Choosing a graphic designer is just as important as choosing the right interior designer or realtor for your home.
There are many out there, but how do you figure out the right one? Here are some important factors:
1. Geographic Proximity – Is the potential designer local? It’s not necessary these days, but you want to start with a local search first. For example, if you’re in Dallas, you would type in Google search – “Freelance Graphic Designer Dallas” – if you aren’t satisfied with the designers in your city, start enlarging the circle and searching for designers in the nearby cities.
2. What’s Your Project About? – Some designers have a niche, maybe packaging or logo design. So what’s your project about? Find a designer who has some experience in that arena. If your project is something completely outside the box, look for a designer who has a mixed portfolio and can work with any style or challenge.
3. Portfolio Basics – Look at their portfolio… does the potential designer have all fictional projects done for school? Or does he/she have actual projects that have been published? What level of designer are you looking for?
4. Communication Style & Business Ethics – Start emailing a few designers and see who responds promptly. More importantly, who continues responding promptly throughout your initial discussions? What about voice mail? If a designer takes more than 2 business days to contact you back, keep looking! (unless you don’t mind long lapses). How they run their business is really important – don’t buy into the “I’m a creative and sometimes I get too tied up in my art” – that’s not an excuse.
5. Budget – A recent grad and a seasoned designer will charge differently. A seasoned designer and a studio or agency will charge differently. Click to understand more about graphic design pricing.
6. Did you get an Agreement? – A seasoned graphic designer will give you a written quote and agreement. Make sure you read it all and ask questions, especially about how changes are handled.
We’re all Human! So, when you do find the right designer, don’t expect them to be perfect. Designing is subjective and while all the creative research and briefs are done prior to commencing a project, the right designer can still mean going through a few project changes. The most important thing is that the right designer will be there to make the changes without taking it personally. At SCHNAUZ, our goal is always the success of your brand.
