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Design & Marketing
Why Work With An Offshore Graphic Artist From the Philippines
Explore the advantages of outsourcing graphic design to the Philippines: cost effectiveness, flexibility, design expertise, and more.

The first thing you see on this web page is probably the image above. This is because people are more drawn to pictures than words. This may also be why visual ads are found to be 43% more effective in making audiences do a certain action.

No wonder brands are investing so much in visual content in 2024. Captivating graphics and engaging videos dominate content creation today, and companies need to keep up to remain competitive. This is also why more and more companies are hiring graphic artists to handle their creative work.

Why Outsource Graphic Design To The Philippines?

Not everyone can build their own design team or hire an in-house designer. Luckily, nowadays, most brands don’t have to! Many of them choose to outsource graphic artists rather than maintain their own creative team. Below are some of the reasons why.

Cost Effectiveness

A common reason why brands choose to outsource processes like graphic design is because of costs. 

Labor costs in developing countries are a fraction of those in countries like the United States, UK, and Australia. For reference, hiring a full-time graphic designer in the USA costs about $4,250/month while hiring the same in the Philippines starts at less than $500/month (as of April 2024). 

This significant difference in costs allows outsourcing companies to offer offshore talent, inclusive of management fees, benefits, and other hidden charges, at a competitive rate. Given the additional services that come with it, outsourcing becomes an appealing option for most businesses.

Flexibility

Another reason to choose outsourcing over in-house hiring is flexibility. When you hire in-house, you’re likely hiring someone full-time, which is great if you have a steady volume of designs that need to be created. Otherwise, hiring a full-time designer is not the best financial decision.

On the other hand, outsourcing gives you the option to select from or combine multiple outsourcing service models depending on your business needs.

If your only reason for outsourcing is to reduce labor costs, you can go ahead and hire an FTE or full-time equivalent/employee. But if you have low volume of regular design work needed, you can opt for a retainer-based model where the scope of work, number of hours, and deliverables are flexible. Lastly, if you only need a designer to do one project, then you can choose project-based outsourcing and pay for the design services for the fixed project duration.

By offshoring creative design, a company can save thousands of dollars a month, which can be reallocated either to more projects or to other functions like marketing or product development, which can generate more sales. 

Design Skills

The Philippines is renowned for its pool of skilled and professional graphic designers with vast experience in design and design software. This is why brands like Nike, Apple, Canon, and many more would hire Filipino graphic artists.

Ultimately, brands trust the quality of the creative work Filipino designers produce, and the best way to gauge their skills is by looking at their work!

Less Pressure

41% of companies outsource because of a lack of skill or specialization. Why risk expensive and time-consuming trial and error with your own graphic designer or in-house graphic design team when you can outsource and leave it to the professionals?

By outsourcing to the top graphic design firms in the Philippines, you take the pressure off your team to produce high-quality and on-brand art works, while enjoying world-class graphic design.

New Perspective

When it comes to creative work, perspective can make a world of difference. That’s why it’s good to have a set of fresh eyes looking at your design projects. 

When you work with an offshore graphic artist, you are exposed to different kinds of designers with different styles, philosophies, and perspectives. They can share new techniques, skills, and even assets that would help enrich your portfolio as a brand.  

How to Outsource Your Next Graphic Designer?

If you think outsourcing graphic design is for you, learn more about the steps you should take to ensure you find the right graphic designers who fit your needs.

1. Determine Your Requirements.

Before you reach out to outsourcing companies and graphic design firms, prepare a detailed plan with clear scope of work, deadlines, and deliverables. What kind of design work do you need – graphic, web, UX/UI, or multimedia? How much work do you need to get done? When will you need the final output? 

2. Look For A Graphic Design Outsourcing Company.

Once you’re clear on what you need, shortlist top graphic design outsourcing firms whose portfolios appeal to you. Besides the portfolio, look at the company’s credibility – who were their past clients? What scale were their past projects? Do they have case studies from brands similar to yours? These are great questions to ask when choosing which companies you want to work with.

3. Align Expectations.

Meet with outsourcing agencies and look into graphic design roles you can outsource with the agency to see if they can meet your needs. Discuss expectations, service level agreements (SLAs), and key performance indicators (KPIs), as well as your preferred service model, contract duration, and costs. 

4. Try Working Together.

Like any good relationship, it’s good to have a trial period where you test out whether you work well together or not. A graphic artist can be incredibly talented, but if you don’t mesh well or if they can’t integrate well into your organization, you’re unlikely to be very productive.

Working with an agency with contingency plans in case a particular designer doesn’t work out is a good sign that they care more about finding you a designer that fits you, rather than just being out to get your money.

5. Provide Constructive Feedback.

Whenever you work with designers, it’s vital to give as clear a feedback as you can, so the design process will go smoothly. Communicating your vision, and providing constructive criticism rather than vague opinions can help your designer better understand what you want, and bring your ideas to life beautifully. 

The same goes for your outsourcing partner. Talk to your agency and make sure you’re always aligned with your objectives so that you can work seamlessly as a team, regardless of location.

Hire A Graphic Artist From The Philippines

If you are looking to hire an outsourced graphic artist that fits your needs, only work with reputable outsourcing companies like KDCI, with an outstanding design portfolio.

At KDCI, we believe that the right people with the right qualifications and attitude, make all the difference when it comes to outsourcing success. When you build your offshore team with us, you can rest assured that your offshore graphic artists will integrate with your in-house organization seamlessly, for smooth collaboration.

Interested to outsource graphic design in the Philippines?

Contact us to learn more!

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Outsourcing Guide
Why The Philippines Is A Top Choice For IT Outsourcing
April 29, 2024
Discovery what makes the Philippines an ideal destiination for IT Outsourcing: sustained growth of IT industry, data privacy & security measures, and more!

IT Outsourcing is one of the most lucrative industries in the Philippines, with many investors around the globe building their offshore IT operations in the country in recent years. 

And with the global IT Outsourcing industry estimated to grow 5.48% annually from 2019 to 2029, the Philippines, with its large pool of IT professionals and government incentives, is strategically positioned to grow in the next decade.  

Top Reasons Why You Should Outsource IT Services to the Philippines

The growth of IT Outsourcing in the Philippines can be attributed to many things, the most relevant of which are discussed below. 

Sustained Growth of the IT Industry

The Philippines is considered one of the providers of high quality information technology services since the early 1990s. While the Philippine Outsourcing industry initially started with voice BPO services, it quickly expanded its offerings to IT services, which now include software development, web design, tech support, and more. 

In fact, the Information Technology-Business Process Management Association of the Philippines (IBPAP) predicted a 7% growth in the Philippine IT BPO industry in 2024. 

Large Pool of IT Professionals

The Philippine workforce has a large pool of IT professionals ready to meet the rising demand of IT Outsourcing. As a matter of fact, there were 77,747 IT graduates from state universities and colleges in the school year of 2017-2018 alone. 

With such a large number of tech-savvy graduates, global companies will not have a hard time filling IT roles of varying levels of complexity. As such, even Fortune 500 companies like Google, IBM, Amazon, and Microsoft have offshore IT operations in the Philippines. 

Data Privacy & Cybersecurity Measures

The most pressing concern in IT Outsourcing today is security and privacy. 

In 2023, the FBI reported an all-time high loss of $12.5 Billion due to internet crime. Meanwhile, Deloitte’s 2024 cybersecurity trends report shows that 66% of organizations were affected by ransomware in 2023, misuse of valid credentials led to 44.7% of data breaches, and IoT malware attacks have increased 400% across industries.

To equip Philippine outsourcing companies against these cyber threats, the Philippine government passed the Data Privacy Act of 2012 , a law that aims to protect individual privacy while ensuring the free flow of information to promote innovation and economic growth. In the first quarter of 2024, they also approved the National Cybersecurity Plan 2024-2029, which outlines policy direction and operational guidelines to enhance cybersecurity measures. 

With these safety measures in place, companies can safely rely on Philippine IT Outsourcing companies to handle their sensitive and confidential data.

