A 2018 McKinsey Design Index study revealed that companies consistently investing in design outperform their peers by nearly double the rate in both revenue and shareholder returns. Many companies have invested heavily in UI/UX design, mainly through two routes:
- UI/UX Design Consulting: These external firms provide temporary UI/UX support to help their clients address specific needs. UI/UX consultants may specialize in specific industries or offer short-, mid-, or long-term design services across various sectors.
- In-House Design Teams: This approach involves creating a dedicated team within your organization for designing UI/UX and then making this team responsible for the design, deployment, and maintenance of all company apps, websites, and products.
Both approaches offer distinct advantages, and the ‘right choice’ depends on your project’s complexity, scale, budget, and required design expertise. Let us check out the details of each option to help you decide which one is best for your business. But first, it would be good to discuss the core differences between the two options.
UI/UX Design Consultant vs. In-House Team: The Main Differences
Choosing the right design approach hinges on understanding how they are different. Here’s a breakdown of the key differences you need to consider:
Skillset
In-house designers often have limited skill sets. You may not be able to find all the specialists or generalists needed for every design aspect. Accessing or affording all the necessary tools and technologies can also be challenging if you are not working with specialists. However, in-house teams have the advantage of getting to know your brand, product, industry, and user base to the core. Their unique perspective is not something that external teams can easily match.
Agencies tend to possess larger pools of skills and resources. Their extensive teams, usually staffed with experienced designers, developers, and project managers, can tackle any design challenge with the latest design tools and technologies.
However, more does not always equate to better. The relevance and effective application of their skills and resources are what truly matter. They may have multiple clients and may not be as invested in your specific brand as an in-house designer, which can impact the level of customization and attention to detail. So, you must select the right team after proper research.
Cost
In the design world, every additional skill set comes with its own set of costs. In-house teams, for instance, come with higher upfront costs due to training expenses, salaries, benefits, and other overhead charges. Recruitment can be a time-consuming and expensive process, especially if you are a smaller firm vying for top talent. The upside is that you gain full control over the design process and your brand’s UX in the long run.
On the other hand, working with an agency can be more cost-effective, as you only pay for the services you need. This flexibility and scalability will allow you to adjust your budget and project scope as needed over time. The downside? You have far less control over the design process, as agencies typically work remotely and may not have the same level of brand understanding as an in-house team. However, if you choose an acclaimed agency with the right specialists, you can score in this area.
Risk and Responsibility
With control comes responsibility. With an in-house team, staffing, training, retention, and management are all your concerns. This can be risky and resource-intensive.
Agencies manage their own staffing and HR issues. You share only some of the design outcome responsibility. However, you must trust the agency to represent your brand effectively and rely on them for accurate performance data. Setting clear expectations and holding them accountable at every step is equally important. If the agency you choose is not up to the task, it can lead to a permanent loss of brand credibility.
Hiring a UI UX Design Consultant: When is It the Right Choice?
For smaller companies, building an in-house design team can be a major hassle. Attracting and retaining top design talent is difficult and expensive. If you do manage to set up a small internal design team, the members may struggle without a peer network. This is especially true for complex design projects that require the expertise of multiple professionals. Agencies can handle project complexity. Here are some other situations where they shine:
Bringing a Fresh Perspective
External agencies bring an unbiased perspective to the table. Unaffected by internal politics or hierarchies, they can assess your project objectively and identify areas for improvement that might be overlooked by in-house experts. As outsiders, agencies are also better positioned to conduct user research with greater objectivity. These new perspectives can lead to more innovative and relevant design solutions.
Faster Project Completion
Agencies, especially those specializing in your specific industry, can significantly expedite projects. Their streamlined processes and focus on efficiency can transform what might take months in-house into weeks. Project scope is clearly defined upfront with deadlines and milestones set in stone. This structured approach can help to avoid the delays and scope creep that can plague in-house projects. While the initial cost may be higher, the efficiency gains can make it a cost-effective choice in the long run.
Extensive Expertise
Agencies bring a wealth of experience, having successfully executed numerous similar projects. This experience can be invaluable, providing a depth of knowledge and access to proven solutions that can significantly enhance your project. Additionally, agencies stay up-to-date on the latest design trends and methodologies, ensuring your project incorporates the best practices.
Creating an In-House Design Team: When is It the Right Choice?
Some companies have internal matters that are highly confidential. For such firms, keeping design knowledge in-house minimizes external exposure and ensures that their valuable info stays within their organizations. Here are some other situations where setting up an in-house design team might be the right option:
Trust and Security
Working with an in-house team fosters a sense of security. All design know-how, from documentation to processes, resides within the organization. This eliminates reliance on external factors and creates a more controlled environment. Plus, trust only grows higher with long-term team members. These relationships streamline collaboration, making it easier for all internal members to work together towards a common goal.
Mental Alignment
Integrating an agency into your workflow can feel uncomfortable for some, and there is always the risk of incompatibility between the agency’s work style and your established workflow. An external agency might push for frequent meetings, while you prefer a slower pace. Such potential clashes should be valid considerations when choosing between in-house and agency support.
Small Project Scope
For smaller projects that do not require complex design solutions, an in-house team can be a cost-effective and efficient choice. Mid-level designers, often readily available in-house, can handle fairly simple projects that adhere to standard design conventions.
In-house teams also excel at long-term projects (2-3 years) requiring multiple designers. This timeframe aligns well with employee expectations for stability and career development. Building an internal team for large-scale projects can be more cost-effective than agency fees, especially for product-driven companies where design is a core marketing focus.
Final Take
So, which is the ultimate champion – the in-house team or the design agency? There is no clear winner! The ideal choice depends on your specific project needs and company culture. The good news is you can have your cake and eat it too! Many companies leverage a hybrid model, combining the strengths of both internal designers and external consultants.
Think of it as a targeted skill injection. The expertise of a UI UX design consultant seamlessly integrates with your existing team, fostering collaboration and knowledge transfer. This boosts your overall capabilities without extensive outsourcing.
Ultimately, the best approach considers your project scope, budget, and company culture. By understanding the strengths and weaknesses of in-house teams and design agencies as discussed in this article you can make an informed decision that sets your brand up for UI/UX success!
