Is a Design Subscription Right for Your Team? Pros, Cons, and How to Start

So, what exactly is Design-as-a-Subscription (DaaS)? It’s a flexible, flat-rate model that gives you access to ongoing design support, without the overhead of hiring in-house or the delays that come with traditional agencies. You get the creative help you need, on your terms, with clear pricing and quick turnaround.

Here’s how it works: instead of starting from scratch with every new project, you subscribe to a plan. You can submit design requests as needed, and we deliver them one at a time—fast, consistent, and fully aligned with your brand. It’s a setup that works especially well for teams juggling multiple priorities, content cycles, or fast-moving launches.

At Motion, we’re a motion-first agency, but we don’t stop there. We also offer brand design and UI/UX support through our subscription service, giving you one creative team across everything from product visuals to marketing content. It’s about keeping your brand sharp, cohesive, and ready to move.

Of course, not every DaaS provider works the same way. Some specialize in specific formats or industries, and workflows can vary depending on the team. The key is finding a model that matches your pace, your priorities, and the kind of creative support you actually need. That is why it is important to find your right partner.

So let’s dive in!

Why Choose DaaS?

Through our work with startups, marketing teams, and fast-growing brands, we’ve seen a common challenge. Creative needs keep coming, but internal resources can’t always keep up. One week our clients are launching a new product. The next, they’re managing landing pages, updating investor decks, and rolling out fresh campaign assets, all under pressure to deliver quickly.

That’s where Design-as-a-Subscription, or DaaS, comes in. It’s not just a shortcut. It’s a reliable way to get consistent, high-quality design support without hiring full-time or waiting on traditional agency timelines. Whether it’s a fast turnaround or an ongoing campaign, DaaS gives your team the backup it needs to stay on track and keep growing.

Here’s why more teams are leaning into it:

Lower Cost

Hiring a full-time designer can cost upwards of $60,000 per year—not including bonuses, benefits, or software. With DaaS, you get access to a full creative team for a flat monthly fee, without the added expenses. We also touch on pricing in more detail in our blog, “Are You Paying for Corporate Videos?”, where we break down what goes into creative costs and how to know if you’re getting real value.

Access to a Full Creative Team

Instead of relying on one person, you tap into a team with a wide range of skills—motion, brand, web, UI, and more. Premium tools and platforms are already included, so you don’t have to worry about extra licenses or tech hurdles.

Scalability That Works

Need more support during a launch? Easy. Slowing down for a quieter season? No problem. DaaS adjusts to your workflow, so you're never overcommitted or under-resourced.

Challenges in Using DaaS

DaaS is a solid option, especially for startups or small teams that are still focused on building their product and haven’t had the time to really dive into design or branding. It takes a lot of pressure off and keeps things moving without needing to hire right away.

That said, it’s not a magic fix for everything. Like any setup, it has its pros and cons. And from what we’ve seen (and heard from others), there are a few common bumps in the road that are good to know about before diving in. Here’s what to look out for:

Getting Up to Speed with Your Brand

Since DaaS teams aren’t part of your day-to-day, there’s usually a bit of a learning curve upfront. It can take a little time to lock in your tone, visuals, and brand personality—but once it clicks, things move quickly.

One Request at a Time

Most design subscriptions run on a queue system, which means tasks are handled one at a time. It’s a focused, efficient way to work—but if you’ve got multiple high-priority projects lined up, it’s helpful to plan ahead and prioritize accordingly. That said, at Motion The Agency, we offer up to two active projects at a time, making it easier for clients who are working on tighter timelines or juggling overlapping deadlines.

Being Real About "Unlimited"

Unlimited requests sound great—but they don’t mean instant results. Complex projects take time, and like any creative workflow, quality can slip if there’s too much demand all at once. We’ve seen this concern come up in our research, which is why setting clear priorities and timelines is key to getting the best out of your DaaS team.

So if there are challenges with DaaS, does that mean you should skip it altogether? Not so fast. Just because there are a few trade-offs doesn’t mean the model isn’t worth it—it just means you need the right setup and a smart approach.

If you’re thinking about trying Design-as-a-Subscription, we’ve got a few tips on how to make it work smoothly within your team.

How to Implement DaaS in Your Business

DaaS can be a total game-changer—but only if you set it up right. We’ve seen teams get amazing results when there’s a bit of structure in place and a clear idea of how to work with their design partner. On the flip side, when it’s treated like a quick fix with no direction, things can get messy fast.

The good news? It doesn’t take much to get it running smoothly. A little planning upfront goes a long way in making sure your creative work shows up on time, on brand, and exactly how you need it.

Here’s how to make DaaS actually work for your team:

• Identify Your Design Needs: Are you building a new brand? Launching products? Cranking out weekly content? Get clear on the type of design support you need—and how often you’ll need it.

• Research Service Providers: Not all DaaS teams operate the same way. Look for providers with experience in your space, a strong portfolio, and clear processes that align with how your team works.

• Kick Off with a Clear Onboarding: First impressions matter. Use the onboarding phase to align on priorities, timelines, visual style, and brand guidelines. It saves everyone time later.

• Keep Communication Flowing: Whether it’s Slack, Notion, or Trello, make sure you have a clear system in place for briefs, feedback, and progress updates. The smoother the flow, the better the output.

• Build In Time for Review and Feedback: Treat your DaaS team like an extension of your internal crew. Make space for regular check-ins, revisions, and final approvals so everything stays on-brand and on point.

What to Consider About Before Jumping Into DaaS

Well DaaS is an investment, while reading this article you might come to realise that partnering with an agency for a subscription is a commitment, that is why we suggest ask yourself these question first befor jumping into  signing a contract with an agency:

• Have we clearly defined our creative needs and goals?
• Have we compared different agencies and what they offer?
• Are we confident in their pricing and what’s included?
• Do they communicate well and feel like a true partner?
• Can they scale with us as our business grows?

You can also add questions or remove question that might not be relevant to you. but the general gist is that, before committing to a DaaS agency, you need to understand your projects and brand very well, this including budget you can spare and even tone of voice, in order to help you find the right agency match.

What Makes Motion The Agency Different?

At Motion The Agency, we come from an animation and motion design background—which means we understand how content works, not just how it looks. We’ve spent years creating visuals built to capture attention and tell stories across digital platforms. So whether it’s a social post, explainer video, or UI animation, we design with purpose.

Over time, we’ve shaped our design subscription model around what fast-moving teams actually need: clarity, consistency, and creative support that scales. Our setup includes a dedicated project manager and a skilled creative team—all included in one flat rate, no surprise fees.

We also offer flexible delivery options, including same-day turnaround for tight schedules or last-minute needs. And we use AI tools to help speed up the repetitive stuff, so our team can stay focused on the work that really matters.

And because good design takes iteration, every subscription includes unlimited revisions—so you can fine-tune the work without worrying about added costs or limitations.

Conclusion

Well, now that you’ve made it to the end—what do you think? Is Design-as-a-Subscription the right fit for your team?

DaaS is a powerful model that can make a real difference for companies that need flexible, fast, and consistent design support. We’ve seen it work especially well for startups, growing brands, and marketing teams that are constantly creating but don’t have the time or resources to build an in-house team just yet.

That said, DaaS isn’t a one-size-fits-all solution. It’s important to take a step back and ask if it truly fits your goals, your workflow, and the way your team operates. Hopefully, this guide gave you a clearer view of how it works, where it shines, and how to make it successful if you decide to go that route.

If you’re curious to explore what this could look like for your business, feel free to check out our design subscription pricing or book a quick call. We’re always happy to talk things through and help you figure out what kind of setup makes the most sense for your next projects.