Why Businesses & Nonprofits Should Hire Students for Graphic Design Projects

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At Boonle, we’re big believers that design matters.

From your logo to your website, to your printed marketing materials, having great design isn’t just a luxury anymore. With the access we have today to designers across the world, you have no excuse for poor design. People you do business with expect great design and a pleasing experience while interacting with your business website or marketing materials.

It’s no longer enough to just have content.

However, when it comes to running a small business or a nonprofit, budgets may not always allow for hiring the best of the best. If you’re on a tight budget, hiring students currently enrolled in graphic design programs is often a great choice – possibly the best choice. Here are a few reasons why:

Students are looking to build a portfolio

It’s safe to assume that the majority of students are either looking to work for themselves or to find a great employer once they are finished with college. A proven way for students to position themselves in the marketplace is to have an established portfolio by the time they graduate. Building a portfolio is no easy task for a student and classwork alone is typically not enough. This leads to the next point…

Students will often provide work for less-than-market-rate

Why? Review the last paragraph – students are looking to build a portfolio. In order to compete with experienced professionals, they often need to offer their services at a discounted rate. This is typically a win-win situation as you get work done for a fraction of the cost and the student gets to do actual, real-life work (not just some made up project in class). Doing actual work serves the student better in the long-run as it can be used for validation when speaking with potential clients or employers in the future. It’s much more beneficial for them to show how their work has helped an actual business rather than simply showing something designed as part of a class project.

Working with students provides them opportunity

If you are really feeling strapped for cash, you can probably find someone overseas to do the work you need done for a few bucks (don’t forget, you may just get what you pay for). Although, wouldn’t it make you feel better to help out a local student for $100 – $200 and receive a high quality design (logos at market rate often cost $500 on the low-end)? Working with students at local universities provides them great opportunity for real world experience – something that is needed more than ever in an increasingly competitive marketplace.

Hiring students for design work keeps you competitive

If your brand’s look is outdated, chances are you have competitors large and small with more professional appearances. Remaining competitive in your industry means that you need to, at a minimum, be on the same level as others. Your brand is the face of your business and an updated look says that you’re serious about what you do.

Remember, you don’t have to spend astronomical amounts of money to give your brand a fresh look. There are many talented graphic & web design students who are eager to work with you. Find them here and begin working with students, risk-free.

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