How To Select A Good Graphic Designer

So you have started up your very own business or even need a design to sell/promote your product or service or business. You require a great logo, some business cards, stationery & assorted marketing collateral. Where do you go from here? Many individuals will fall into the trap of signing up for a ‘can’t believe it’s so cheap’ design deal on the internet. There are a lot people offering design services, land estate advertising and they range in experience from true professionals with years of experience to high school students with pirated software who want to make a quick buck. Will you get the opportunity to speak with them about your business And the direction it is headed?

One of the best ways to find a great designer is to ask around. If you have a buddy or colleague that has a good logo or brochure for their business, simply ask who did their design work. Contacting somebody whose work you are already impressed with is a step in the right direction. Failing this it may be time to put Google to work for you. Search online for graphic designers in your area and start to take a look at their websites. These days the best designers will have an online portfolio so prospective customers can get a feel for the work they have done.

When looking for a graphic designer there are some questions you need to answer:

♣ Do they have a professional, well designed website? The design quality of their website is most likely a fair reflection of their design skills.

♣ Do they have a strong portfolio along with a wide range of designs? It is necessary for you to like their job & feel assured they can speak your message.

♣ Are they easily contactable? Are you able to get in touch with them by phone or do they only offer online/email contact? A designer really needs to get within your business which comes best from direct contact with you, possibly face to face, over the phone or even a video call.

♣ Do they have great social skills? A great designer will be able to interact well with their clients. They will work carefully with you to develop a creative brief that is right on target.

♣ Will they offer you with contact details for a few of their clients so you can get a reference? An excellent designer will have absolutely no problems letting their clients sing their good remarks.

♣ How do they charge for their work? Will you be paying an per hour rate or are they comfortable enough to charge a flat charge for the job? Don’t hesitate to ask questions about their rates – you do not want any nasty surprises that will throw your financial budget out the window.

♣ Will these people be able to carry out the job in due time? Do not expect to find a designer & have your new logo within a couple of hours. Provide a timeline which gives your designer plenty of time to plan, research & most importantly create!

♣ Are they properly qualified? It is a good idea to check your potential designer’s qualifications. It may not be a regulated profession in Australia at this time, but graphic design is a specialized field like accounting, architecture or law. You wouldn’t hire a lawyer that wasn’t properly qualified and the same should go for a graphic designer. Professional graphic designers will be happy to inform you where they studied and what certification they obtained. Their application of design principles and adhering to design procedures and commercial guidelines is a good indicator of a professional, well versed graphic designer.

When you find the designer that is the perfect match for you the results will be amazing. Always remember that communication is vital – both before, during & after the design procedure. Never accept a design that you don’t absolutely love & can stand proudly alongside. A great designer will never want you to settle for something good – they may want you to be amazed by the end result.

To have a better understanding of graphic design, check out Icreate Solutions now.