High Proficiency in the English Language

While there are many IT Outsourcing destinations like India, Poland, and Malaysia, the Philippines remains competitive due to its high English proficiency, a great asset for smooth communication. 

Filipinos are exposed to the English language at a young age and next to Singapore, the Philippines has the highest English proficiency among Asian countries, making it the top choice for sourcing English-speaking IT professionals.

Lower Cost of Labor

A huge driving force behind the rise of IT Outsourcing in the Philippines is due to its lower cost of labor. Due to the country's comparatively low cost of living, operational costs tend to be much cheaper than those in Western countries. 

For example, 2024 data shows that the average junior IT professional in the Philippines costs approx. $555/month, whereas it costs $7,009/month in the United States. 

Though there are added costs to outsourcing, such as government mandated benefits, hiring costs, and other operational costs, the total cost to outsource is still significantly lower, allowing companies to save up to 70%.

24/7 Service Availability

Another factor that urges Western companies to outsource their IT service to the Philippines is due to their flexibility in terms of work hours and timezone differences.

Because companies require coverage for multiple shifts, it’s become a standard practice for outsourcing companies to have various shift schedules to accommodate the client’s preferred time zone. This benefits the client as they can work with offshore teams as if they were just next door.

The opposite can also be true. While some organizations favor real-time collaboration, some require off-hours work. In these situations, companies choose to outsource functions that require round-the-clock work to countries on the other side of the globe, like the Philippines.

Cultural Compatibility

Colonized by the United States for 48 years, the Philippines has grown accustomed to Western culture, and has adapted it in various areas of their everyday life. Such similarities in culture make it easier for Filipinos to acclimate to Western organizations and culture, making the Philippines an ideal location for building offshore teams for international enterprises. 

Outsource Your IT To The Philippines

There are numerous reasons why global companies want to outsource IT services to developing countries like the Philippines. Whether you’re looking to cut costs, find hard-to-source IT expertise, or optimize your IT operations with an offshore team, KDCI Outsourcing can help you achieve your business objectives.

At KDCI, we build excellent outsourced IT teams with more than the specialized IT roles you’re looking for; we find you people with the right skills and attitude to seamlessly integrate with your organization, ensuring smooth onboarding, minimal disruptions, and maximum productivity.

Learn more about how you can build your offshore IT team in the Philippines.

Contact us to learn more!

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Offshore Staffing
Remote Work Advantage: Achieving Flexibility with Accountability thru Outsourcing
Work from anywhere & crush your goals! This blog unlocks the secrets of remote work: flexibility without sacrificing results. Learn how to thrive in a remote work environment.

Remote work has fundamentally transformed how we collaborate. Gone are the days of rigid schedules and office cubicles. Today's workforce enjoys unprecedented flexibility, crafting routines and work styles that empower them to thrive in their work from home jobs.  For employers, remote work unlocks a global talent pool, attracting world-class individuals regardless of location.

However, this newfound freedom comes with challenges. To ensure a win-win scenario, both employees and managers need to strike a delicate balance between flexibility and accountability. This article explores the 5 Cs – a framework for achieving this harmony in your remote team.

The 5 Cs: Building Trust and Productivity

The first three Cs focus on fostering flexibility, while the last two address accountability.

1. Common Vision - United We Stand

A shared vision eliminates the need for micromanagement. When everyone rallies behind the same goals, detailed instructions become unnecessary.  Imagine a team focused on developing a revolutionary product. They understand the company's vision and the impact they're striving for. This shared purpose empowers them to navigate independently, constantly moving the project forward.

Building this common vision starts with instilling company values at the outset. Transparency about the organization's core beliefs allows employees to integrate them into their work.  Is your brand synonymous with exceptional customer service, or are you known for pioneering innovation? Is environmental sustainability a core value, or is a relentless focus on the bottom line your driving force?

By clearly communicating your company's identity, you empower employees to make independent decisions aligned with the organization's goals.  Take Patagonia, for example. This outdoor apparel company is renowned for its commitment to environmental responsibility.  Remote employees at Patagonia understand this core value and can actively seek out sustainable materials or advocate for eco-friendly packaging solutions, even while working from their home offices.

2. Clear Policies and Outcomes - Setting the Ground Rules

Before launching your remote workforce, establish clear policies that define the "rules of the game."  A comprehensive handbook serves as a reference point, outlining expected behavior and performance standards.

Crucially, the handbook should detail how performance will be measured. This includes defining output quotas and productivity levels for each role.

For example:

  • A Sales Representative might be expected to conduct 30 customer interactions daily and secure 5 new accounts per month.
  • A Content Writer's target could be 4 high-quality articles per week, each exceeding 1,000 words and adhering to specific SEO best practices.

By establishing clear quotas, you can move away from micromanaging and empower employees to manage their work hours. Remember, quotas should be realistic, measurable, and aligned with the company's overarching goals.  Additionally, consider incorporating quality metrics alongside output quotas.  In the content writer example, this could involve tracking reader engagement metrics or factoring in positive client feedback on the articles' clarity and effectiveness.

3. Clear Communication - Bridging the Distance

Remote work eliminates the daily office routine, creating a communication challenge for teams accustomed to face-to-face interaction.  To ensure smooth information flow,  develop a communication playbook outlining best practices for interaction.

This playbook should address questions like:

  • Appropriate communication etiquette (e.g., email formality vs. instant messaging for quick questions).
  • Preferred communication tools for different tasks (e.g., project management software for larger initiatives, video conferencing for brainstorming sessions).
  • Reporting mechanisms for remote employees.
  • Progress updates for managers – how often, and through which channels?
  • Team meeting frequency and platforms – consider incorporating a mix of synchronous (live) and asynchronous (recorded) meetings to cater to diverse time zones.
  • Team check-in schedules – establish regular touchpoints to maintain momentum and address any concerns.
  • Procedures for technical issues, outages, or emergencies – clear guidelines ensure everyone knows how to respond effectively in case of unexpected disruptions.
  • Communication protocols when unforeseen circumstances prevent work – establish a system for notifying managers and delegating tasks, if necessary.

By proactively addressing these questions, you foster a positive work environment. Establishing clear boundaries allows everyone to operate effectively within the defined framework. Additionally, consider fostering a culture of open communication. Encourage employees to ask questions, share ideas, and raise concerns. This not only promotes transparency but also fosters a sense of psychological safety, where team members feel comfortable taking risks and learning from mistakes.

The Cs of Accountability: Maintaining Momentum 

The next two Cs focus on maintaining accountability within the established framework of flexibility to ensure work life balance.

4. Comment & Commend - Feedback is Key

You’ve equipped your team with the game plan, the rules, and the boundaries. Ideally, they'll run smoothly on autopilot. But the reality is, bumps in the road are inevitable.  Quotas might be missed, work quality may occasionally fall short, and deadlines might slip. When these issues arise, address them promptly and consistently.

Here's how to deliver effective feedback in a remote setting:

  • Focus on Specifics: Avoid vague statements like "That report needs work." Instead, pinpoint specific areas for improvement. For instance, "The data analysis in the Q3 report seems incomplete. Can you revisit section 2.1 and ensure all relevant data points are included?"
  • Timeliness is Key: Address performance issues as soon as they arise. Don't let them fester and create confusion.
  • Strike the Right Tone: Maintain a professional and constructive tone. Focus on solutions, not blame. Frame the discussion as a collaborative effort to improve future performance.
  • Positive Reinforcement is Powerful: Don't just point out shortcomings. Celebrate achievements as well! A simple "Great job exceeding your sales target this month!" or "That client presentation was exceptional!" goes a long way in motivating employees and fostering a culture of recognition.
  • Consider Asynchronous Feedback: In a remote environment, consider offering written feedback alongside verbal conversations. This allows employees to revisit the feedback at their convenience and take concrete steps towards improvement.

#5: Capitalize on Technology - Tools for Transparency

Trusting your team doesn't mean relinquishing all control. Technology empowers managers to tailor their level of engagement based on factors like project type, seasonality, and individual team members.

