Benefits of working with a small design studio.

More and more companies are choosing to collaborate with external design studios. Hiring a senior in-house designer can cost between €50,000 and €75,000 per year, while partnering with an external, multidisciplinary team can represent a similar or even lower investment with the added value of a more holistic and flexible approach.

Remote work has also eliminated many barriers and opened new opportunities for collaboration, making external studios increasingly relevant for working with companies at an international level.

However, when it comes to choosing a partner, many companies are unaware of the specific advantages of working with a small design studio. Here, we explore some of the key benefits of this strategic choice:

1. Flexibility without long-term commitments

Collaborating with an external studio means accessing a professional design team only when needed, without assuming the costs and responsibilities of maintaining an in-house team. In our case, many tasks are billed hourly, and pricing is defined once the scope of work is agreed upon.

2. Lower operational costs

The savings are significant: no fixed salaries, insurance, or infrastructure costs. Budgets are tailored to specific projects and real needs.

3. Direct and fluid communication

Smaller teams offer a more personalized approach. There are no unnecessary hierarchies or intermediaries: a direct line is established between client and designer, speeding up decision-making, revisions, and adjustments. Communication channels are agreed upon, whether for daily check-ins or specialized platforms to track tasks and progress.

4. Access to specialized expertise

Small studios are often composed of designers with broad experience across sectors, formats, and platforms. This diversity translates into more creative and tailored solutions. In our case, editorial design is closely tied to interface design when developing and presenting content—an experience that brings a unique perspective compared to someone focused solely on UX/UI.

5. Greater budget control

Hourly or task-based billing gives companies full transparency: what’s being done, how long it takes, and how much it costs. We use time-tracking software that generates detailed reports, helping to maximize productivity and control expenses.

6. Real-time project tracking

Thanks to collaborative tools and task management systems, clients can monitor the status of each project, check deadlines, and set priorities—without relying on periodic reports or hierarchical structures. We use various project management platforms and are flexible in adapting to our clients’ systems, keeping close control over tasks, timelines, and statuses.

7. Agility in adapting to change

A small studio can respond quickly to new decisions or shifts in direction. With no layers of approval, decisions go straight to the right people—resulting in swift and effective action. One of the biggest advantages is our reaction time.

8. Continuous improvement as a daily practice

Small studios often dedicate time to refining their processes. This constant search for efficiency, free of bureaucracy and structural weight, results in a more agile and focused way of working. Continuous improvement is in our DNA—we regularly implement and test new methods to enhance services and outcomes.

9. Sustainability and environmental awareness

Working with a small studio is often a more responsible choice: fewer offices, less consumption, reduced travel, and a working style more aligned with sustainable values. Remote work significantly reduces infrastructure and mobility costs. Depending on the client’s culture, many meetings happen via video call, and most project development is handled remotely.

10. Horizontal, more collaborative teams

With no rigid structures, ideas flow freely. Decisions are made as a team, without fear of hierarchy. This promotes honest communication and more coherent projects. In our case, we work horizontally, making decisions collectively every day to keep the team aligned.

11. Fresh perspective and external insights

Not being embedded in the client’s internal culture allows external studios to bring new viewpoints and original ideas to the table—unbiased, fresh contributions that enhance the creative process. We collaborate with both internal and external teams, expanding the range of perspectives and enriching the final outcome.

12. Direct commitment to results

In a small studio, the connection with each project is close. Every task has a clear impact, and the commitment to the result is strong. Work isn’t passed down a chain—it’s handled from start to finish by the same team. We remain involved throughout the entire process, often iterating based on results to ensure an exceptional final product.

13. Client-tailored processes

A small team can adapt its workflow to suit each client’s dynamics—from how updates are presented to the preferred communication tools. Adaptation times are short since only a few people need to adjust. Each year, we review and improve our workflows to boost efficiency and responsiveness.

14. Deeper understanding of the project vision

Close collaboration helps the team understand the project’s context, goals, and identity. This leads to decisions more aligned with the company’s strategy. In every project, we feel part of the client’s team and support them through all development phases.