Top 7 Reasons to Hire a Large Design Company
This post is in response to Calvin Cox’s Top 7 Reasons Why It’s Better to Hire a Freelance Designer or Small Design Firm Than a Large Design Company. Let me state up front that I agree with everything Calvin said. This post is not a rebuttal, just an attempt to keep things balanced.
- Large design companies have much better project management tools, processes and experience. They make sure projects and deliverables are accurately defined as well as schedules and expectations. This is critical to any medium to large project.
- Large design companies typically have a greater attention to detail (at least good companies do). Case in point: I have a client (a software company) who hires me to do design customization work on their software for their clients (cable companies). One of their clients recently hired a large design agency to redo their site. This design agency sent me a 13 page PDF with a mockup of every page in the software so it would perfectly match the site the agency was building. They went over every minute detail with me. They didn’t have to do this, no one else ever has - but this is part of their job. They’re paid to make sure that their client’s brand is presented 100% perfectly every single time.
- Large design companies write more documentation. For most smaller projects, this isn’t a huge deal, but for larger projects it’s a must. Most large companies should have processes in place to create detailed documentaion such as a website style guide.
- Large design companies can provide better support. They don’t go on lunch breaks (all at the same time). Their kids don’t get sick (all at the same time). The billing department will be familar with your account history and their billing policies. If a developer is in a car wreck and in a coma for three months, another developer can step in and take his place (having that detailed documentation and programming guides help here).
- Large design companies have individual experts on staff. Most freelancers and small companies will probably know a lot about website design, but they won’t have a full time graphic designer, web programmer, interface designer, copywriter, SEO expert and social marketer on the payroll. Not only that, but all these people have friends and their own personal support network. More experts will have eyes on your project at a larger company.
- Large design companies have a history of excellency (or at least decent mediocracy). They’re big for a reason. They’ve been there and done that. Those big-name clients on their client list trust them.
- Large design companies have less risk. Less risk of the owner dying and crushing your project. Less risk of the company going under. Less risk of getting over their heads and not knowing what they’re doing. Sure, it may cost more and take longer - but if you randomly chose a large design company your chances are probably better that you’ll get a decent website than if you randomly select a small one. Which is why it’s important to very carefully choose your design company, large or small. For help with that, read Jonathan Kelly’s article on Xemion on Choosing a Web Design Company or another great post from Calvin Cox, 8 do’s and don’ts when choosing a web designer.
In summary, most of these really depend on the size of the project. Larger projects or projects from larger companies with brands to protect should normally go to larger companies. Small projects, especially from small companies, are great for freelancers and small companies. Regardless of company size, selecting a professional web design company is more important than anything else.
Am I wrong or crazy? What do you think?
larisa:
Great post, James! It is very informative and detailed.
I agree that large projects are generally better handled by bigger companies because they have more resourses.
anonymous:
Also have larger wallets. If you are a small business who wants a logo and small web site… prepare to pay out the butt
James Paden:
Hey, I never claimed it was cheaper
For a small business, I’d pick a small design company every time.
Duncan:
Having worked as a designer in boutique agencies, huge agencies, and as a freelancer, I know you’re wrong.
1: Large agencies use exactly the same project management tools as small ones, someone who doesn’t accurately define projects or deliverables is called an amateur.
2: Large companies have a greater attention to detail. Well, sorry but this is just nonsense. I’d be surprised if you can back this one up with facts, or where you even got this idea from.
3: Large companies write more documentation? Project documentation is simply good practice, regardless of size. I’ve written countless style guides.
4: Large companies provide better support? Define “better”, if you need support and you get it, the size of the company you get it from is irrelevant.
5: Large companies have individual experts on staff.
So do small ones. Freelancers, small companies ét al, all have the same network of experts around them as the designers at large companies. And again, this is largely irrelevant to the work they do for you, the client. I can almost guarantee that if you hire a larger company, they’ll allocate a client manager to you, and you’ll never speak to a designer. Because the work’s been passed down to a junior, who passes it straight back to the client manager, who convinces you it’s good. “Experts” my ass.
6: Large design companies have a history of excellency (or at least decent mediocracy).