There's a vast array of tools that allow you to monitor progress and maintain a level of oversight – from tracking screen activity and keystroke monitoring to project management software and time tracking applications.

The key is to leverage technology strategically. Don't fall into the trap of constant monitoring. Instead, use these tools to gain insights into workflow, identify potential roadblocks, and provide targeted support when needed. Remember, the goal is to empower your remote team, not micromanage them.

By embracing the 5 Cs – Common Vision, Clear Policies & Outcomes, Clear Communication, Comment & Commend, and Capitalize on Technology – you can foster a thriving remote work environment. This approach fosters trust, empowers employees, and lays the foundation for a successful and productive remote team.

At KDCI Outsourcing, we don't just connect you with remote professionals – we help you build cohesive, high-performing teams that seamlessly extend your existing workforce. Imagine having a global pool of talented individuals at your fingertips. We leverage this vast network to find the perfect fit for each role, from virtual assistants and graphic designers to social media managers, web developers, accountants, customer service, and sales.

But here's the real difference: We go beyond skills matching. We focus on building a team culture that integrates seamlessly with yours. Through in-depth consultations and cultural assessments, we ensure your remote team members become an extension of your in-house team, fostering collaboration and clear communication from day one.

Partner with KDCI Outsourcing and experience the power of a truly unified remote team. Let's discuss how we can help you build your dream team – a team that feels like an extension of your own. Contact us today!

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Design & Marketing
7 Product Photo Background Picks of 2024 for Captivating Images
Learn how the right product photo background boosts appeal and brand identity with 2024's top seven picks for various photography needs.

Selecting the ideal product photo background is critical for enhancing product appeal and reinforcing brand messaging. This guide spotlights seven effective backgrounds that cater to assorted photography styles and needs in 2024. Navigate through options like seamless paper, vinyl, natural settings, and digital backdrops, and empower your product imagery with choices that speak directly to your target audience.

Key Takeaways

  • Backgrounds in product photography can make or break your shots, with color, texture, and pattern playing critical roles in influencing customer perception and sales.
  • Different backdrop materials like seamless paper, vinyl, and natural elements offer distinct advantages depending on the shoot requirements—paper for uniformity, vinyl for durability, and natural elements for authenticity.
  • DIY backdrop solutions offer a budget-friendly alternative for photographers, allowing for creativity and resourcefulness with household items to achieve professional-looking results.

Choosing the Right Background for Your Product Photos

Product photography background with color theory

Selecting the right background isn’t merely a matter of aesthetics. It plays a paramount role in product photography as it can significantly influence customer perception and ultimately drive sales. From seamless paper to vinyl backdrops, natural elements to digital backgrounds, the choices are diverse, each serving different purposes in product photography, from creating uniform e-commerce listings to enhancing creative ads and branding.

To make an informed choice, we will dissect the intricacies of color, textures, and patterns, and the contrast between solid and gradient backgrounds, using relevant data in our next discussion on styles.

The Role of Color in Product Photography

Color wields immense power in product photography. Each hue carries psychological impacts that affect consumer emotions and behaviors. For instance, red is often associated with excitement, while blue instills a sense of trust. Leveraging color theory can enhance a product’s attributes, creating visuals that are either harmonious or dynamic, depending on the use of analogous, complementary, or triadic color schemes.

The choice of background color is critical, as it can either enhance or distract from the product features, thereby influencing customer perception and sales. Thus, choosing colors that prevent the transmission of unintended messages or emotions is of paramount importance. Colors can be strategically utilized as backgrounds to serve as either a vibrant contrast or a complementary backdrop that ties in with the product or brand’s color palette.

Textures and Patterns: Adding Depth to Your Images

Textures and patterns for product photography

While colors play a pivotal role in product photography, textures and patterns are equally significant. Using textures can emphasize product details and create a tactile sensation that enhances visual storytelling. Textured backgrounds evoke emotions and feelings - soft textures might convey warmth, while rough surfaces could suggest ruggedness.

Different textures can convey various atmospheres or moods, like cozy knit patterns or sleek metallic surfaces. Natural light can create gentle gradients on textures, while diffused artificial light can highlight the details of a textured background. Moreover, patterns and shapes can add playfulness and character to photos while maintaining focus on the product.

Solid vs. Gradient Backgrounds: Which to Choose?

The choice between solid and gradient backgrounds often depends on the specific requirements of your photography. A gradient background features a color transition, potentially creating a dynamic or elegant visual effect. These backgrounds can be obtained from backdrop suppliers or crafted in post-production to match specific aesthetic requirements.

On the other hand, a simple gradient background effect can be achieved in-camera by using studio lights to create a subtle halo around the product.

Creating a Professional Look with Seamless Paper Backdrops

Professional look with seamless paper backdrop

Seamless paper is a favorite among professional photographers, lending itself to various genres, including:

  • fashion
  • beauty
  • children’s portraits
  • product photography

Its wide adoption is due to its versatility, as using studio lighting with seamless paper allows for consistent results and accommodates any photoshoot schedule, independent of natural lighting conditions.

Moving ahead, our discussion will cover how to set up your paper backdrop and preserve its immaculate surface.

Setting Up Your Paper Backdrop

Setting up a seamless paper backdrop requires:

  1. A sturdy backdrop support system with a crossbar to ensure stability.
  2. Unrolling the paper from the roll and clamping it to the crossbar to control unwinding.
  3. Pulling the paper down onto your shooting surface for a clean curve.
  4. Affixing the end of the paper to the floor with gaffer tape.

Choosing the appropriate size of the seamless paper roll for your photography needs, catering to tabletop setups or full-scale commercial studios, is also essential.

Most importantly, ensure the backdrop transitions gently onto the shooting surface to form an infinity curve or sweep, which eliminates visible angles in the background.

Tips for Maintaining a Pristine Paper Surface

Once your backdrop is set up, maintaining a pristine paper surface is crucial for achieving professional-quality photos. Store your paper backdrops upright, in protective polyurethane holders or 4-inch PVC pipes with end caps, to shield them from dust and moisture. Avoid laying paper rolls horizontally for prolonged periods to prevent warping and wrinkles caused by gravity.

If you need to transport seamless paper, especially to on-location shoots, utilize the original shipping tube or a sturdy PVC drain pipe with end caps for safe transportation. Paper backgrounds should be placed on smooth, flat surfaces rather than carpet or rough textures to ensure even support and reduce the risk of damage.

Care for your backdrops by keeping them dry and away from direct sunlight to maximize their useful life. Lastly, when wrinkles or stains appear, trim the affected edges with a sharp pair of scissors to maintain a pristine surface for photography.

The Versatility of Vinyl Backdrops in Product Photography

Vinyl backdrops offer a distinct advantage in product photography due to their high durability, waterproof nature, and the availability of over 100 colors and textures, providing long-lasting options for photographers. They can be tailored to fit existing props and stands, offering flexibility for various photography setups.

Our forthcoming discussions will focus on the use of vinyl for splash shots and the realistic textures vinyl can impart to your products.

Waterproof Wonders: Using Vinyl for Splash Shots

The waterproof nature of vinyl backdrops opens the door for some exciting photographic opportunities. They are ideal for shoots involving liquids, be it messy food photography or shoots where spills can occur. The smooth surface of vinyl ensures water droplets remain concise, aiding in the creation of sharp splash photography effects.

This attribute is crucial for photographers specializing in dynamic splash scenes.

Realistic Textures That Bring Products to Life

Realistic textures on vinyl backdrop

Beyond being waterproof, vinyl backdrops can replicate realistic textures like marble, concrete, and wood through high-resolution prints, which add to the visual appeal and authenticity in product photography. These realistic textures produce a more professional and true-to-life setting, making products appear more attractive and authentic to potential consumers.

Incorporating Natural Elements for Authenticity

Incorporating natural elements in product photography

Incorporating natural elements in product photography can create authentic environments that resonate with customers. From wood, dirt, to leaves, natural elements can be employed as backdrops to convey authenticity.

