Articles
Uncovering the Challenges Associated with Offshore Design
As the quality of design has risen internationally over the last decade, design work has become increasingly globalized and commoditized. Outsourcing design work offshore has become a popular choice for many startups and businesses, drawn by the promise of reduced labor costs and overhead. While the allure of these immediate benefits can be tempting, it's important to consider the less obvious, hidden costs that can emerge from this decision.
1. Communication Barriers
While many offshore designers are fluent in multiple languages, nuanced conversations about design and brand intent can become muddled in translation. Additionally, the difference in time zones can also result in delays, meaning that valuable hours or even days might be lost waiting for feedback or clarifications.
2. Cultural Misunderstandings
Every culture has its unique set of values, aesthetics, and symbols. A design that resonates with one audience might not have the same impact, or could even be offensive, in another context. If a designer isn't familiar with the cultural nuances of your target audience, this could lead to missed marketing opportunities or PR challenges.
For instance, a small detail like how the currency is represented is different between Europe and the US. It’s common in Europe to display money with commas instead of decimals. Subtle cultural differences like this one will require the client to pay close attention to delivered designs.
Similarly, colors have different meanings depending on the region. For example, the color red means money and good fortune in Chinese culture, but may feel aggressive or represent danger or caution in the US and other parts of the world.
3. Quality Inconsistencies
With the vast number of offshore design agencies available, the quality can vary significantly. While some agencies produce exceptional work, others might not meet the desired standards, leading to revisions, rework, and added costs. Moreover, as with any agency, you are not always guaranteed that you’ll be assigned the company’s best design talent. Looking at a portfolio of work doesn’t guarantee that you’ll be receiving the same level of quality from the person who works on your account.
4. Management Overhead
Coordinating with an offshore team often means dealing with added layers of management and communication. This can include hiring project managers, setting up additional communication channels, and investing in collaboration tools. In my own experience, I’ve found that I’ve had to spend a significant amount of time overseeing the work and providing feedback, guidance, and just project management. It is important to note that even though the offshore design firm may have their project manager, it is not a replacement for having a similar counterpart in your own company.
5. Training and Onboarding Time
Every time you engage with a new offshore design agency, there's going to be a learning curve. You'll need to account for this onboarding time and factor that into your cost estimates. Invariably, time will be spent onboarding them to your brand guidelines, company values, processes, software, project expectations, etc. This can add up to significant hours spent on training rather than actual design work that you’ll need to be prepared for.
6. Potential Security Concerns
When sharing sensitive company information, assets, or user data with offshore teams, there's a risk of breaches or misuse. Ensuring that the offshore agency adheres to international data protection and security standards can be an additional responsibility and concern.
7. Less Control Over Work Environment
It's harder to ensure that the offshore team has a conducive work environment, up-to-date software, and other resources. Inconsistent or outdated tools can impact the quality and compatibility of the design output.
8. Economic and Political Instability
Regions with political unrest, economic downturns, or natural disasters can affect your project's timelines. While these factors can occur anywhere, it's essential to be aware of and prepared for these challenges when working with offshore teams.
9. Mismatched Work Ethics and Practices
Different regions might have different work ethics, practices, and holidays. While one country might prioritize work-life balance, another may focus on longer work hours. Being aware of and navigating these differences can be an added challenge. There’s also holidays that may differ, which will result in unexpected days off from your remote design team that you may not have properly accounted for.
10. Time to Market
Given the communication delays, potential rework, and time spent ironing out misunderstandings, the project could take longer to complete than initially anticipated, potentially affecting your time to market.
Conclusion
While outsourcing design work offshore can offer several benefits, it's crucial to be aware of the hidden costs. By understanding these challenges and accounting for them upfront, businesses can make informed decisions and implement strategies to mitigate these issues, ensuring that the partnership is beneficial for all parties involved.
