Story: What is the design subscription?

The idea of a Design Subscription initially struck me as quite radical when I encountered it on Flux’s YouTube channel. My initial thought was, do designers genuinely operate this way? The challenges of scope creep and unlimited revisions can be incredibly taxing for designers. To address this, I ensure clarity by explicitly outlining the project deliverables and the allowable number of revisions in the contract.

Inspired by Designjoy, I decided to create a landing page for my own design subscription service. While I do not have prominent corporate clients like Designjoy, I hold the aspiration of establishing enduring partnerships with exceptional clients and providing valuable services that contribute to the growth of their businesses over time.

As a user experience designer, thinking about a client’s pain points are essential.

• Unclear Communication: Clients may struggle with designers who have difficulty understanding their vision or fail to effectively communicate the design process and progress.
• Lack of Originality: Clients might be disappointed if the design work lacks creativity and uniqueness, making their brand or project indistinguishable from others.
• Missed Deadlines: Delays in project completion can hinder clients’ plans, especially if they have time-sensitive launches or events.
• Inconsistent Quality: Fluctuations in the quality of design work might leave clients uncertain about what to expect from the service.
• Limited Revisions: Design services that offer only a limited number of revisions can frustrate clients who want to fine-tune the final product.
• Scope Creep: If the project’s scope expands without clear communication or increased costs, clients might feel taken advantage of.
• High Costs: Exorbitant pricing for design services can be a significant deterrent, particularly for small businesses or individuals with limited budgets.
• Lack of Collaboration: Clients who feel excluded from the design process may end up dissatisfied with the final outcome.
• Technological Barriers: Difficulty in accessing or using design tools and files can hinder clients who are not tech-savvy.
• Limited Customization: Some design services might offer only template-based solutions, limiting clients’ ability to create a design tailored to their specific needs.
• Unresponsive Support: Slow or unhelpful customer support can leave clients feeling frustrated and unsupported.
• Misaligned Aesthetics: Clients may be disappointed if the design style provided by the service doesn’t match their brand’s aesthetic or personal preferences.
• Lack of Brand Consistency: Design services that fail to maintain consistent visual branding across various materials can undermine a client’s brand identity.
• Intellectual Property Concerns: Clients may worry about the ownership and usage rights of the design work they receive.
• Complex Pricing Structures: Confusing or convoluted pricing models can make it difficult for clients to understand what they are paying for.

This is what ChatGPT said. It means some people have these experiences and wrote them online. I don’t completely agree with them, but I listen to them and improve my service.

I created a design subscription service in late 2022. I would like to compare with other design subscription services and enhance my service to provide more value to the client. In this blog, I compare my design subscription service with Designjoy.

Designjoy

©Flux Academy

Brett Williams is the visionary behind Designjoy, a comprehensive design service that has garnered the attention of prominent startups. Renowned for its creative prowess in crafting designs for websites, apps, decks, and advertisements, Designjoy has become a favored choice among industry leaders. Impressively, Designjoy has achieved a remarkable monthly recurring revenue of $60,000.

Designjoy presents clients with two distinctive options, with monthly pricing starting at $4,995 and an alternative tier at $7,995. While I can’t precisely gauge the client’s perspective, it’s evident that these rates are notably more cost-effective than hiring a full-time designer, making it an attractive proposition for the majority of businesses. This strategic pricing structure underscores Designjoy’s positioning in the market.

Flux Academy by Ran Segall

Design Subscription by Open Bookmarks Co.

Open Bookmarks Co. has introduced “A Design Subscription You Can Depend On (Beta)” exclusively catering to the Chief Everything Officer. If you’re a startup navigating the intricacies of bootstrapping or embarking on a journey fueled by seed funding, our in-house subscription service is tailor-made for you. With a commitment to offering a personalized approach and a reliable timeline, we understand the significance of a robust brand identity and design cohesiveness in amplifying your message. Join our subscription program to unlock the power of limitless possibilities and gain access to an array of services.

For seasoned professionals focused on scaling their independent ventures, Open Bookmarks Co.’s subscription service is your trusted ally. We acknowledge the paramount importance of concentrating on the core functionalities of your business. Our subscription service is meticulously designed to alleviate your design burdens and provide optimal solutions, empowering the reinforcement of your digital footprint in a dynamic and fiercely competitive landscape.

Compare

I checked the latest projects on the Designjoy website. I don’t think that I completely lose every aspect. However, his outputs are more recent trends which I don’t often design. I possess over 10 years of experience in the advertising industry, with more than 8 years dedicated to working as a web/graphic designer. I consistently apply UX design principles to all my projects, ensuring their effectiveness. My approach revolves around prioritizing the client’s objectives and catering to their specific target audience.

Drawing from my comprehensive career background, I hold strong confidence in my ability to provide clients with a competitive level of value.

As indicated on their website, Designjoy provides their service at a starting rate of $4995 per month, while their highest-tier plan is priced at $7995. In the realm of capitalism, pricing is determined by the interplay of supply and demand rather than a definitive win or loss. The high pricing requires the designer the deserved responsibility.

The adage holds true: you receive commensurate value with what you invest.

Designjoy boasts an impressive average design turnaround time of 48 hours, which is notably swift. However, it’s worth noting that they reportedly do not create prototypes, a departure from the norm that occasionally leads to client dissatisfaction. While I might be able to furnish a prototype of the homepage within 48 hours, this doesn’t necessarily ensure client contentment.

While I possess a variety of brand identity formats, meeting the 48-hour timeline can be challenging. Speed is indeed an integral aspect of service, and I do make ample use of AI tools. Nonetheless, at present, I acknowledge that I might not be able to match Designjoy’s speed.

He talked with Ran Segall and Chris Do on Youtube. I have 5-star reviews on UpWork publicly, but nothing competes with him. Designjoy is just great.

What do people say about Designjoy?

©The Futur: Secret to Running a $1 Million Solo Design Agency

He engaged in a conversation with Chris Do at The Futur, a prominent business design channel on YouTube. This interaction serves as a significant endorsement and can be viewed as a high-level credential within the design field. This video stands as a testament to his reputation as a designer.

– 20 to 30 projects
– Project management by Trello
– No moodboard, wireframe, or prototype
– Assumption

The Futur – Business and Design Education, Revolutionized

I tend to avoid engaging with haters. These individuals thrive in online environments where they spread negativity through their comments about others. Regrettably, they seldom contribute any positive value in the real world.

Conclusion: Purpose of comparison blog

Creating a comparison blog is a widely practiced SEO technique. I came across this concept on Rank Math and the Webflow website and decided to incorporate it myself.

Designjoy is kind of pioneer of design subscription services. I have only respect for his passion and productivity.

To be honest, at times, even though I’m engaged in work that I’m passionate about, I find my motivation waning when confronted with a substantial workload.

I do focus on what I can do for clients. I aim to cultivate enduring client relationships. As a result, I deliberately select clients and limit the number of projects I accept, ensuring I can deliver my utmost to each one.

If you’re seeking a design subscription service that is provided by a senior web/graphic designer, I encourage you to reach out to me. If your requirements align with my skill set, I’m enthusiastic about collaborating to help expand your business.

Reference:

Designjoy – Design as a Subscription
Design Subscription by Open Bookmarks Co. | Senior Web/Graphic Designer