How to Hire a Designer
The Do’s & Don’ts of hiring and working with a graphic designer:
DO NOT shop based on price. You’ll find people who call themselves “designers” at every price level: some are professionally trained graphic designers with a lot of experience (like us!) while others are self-taught hobbyists who are good with a computer. Price is not an indication of quality in this field — it’s more about what the process and end result is worth to you.
DO shop based on experience, examples (ALWAYS ask for a portfolio & references!) and how well that designer listens to what you need. A proper professional will do an in-depth intake call with some form of creative brief for every project, especially when they take on a new client.
Notice we refer to the designer listening to what you NEED… NOT necessarily what you want. When you hire a graphic designer, as with any other professional, you are asking for help from someone with experience and expertise in that field. A good designer will listen to you, guide/educate you and partner with you to marry what you want with what you need based on that expertise. Be open-minded because they may come up with something different than you originally envisioned but it could be exactly what your business needs to propel forward.
DO understand your deliverables. What is the turnaround time and your expected role in making that happen? Does your contract include copyright ownership? What kind of files are you going to receive and will they fit your needs? How many revisions are included? All of this should be outlined up front, in writing.
DO give constructive feedback. Being able to explain why you like or dislike something will help your designer more fully understand what you are looking for and how to deliver it. Blanket statements like “I don’t like it” are counterproductive if you can’t pinpoint why because it doesn’t guarantee a different perspective pointed in the right direction.
DO trust the person you hire and their process. While it may be uncomfortable to put your faith in someone else, you should pick a designer you feel confident in. If you do your research and follow the tips above, you’ll be able to get a good feel for whether or not that person will be a good fit for you.
At IdeaWorks, our goal is to be your partner. We are creatively and emotionally invested in every project we do and we purposely look for clients who are interested in building a meaningful relationship with our team. It gives us a deep sense of pride to watch our clients grow, which is so rewarding for us, both professionally and personally.