The forthcoming segments will elaborate on selecting the appropriate natural background for your business brand and techniques for photographing food with natural backdrops.

Choosing the Right Natural Background for Your Brand

When it comes to natural backgrounds, the right choice can evoke specific emotions or themes relevant to the brand, such as freshness, organic quality, or luxury. Wood backgrounds, for instance, can create a rustic and warm environment for products, while materials like dirt, sand, or stone can add a nature-inspired look to the image.

Natural light can also be used to achieve a bright and airy aesthetic, which may be suitable for lifestyle-type images that tell a story with the product.

How to Photograph Food with Natural Backdrops

Food photography with natural backdrops calls for particular attention to detail. Positioning food in relation to the natural light source is crucial to create the desired mood and highlight textures in culinary shots. Softening light with diffusers when using natural lighting can prevent overexposure and maintain the authenticity of food photographs.

Experimenting with angles and perspectives is key to finding the best natural lighting, which significantly enhances the visual appeal of food. Seasonal elements such as autumn leaves or fresh spring flowers can be used in food photography to create timely and contextually relevant settings. Incorporating elements like leaves or flowers in the backdrop of food photos invokes freshness and can reinforce the natural aspect of culinary products.

Lastly, utilizing depth of field to blur the background draws focus to the food, giving the photographs a professional look while using natural settings.

Digital Backgrounds: Revolutionizing Product Photography

Digital backgrounds are revolutionizing product photography. They provide photographers with unlimited creative options, enabling the insertion of subjects into any scene during post-production. Adopting digital backdrops can lead to significant savings in time and resources by reducing the need for complex physical set-ups.

Our next discussions will revolve around editing techniques for seamless digital integration and situations where digital backgrounds hold preference over physical ones.

Editing Techniques for Seamless Digital Integration

Once you’ve chosen a digital backdrop that complements the photograph’s subject, theme, and mood, the process of integration begins. Position the digital backdrop behind the subject using the software’s layering capabilities, placing the backdrop on a separate layer. Use masking and blending tools to refine the edges of the backdrop to create a natural-looking composite with the subject.

Adjust the lighting and shadows to match the subject’s conditions and apply color correction for a cohesive composite image. Enhance product photos with post-production techniques to:

  • adjust saturation
  • correct hues
  • fine-tune brightness
  • accentuate textures

For added realism in the composite, apply subtle texture overlays to the digital backdrop to match the subject’s environment.

Lastly, save the completed composite in a high-quality format such as TIFF or JPEG to retain detail and resolution.

When to Use Digital Backgrounds Over Physical Ones

There are instances when digital backgrounds are more beneficial than physical ones. The use of digital backgrounds and templates can save photographers time, enabling them to serve more clients and move on to other profit-making opportunities. Digital backgrounds can generate more profits by allowing photographers to offer unique enhancements that competitors may not provide, with a variety of digital background packages offering clients more choices. They meet the demands of clients who desire specific backgrounds to match their personality or lifestyle, which may not be available during the actual shoot.

Additionally, digital backgrounds can transform mediocre photo compositions into artistic expressions that clients are eager to share and purchase, and are ideal for creating theme-specific photo books and albums.

Accessories to Enhance Your Product Photo Backdrops

While the backdrop forms the foundation of a good product photograph, the right accessories can take your images to the next level. Reflectors, lights, and props can significantly enhance your product photo backdrops, adding depth and dimension to your photos.

Next, we will discuss how these jewelry accessories can be utilized to control shadows, highlights, and weave a story around your product.

Reflectors and Lights: Controlling Shadows and Highlights

In the realm of product photography, lighting plays a crucial role. Combining natural light from windows with white foam boards as reflectors can enhance product lighting economically. Reflectors are essential in outdoor photography for brightening photos and avoiding overexposed areas, creating more natural-looking product images.

Using reflectors can fill in shadows on the product, which brings out details and avoids harsh contrasts in the final image. Consistent lighting and accurate white balance adjustment are necessary for preserving color correctness in product photographs. DIY diffusers created from materials like white bed sheets or shower curtains help soften direct light, enhancing product photography results.

When shooting product photos in the shade, this can prevent harsh shadows and overexposed spots, resulting in an even and flattering light.

Props and Scenes: Telling a Story with Your Product

Beyond lighting, props and scenes play an integral role in product photography. Using props and scenes strategically can help potential customers visualize the product within their lifestyle, potentially increasing sales through effective advertising. Props should be carefully chosen to align with the brand’s image and the message it wishes to convey to its audience, ensuring a consistent brand representation.

The selection of props needs to be thoughtful in terms of color, height, and shape to logically fit with the product and maintain aesthetic coherence. The scale of the props in product photographs is crucial; they should be large enough to be noticeable but not so large as to overshadow the product itself. Props must enhance the product’s presentation without becoming the main focus of the image, ensuring the product remains central to the viewer’s attention.

DIY Backdrop Solutions for Budget-Conscious Photographers

For budget-conscious photographers, there are plenty of DIY backdrop solutions that can give professional results without breaking the bank. Common items such as:

  • fabrics
  • larger white sheets of paper
  • cardboard
  • canvas
  • wood planks
  • tiles
  • other leftover materials

This method can be used to create cost-effective photography backdrops, taking into account the budget constraints while browsing for affordable service options.

The following discussion will guide you on how to create your own backdrops with commonplace items and establish a home studio within a constrained budget.

Crafting Your Own Backdrops with Household Items

Creating your own backdrops with common household items is an economical and creative solution. Here are some ideas:

  • Drape fabrics such as burlap, linen, or cotton over a support structure to create textured backdrops, ensuring a smooth and clean look for your photos.
  • Use wood putty and a spatula to apply acrylic paint for unique textures.
  • Create a custom marble look with a touch of feathered calligraphy ink.

Repurpose everyday household items like corrugated metal, wooden planks, tile decals, and bookshelves to build distinctive and versatile backdrops. You can also craft colorful and playful backdrops with paper cutouts, create a personal mural, or use shimmering tinsel for dynamic effects.

Building a Home Studio on a Shoestring Budget

Building a home studio might seem like a daunting task, but it doesn’t have to be. Materials for DIY backdrops should be selected for their strength, ease of attachment, and resistance to dust or dirt while being cost-effective. Base boards like cheap wooden plywood or fibreboard (MDF) from hardware stores are recommended for backdrops due to their lightweight and ease of storage.

A collapsible clothes rack can serve as an affordable alternative to a professional backdrop stand when draped with fabric or paper. Having multiple color options of affordable background materials like fabric or paper increases the versatility of the home studio. Common household items such as furniture, mirrors, and appliances can be repurposed creatively for use as backdrops in product photography.

Finally, designate a specific area or corner in the home that can be adapted quickly for photo shoots to ensure a consistent setup and efficient space use.

Summary

The backdrop of a product photograph is not just a background, it’s a powerful tool that can transform your product images, enhance the overall composition, and ultimately, drive sales.

Whether you opt for seamless paper, vinyl, natural elements, or digital backdrops, each comes with unique benefits and offers a myriad of creative possibilities. The right choice of color, texture, and accessories can add depth to your images, and help tell a compelling story with your product.

Remember, the key is in understanding your product, knowing your audience, and choosing a backdrop that complements both. With the right backdrop, a simple product photograph can become a captivating image that grabs customer attention and boosts sales.

Hire Professional Product Photo Editors

Producing eye-catching images that highlight your products capture your audience's attention requires more than just understanding color theory and being an expert in your product. It requires design expertise and branding knowledge, not to mention, time and effort.

If you have large scale product photos that need product photo backgrounds, outsource such design work to KDCI, where we'll provide not only skilled product photo editors, but designers who can easily integrate into your team and provide you creative solutions for your brand.

Learn more about outsourcing your graphic design team in the Philippines!

