Are many design shops just outsourcing their shit?
 

I noticed this a lot recently. Someone charges "lower" US rates then turns around and gets a Filipino, Panamanian, or Brazilian freelancer to do the shit. Why not just go to the real designer/source directly and save the 70% or so markup?

...I'll start off by saying that this is not Mike of Bluewire (I'm just on his account now :upsidedow ) But I'm sure he would agree...

"Outsourcing" and "Offshoring" are two very different things. Many design companies have offshore offices setup for their companies with project managers, creative directors, client assistants, etc. They have offshore offices but keep it all "in-house" per say just as many companies have offices all over the country or world. There are MANY aspects that go into doing great design or development and the mindset of finding some random offshore freelancer and saving money often gets people into trouble and does not get them what they are hoping for. A good design or development company provides a great solution to your needs and leaves you in a position where you don't have to worry about anything. You know you're going to get what you need and you know it will be at a high level. Thats the difference between working with a Design Company versus Freelancer. This has always been the case; well before offshoring was popular.

On the other hand...Many design shops "Outsource" their work. Meaning, they send it to people that are not members of their company. Sometimes this is freelancers or more often its other design companies. Companies that do this for all their development work are just good sales fronts...nothing more. Some of them pull it off and still provide a great service to their clients.....most are worthless though.

What it comes down to is...If you can save the client from the stress of wondering if they are going to get the product/solution they are needing at a high quality level...Then you've done your job. If you go above and beyond that...then you have clients for life :thumbsup

...hopefully I didn't butcher what Mike would say :winkwink: But I'm quite positive he would agree :thumbsup

right on! :)

that's a part of internet age :)

No offense to Filipino designers but VERY FEW of them can design worth a shit. The good ones are really good, but the bad... really, really, shamefully bad.

they all outsource. its how they make $ not like the old days

Because :
1 : You have to manage theses employes who often don't speak the language perfectly
2 : You have to tell them EXACTLY what to do stept by stept
3 : You have to find the right guy who can produce the same quality of work.

From what I understand dickmans is brazilian, and envision is russian, and in my book they are both the best design compagnies in the biz.

you are right... but there are american or european designers that are really really bad as well.. if you think of it.. they're all the same. it doesn't matter if the designer is a filipino or american..

you're FUNNY.. I can name two american dudes off the top of my head that are way better and cheaper than any of those junk places

http://www.kidredproductions.com
http://www.wickedworks.us

I can only second that

those sites he mentioned are indeed expensive although the quality are top notch IMO... kidredproductions seems to be good and price wise are a OK dunno about wickedworks.us not that really good as dickmandesigns or envisions.. its just my opinion..

As long as the quality of output satisfies my standard then it doesn't really matter if the services are outsourced.

Great post Dre and thanks a lot for the kind words!

God Bless the Internet and The Global Business Reality.

Cheers to business intelligence, creative talent and management excellence.



In the end, its about service quality, client satisfaction, engaged business relationships and return on investment. :)

All of our work is done INHOUSE - by a very talented crew. We´re proud to be based in Brazil and will always welcome good biz from all around the world, in adult via Dickmans, or in mainstream by our other design brands.

All the best,

Bruno Dickman:thumbsup

who gives a shit

That statement actually annoys me.

We haven't so much as outsourced a SINGLE line or pixel's worth of work.

EVERYTHING we do is in our house... and I don't mean outside of this building. Everything is done by myself and Perrie. It will stay that way til we're large enough to take people on.

We've not any need to do that at the moment, and when we do, they'll be full time, and they'll have a LOT to live up to. We pride ourselves on the quality of our work. We don't knock crap out. We work hard... DAMN hard. Anyone that suggests we would outsource can take a leap.

I hope this clears this up.

I'd rather keep our prices slightly higher (tho we're not as expensive as some I might add), but keep the work in house and at the highest quality.

:)