Graphic Design Survey
At The Dev Department, we want to be sure that we offer our services in accordance not only with what we can do, but more-so with what YOU WANT TO DO and WHO YOU ARE! So, we asked ourselves a few questions:

"How many graphic designers are there in the market today?"

"How many graphic design firms are there in the market?"

"How many websites do most graphic artist build each year?"

"How big are the web sites graphic designers are building?" (In US dollars)

"How happy are graphic designers with their current development resource?"

"What is the typical level of web site knowledge for most graphic designers?"

 

On September 1, 2009, we posted a link to a survey on several of the LinkedIn Groups boards for Graphic Design.

If you would like to see the survey or respond, you can do so by clicking here.

Here are the results as well as my analysis:

1. What is your zip code?

We got responses from all over the world, so stay tuned for a map.


2. Which of the following best describes your business? I am...

7.5% - a freelance designer who does sub-contract work
55.8% - a freelance designer or small design shop (1 to 5 persons) who does direct client work
5.8% - a designer working in a large design or development firm
3.8% - an advertising/marketing/pr firm or employee of one   
1.9% - a stand alone web developer
19.2% - OTHER

This is a great indicator. In most of these cases, business is local as is competition. However, it also means that most design firms have limited resources and time. If you are one of these, The Dev Department's mission is to become a risk free and productive member of your team.


3. How long have you been in business or a designer?

1.9% - less than 1 year
25% - 1 to 5 years
73.1% - more than 5 years   

Wow! This really reinforces that LinkedIn groups area  great place to get some experienced advice. This is true with most of our clients as well. They are usually very experienced in print design and are looking add web to their service offering.


4. How many website projects did you complete last year?

19.3% - none
63.5% - 1 to 10
17.3% - more than 10

This seems to be the norm for our clients as well. With a busy print production schedule, this is about as much as they can handle. At The Dev Department, we have a tested process for handling web that can help you boost your capacity and sales.


5. What is the average size of each project (in total dollars invoiced)? Just your best guess please.

11.5% - n/a
30.8% - less than $1,000   
32.7% - between $1,000 and $5,000   
21.2% - between $5,000 and $15,000
1.9% - between $15,000 and $50,000
1.9% - greater than $50,000

This seems low to us. Most of our clients are able to bill between $7,500 and up for the projects we build. Having one of The Dev Department's Solutions Partners on your team will help bring the client confidence and sales solution to boost up your billing.

 
6. What percentage of the projects was development cost? (Not what you charged for the development, but what you actually paid the developer.)

9.6% - 10%
7.7% - 20%
7.7% - 30%
3.8% - 40%
5.8% - 50%
5.8% - more than 50%
59.6% - don't know

Whoa! This s scary. Our costs are pretty simple and we have a billing rate that allows for a 20% markup on our time AND we train you to do all the planning work, so that will become extra revenue and less cost.


7. What percentage of your projects are web versus traditional print, identity and other design?

40.4% - less than 10%
19.2% - 10% to 30%
19.2% - 30% to 50%
19.2% - 30% to 50%
1.9% - 100%

This is a great reason to use The Dev Department for your behind-the-scenes development team. We have no overhead, we are only there when you need us and we provide a hassle free development experience for busy designers.

8. Is your regular web (HTML, CSS, PHP, etc):

34.6% - freelancer(s) that you call in per project
0% - offshore developer or development company (oDesk, etc)
3.8% - a web or software development firm with whom you have partnered
9.6% - a full-time staff member in your company
51.9% - i don't have one or I do it all myself

If you need a reliable and friendly  web development partner, call us.

9. With your current development resource, what is your level of satisfaction in each of the following areas?

(average rating  of 1 to 5with 5 being very happy)

Price - 3.00
Quality of Work - 3.00
Communications - 2.87
Availability - 2.72
Speed of Turnaround - 2.53

Most respondents were just so-so. Our clients are all 5's, but they're 10's in our eyes.

10. Rate you knowledge of web development technologies?

26.9% - I don't know anything.
23.1% - I know how to build sites using HTML with Dreamweaver, GoLive, but don't know CSS or how to do code and build in CMS tools.
36.5% - I am comfortable with HTML/CSS coding, but need help with CMS's and scripting (PHP/MySQL, etc)
3.8% - I know how to build dynamic sites, but do not know much about CMS's and want to learn more.
9.6% - I know it all, baby!

Want to take it to the next level? Call us.