In today’s world, graphic design is an integral and important part of your brand and marketing. Whether it’s your website, social media ads campaign, or simple office stationery – you need a graphic designer to ensure everything is nice and aesthetic.
While there are many freelance graphic designers and graphic design agencies available to choose from today, it can get a bit challenging to find one that suits your needs. You see, not only do you need a designer that understands exactly what you want, but also someone who won’t overcharge you and deliver work on time.
To make sure that you don’t end up hiring the wrong person for the job, we’ve compiled a list of key questions that you should ask a prospective graphic designer before you seal the deal.
1. Can I see your portfolio?
This might seem like an obvious one, but this is absolutely essential. Not only will the portfolio give you an idea of how skilled the designer is, but also how he works. Most designers tend to follow a common theme, or method in their designs and the portfolio will help you identify these. You can also talk to their previous clients to find out how their experience was.
2. Can you walk me through the design process?
This is another dual purpose question that will help you discern the skill of the designer as well as inform you of the process. What you’re looking for here is someone who knows what they’re doing. This is why an experienced designer will be able to break up the entire process (however complicated it might be) and make it easy to understand. You’ll need to watch out for any designer who has trouble explaining the process or is trying to make it seem extra complicated.
3. When can you deliver this by?
While the answer to this really depends on the kinds of work you want done, this question can help differ between a prompt designer and someone who keeps delaying your work. A good sign of designers that can deliver on time are those who provide timely responses to emails, and are quick to share updates and proposals.
4. Who exactly will be working on my project?
This is one of the most important questions to ask when hiring a design agency. Hiring an agency always works best if your project has a lot of different aspects and needs different kinds of experts. For example, a good design agency will have copywriters, photographers, web developers and other experts as well as graphic designers. What you’ll need to know is who exactly will be working on your project and their levels of expertise.
5. Will you use custom or royalty-free material?
Custom designs generally tend to charge more. However, they provide a much more accurate representation of your company’s ethos and position. They’re a lot more flexible and offer much more in terms of flexibility. It’s always a good idea to ask the designer for mock-ups or illustrations before the final work but do keep in mind that they might charge you for it.
6. Who owns the rights to the design after completion?
This is an important question that you should always remember to ask. The answer to this depends mostly upon the designer or the design agency you’re hiring. However remember it is always in your favor to get the copyright and all the design source files and documents as soon as the work is complete. This will help you out in the future if you need to make any changes or need the design again.
7. How much will you charge?
Some graphic designers work per hour or design, while others may charge you one flat monthly rate. Remember to factor in important points such as number of revisions per design, usage, and complexity. All in all, make sure you’ve got all the details right.
While hiring a graphic designer should not be too much of a challenge, it’s always better to be aware and informed. After all, it’s your brand’s reputation on the line. Here at Sunan Designs, we believe in keeping our clients involved and updated. Our experts love talking to clients and taking them through the entire design process. We do not have any hidden charges and provide only one flat rate for all the designs you want. Reach out today and our team will take care of all your graphic design needs!
