Every arts leader knows the difference great design makes. A well‑designed program book not only informs but enhances the performance experience. It reflects your organization’s professionalism and builds trust with patrons and sponsors alike. But there’s a challenge: keeping program book design in‑house often strains already overextended staff or requires hiring a full‑time designer your budget can’t absorb.
The Problem with “Good Enough” Design
Too often, program books end up pieced together by staff who are juggling many other responsibilities. Marketing managers, development associates, or even administrative staff find themselves wrestling with page layouts, ad placement, or photo resolution. The result? Hours of lost productivity, avoidable errors, and programs that look “fine,” but not outstanding.
Enter Fractional Design Support
Onstage DesignWorks was created as a flexible solution. Think of it as a fractional designer model: you get seasoned program book designers when you need them, without carrying the overhead of a full‑time hire.
Here’s why this model works so well:
- Cost-effective: Access professional design without adding salary, benefits, or long-term commitments to your budget.
- Specialized expertise: Program book design is different from other creative projects. Pagination, readability under low lighting, balancing ads with editorial, sponsor recognition — these require a unique eye. Our team works exclusively in this niche.
- On-demand flexibility: Whether you need design for one edition, an entire season, or occasional overflow, we slot in as an extension of your team.
Why Outsourcing Design Pays Off
Outsourcing design frees your team to focus on high‑impact work like donor cultivation, patron engagement, and marketing campaigns. Instead of burning out your staff on layouts and proofing cycles, you get polished, professional results delivered on time — without the stress.
Design That Elevates the Experience
Your patrons deserve a program book that feels as professional as the performance they came to see. With DesignWorks, that’s exactly what they get — a program book designed with care, expertise, and attention to detail.
By leveraging fractional design support, you can give your programs the professional polish they deserve while keeping your staffing lean and focused on your mission.
Want to see how fractional design support could work for your programs? Explore DesignWorks and get a tailored quote for your season. With Onstage as your design partner, you’ll get professional results without the full‑time price tag.