And again, so do small ones. You’re right, they ARE big for a reason, and that reason is that they decided to expand and become big.
There’s a reason some people stay small, which doesn’t include money or status. That being that THEY WANT TO STAY SMALL. Why? Because they’ve got their business running the way they want, they’re comfortable, and they’re enjoying it.
Bigger doesn’t mean better, especially in design.
7: Large companies have less risk. Again, this just plain wrong. They suffer exactly the same risks, regardless of the number of staff they have on payroll. Big companies have higher overheads, thus MORE risk. More risk that they’ll declare bankruptcy on a whim, more risk that they’ll be happy to leave you in a client queue while they get on with what they do best, making money for themselves by taking on an excess of work and passing it down to junior designers who they pay a pittance.
I’ll put it simply, and no offence intended, but you’re wrong.
Sorry.
James Paden:
Duncan, you’re welcome to your opinion and I’m probably not near as pro-large-company as my post made me out to seem (just trying to offer some balance). Based on my personal experience only, here on my replies to your comment:
1. I’ve never seen a company with under five employees use anything more sophisticated than Basecamp for project management (and Basecamp is more the exception than the rule). Most of the time, e-mail is perfectly sufficient for management on small projects, but for larger ones, it’s not. And let’s be blunt here, many freelancers and even small design firms ARE amateurs! That is the problem and risk that designer-seekers face! Go through my design directory…there’s quite a few amateurs there (the next version of the directory will have more verification to try to weed these guys out).
2. Just personal experience. I listed an example from today. There are certainly large companies with extremely poor attention to detail and smaller companies/freelancers with great attention to detail. I’m trying to focus on the average company.
3. Good for you. I’ve never had a contractor or a past client’s designer or anyone else supply me with a style guide. I sometimes consider clients lucky if they get written instructions on how to use their CMS.
4. An example from yesterday. Had a web developer contractor make a change on a site. He broke a function of the site resulting in the fulfillment staff spending hours counting inventory. He was on lunch break for two hours and I couldn’t get in contact with him to fix it. This could happen at a larger firm definitely, but it’s more likely with a smaller firm.
5. A larger company will have a larger staff. It’s more likely than they’ll have someone knowledgeable in something than a smaller company. You’re right, they’re not all “experts”. That’s probably a little bit of a dramatization on my part…but a larger firm will definitely have more in-house (and probably outside) resources than a small company.
6. You’re right, bigger doesn’t mean better. I’m not saying it does…I’m just saying there are benefits to bigger.
7. We’ll just have to disagree at that point. I’ve seen too many freelancers get jobs or small companies close down. I’m not saying there’s no risk, just saying there’s less than with a small firm.
Thanks for your feedback and comments! Very much appreciated!
matt:
Obviously written by someone who obviously has only ever worked at a large company or runs one themself.
With over 10years award winning experience in the industry I can honestly say that the negatives of a large company far outweigh the positives.
Roho:
Sorry to say this, but I completely agree with Matt and Duncan. To put it simple and bold:
SIZE DOESN’T MATTER
What you are referring to is quality and reliability. I have worked for and at some quite large companies and these properties were metbecause of their size. When they were met it as usually down to a couple of good professionals who just did it the proper way.
My experience is that large companies offer great service and quality when the customer is big and important. When you are small you don’t count. For small companies every customer is equally important.
I have had better service more often from smaller companies.
And it always comes down to the individual you are working with, the quality awareness such a person radiates.
Really, size doesn’t matter.
David Linke:
“Large design companies have much better project management tools, processes and experience.”
- With the web 2.0 good managment tools are available for anyone who likes to browse a little.
“Large design companies typically have a greater attention to detail (at least good companies do).”
Totally off sight, this is lies!!!
“Large design companies write more documentation.”
- This is because they are able to handle large projects. Small companies don’t have to deal with that, thus it cannot be set as a reason.
“Large design companies can provide better support”
- Not very accurate. Thing with small companies is that everyone is involved at the products sold. Thus, everyone is able to figure out where the bugs come from. With large companies, a designer has to struggle with psd’s of other person who doesn’t work on standards. Or even programmers trying to hack it’s coworkers code. So, more people can lead to more bugs. Less people to less mistakes.
