Streamlining success: 5 ways a design retainer will save you money & time

A design retainer is an agreement between a design agency and a company to provide ongoing design or UX/UI services. Design retainers offer multiple benefits, including cost and time savings. In this article, we will explore five key ways a design retainer can benefit your business:

1. Predictable budgeting and reduced overhead costs
2. Efficient resource allocation
3. Consistent quality and brand coherence across projects
4. Streamlined workflow and increased efficiency
5. Enhanced collaboration and strategic alignment between teams

1 Predictable budgeting and reduced overhead costs

A design retainer enables you to forecast your overheads by agreeing upon a monthly fee. It guarantees that the cost of design work remains fixed and predictable. This arrangement helps prevent unexpected expenses and facilitates better planning. Additionally, if any request falls outside the scope of the retained amount, you should be promptly notified at the time of the request, ensuring transparency and allowing for appropriate adjustments.

2 Efficient resource allocation

Retainers facilitate the efficient allocation of resources, including time and manpower, by fostering a deeper understanding between the agency and the client over time. This ongoing relationship allows design teams to familiarise themselves with your brand, saving time during briefings for new projects. As the retained team develops a deep familiarity with your brand, they become an extension of your team. Consequently, they are better equipped to present ideas that not only align with your brand but also push its boundaries, sparking innovative thinking and strategic expansion.

3 Consistent quality and brand coherence across projects

By establishing a design retainer, you guarantee a consistent, high-quality design output, which enhances brand coherence and user experience. This consistency helps save both time and costs associated with frequent redesigns or corrections. Moreover, the outputs generated through the retainer contribute to building a comprehensive library of assets, easily accessible from a shared location. For UX/UI projects, a design system is typically developed using tools like Figma. This design system serves as a centralised resource that can be accessed at any time by both the client and development teams, ensuring continuity and efficiency throughout the design process.

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