Finding the right designer can be challenging. Just because someone looks good on paper and has a pretty portfolio, you will need more time to get in touch with them, or they will deliver the quality product you were expecting.
Unfortunately, it’s all too common for people to call themselves designers without having the experience or skills for you to be satisfied with customers. It’s even easier when your expectations are not set in stone. And it means your journey is only partially smooth sailing through the brand design process.
Before hiring a brand designer, knowing what they bring to the table is crucial. You need to ask yourself ten important questions before making that decision.
Know your onions
When it comes to branding, there is no one-size-fits-all solution. Designers with a more specific focus will be able to give you what you need in terms of a brand that effectively communicates the message you want to send to your target audience. Suppose the design project you are working on requires a more holistic approach, like a brand strategy.
In that case, you should look for someone who specializes in these projects and has experience designing brands from the ground up. A strong brand will support your business and help it grow, so take advantage of this all-important aspect of your business’s marketing strategy.
Check their portfolio
Suppose you’re looking for a designer to help you create a visual brand identity for your company. In that case, you want someone creative, has a good sense of aesthetics and can work well with you and create something true to your vision. This means the person you choose needs to have a strong portfolio that shows their versatility and expertise in various styles.
This process is more than just finding someone with experience in the design field who seems capable enough to do what you need. It’s a crucial part of hiring the person who will create your visual branding. Look through their portfolio to get a feel for their design experience. You can get a good idea of their design versatility and how well they understand a brief. When it comes time to work together, this understanding will be vital in helping them produce the best work possible.
Arrange a meeting before hiring
A large part of the designer-client relationship involves communication. When working with a designer for the first time, ensure you spend enough time finding out if your personalities are compatible. If you like someone and can see eye to eye on what you’re trying to create, chances are that your project will go a lot more smoothly than if you aren’t able to communicate well.
With more experienced designers, this comes in the form of a discovery meeting. It’s a way to get to know each other before diving into a project. The meeting is an opportunity to discuss your specific needs and get an idea of how well you work together. It also allows both parties to ask questions about what steps need to happen before moving forward.
Ask about their process.
Working with a designer on your project can be a little overwhelming when you first get started. There are so many things that you need to know, and it can feel like a lot of information to take in at once. Fortunately, the designers you work with will have gone through this process many times before and will be more than happy to tell you the details of the process they use.
Ask them about their process the next time you meet with a designer. Every designer has a different answer to this question, but most will share what they do when they start working on a client’s project. They may also have an entire page on their website to tell you how they do what they do.
Going into the meeting with this knowledge will give you insight into how the designer plans on going about your project. You’ll know what kind of involvement you can expect from them as your project moves forward—do they prefer to break up tasks into small chunks, or do they like to tackle everything at once? This information beforehand gives you an idea of what to expect from the design process. It can help make it run smoother later down the line.
Look at their reviews.
Reviews are great because they let you know what other clients have experienced and let you get other people’s views on how the designer works. It’s even better if the designer has responded to reviewers. They might have a point they could not address directly in the review but could be addressed in a comment on their website. This shows that they care about their opinions and want to ensure that anyone across their website knows how they operate.
However, just because someone received a negative review once doesn’t mean they are a terrible fit. Once you’ve found some people that are a good fit for your needs, contact them directly and get in touch with them. Use the opportunity to ask about any negative reviews you see or anything else you’re concerned about. As long as you understand that everyone can make mistakes, which everyone does from time to time, it’ll be easier to pick up on potential issues before you hire them.
Get to know us
It’s essential to keep your mind on what’s important when hiring a brand designer. You’ll still want to see they have plenty of experience in the related field, but that’s only part of the equation. Even the most experienced designer is not guaranteed a good fit for your project, so it’s essential to consider your specific needs and goals when making your decision. Contact us to know more!