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Offshore Staffing
Pros & Cons to Outsourced Finance & Accounting Services
Learn about outsourced finance & accounting services, key trends of 2024, and pros & cons, to determine if it's the right strategy for your business.

Finding the right talent while being cost-efficient is becoming a huge challenge when it comes to finance & accounting processes. This led to a steady increase in the outsourcing of finance & accounting services.

In 2020, the global market for F&A outsourcing was estimated at $37.9 billion and it's projected to reach $53.4 billion by 2026. With a booming market, staying informed about the latest trends is crucial for businesses outsourcing finance and accounting services. Understanding the benefits and recognizing potential challenges are key to leveraging outsourcing effectively for financial operations.

Finance and Accounting Outsourcing 2024 Trends

In a saturated market like finance and accounting outsourcing, it's important to stay on top of trends in order to remain relevant and competitive. Below are some trends that are expected of the F&A outsourcing industry this 2024.

AI & Automation

A huge selling point of outsourcing is cost savings. In 2024, AI and automation are taking this to the next level. This is part of the shift within the F&A industry towards leveraging technological systems to improve operational efficiency.

Outsourcing companies who can automate basic accounting processes like data entry as well as leverage AI-driven management systems will be at an advantage. Process automation will increase operational efficiency and reduce costs, while AI integration enables more sophisticated, intelligent processing and analysis. Both allow outsourcing companies to provide higher value F&A services.

Cybersecurity

While AI offers significant advantages, it also introduces risks, especially regarding data security. As technology becomes increasingly sophisticated, cyber threats will also become more aggressive.

This is a huge concern in F&A outsourcing which deals with highly confidential data. Malicious actors will be testing cybersecurity measures and finance and accounting outsourcing companies are expected to defend against these cyber threats.

Gartner forecasts a significant increase in investments for data security and risk management, projecting a 14% growth in spending for the year 2024. Outsourcing companies should be able to demonstrate the security of their remote accounting infrastructure, and provide F&A professionals who are cyber-literate.

Environmental Sustainability

With the world facing an environmental crises, all industries, including finance and accounting outsourcing, are expected to go green. This gives outsourcing companies a huge push towards adapting eco-friendly processes.

Just as consumers are more likely to purchase products that are environmentally sustainable, companies are more likely to partner with outsourcing service that demonstrate a commitment to environmental stewardship.

New Pricing Models

Companies are now expecting more from outsourcing agencies. Gone are the days when simple FTE-based models are the norm. In fact, 60% of companies are expected to not renew their outsourcing contracts in 2025 because old pricing models fall short when it comes to digitization and process optimization.

This pushes outsourcing companies that provide F&A services to not only provide alternative pricing models but also go beyond mere service delivery. Companies are looking for outsourcing partners who can help them reduce risks, improve their processes, and provide strategic recommendations that will help them achieve their business goals.

Major Benefits of Outsourced Finance and Accounting Functions

In lieu with the abovementioned F&A outsourcing trends, below will be a breakdown of the key benefits companies are likely to enjoy when they choose to outsource their finance and accounting functions in 2024.

Access to Expertise & Advanced Technology

Outsourcing companies have a large pool of existing resources as well as state of the art technology, which clients can leverage in their pursuit towards digitization and process improvement.

Outsourced talent who combine expertise in artificial intelligence (AI) and finance can help companies revolutionize their finance and accounting processes. Meanwhile, working with a tech-enabled outsourcing partner can save companies from making a hefty investment.

Learn more about how KDCI can help streamline your operations with AI.

Efficiency & Sustainability

Outsourcing finance and accounting services empowers businesses to embrace digital processes, leading to enhanced operational efficiency, reduced production times, and cost savings.

Digitization minimizes the need for paper, contributing positively to environmental sustainability. Furthermore, by leveraging external expertise, companies can access advanced analytics and reporting tools without significant capital investment, optimizing financial decision-making and strategic planning.

This not only streamlines financial operations but also fosters a culture of continuous improvement and innovation, as outsourcing partners introduce new technologies and processes. Hence, outsourcing F&A services not only drives efficiency and cost-effectiveness but also promotes sustainability by reducing the environmental footprint and encouraging the adoption of greener practices.

Enhanced Data Security

Some outsourcing providers invest heavily in state-of-the-art cybersecurity technologies and practices, including encryption, secure access controls, and regular security audits, ensuring that sensitive financial data is protected against unauthorized access, breaches, and other cyber threats.

At the same time, these outsourcing agencies typically have risk management protocols which allow early detection and resolution of potential security threats.

By partnering with these firms, companies can safeguard their confidential information and meet stringent compliance standards and regulations, such as the ISO 27001.

Scalability & Flexibility

Outsourcing processes like finance and accounting provides scalability, allowing businesses to adjust the level of service based on their needs. This is particularly beneficial for growing businesses or those with seasonal fluctuations.

And as more outsourcing companies provide tech integrations and automation as part of their finance and accounting services, businesses can enjoy improved scalability, with seamless adjustments and minimal disruptions.

Potential Drawbacks to Outsourced Finance & Accounting

Like any business strategy, there are risks to outsourcing your F&A processes, mainly caused by having your outsourcing provider offshore, of another culture, and operating on a different time zone.

Data Security Issues

When outsourcing finance and accounting (F&A) services, there will be transfer of sensitive information to third-party providers. Sharing of financial data, employee information, and potentially confidential business insights, presents a risk if the service provider does not have stringent data protection measures.

The challenge is ensuring that your outsourcing partner adheres to robust privacy standards and comply with relevant data protection regulations, to prevent unauthorized access, data breaches, and misuse of information.

Ineffective Communication

Due to physical and organizational distance between the company and the outsourcing company, there many be delays in information exchange, misunderstandings regarding financial reports or strategies, and challenges in aligning the outsourced team with the company's culture and objectives.

Effective communication is crucial for timely and accurate financial management, making its potential compromise a significant concern when outsourcing these critical functions.

Cultural & Language Mismatch

Outsourcing finance and accounting tasks may mean working across cultural and linguistic borders, which can lead to challenges in mutual understanding and interpretation of business practices, expectations, and legal standards. This mismatch can affect the quality of work, adherence to deadlines, and overall effectiveness of the outsourced services.

Ensuring alignment in these areas is crucial for the smooth operation of finance and accounting functions and requires careful selection of outsourcing partners who are adept at navigating these cultural and linguistic differences.

Lack of Control

Outsourcing F&A processes often leads to a perceived loss of control that comes from entrusting external partners with sensitive financial operations and decision-making capabilities. Without direct management, companies may feel they lack the ability to monitor and influence day-to-day activities closely, potentially impacting strategic financial planning and compliance with internal policies and external regulations.

Establishing clear communication channels and setting detailed performance metrics can help mitigate these concerns and ensure outsourced functions align with company objectives.

How to Choose a F&A Outsourcing Provider?

Deciding who to work with may be one of the biggest decisions you make after you decide to outsource. As discussed in the outsourced finance and accounting trends earlier, some outsourcing companies are better positioned to help your organization's finance and accounting department advance in today's competitive market.

Below are the key steps you should take to choosing the right F&A outsourcing partner for you.

Step 1: Identify Your Needs

Clearly define what finance and accounting function/s your business requires. This could range from basic bookkeeping to complex financial analysis or strategic financial planning only. Understanding your specific needs will guide you to a provider capable of meeting those requirements.

Step 2: Evaluate Their Expertise and Experience

Research potential providers to assess their track record, expertise, and experience in your industry. Look for testimonials, case studies, or client reviews to gauge their performance and reliability. Providers should have a solid background and the necessary qualifications to handle your company and financial operations.

Step 3: Assess Their Commitment to Data Security & Compliance

Verify the provider's commitment to data security and compliance with financial regulations. They should have robust security measures in place to protect sensitive information and be up-to-date with the latest compliance standards in your industry. This ensures your financial data is safe and regulatory requirements are met.

Outsource Your Finance and Accounting

Do you need help finding the right finance and accounting partner who can meet your finance and accounting needs?

