How to Find the Best Graphic Designer for Your Business
When it comes to finding the right graphic designer, focus on finding an expert in the niche.
So first, you must specify what kind of expertise you need.
If you need a logo and identity system – you would look for a brand identity expert.
If you’re looking for mobile app designs then search for UX/UI designer, and so on.
Realize the fact, that graphic design is a very broad term and only hiring an expert in the particular design discipline will bring the best results.
Hiring a cheap designer will cost you more.
How much is your time worth? Ultimately, finding a graphic designer from India for $5/h isn’t hard.
But the chances are, that you will not get the quality you expect.
Think about the risk associated with picking the wrong service provider. You might get frustrated with the subpar work.
If you hire an amateur, you’re not only getting poor quality, but most importantly you’re wasting your time managing people.
They won’t deliver and you don’t know how to articulate to them and they won’t know why it’s not right. And then, what’s that you’re not doing? – you’re not running your business.
Perhaps, you will have to repeat the process again.
How much is your time worth?
Hiring an expert will save you time and money
On the other hand, hiring a professional graphic designer may cost you more upfront, but will actually save you time and money down the road.
Whether your hiring a graphic designer for logo, website or to create marketing materials, there are different types of designers.
Graphic Design is a very broad term so hiring process may pose a challenge.
Especially when you don’t know which type of a designer do you really need.
When someone says “I’m a graphic designer”, it’s not immediately clear what they actually do on a daily basis.
There are a number of different responsibilities encompassed by the umbrella term graphic designer.
SO, HOW DO YOU FIND THE BEST DESIGNER FOR YOU?
1. Understand the differences between creative positions
You may have heard these terms used interchangeably, but there are some big differences and it’s important to distinguish between them when hiring the right designer for your business.
A graphic designer is usually considered as a general term used to described the creative services provider in the field of Visual Arts that has experience in designing for both print and digital.
The main responsibility of the graphics designer’s job is to present information in a way that is both accessible and memorable.
Therefore, graphic designers could work in print media (packaging, brochures, business cards etc.) or web media (social media graphics, app designs, website designs etc.) or both (logos, brand identity systems).
2. OUTLINE PROJECT SCOPE
Now, since we discussed different types of designers, it’s time to specify your needs in order to find the right fit.
If you need a logo alone – hire a Logo Designer, but if you feel that you need more than just a logo you will probably need an expert who will design a complete identity system.
If you need a new website, then you will not only need to hire web designer but also a web developer or a creative who does both.
Want to design a mobile app? Don’t hire a general graphics designer, but look for a specialist – UX/UI Designer.
This will ensure that you’re going to get the best quality service.
What’s the deal?
Instead of hiring a general graphic designer, you should look for a person who specializes in particular graphic design field.
And in order to do so, you will have to prepare a list of graphic design services that your company needs.
3. SEARCH FOR AN EXPERT
While looking for the right designer you should ask yourself specific questions, which will later on allow you to rate each of the candidates.
Hiring a graphic designer – questions:
Do they have the ability to provide you with the work needed?
Do you like what you see in their portfolio (style, quality)?
Do you prefer to hire a local or a remote designer?
These are some of the questions to ask potential candidates, but again, every project is different.
Therefore you should prepare your own list of questions relevant to the specific type of graphic design you’re hiring for.
Best ways to find expert designers:
Through their blog (by googling)
Using brokerages like Upwork, Fiverr
Just try to imagine your perfect candidate.
How does he/she talk to you?
How do they work? (what’s their design process?)
Do you want to work with local graphic designers?
Or you don’t really mind working with someone overseas?
How fast does he/she work?
4. REVIEW PAST WORK
Reviewing a freelance graphic designer’s portfolio, is usually the best way to find the right fit.
Check their past work and find style and design aesthetics that you share.
Many designers are being hired for a particular design style.
If a web designer’s own website is not good – Why would you hire him/her to design yours?
They don’t have enough experience to provide you with the quality work.
After you find the design aesthetics you like, also find out about the designer and their process.
How do they work?
Check their blog and social media profiles to see if they’re really the person behind the work.
During my career, I’ve heard many times managers saying that some interviewee showed not of their work. Since this is creative profession and there is no price tag, you must trust that designer’s ability to perform.
Why? Because, designers will usually ask for 50% deposit.
Know the person you’re dealing with and remember to keep the list of potential candidates a little bit longer, not all of them will be available.
5. GET A QUOTE
Once you have a few applicants, it’s a good idea to talk with them and see if they make a good fit. At this point, you’ve already checked their portfolio, read their blog and seen their social media profiles. You know that they’re up to the job and you like their past work.
The last step is to contact them and ask for a quote. Some of the designers will facilitate the interview process by having a questionnaire on their websites.
The experienced designers will usually interview you, once you initiate show interest. Next they will follow-up with a quote that estimate how long it’s going to take, what are the deliverables and how much it all cost.
Once you’ve contacted some designers, got a couple quotes, you have a sense of who you want to work with. Finally, you must trust your guts, but also make a well-informed decision.