“Large design companies have individual experts on staff. ”
- Small companies offer products that are ready made, thus with the boom of open source code, we don’t have to deal with a bunch of technologies. We use those we know well, and dont offer things that we don’t handle.
“Large design companies have a history of excellency (or at least decent mediocracy). They’re big for a reason.”
- The bigger the company, the bigger the marketing machine behind. Not necessarly because they provide good work. Actually everybody knows that big companies tend to loose work quality, because of the deadlines marketers put to their staff without knowing how much time takes to do something.
“Large design companies have less risk”
- Design, as an art it is depends heavily on the artist. if the best designer or design chief of a big company dies, for sure the line and standards of design will shift, changing the results of a product. Risk is almost the same!
…. and please, don’t spam in your own blog!!!
T:
Intersting article. Some of the points could easily be disputed or have little real-world relevance.
I have taken on projects solo, worked as an assistant to a designer, worked at boutique firms, and large agencies.
In my experience some of the best work came from te small design firms but global brands might need the support network of the large agency. Each project is different and has different needs though.
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Jon Garza:
Depends on the freelance. A good freelancer have great collaborators with more experience and expertise on his individual specialty.
Big design firms have a lot of students and newbies working on your project, just the art director have some experience.
Most of the best freelancers (and best designers) works in big firms previously, and they quit because they can’t take the bureaucracy anymore.
If you want a lot of bluff, hire the big company. But if you want art quality and expertise, hire the freelance.
Dx:
“I’ve never seen a company with under five employees use anything more sophisticated than Basecamp for project management”
Well, then the people you’re working with are doing it wrong. All it takes is one person with a loud voice and a clue and you’ve got some “proper workflow” in place with some decent procedures. Even retraining takes less than a week!
Open Source has removed most of the cost-issues, and if you’ve got someone with a bit of PHP experience, or whatever, you’ve got more software, for NOTHING, than most “large companies” even know exists.
Small companies are easier to overhaul and retool meaning that, more often than not, if there’s a clue under the roof everyone gets onboard far faster than “decided by the corproate” types.
This can backfire, of course, more time in meta than making stuff happen — but that’s not too common either, as small companies make it hard to hide freeloaders.
In short, wrong on every front.
*sigh*
-Dx
John:
Utter load of nonsense clearly written as a promotional piece FOR a large company.
Stumbled! Thumbs down!
James Paden:
Wow, I’m getting killed in the comments. I think my post came off as a little extreme without some context.
Let me be clear in stating that I would recommend a small design firm or freelancer for 95% of the web projects I come across.
In my mind, an EXCELLENT freelancer or small design firm will kick the butt of every large design company every single time. But not all, and possibly not even most, small design firms meet that standard in my mind (at least not here in the Midwest).
I’m a freelancer myself. My post was only intended to point out some of the advantages your average large firm has over your average small firm. Most of these advantages apply only to large projects.
Bill:
This is certainly a topic if hot debate. I to have worked in smaller boutique agencies and have worked on very, very large projects with and for some of the biggest and best agencies in the world.
Larger agencies are generally a bunch of smaller shops housed under one company. You could get one team that is fantanstic and another that is not so great. With smaller shops I think you get more consistency but overall everyone has access to the same people in terms of expertise and skills.
The big difference is that larger agencies will normally be called to make the pitch for larger, higher budget accounts. Like anything, they both have their pros and cons and it depends on the project and most importantly the client to make the best decision for their needs.
James Paden:
Absolutely, Bill. That’s definitely an excellent point. Thanks for your input!
Calvin Cox:
James:
Wow, I must have really struck a nerve here: I Just read your Top 7 and believe you have some valid points -much more detailed than my summary list . I think at the end of the day size doesn’t matter but rather the company that you hire to do the work. For me if I had to choose between a large firm and a smaller firm with all else equal- quality of work, support, price, delivery date: The small company would win every time and that’s because for some strange reason I believe that smaller companies tend to be more personally connected to your brand than larger ones, and they are very careful to do an excellent job because they can use the completed projects as strong advertising for new projects: Frankly, I think that’s a huge factor in my choice between choosing between a small and large design firm – sounds a little cheesy-I know but the fact is I own a small design firm and every project I do for my clients becomes a project for my company’s Brand as well.
