Unfortunately, many people make the similar mistake. They underestimate the work of a graphic designer. After all, if you look at the most successful designs, at first glance they seem simple. The thing is that a good design includes many hard-learned skills that only look effortless when you see the finished product. Therefore, in order to avoid headaches and turmoil with deadlines, consider using our advice, rearrange your strategy, and hire a designer that is able to produce the best result you could ever expect.
1. Set the exact goals
When you face the necessity of getting results through others, you need to make the right choice. Before you hire a graphic designer, better try setting the exact goals you want to reach through design. Then describe your business in every detail, so the person would be aware of what he or she has to do. This should be the information about your company, the project that you want to involve a designer in, and of course your expectations about the whole affair. Also, specify what you are looking for in a designer. Pay attention to how the designer works and how delivers the product.
2. Check the credentials of a designer
Yes, we know that sometimes really gifted and skilled designers didn’t go to designer school or else and still are able to produce amazing designs and experiences. However, before taking a risk, be absolutely sure about the skills your designer is armed with. Is he or she able to draw images, make pictures or you’ll have to use only stock images. Check if the designer is as good in designing pages as he is in designing icons.
3. Probe the designer`s creativity
Perhaps you would like to find someone who will be as enthusiastic about what you do as you are. A passionate designer is able to make advances to your wishes and preferences.
Sometimes designers gravitate towards a contradictory style. Consider if you are ready to have constant arguments about the style of a design. During the candidate’s interview ask him what he thinks about the competitor’s piece, would he propose some changes?
4. Explore testimonials
Look at the work the designer has done in the past. Do you like it? Are you sure this is the person you want to involve into creation? Be sure that the candidate shares the same vision of a design with you. Look through the timeline of his projects and note how many were finished in time. This way you’ll be aware if the person is capable to finish the work in time. Check testimonials, note if they are only on the designers website or available on other websites and social media.
5. Give a paid testing task
It is one of the best ways to see what are the designer’s abilities, advantages and flaws. Note the attentiveness to details. A keen eye for details can be a decision point when choosing between several candidates. Sometimes even a color shade can make a difference.
6. Consider facetiming with the designer
It`s a known fact that the majority of graphic designers is freelance. It makes hiring a good designer easy and difficult at the same time. On the one hand, you have a wide horizon of talented people from all over the world, and on the other hand, it really complicates communication with them. How odd it may seem, personal acquaintance is still important when hiring employees, just like 20 years ago. You need to conduct a face-to-face interview with the candidate. These days it should not be difficult. You can use Skype, Viber, Google Hangouts or even a Facebook messenger for the interview. Moreover, through direct communication, you will be able to describe and convey the concept of the job, your attitude towards it, and to feel the mood, motives and attitude towards the work of your candidate.
7. Ascertain the connection between you
How strange it may seem, but pay attention to how do you feel about working with this designer. Do you speak the same language? Are you open to communication with each other or someone is snippy? Consider that the hired designer will invest his own inspiration and vision into what you want to see as end result in your branding, this is why at some point friendship and mutual trust, discussion and communication can be a big deal. To develop successful design the relationship between the designer and his client must be collaborative. Also never forget to ask graphic designer what he is expecting from your working relationships. Perhaps the candidate would want additional information, a terminal check or a testimonial. Discuss of how much control you can give to a designer ahead.
8. Be highly informative about your concept
Do not expect the designer to read your mind. Be highly informative about your business and find time to answer all designer’s questions if any. Remember, designers work with different tasks and sometimes your particular concept might be somewhat further from quick understanding. Be sure you have done everything to help him grasp the idea clearly. Provide your graphic designer with accurate information about your buyer persona, your target audience, the concept of your business.
9. Ask about experience within your industry
Having an experience in a similar industry should also be an advantage when hiring a designer. The obtained knowledge and experience significantly shortens the time a designer needs to get acquainted with the task, and also speeds up the process of creating designs. Consider this experience when you intend to disclose deadlines.
10. Inquire the motives
Graphic designers are creative people. Don’t expect to get excellent results if they work without inspiration. Better ask what inspires the candidate for the position, what moves his creative potential before starting cooperation. This way you will be able to learn more about his style, as well as get information on how to push and help to come to the best result.
Conclusion
Remember, that when you hire a graphic designer you don’t just hire a worker that will obediently follow all your rules. You hire a person who is able to breathe success into your project. It needs a lot of training, knowledge and experience to create the whole concept that is appealing equally to his client and to his client’s users.