You probably can’t afford to use a graphic designer. You may have a great product or service, but if your branding and marketing materials are undeniably “homemade,” it will be harder to make a sale. The first impression of your company is made by the visual impact of your marketing materials, including print ads, brochures, catalogs, packaging and website design.
Updating or creating new advertising materials can be an effective way to generate new enthusiasm for your company and its products. If you already have a graphic designer, it goes without saying that you will turn to them for new designs. However, if you want to bring in new ideas and a fresh image, it is advisable to consider new designers.
How to choose a graphic designer?
Search for graphic designers on the Internet, for example on Google, on B2B marketplaces or in the yellow pages. Also ask your associates and friends for recommendations. Choose about four designers from your shortlist to review. Before you hire a graphic designer, there are a number of things to consider.
Look at the portfolio: The first step in evaluating a graphic designer is to ask for their portfolio and look at some projects that are in the same category as your design project. A graphic designer’s style is evident in their portfolio. The material they design for you will probably have the same style, so it’s important that you feel comfortable with it. If you use a design firm, insist on having access to the portfolios of each of the designers who will be working on the project.
Check to see if they have web design experience: If your project includes web design, make sure the graphic design firm has software developers who are familiar with web design principles. Don’t be impressed by fancy web designs that use lots of multimedia, extensive graphics and advanced features. These types of designs are usually plagued with problems, often crash and are frustratingly slow.
Agree on the number of drafts: A good designer will create several concepts for you to review before finalizing the design and creating the final product. What if you don’t like any of the concepts?
The graphic designer must be a good listener: If you want to make suggestions prior to the design process, you must make sure that the graphic designer is willing to spend time listening and considering your ideas. They have to balance your suggestions with their creativity and imagination to develop the concepts.
Check references: It is important to check references before hiring someone for the project. In particular, ask if the designer understands the requirements, considers your comments and offers revisions.
Here are some tips for working with a graphic designer:
As with any project, it is important to define the scope of the project and some milestones with expected deliverables. Also agree on the number of revisions expected.
In what form will you receive the graphic design? Clarify file types, sizes and, if applicable, preferred color scheme. It is usually a good idea to have hard copies of the project. They are very useful if you want to make small changes or reuse the design later. To avoid any future disputes, it is also advisable to copyright all material developed for you.
Communicate regularly with the graphic designer and provide them with ongoing feedback. If the project is not going according to plan, you should meet with the designer and resolve the problems immediately.
How much does it cost to hire a graphic designer?
Good, experienced graphic designers can be expensive. It is best to get several quotes before placing an order. If you have a limited budget, it doesn’t hurt to look for emerging graphic designers who are eager to establish themselves and can offer significant price reductions.