When you book a no-commitment call with KDCI, we can help you identify your needs, determine whether outsourcing to the Philippines is a good strategy for your business objectives, and customize an outsourcing solution just for you at no cost.

Whether you're looking for hire outsourced accounting and finance staff or you're looking to build a full fledged finance and accounting outsourced team, KDCI can help you.

Contact us today to book a call!

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Offshore Staffing
7 Reasons To Outsource Accounting Services
Find out why you should outsource your accounting services today.

As of 2024, accounting services remain the most outsourced operations among small businesses in the US, with 37% of companies accounting for the statistic.

Apart from the fact that it’s a highly technical field, why else do businesses outsource accounting services, and why should you consider doing the same? We listed the top reasons below.

1. Cost Efficiency

Maintaining an in-house accounting team requires physical resources, including office space, furniture, and specialized accounting software, all of which incur ongoing costs. 

Meanwhile, with outsourced accounting services, you can convert these fixed expenses into variable costs that are more aligned with your actual accounting needs. It also negates the necessity for investing in extensive training programs to keep an internal accounting department updated on the latest accounting standards, regulations, and technologies.

This flexibility in cost is particularly beneficial for small and medium-sized enterprises that may not require full-time accounting services year-round. 

2. Access to Specialized Skills and Expertise

With a dedicated outsourced accounting team, you can get access to professionals who bring a wealth of knowledge and experience across the industry. These experts stay abreast of the ever-evolving financial regulations, accounting processes, and best practices, ensuring that your business's financial operations are compliant and up to date. 

This level of expertise is particularly valuable in navigating complex tax services, international accounting standards, or industry-specific financial reporting requirements. By leveraging their specialized skills, businesses can reduce the risk of costly errors and omissions that could result from less experienced in-house staff. 

For businesses looking to expand or operate in multiple jurisdictions, having access to this diverse expertise can be instrumental in managing compliance and strategic financial planning effectively, making outsourcing an attractive option for gaining a competitive advantage through superior financial management.

3. Scalability

Another critical advantage of outsourcing accounting services lies in scalability as it provides businesses with the flexibility to adjust their resources in alignment with their finance and accounting needs. 

Several outsourced accounting firms allows companies to scale their accounting services up during peak periods without the need to hire additional permanent staff, thus avoiding the costs and complexities associated with recruitment, training, and employment. Conversely, during slower periods, businesses can scale services down, ensuring they are not paying for resources they do not need. 

This scalability is especially valuable for businesses undergoing periods of growth, where the complexity and volume of financial transactions increase, or for those experiencing seasonal fluctuations that impact financial activity and reporting requirements. 

4. Focus on Core Business Functions

Outsourcing accounting tasks enables business owners to redirect their attention and resources toward the core functions that are essential for driving business growth and innovation. 

Because managing accounting in-house, especially for small and medium-sized enterprises, it can distract you from activities that directly contribute to revenue generation and competitive differentiation, such as strategic planning, marketing, product development, and customer engagement.

By entrusting financial management to external experts, business owners not only ensure that their accounting needs are handled efficiently and accurately but also reclaim valuable time that can be better spent on formulating strategies, exploring new market opportunities, and enhancing product or service offerings. 

5. Improved Efficiency and Productivity

Outsourcing firms specialize in accounting and are equipped with the latest technologies, software, and processes that many businesses might not have access to or the expertise to utilize effectively in-house. This leads to leads to improved efficiency and productivity, a key benefit for businesses aiming to streamline their financial operations. 

By leveraging these technological advancements, outsourcing firms can process financial transactions more swiftly, generate reports quickly, and ensure real-time tracking of a company's financial health. 

This timely access to financial insights and performance metrics is invaluable for business owners, as it enables more informed decision-making. With a clearer understanding of their financial position, businesses can identify trends, pinpoint areas for cost reduction, and uncover investment opportunities more effectively.

6. Risk Management

Risk management is a significant advantage of utilizing professional accounting services, as these firms possess the expertise and tools necessary to identify, assess, and mitigate various financial risks that businesses face. This includes potential issues such as fraud, financial mismanagement, and inaccuracies in financial reporting. 

Moreover, outsourcing accounting services ensures that a business's financial operations adhere to the latest accounting standards and regulatory requirements, thereby reducing the risk of costly penalties and legal issues associated with non-compliance. 

This comprehensive approach to financial risk management not only protects the business's assets and reputation but also contributes to long-term financial stability and investor confidence, safeguarding the overall health and success of the business.

7. Enhanced Financial Reporting and Analysis

Outsourcing employs robust software and analytical tools that go beyond basic bookkeeping to offer detailed and customized management reporting. This advanced capability enables businesses to gain a deeper understanding of their financial performance, including revenue trends, expense analysis, profitability, and cash flow patterns.

Such comprehensive financial analysis is invaluable for business owners, providing them with the data needed to make informed strategic decisions. For instance, understanding the nuances of financial performance across different segments of the business can help identify areas of strength and pinpoint opportunities for cost savings or investment. 

This tailored approach, combined with the expertise of professional accountants in interpreting financial data, can significantly enhance decision-making processes. As a result, businesses can navigate financial challenges more effectively, capitalize on growth opportunities, and ensure a stronger, more secure financial foundation.

Build Your Accounting Team in the Philippines

There are a plenty of reasons to outsource accounting services, but, the problem is that not all outsourcing companies can deliver the same results.

To succeed in outsourcing, partner with a company like KDCI that has 13+ years of experience providing tailored outsourcing solutions. At KDCI, we’ll build you an accounting team that can work according to your unique needs and requirements. 

Are you interested in our accounting services? Contact us today to get started.

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Design & Marketing
The 7 Steps Of A Graphic Design Process
Learn the 7-step graphic design process to effectively communicate with your designers and get the creative assets that will elevate your brand.

The graphic design process is a structured approach used by designers and design agencies to create visual content that communicates specific messages or concepts effectively. As a business owner, you need to familiarize yourself with this, so you know what to prepare and expect throughout the project’s duration.

So, what’s involved in an effective graphic design process?

What Are the 7 Steps of a Graphic Design Process?

Following a meticulous graphic design process when working with a designer is necessary to ensure you're involved at every stage, guaranteeing a final product that effectively represents your brand. Here are the 7 steps that you need to take.

Step 1: Understanding Your Vision

The first step in a graphic design process involves thorough discussions, consultations, and a comprehensive briefing process where you articulate your goals, preferences, and any specific requirements you have in mind. 

The goal during this phase is to sync your graphic designer’s creative approach with your brand’s unique vision, ensuring that every design decision made thereafter is strategically aligned with your business goals. This is also where the designer will start to come up with a creative brief.

By establishing a clear understanding of what you aim to achieve, your designer sets the stage for a design process that meets your expectations, creating designs that resonate with your audience and effectively communicate your brand's message. 

Step 2: Strategic Research

The next step involves an in-depth exploration of your industry landscape, a detailed study of your competitors, and an examination of prevailing market trends. Alongside this, the graphic designer you’re working with will conduct a thorough analysis of your target audience's preferences, behaviors, and needs. 

This dual approach is critical for developing a nuanced design strategy that not only positions your brand advantageously within its competitive environment but also ensures that every creative element resonates deeply with your customers. 

By basing the design decisions on solid research, the designer will able to tailor their creative design process to align precisely with market demands and audience expectations, setting your brand up for greater visibility, engagement, and success in its market.

Step 3: Idea Generation and Conceptualization

This step is where creativity meets strategy, as your graphic designers engage in brainstorming sessions and concept development, exploring a wide array of design directions that could effectively convey your brand's message. 

Here, your designer will ensure that every concept they develop is not just visually captivating but also deeply aligned with your brand identity and the specific objectives of your graphic design project. This is crucial for translating the strategic groundwork into tangible design ideas, allowing them to present you with a variety of creative solutions. 

By exploring diverse design avenues, you can rest assured that the final outcomes are perfectly tailored to echo your brand's essence and appeal directly to your target audience, setting a strong foundation for the subsequent design development phase.

