usually stored on the platform for easy access and future use.
- Ongoing Support — With a DaaS subscription, clients will benefit from ongoing design support, making it easy to request updates or new projects as needed.
How DaaS Compares to Traditional Models
As you may have guessed, this innovative approach to outsourcing creative needs offers many advantages over traditional design solutions, such as:
Flexibility vs. Fixed Employment
DaaS platforms provide much more flexibility, allowing businesses to scale their design needs up and down as their needs evolve.
The subscription-based model also allows companies to access design services as needed without the commitment and salary of full-time in-house teams or going through the process of sourcing freelancers for each project.
Variety of Expertise vs. Specialized Skill Sets
DaaS platforms are popular choices because they give instant access to a huge pool of creative professionals who offer a wide range of skills, from graphic design to motion graphics. This variety guarantees that you’ll have the talent necessary to complete your projects, without worrying if your in-house designers have the skills you need or having to hire multiple freelancers if they don’t.
Traditional design agencies also offer a wide range of expertise, though they may lack the same level of support and can be much less flexible in their offerings.
Budget-Friendly and Predictable Pricing vs. Varying Rates and Retainers
DaaS platforms typically offer budget-friendly and predictable pricing through monthly, quarterly, or annual subscription models, making it easier for businesses to plan their budgets.
This cost-effectiveness is one of a DaaS platform’s key benefits, particularly when compared to the hourly or by-project rates of freelancers and the retainers and pricy contracts required of many design agencies.
What to Look for in a DaaS Provider
Interested in partnering with a DaaS platform for your design needs?
That’s a great idea! Here’s what you should look for when researching the best DaaS platform for your business needs:
1. Wide Range of Custom Design Services
Your DaaS provider should offer a wide variety of design services, including staples like graphic design, packaging design, logo design, and branding, plus other widely needed services like web design, UX/UI design, and motion graphics.
This will allow you to access all of the creative resources you need under one roof, making sure that you have the talent you need for any project that you need completed.
And it’s not just about offering a wide range of services, a good DaaS provider should know how to tailor these services to meet your specific needs. You don’t want a one-size-fits-all solution, after all, you want someone who will take the time to understand your brand and your requirements and create thoughtful and custom design that vibes with your brand identity and your goals.
You should also look for a provider that has a talent pool of designers who have experience in your industry or with the specific types of projects you require. Check out their portfolio to find this out or, if you want to erase all doubt, reach out and ask!
2. Transparent Pricing and Flexible Plans
A good DaaS provider will offer you straightforward and direct pricing without sneaky hidden fees.
There are often multiple tiers so you can choose the one that best matches your needs and budget. Just be sure that you do your research to make sure you know exactly what’s included in your chosen subscription or on-demand plan, particularly whether or not it includes the inevitable revisions.
What you’re looking for is a provider that can offer plans that scale with your business needs, whether you need consistent ongoing design work or the occasional one-off project.
3. Good Communication and Collaboration
It always helps to have a dedicated account manager or creative director to make communication easier.
DaaS platforms that provide project management are easier to work with since they offer a single point of contact that makes communicating easier and eliminates any confusion or mixed messages.
Whether or not a DaaS platform provides project management, it should still offer effective communication channels where you can easily provide feedback to your creative team. Look for a provider that will also keep you updated regularly on the progress of your projects, set clear timelines, and work well with whatever style of communication you prefer.
4. Proven Track Record
You also want a DaaS provider that has a proven track record.
Check out their online portfolio so you can better gauge the quality and style of their previous work. This will give you a better idea of whether their style vibes with your brand, as well as if they’ve done work for your industry and have experience with projects similar to the ones you need completed.
You should also be on the lookout for testimonials or case studies from previous clients, particularly ones in your industry. Positive feedback from previous customers can give you a pretty accurate reading of a provider’s reliability, creativity, range of services, customer service, and overall customer experience.
5. Reliable Turnaround Times
A good DaaS provider should have the ability to turn around projects quickly without sacrificing quality. This is especially important if your brand is in a fast-paced industry where you need assets quickly and deadlines are crucial.
Beware of companies who promise unrealistically fast turnaround times, however. Though this rapid turnaround might sound good at first, it might also be a red flag. Providers who rush through projects often turn in subpar results.
Your ideal DaaS provider should set fast but realistic deadlines for the services they offer and consistently meet them. A reliable provider will understand the delicate balance between speed and quality to make sure that all of your projects are completed on time, while remaining high-quality work.
6. Quality Assurance
And speaking of high-quality work…
The DaaS provider you choose should have a strong quality control process in place to make sure that all of the assets they create for you meet your expectations and any industry standards or regulations that are in place.
There should be a policy on how they handle revisions. It’s important to know how many revisions are included in your plan and how additional changes to your assets are handled so that you know exactly what you’re getting into and that your work will turn out the way you want it.
7. Project Management
Though not all DaaS providers offer project management, it’s in your best interest that you find one that does.
Having a dedicated creative director or project manager on your account not only frees up your time (since you won’t have to manage a creative team), but will keep your design projects on track, make sure that deadlines are met, and that everyone is kept up to date and in the loop.
Having good project management in place also means that any potential issues or revisions to deliverables will be handled quickly and efficiently to minimize delays and make sure that the final project is exactly what you’re looking for.
8. A Long-Term Partner
Though you might turn to a DaaS provider for just a few one-off projects, many businesses use them for the long term in place of an in-house creative team.
So, if you’re a brand with ongoing design needs, then you should consider a DaaS provider that will offer you ongoing support; a partner that is willing to grow with your brand, adapt their services as your needs change, and be there to provide consistent access to the high-quality design services you’re looking for.
Having a strong relationship with a DaaS provider who is invested in your success can lead to better work that’s more aligned with your goals, better communication, and a long-term partnership that’s a valuable extension of your team.
Looking for a Design as a Service Platform You Can Count on?
So, are you ready to implement a DaaS platform into your marketing strategy?
First, assess your needs.
What kind of services will you need most? Do you have large projects to tackle? Or something ongoing, like social media posts and other content creation?
Once you’ve got an understanding of what kind of design work you need, then ask yourself this: Is design work all that your brand could benefit from?
Do you also have gaps when it comes to copywriting, video production, digital marketing, social media management, and more?
If so, then you might be in the right place.
Because Designity is an innovative Creative as a Service platform that can not only offer your brand design on-demand, but other content writing, proofing, marketing, audit, and social media management services as well, acting as a one-stop shop for all of your design and marketing needs.
Designity is made up of the top 3% of all of the talented creatives who apply each year, meaning that your creative team working on your projects will be the best of the best in their fields.
And with a dedicated Creative Director for your account, a project manager who acts as your single point of contact, manages and sources your team, and keeps track of your timelines and quality control, you can rest assured that your projects will be executed on time, to the highest standards of quality, and be in your hands when you need them.
Why not check out our community portfolio and our 100+ design and marketing services?
If you like what you see, then go ahead and book your demo call today. We’ll get you started with a two-week, no-obligation trial so you can test drive our design and marketing services and see firsthand why Designity is the only marketing partner your brand will ever need.
Are you ready to take your brand to the next level?
