Outsourcing Graphic Design: A Competitive Advantage for Australian Startups

Launching a startup in Australia is tough. Staying ahead in the crowded market is even tougher. While you’re focused on product development and growth, there’s one element that can’t be ignored—your visual branding.

It’s often the first impression you make on investors and customers. But hiring an in-house designer is expensive, and doing it yourself isn’t an option. That’s where graphic design outsourcing steps in, offering a smart, flexible solution that doesn’t strain your budget yet delivers professional results.

Why Visual Branding Matters in Australia’s Startup Ecosystem

The Australian startup scene is thriving, but competition is fierce. There are currently over 2.6 million trading businesses in Australia, according to the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS), with many competing in similar industries. How you visually position your brand can set you apart. Consumers are increasingly demanding visually engaging content—whether it’s through your website, social media, or product packaging. A strong visual identity isn’t just about aesthetics; it’s about building trust, attracting customers, and keeping your audience engaged.

However, many startups face a common dilemma: 

How do you prioritize graphic design when budgets are tight?

The Challenge of In-House Design Teams

Hiring an in-house graphic designer or design team can be costly. According to Seek Australia, the average salary for a graphic designer in Australia ranges from AUD 78,000 to AUD 106,000 annually, not including the additional costs of software, benefits, and recruitment. For many startups, these expenses are unsustainable, especially when design is not a core function. As a result, startups either compromise on quality or turn to DIY design solutions, which often fall short of professional standards. In the Philippines, it ranges from AUD 48,000 to AUD 78,000 based on expertise level. This huge difference enables Australian startups to potentially reduce design costs by as much as 27 to 37% through outsourcing.

This is where outsourcing becomes a valuable option. You get access to top-tier talent without the fixed costs of hiring in-house.

Try our Salary Calculator to see how much your business can save by building a remote team in the Philippines.

Outsourced Graphic Design:: A Flexible, Scalable Solution

Graphic design outsourcing offers Australian startups an edge, allowing them to scale their visual branding efforts without overcommitting financially. Here’s why it works:

• Cost-Efficiency: Outsourcing lets you tap into experienced designers from around the globe at a fraction of the cost of local hires. According to Freelancer.com’s 2023 Global Report, outsourcing can reduce design costs by as much as 30-40%, especially when working with international talent.

• Access to Expertise: Outsourcing offers access to specialists in branding, website design, and product packaging without being limited by local talent. The “America’s Small Businesses: Time to Think Big” report highlights how small businesses often lose valuable time to tasks like recruitment and HR, pulling focus from growth. By outsourcing, they can concentrate on revenue-generating activities while experts handle essential design tasks.

• Scalability: Need a designer for a one-off project or a long-term engagement? Outsourcing allows startups to scale their design needs based on project demands. According to Statista, the global market for outsourced services was valued at over USD 92.5 billion in 2019, with graphic design being a key component.

• Focus on Core Business: By outsourcing design tasks, your internal team can focus on what they do best—whether that’s developing products, securing funding, or growing your customer base.

Outsourcing also means you can avoid the common pitfall of startup life: spreading your resources too thin. You don’t have to compromise on quality just to save on cost

Why Outsource to the Philippines?

One of the most popular destinations for outsourcing graphic design is the Philippines. It’s not just about cost savings. Filipino designers are known for their creativity, adaptability, and strong work ethic. According to a report by Frost & Sullivan, the Philippines is one of the top outsourcing hubs globally due to its skilled workforce and competitive pricing. This country is home to a wealth of design talent that understands international markets and aesthetics, making them a great fit for Australian startups looking to outsource.

Penbrothers, a leading offshore staffing company in the Philippines, offers Australian startups a seamless outsourcing experience. With a consultative approach, they help businesses find and onboard designers who are skilled and aligned with the company’s brand and values.

Here’s how Penbrothers helps:

• Efficient Talent Scouting and Vetting: Finding the right talent can be time-consuming and costly, especially for startups with limited resources. Penbrothers eliminates this burden by thoroughly vetting graphic designers to match your exact needs, whether it’s specific expertise in branding, UX/UI design, or marketing collateral. By leveraging their deep industry knowledge and extensive talent pool, Penbrothers not only saves you the effort of searching but also ensures you’re connected with professionals who understand your vision and can deliver high-quality work from day one.

• Hypercare Approach to Onboarding: Successful integration is key to getting the most out of outsourced talent, and Penbrothers takes onboarding seriously. Their hypercare approach goes beyond a standard introduction. They work closely with you and the designers to establish clear workflows, communication channels, and project expectations. This tailored onboarding ensures that the new team members quickly adapt to your company culture and processes, minimizing disruption and enabling them to contribute effectively from the start.

• Ongoing Support: Penbrothers doesn’t just hand off talent and walk away. They remain actively involved post-onboarding to monitor the performance of the outsourced designers, ensuring they continue to meet your business goals. Through regular check-ins, performance assessments, and open communication, Penbrothers provides a layer of oversight and support that helps resolve any issues early, keeping your projects on track and delivering long-term value. This continuous engagement guarantees that the designers stay aligned with your objectives and maintain the quality of work you expect.

Case Study: DesignCrowd—Scaling to 134 Hires with 78% Cost Reduction

In a collaborative partnership, DesignCrowd sought Penbrothers to outsource various roles, primarily focusing on creative tasks. With Penbrothers’ support, DesignCrowd successfully hired a diverse team of 134 design-related professionals, including specialized roles such as:

• Logo Curation Specialist
• In-House Logo and Graphic Designer
• Social Media and Graphic Design Curation Specialist
• Graphic Designer and Video Editor
• Icon and Graphic Designer

By leveraging Penbrothers’ services, DesignCrowd was able to efficiently scale its team in the Philippines, accessing a wide talent pool with specialized skills. This approach allowed them to save an impressive 78% on operational costs compared to their initial in-house setup in Australia.

Penbrothers played a crucial role in identifying and recruiting these diverse talents, enabling DesignCrowd to fill hard-to-hire roles quickly and effectively. With the company’s consultative recruitment strategy, candidates were carefully selected based on their unique skills and cultural fit, ensuring alignment with DesignCrowd’s goals.

Key Considerations When Outsourcing Graphic Design

If you’re considering outsourcing graphic design for your Australian startup, there are a few things to keep in mind:

1. Define Your Needs: Be clear about what kind of design work you need—whether it’s for branding, marketing, or product development.
2. Set Expectations: Ensure that you communicate your brand guidelines, target audience, and project timelines clearly to the outsourced designer.
3. Choose the Right Partner: Work with a reputable outsourcing company like Penbrothers, which offers a proven track record of matching startups with the right design talent.
4. Ongoing Communication: Regular communication is key to ensuring that your design projects stay on track and meet your expectations.

The Future of Graphic Design for Australian Startups

As the Australian startup ecosystem continues to grow, outsourcing graphic design will become an increasingly popular option. The global outsourcing market is expected to grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 4.67% between 2024 and 2029, making it a key strategy for cost-conscious startups.

Startups that embrace this approach will not only save money but also gain a competitive edge. By outsourcing, you can focus on what matters most—growing your business—while still maintaining a strong, professional visual presence.

At Penbrothers, we make outsourcing graphic design simple, efficient, and tailored to your needs.

Ready to elevate your brand without the burden of in-house hires?

Contact us today to learn more about how we can help your startup thrive.