Step 4: Design Execution

After selecting the most promising ideas born out of the creative brainstorming phase, your graphic designer can now proceed to refine these concepts into polished, comprehensive designs. 

This phase is where the meticulous craftsmanship happens. The design team will utilize advanced design software and tools to sculpt the visual identity of your brand. 

Your designer will also be responsible for following brand design guidelines, including the selection of color schemes that reflect your brand's emotion and messaging, choosing typography that complements and enhances readability and brand perception, and curating imagery that speaks volumes about your brand's narrative. 

Each of these visual elements is carefully crafted and combined to ensure that the final design not only captures the essence of your brand but also communicates effectively with your target audience. 

Step 5: Presentation and Collaboration

In this step, the creative process becomes a two-way conversation. Your graphic designer will showcase the developed designs to you, providing a detailed explanation of the rationale behind each design decision, how each element aligns with your brand’s identity, and how they collectively work toward achieving your business objectives. 

This presentation is designed to invite an open and constructive dialogue. Your feedback is invaluable at this stage, as it ensures that the final designs perfectly align with your vision. 

You should freely share your thoughts, preferences, and any areas you believe require modification. This collaborative approach guarantees that any necessary refinements are made with a clear understanding of your expectations.

Step 6: Revision and Refinement

This step of the graphic design process is characterized by a meticulous process of fine-tuning the details, adjusting elements, and possibly reimagining aspects of the design to better align with your feedback and expectations. 

Through this iterative process, your design team will work closely with you to ensure every nuance is considered and every adjustment made contributes to a more cohesive and resonant final product. 

This phase is crucial for ensuring that the result surpasses your expectations, guaranteeing your satisfaction and confidence in the design's ability to effectively communicate your brand's story and values.

Step 7: Finalization and Launch

Once the designer receives your seal of approval on the revised designs, they will then proceed to meticulously prepare the final design files. This involves ensuring that each design is optimized and formatted correctly for its specific application, be it print, digital, or both, guaranteeing the highest quality in every medium. 

To that end, you can expect the designer to provide comprehensive guidance on how to effectively implement your new designs. This includes best practices for deployment across various media, advice on preserving the quality and consistency of the designs, and strategies for leveraging your updated visual identity to its fullest potential. 

Ensure Efficient Graphic Design Process With a Philippine Team

The quality of the visual outputs you’ll receive will depend heavily on how the graphic design process will go and the skills of the designer you’re working with. Unfortunately, going through this whole process can be pointless if you work with a team that doesn’t understand your needs.

Working with a company like KDCI that can build you a team of designers based on your custom needs can help guarantee high-quality designs. Whether you only need one designer or a full team, they will go through each step of the graphic design process with you, showcasing their expertise in various tools like Canva, Figma, Procreate, and more.

Are you interested in getting a tailored graphic design service for your brand? Contact us today to get started.

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Design & Marketing
Your Comprehensive Guide To Designing Brand Identity
Unlock the secrets to designing brand identity with our free step-by-step guide.

With 81% of customers needing to trust a brand before they make a purchase, SMEs should build a well-regarded  brand reputation in order to succeed. The first step to an exceptional brand reputation is  designing brand identity that is both effective and consistent with what you do.

What is a brand identity and how do you design one? Let’s talk about it in our in-depth guide to designing brand identity.

What Is a Brand Identity?

Brand identity is the collection of all elements that a company creates to portray the right image to its consumers. It encompasses visual components like logos, color schemes, typography, and packaging, as well as intangible aspects such as brand voice and personality. 

Designing brand identity properly is crucial because it serves as the foundation of a company's communication and marketing strategy, directly influencing how customers perceive and interact with the brand. 

More than aesthetic appeal, a coherent and compelling brand strategy also aligns with the company's values and mission, ensuring that brand touchpoints communicate the brand's essence effectively. This helps enhance recognition and trust, and ultimately drive business success.

Step-by-Step Guide to Designing Brand Identity

Designing brand identity for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) involves careful consideration of resources, market positioning, and how to effectively reach your target audience within a competitive landscape. Here’s a tailored step-by-step guide for SMEs to reach branding success.

Step 1: Clarify Your Business Core Values and Mission

When designing brand identity for your SME, begin to describe goals by conducting a thorough assessment of your business's core values, mission, and unique market position. This critical first step ensures that every aspect of your brand, from visual elements to customer engagement, authentically reflects what your business stands for and what sets it apart. 

By defining these foundational elements, you create a clear blueprint that guides all branding decisions, ensuring they align with your business’s essence and resonate with your target audience.

Step 2: Know Your Target Audience

This step in designing brand identity is crucial for tailoring your brand's messaging and aesthetics to the preferences and needs of your target demographic. 

To fully understand your target audience and gather relevant actionable insights, engage in direct research methods like surveys or focus groups. This information will inform the development of a brand identity that resonates strongly with those you seek to attract, ensuring your branding efforts are both effective and relevant.

Step 3: Conduct a Competitor Analysis

The next step entails a thorough competitor analysis, where you examine both direct competitors within your SME's sector and larger entities in the industry. This analysis aims to uncover areas where your business can differentiate itself, such as offering personalized services or specializing in niche products. 

By understanding the strengths and weaknesses of your competitors, you can identify unique selling points for your SME, ensuring your branding experts highlight these differentiators to capture the attention of your target audience and carve out a distinctive position in the market.

Step 4: Define Your Brand Personality

Another step in designing brand identity involves choosing a brand personality that reflects the values and appeals of your target audience. Opting for a personality that is more personal and relatable can set your brand apart from larger, more corporate entities. 

This approach helps in building a deeper, more meaningful connection with your customers, making your brand more memorable and fostering loyalty. The personality you choose will influence all aspects of your branding, from visual design to the tone of your communications, ensuring consistency across all touchpoints with your audience.

Step 5: Develop a Visual Identity

Developing a visual identity is crucial for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) who are designing brand identity and aiming to establish a strong brand presence. This process includes several brand fundamentals.

  • Logo and Name: Crafting a logo that's not only simple but memorable is essential. Your SME's name should strike a chord with your target audience, encapsulating your brand's core values and mission in a way that's both engaging and reflective of your identity. Online retail brands usually outsource graphic design to the Philippines to get a striking logo.
  • Color Palette and Typography: Selecting the right colors and fonts is more than just an aesthetic choice; it's about communication. These elements should align with your brand's personality, making your brand stand out while ensuring that your messaging is clear and consistent across all touchpoints.
  • Imagery: The images you choose should resonate with your brand's narrative and the quality of your products or services. Authenticity is key here, as genuine representations of your offerings can help build a deeper connection with your audience.

For SMEs, these elements of visual identity are not just decorative. They are strategic tools that help differentiate your brand, convey your unique story, and establish a lasting relationship with your customers.

Step 6: Craft Your Brand Voice

Crafting  the brand voice of your SME is an essential step in designing brand identity. This voice should be unique and maintain consistency across all forms of communication, from your website content to your social media posts and customer service interactions. 

Whether you opt for a tone that's friendly, professional, quirky, or somewhere in between, it's crucial that this voice truly resonates with your brand personality and effectively reaches your intended audience. 

By doing so, you establish a strong, recognizable brand presence that can significantly enhance your connection with customers and differentiate your business in a competitive market.

Step 7: Design and Distribute Brand Materials

Designing and distributing branded materials is a crucial step for SMEs to solidify their brand presence. Given budget considerations, it's important to focus on creating and distributing key branded elements that offer the most significant impact. Prioritize essentials like business cards, an engaging and informative website, and active, well-curated social media profiles. 

These touchpoints are vital for establishing your brand's visibility and connection with your target audience. By carefully selecting where to allocate your resources, you can ensure that your brand communicates effectively and consistently across the most critical channels, laying a strong foundation for your business's identity in the market.

Step 8: Create a Brand Style Guide

For SMEs, developing a concise and focused brand style guide can be particularly effective. This guide should document key branding elements such as logo usage, color palette, typography, and brand voice. 

