Design as a Subscription (DaaS): What It Is, Who It’s For, and How to Make It Work

Let’s be real. Keeping up with the demand for great design isn’t easy. Whether you’re a startup moving fast or part of a marketing team juggling multiple campaigns, the need for high-quality creative is constant. That’s where Design-as-a-Subscription (DaaS) comes in. It’s a modern way to get consistent design support without the complexity of hiring in-house or the long commitments that come with traditional agency retainers.

Traditional marketing and design agencies usually operate on project-based or retainer contracts. That can work well for one-off campaigns, but when content needs are fast and ongoing, the process can slow things down. If you've ever waited weeks for a small revision or been stuck in endless email threads, you know how frustrating it can be.

DaaS takes a different approach. Instead of charging per hour or per project, it offers creative support through a flexible subscription. You get steady output, fast communication, and a team that already understands your brand and style. No need to rebrief every time, and no scope creep headaches.

Instead of drawn-out timelines, inflated costs, or slow feedback loops, DaaS offers flexible, on-demand access to a dedicated creative team. You get quality design, reliable turnarounds, and a workflow that adapts to your pace. It’s everything you’d expect from an agency, just built to move faster and scale smarter, we talked about how DaaS compare to other alternative more in our "Is DaaS Right For Your Team" blog

So, Who Would Use DaaS?

In technicality everyone can be a client of DaaS, but based on our experience ever since we have a the DaaS model, we noticed two type of audiences that keep coming for project to us.

Start Up and Scale Up

Okay, now imagine you're a new company that just launched. It makes total sense that most of your energy is focused on building and refining your product. That’s the core of your business, and it deserves your attention.

But when it's time to pitch, launch, or build traction, content becomes urgent. Suddenly, you need a pitch deck, a landing page, social posts, maybe even product videos. It all stacks up quickly, and without the right creative support, things can slow down or fall flat. Agencies are often too expensive or too slow. Freelancers can be hit or miss. Hiring in-house isn’t realistic yet.

This is where DaaS becomes a real advantage. It gives startups the creative horsepower they need, without the overhead or commitment of hiring. You get reliable, high-quality output with fast turnarounds and a team that understands how to move with you, not against your momentum. We talked about howto chose your design partner more in our "Hiring Designers" content

What About Established Corporate Marketing team

For larger companies with in-house teams, the challenge is different. It’s not about getting started, it’s about keeping up. Campaigns move fast, content is always in demand, and internal design teams are often stretched thin.

The strategy is set, the messaging is clear, and the campaign is ready to go. But then design becomes the bottleneck.

DaaS gives your team the support they need to stay on track. You get access to specialized design talent that fits right into your workflow, helping you maintain quality without overwhelming your internal team.

Whether you're a fast-moving startup or part of an established marketing team, one thing stays the same: the need for content and creative support is constant. It might ramp up during big campaigns or product launches, but it rarely ever slows down completely. That steady demand is exactly why DaaS works. It gives you a reliable, ready-to-go creative partner who understands your brand and can jump in quickly without the delays or overhead that come with hiring. Instead of starting from scratch each time, you have a system that’s built to move with you.

But, How Do You Know DaaS is The Right Fit For You?

Well, the easiest way to know if something is the right fit for you is to create a pro and con list, to make sure that what you need is in the pro list:

The Pros of DaaS

There’s a lot to love about DaaS, especially if your team’s moving fast and always needs something designed yesterday. Turnarounds are quicker than most traditional agencies, and because you’re working with the same team, the output stays consistent. You also get access to a bunch of different skills — motion, UI/UX, branding, animation — without having to go out and hire for each one. And since it runs on a monthly setup, you can scale things up or down depending on how busy things get. We talked more about how DaaS unlimited request works and benefit your company in our "How Does Unlimited DaaS work?" blog

The Cons of DaaS

Of course, it’s not perfect for every situation. If you just need a one-off project, a subscription might feel like too much. Some services have limits on how many things you can queue up, and there’s usually a bit of setup time at the beginning. And even though you’ve got a creative team on hand, it still works best when you’re involved. You’ll need to give direction, drop feedback, and stay in the loop, it’s not a totally hands-off deal.

So, How Do You Chose a DaaS Agency

Choosing the right DaaS partner isn’t just about finding great design work. It’s about finding a team that works the way you do, understands your goals, and can deliver consistently without slowing things down. The right fit should feel like a creative extension of your team.

Just like any other important decision, finding the right partner takes a bit of clarity. Before you commit, there are a few key things to consider to make sure the relationship works for the long term.

Start by getting clear on what you actually need:

• How much design work do you expect each month? Are you focused on campaigns, ongoing content, or a bit of both?
• What skill sets do you need? Maybe it’s motion design, maybe UI/UX, or maybe a mix.
• What pace do you need to maintain? Turnaround time matters, especially if your team is moving fast.

Next, look at their previous work and how they operate:

• Check their portfolio. Do they understand your industry? Does their creative style align with your brand goals?
• Ask about their workflow. How are projects managed? How do they handle revisions and feedback?

For example, at Motion The Agency, we’re big on keeping communication clear and easy for both sides. We use tools like Slack, Notion, and Frame.io so our clients always know what’s happening without having to chase updates or dig through emails. It makes feedback easier to manage, keeps things moving, and helps everyone stay on the same page. If you’re curious, we break it down more in our blog Getting the Best Out of DaaS.

Then, consider how reliable they really are:

• Read reviews and look at client retention. A partner that keeps clients long term usually means they’re dependable, consistent, and easy to work with.

And finally, compare pricing and value:

• What’s actually included in the subscription? Make sure you understand what’s covered and where the limits are.
• Can you scale the service up or down based on your needs?
• Is their pricing transparent?

Well, for us, our DaaS services come with three straightforward packages. They’re easy to understand, include everything you need, and most importantly, no hidden fees. Every plan includes unlimited revisions, so you can focus on getting it right without worrying about extra costs.

• Basic (£2,920/month): Ideal for brands needing consistent graphic design and simple 2D animations, supported by two expert designers.
• Premium (£4,880/month): Suitable for teams requiring UI design, storyboard planning, and complex 2D and 3D animations, with a team of three expert designers.
• Enhanced (£7,640/month): Designed for high-growth teams managing multiple projects, offering prototyping, design systems, and website development, supported by three to four expert designers.

Conclusion

If you make it this far, chances are you are interseted in DaaS as a service for your company. At the end of the day, DaaS is all about making design easier to access, easier to manage, and way more aligned with how modern teams actually work. Whether you’re building something new or juggling a million moving pieces, having the right creative support changes everything. It’s not just about getting things done — it’s about getting them done well, without the extra stress.

If you're curious what it could look like for your team, you can always have a chat with us and visit our Subscription page!