Liz Lord About Liz: A marketing leader with over 25 years of experience, including as Chief Marketing Officer for PayPal Australia . Liz has recently transitioned to consulting roles where she helps small to medium sized business cut through the marketing mine-field and put a plan in place to grow their business.
My experience of using a US based Design Subscription Service, and why I started Design Bees for Australia
Recently, while working as a Fractional CMO, I stumbled upon a solution that promised to revolutionize our creative workflows—an unlimited graphic design service.
Our team was overwhelmed with self-design tasks, dealing with high costs from local freelancers, and inconsistent results from overseas freelancers. We faced bottle-necks when producing creative work, so we decided to give a U.S.-based design subscription service a try to see if it could resolve our design challenges.
Here’s our Aussie perspective on this innovative approach and our experience with a US vendor.
Fixed Pricing Model and Great Value
One of the most appealing aspects of the unlimited design service we used was its fixed pricing model.
Packages started from around $900 AUD a month ( depending on the exchange rate), and for this price it was possible to receive a significant amount of design work for one consistent fee.
The structure allowed us to plan our budget more effectively and avoid unexpected costs that often come with freelance designers.
Additionally, the output provided by the subscription was a game changer for a small team used to struggling to get design work done. We could tap into professional design services without breaking the bank.
Freeing Up Time for Value-Adding Activities
Another major benefit was the time we saved by outsourcing our design tasks. By leveraging the subscription service, our team could focus on adding value through campaigns and new activities, rather than getting bogged down in design work. This shift in focus enabled us to be more productive and strategic, ultimately driving better results for our marketing efforts.
Challenges of a U.S.-Based Design Unlimited Graphic Design Subscription Service
While there were many advantages to using an unlimited design subscription service from the US, we also encountered some challenges.
1) Lack of familiarity of designing for with the Australian market
The designers, who were used to designing for the non Australian market did not fully understand our unique culture and preferences,. This resulted in designs that sometimes missed the mark. This gap in cultural context was a drawback, as it meant we had to spend additional time providing feedback and revisions to ensure the designs resonated with our audience. We felt there was definitely an opportunity to provide dedicated unlimited graphic design in Australia.
2) Time Zone Differences -waking up early to speak to someone
The time zone differences between Australia and the U.S. often made communication with Account Management inconvenient, especially when it required waking up at 5 a.m. to get a response from the account staff. This misalignment in working hours sometimes delayed project timelines and made it difficult to maintain a smooth workflow.
3) System Issues logging new briefs on a Monday
We also often found that we couldn't log jobs on a Monday (as this was the USA's Sunday) when maintenance work was being carried out. This was a complete pain as Monday was usually the day we wanted to brief most jobs in for the week!
4) Quality Control and the Need for a Review Layer
The design subscription service we used lacked a robust quality control process. There appeared to be no review layer at all to catch errors before the designs reached us as the client. This oversight led to some "design doozies" with poor formatting and other issues slipping through the cracks. Implementing a more thorough review process for the designers and a control process could significantly enhance the overall quality and reliability of the service.
Why Design Bees Unlimited Design Subscription Packages are made just for Australia
Given our positive experience with the concept of design subscription services, it's clear that there was potential for localized versions tailored to the Australian market.
A service that understands the nuances of Australian culture and operates within our time zones could provide even greater value and convenience for marketing professionals.
That is what we aim to address when we started Design Bees. Our solution is tailored specifically to meet the needs of the Australian market. Here’s what we believe sets Design Bees apart:
1) We operate on the Australian time-zone
Our office and team operate on Australian time zones, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m AEST. This means you can reach out to us during regular business hours without needing to set your alarm clock!
2) Rigorous designer testing
All our designers must pass rigorous design tests before being interviewed, with around 60% failing to meet our standards. This ensures that the 'designer bees' we hire are exceptional talents who can follow briefs, adhere to style guidelines, and produce high-quality work.
3) Australian experience
While Australian experience is not compulsory, we find that designers who pass our tests often have some form of exposure to the Australian market, which helps them better understand and meet local preference
4) Internal Quality Control Process
All our jobs are reviewed by your Account Manager before coming to you, they will review the designer's jobs and make suggestions of changes before it reaches you. Design of course is highly subjective, so we might not get it 100% right. But they will check the basics like meeting your brand, the brief is met and make art direction suggestions. This means that you are likely to need less revisions.
Design subscription packages to support small & medium sized Australian Business
The concept of unlimited graphic design packages is great for small to medium sized businesses, and there is potential for further growth and innovation in this space. For Australian marketing professionals, localized services that address the unique challenges we face could be a game-changer. By combining the benefits of fixed pricing, improved creative quality, and time-saving efficiencies with a deep understanding of the Australian market, these services could revolutionize the way we approach design.
Conclusion
In conclusion, our experience with a U.S.-based design subscription service highlighted both the immense potential and the challenges of this innovative approach to creative work. While the fixed pricing, time savings, and improved creative quality were significant advantages, the lack of Australian context, time zone differences, and quality control issues posed some challenges. With the right adjustments and localization, design subscription services could become an invaluable resource for marketing professionals in Australia. If you're looking to streamline your design processes and enhance your creative output, exploring a design subscription service could be a worthwhile investment.
Explore the possibilities, and consider how a design subscription service could transform your marketing efforts.
And if you're ready to take the plunge, look for a service like Design Bees that caters specifically to the Australian market to maximize the benefits and minimize the challenges. Try Our 7 Day Commitment Free Trial
Ready to experience the benefits of subscription-based design services for your business? At Design Bees, our unlimited graphic design packages start at $499 a month to cover your graphic design needs. With a team of talented designers, we ensure your brand stands out in a competitive market without straining your budget.
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