So you’ve started up your own business or need a design to sell/promote your product or business. You need a great logo, some business cards, stationery & assorted marketing collateral. Where do you go from here? Many people will fall into the trap of signing up for a ‘can’t believe it’s so cheap’ design deal online There are a lot people offering design services, 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 & the direction it is headed?
One of the best ways to find a great designer is to ask around. If you have a friend or colleague that has a great logo or brochure for their business, simply ask who did their design work. Contacting someone whose work you are already impressed with is a step in the right direction. Failing this it might be time to put Google to work for you. Search online for graphic designers in your area & start to check out their websites. These days the best designers will have an online portfolio so potential customers can get a feel for the work they have done.
When searching for a graphic designer there are a few questions you need to answer:
- Do they have a professional, well designed website? The design quality of their website is probably a fair reflection of their design skills.
- Do they have a strong portfolio with a wide range of styles? It is important for you to like their work & feel confident they can communicate your message.
- Are they easily contactable? Are you able to contact them by phone or do they only offer online/email contact? A designer really needs to get inside your business which comes best from direct contact with you, either face to face, over the phone or even a video call.
- Do they have good interpersonal skills? A great designer will be able to interact well with their clients. They will work closely with you to develop a creative brief that is right on target.
- Will they provide you with contact details for a couple of their clients so you can get a reference? A great designer will have no problems letting their clients sing their praises.
- How do they charge for their work? Will you be paying an hourly rate or are they confident enough to charge a flat fee for the job? Don’t be afraid to ask questions about their rates – you don’t want any nasty surprises that will throw your budget out the window.
- Will they be able to carry out the work in a timely fashion? Don’t expect to find a designer & have your new logo within a couple of hours. Provide a timeline that gives your designer plenty of time to plan, research & most importantly create!
- Are they appropriately qualified? It is a good idea to check your potential designer’s qualifications. It may not be a regulated profession in Australia just yet, but graphic design is a specialised 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 tell you where they studied and what certification they received. 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 fit for you the results will be amazing. Always remember that communication is vital – both before, during & after the design process. 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 will want you to be blown away by the end result.
So if you’re searching for a great designer that is passionate, creative & driven to succeed, look no further.
Contact me on 0417 792 021 or info@icreatesolutions.com.au. You can also check out my online portfolio here.
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August 29th, 2011
Posted by soniakeen
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