James Paden:
Oh well…I was just reading Darren Rowse’s advice to create some controversy on your blog…I guess I succeeded!
Completely agree with your opinion, Calvin, and even if things weren’t equal, I would often go with the smaller company.
Dirty Blue:
James, I think you have all very valid points, and it really does balance out with Calvin’s article.
I’ve worked for a medium sized company (5-6 employees), and I’d actually say a lot of it depends on the heart of the company.
Both articles bring up valid points that both small and large outfits can succumb to. But in the end, it is the heart and mission statement. Does the company truly care to see its clients succeed?
Great article. Thanks.
John:
Great points. Also, larger design companies won’t be able to take the same risks as smaller companies. And many times its a larger client taking a gamble on a small design company that puts the company on the map.
Greg Johnson:
In my experience I find no merit to this article at all. It’s easy to play devils advocate and I’m sure it’s not bad link bate to piggy back off an already-known article, but what’s the point? I’d rather not rebuttal your rebuttal with a point-by-point run down of all the reasons your post is completely off point so I’ll leave you with a single thought:
In this industry size does mean a few things. None of which you covered in your post.
Jessica:
WOW, thanks to Twitter I ran across this. I work for one of the biggest companies in the world and we have design services internationally and I have to say that when it comes to documentation and standards, there just are not any!!!
I am a Project Manager for this company and it blows me away in this world of technology and Open Source that they don’t have any kind of real PM tool. People fly by the seat of their pants and scopes creep way to much because the design/developer is more concerned about getting the hours in than communicating to the PM that the customer has asked for more to be added to the scope.
I have to say that this year and over $1,000,000 in projects on my plate only 2 are over budget. When I came on board this was not the case.
I also disagree about specialist in their field. I have never seen more adhoc code in my life.
On the other hand, I also own a small design boutique that specializes in small to medium sized companies and I have had the same clients for over 10 years.
Is it because I have more attention to detail than the big dogs? Is it because I do more documentation or have more specialized expertise? NO on all of the above.
It’s because I pride myself on a level of customer service that will rival any large design house.
If I don’t know how to do something I let my clients know and we both find a solution together. If I can’t get to something immediately I let them know, I always communicate, I always answer my phone, I always answer my emails.
And if I screw up, I own up to it.
I am currently working with an outsource agency and it’s the biggest mistake I have made!!!!!!!! My designs are late, communication is poor at best, and the when I do get the designs I end up doing it myself cause they are terrible and not at the level they built my expectations up to.
And they are a big design house.
With that said, nothing can take the place of good ole personal customer service. I just got a new client from an old client that I did a site for 3 years ago. Now hows tht for referral.
Who knows, maybe someone, someday will take a chance on the little design boutique and our name will be known around the land.
BTW - Great Post!!!!
James Paden:
Greg, what do you think the advantages to a larger company are?
Reliable UK Hosting:
I disagree with this whole article.
10 Tips for Choosing the Right Design Company Regardless of Size – Part 1:
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John:
Whats with the comment deletion? Unlucky. Just lost yourself a subscriber, a commenter, and recommendation - clearly no one taught you rule number 1 of running a blog. S’laterz.
James Paden:
Your comments were deleted because they were a.) personally rude and b.) just plain wrong. Jessica (as she told me in an e-mail) does in fact work for one of the biggest companies in the world - it’s just not the one she links to on her comments.
If you’re going to comment on my blog (or any blog), I suggest that you a.) don’t be rude or attack someone personally and b.) either do more research or don’t talk about something you can’t back up.
If you want to talk about this more e-mail me at james@xemion.com. Future comments will be deleted.
The Other John:
Hey all, I just wanted to differentiate myself, and other John’s out there, from this guy. I commented earlier in the thread about enjoying the articles finer points. Please don’t think we’re the same guy, because we’re not.
John, I thought you left?
What Do You Think?