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Is it time to hire a full-time designer? Why outsourcing might be the better option.
 By Suze Moore, Creative Director – The New Fat Many businesses reach a point where the volume of marketing projects justifies considering the hire of a full-time designer. But is that truly the best move? In this article I explore the advantages of outsourcing to a design agency instead. Why outsource your marketing and design? Drawing on over 22 years of experience running a business, I believe it's the people who make everything work—and finding the right people is never easy. This is particularly true when a business needs to bring in individuals or teams with expertise that falls outside its own core competencies. For business leaders looking to hire a designer or marketer, the challenges are many: How does one assess the required skills and experience? How can their capabilities be tested? Should you go for a good all-rounder or a specialist? Is it realistic to expect that one person will meet all these needs within your budget? Should the candidate be proficient in both print and digital? These are all important considerations, and without a background in marketing or design, it can be difficult to make confident, effective decisions. Outsourcing to a design team like TNF (The New Fat) offers a valuable solution. It provides businesses with expert advice, deep experience, and high-level service—enabling internal teams to stay focused on core responsibilities while their marketing strategy progresses smoothly, with minimal effort and stress. 15 Reasons Why Outsourcing to a Design and Marketing Agency Like TNF Is a Smart Business Move. 1) No recruitment fees There are no finder’s fees or salary commissions, and businesses avoid spending time sifting through CVs and conducting interviews. A capable agency will listen to client needs, help clarify objectives, and create an actionable plan. 2) Decades of experience TNF (The New Fat), based in Nottingham, brings more than 50 years of collective industry experience to the table—spanning brand development, sales collateral, packaging, websites, digital graphics, and more. 3) Pay as you go - flexibility Sales and marketing teams often need ad hoc support at specific times. Booking these tasks with a design studio ensures deadlines are met and costs are kept to a minimum—only paying for what’s needed. 4) Fixed fee annual contracts Purchasing a bank of hours for the year can lead to cost savings—typically around 15% off the standard hourly rate. Additional benefits often include waived rush fees, dedicated project management, weekly time reports, and budget planning across 12 months. 5) Fast and efficient delivery Once a team becomes familiar with a brand, turnaround becomes quick and efficient. Experienced designers are adept at asking the right questions, offering new perspectives, solving problems, and producing high-quality creative assets. 6) Consistent weekday availability Outsourcing means no disruptions due to holidays or sick leave. Agencies provide access to multiple professionals who are always available for meetings or project updates. 7) Access to specialists Working with a design agency offers access to a broader network of proven specialists—from product photography to LinkedIn advertising and software development. This ensures every project is matched with the right expertise. 8) Get on with it - being proactive Design agencies are motivated to keep projects moving. They manage schedules, provide updates, and chase deliverables—helping clients action their strategies without unnecessary delays. 9) Lower overheads In addition to avoiding recruitment costs, outsourced teams don’t require salaries, PAYE, NI, pensions, training, holiday pay, or equipment. You don’t need to take us on training courses or away days either (although that would be lovely :-)) 10) Latest tech Agencies cover all software licenses for modern design tools and font management, as well as project management platforms to track time, budgets, and deliverables with precision. 11) Industry knowledge and innovation Agency designers continually develop their skills, stay updated on current trends, and collaborate with colleagues to generate creative, effective solutions. 12) Make things easy Having a consistent team builds long-term trust and efficiency. Agency staff work closely with clients to understand their brands ethos and guidelines, becoming a natural extension of their internal teams. 13) Continuity despite staff changes Agencies train their entire team on client brands, ensuring visual consistency over time. Staff turnover is handled internally, with no disruption to the client. 14) Your artwork files stored securely At TNF, all project files are stored securely in the cloud with daily backups. An organised workflow system ensures easy access to data, and files can be stored on client-specific drives if requested. 15) Keeping marketing on track Ultimately, marketing is about guiding the audience through the sales funnel—sharing valuable product and service information, building brand awareness, and supporting sales teams with the right materials. Whether collaborating with internal departments or leading the strategy themselves, agencies like TNF help businesses stay consistent and effective. TNF (The New Fat) have specific experience in offering outsourced design for engineering, science and manufacturing businesses. Although useful for any market sector, our design agency specialises in giving day to day design support for clients in the engineering, science and manufacturing sector. Working closely with internal marketing teams and sales teams. Get in touch to find out how outsourced design and marketing can help your business.

What is brand & visual identity? Here we share key points to help you understand how to create a brand identity worth remembering.