If you’re a business owner, it’s likely that at some point you will need to work with a graphic designer, and like all professionals, there can be good ones and not-so-good ones. So how do you weed through them to find the good designers? As a graphic designer, I often hear from clients who have had less than desirable experiences working with poor designers and I feel bad for them; they could have avoided the loss of time and money!
So, in an effort to help you find the best professionals out there, here are a few, key things to look for next time you need to hire a graphic designer.
Quality of Work – The first thing to look for is also probably the most obvious. Of course there are many designers who do high-quality, creative work, but probably not every one is the best fit for your project. That’s why it’s important to review their portfolio and decide if you think their style matches your vision.
Responsiveness – This may be a little tricky to determine, but you can see from how quickly your designer replies to emails or returns calls just how responsive they are. Then, during your project, how quickly they send you revisions and updates will show you how efficient they work. If the project goes on for awhile, are they checking in with you with regular progress reports?
Communication – There are often technical terms that professionals are familiar with, but you may not be. Good communicators have the ability to convey these ideas in terms that you can understand. In a creative field where many ideas are abstract, it can also refer to the ability to get on the same page and understand, and share, your priorities.
Reputation – Is the designer in good standing? Do they have positive testimonials from former clients? A designer’s reputation speaks volumes about what kind of experience you are likely to have with them, so it’s well worth your time to look into it. Often you can find testimonials on their website, on their Facebook page, or even on their LinkedIn profile.
Even after considering these key points you may not get a designer outstanding in each, but that’s okay. If you can find someone who’s good in 2 or 3 categories, you’ll still have a very good experience and get good results. It’s also important to realize that your success is partially dependent on you and how much you put into it. So do your part in developing a strong professional relationship and you’ll have a priceless resource that will last for years!