By establishing clear guidelines, SMEs can maintain a consistent brand identity across all marketing materials and communications. This is especially valuable when outsourcing creative work, as it ensures that all contributors understand and adhere to your brand's visual and communicative standards, reinforcing your brand's coherence and recognition in the market.

Step 9: Launch and Promote Your Brand Identity

Launching and promoting your brand identity is a pivotal step for SMEs to gain visibility and connect with their audience. 

Leveraging cost-effective channels such as social media, email marketing campaigns, and local community events can provide a significant boost. These platforms offer a direct line to engage with your target market, allowing for personalized interactions and feedback. 

Additionally, participating in and contributing to local community activities can not only increase your brand's exposure but also establish your business as an integral part of the community. This approach not only helps in building brand awareness but also fosters loyalty and trust among potential customers, setting a strong foundation for your brand's growth.

You may want to consider creative process outsourcing for this step to fully ensure the success of brand promotion. Doing this will give you access to skilled designers and digital marketers who are more than capable of launching and promoting your new brand identity. Just look at how Haystak achieved their brand identity with KDCI.

Step 10: Evaluate and Adapt

Evaluating and adapting your brand identity is crucial for the sustained growth and relevance of SMEs in a dynamic market. It involves regularly assessing how your brand is perceived, the effectiveness of your branding strategies, and the feedback from your customers. 

This continuous loop of feedback and refinement allows SMEs to stay aligned with their target audience's evolving preferences and the competitive landscape. Adapting your brand identity isn't about frequent major overhauls but rather making thoughtful adjustments that reflect your business's growth, market trends, and customer insights. 

Staying agile and responsive to these changes can help maintain your brand's relevance and appeal, ensuring it continues to resonate with your audience and supports your business objectives. A design project manager can help you with this task.

Build a Design Team for Your Brand Identity

Designing brand identity requires specialized design and analytics skills, which may not be readily available for SMEs like you. You can build an in-house team, but this can also cost you a lot of money.

Instead, partner with an outsourcing company like KDCI that can build you a team of designers who can work according to your unique requirements. Our designers can help you conceptualize and implement your brand identity for consistency in all your designs. This makes your brand look more professional and helps strengthen your brand reputation. 

Click the button below to learn more about our design outsourcing services.

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Offshore Staffing
7 Reasons to Outsource Bookkeeping
Discover the top 7 reasons why you should outsource bookkeeping, and why it will be a game changer for your business.

Due to the complexity of accounting tasks, 37% of small businesses, including property management companies, outsource bookkeeping, among other finance operations. This strategic move puts SMEs on a path towards more efficient financial management, preventing errors that could affect the entire business.

So, why do these businesses outsource bookkeeping, and why should you consider it, too? Let’s talk about the top reasons below.

1. Cost Efficiency

Bookkeeping is one of the financial and accounting services you can outsource. One of the compelling reasons for you to outsource the function lies in the substantial cost savings it offers. 

When you outsource, you eliminate the financial burden associated with recruiting, hiring, and maintaining an in-house bookkeeping staff. This includes not just the direct costs like salaries and benefits, but also indirect costs such as recruitment efforts, ongoing training, and the purchase of specialized bookkeeping software. 

Outsourced bookkeeping services also turn fixed labor costs into variable costs, providing flexibility to only pay for the services you need, when you need them. This efficient resource allocation can free up capital that can be invested back into core business areas, such as product development, customer service, or market expansion, driving further growth and profitability for SMEs. 

Learn more about how much it costs to outsource accounting services.

2. Access to Expertise

By outsourcing bookkeeping services, you can get direct access to a pool of highly skilled and experienced bookkeepers who bring specialized knowledge and expertise to the table. 

Unlike in-house staff who may require ongoing training to stay updated with changing financial laws and accounting software, outsourced bookkeepers are already experts in their field. They continuously update their skills and knowledge as part of their professional development, ensuring they can offer high-quality outsourced accounting services without additional training costs to your business. 

This access to expert knowledge not only enhances the quality of your financial records and compliance but also provides valuable insights into financial performance and opportunities for cost savings, contributing to more strategic business decisions.

3. Scalability

When you outsource bookkeeping, you can expect unparalleled scalability, a vital advantage for small to medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) navigating the ebb and flow of business demands. This flexibility means that as your business experiences growth, diversification, or even seasonal spikes, the level of bookkeeping support can be adjusted accordingly. 

Instead of being constrained by the fixed capacity of an in-house team, outsourcing allows you to scale your bookkeeping resources up to handle increased transaction volumes or down during slower periods without the hassle of hiring or laying off staff. 

This adaptability ensures that you have the right amount of support at the right time, optimizing operational efficiency and cost-effectiveness. It also means that as your business evolves, your bookkeeping services can seamlessly adapt, providing a consistent quality of financial management that aligns with your current business size and complexity.

4. Risk Reduction

Outsourced bookkeeping service significantly mitigates the risk associated with financial management by ensuring that your business stays compliant with the latest tax compliance and reporting requirements. 

Professional bookkeepers are adept at navigating the complex landscape of financial regulations, dedicating themselves to staying abreast of any changes in tax preparation and legislation. This expertise safeguards your business against potential fines, penalties, and legal issues arising from non-compliance. 

By entrusting your bookkeeping to experts who prioritize accuracy and adherence to current laws, you protect your business from the risks of costly mistakes and enhance its reputation for reliability and integrity in financial reporting.

5. Enhanced Focus on Core Business Activities

By outsourcing to bookkeeping firms, you can redirect your focus and energy toward the core activities that directly contribute to business growth and innovation. This strategic delegation of managing financial statements removes the time-consuming burden of managing day-to-day accounting operations from the internal team. 

As a result, businesses can concentrate on developing and implementing strategies that enhance product development, market expansion, customer service, and engagement. This shift in focus towards areas where the business can truly differentiate and add value leads to more effective use of resources, fostering an environment where innovation thrives. 

Ultimately, by prioritizing core business activities, you can accelerate growth, improve competitive advantage, and better meet the needs of your customers, all while ensuring that your financial management remains in expert hands.

6. Improved Financial Analysis and Reporting

Outsourced bookkeeping solutions open the door to efficient financial analysis and reporting capabilities that many SMEs might not otherwise access due to cost or complexity. 

Professional bookkeepers from an accounting firm leverage advanced software and analytical tools that go beyond basic accounting, offering in-depth insights into financial performance, trends, and potential areas for improvement. This enhanced reporting includes cash flow analysis, profit margins, expense tracking, and forecasting, which are crucial for strategic planning and decision-making. 

The detailed financial reports generated by outsourced bookkeepers are not only accurate but also tailored to provide the specific information business owners need to make informed decisions. This level of insight supports better resource allocation, identifies opportunities for cost savings, and helps in setting realistic financial goals. 

7. Data Security

Reputable outsourcing firms prioritize data security, implementing stringent security protocols and measures to ensure the confidentiality and integrity of your financial data. 

These firms understand the critical nature of financial information and utilize advanced encryption, secure data storage solutions, and regular security audits to prevent unauthorized access and data breaches. 

By choosing a partner with a strong commitment to data security, you can have peace of mind knowing that your sensitive financial records are protected against cyber threats and vulnerabilities. This level of security builds trust with clients and stakeholders, safeguarding your reputation and providing a secure foundation for financial management and operations.

Outsource Your Bookkeeping to the Philippines

Bookkeeping tasks require staff with specialized expertise and skills, which may not be readily available for a growing SME like you. With a lot on your plate, DIY-ing your accounting operations yourself may end up doing more harm than good due to higher risk of errors.

Instead, bookkeeping, to a reliable offshore company like KDCI that can build you a finance and accounting team who can work on your custom bookkeeping needs and requirements. We’ll provide you staff who have the necessary experience and expertise in accounting, so you can enjoy more efficient financial management.

Click the button below to learn more about our bookkeeping services.

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