Graphic designers play a vital role in helping your brand stand out in the market. Being unique is the key to leaving a lasting impression in the minds of the customers. Designers will create a brand image that potential customers will take into consideration before taking a decision to choose you. They have to understand your business well and work towards achieving their goals. They should be able to get your vision and take actionable steps within a reasonable time frame to enable you to make your mark.
So, when you are looking to hire graphic designers, it’s necessary to ask them the right questions to ensure you are giving money to the deserving ones. Choosing them is a daunting process, but by putting across some simple questions, you can narrow down your prospects.
To make things easier for you, here are some important questions to ask before you hire a graphic designer.
Can I see the portfolio of your work?
Before you hire graphic designers, you need to see their previous work. You should understand their creative role in the project and whether their work was satisfactory or not. This will give you an idea of the kind of work they will deliver to you. Check whether their work corresponds with your work and their strengths align with your goals. You will even come to know about the versatility of the designers and their ability to adapt to the requirements of every brand. If you want to see more samples, feel free to ask.
Can you please provide references?
You may even contact their previous clients and get to know about the kind of experience and relations they had with the designers. You can ask clients questions about their competencies and whether they ensure timely delivery. Seeking out reviews or testimonials from other clients can be useful. If designers are unable to provide you with any, it would mean they have less experience than they claim to have or they might not be recommendable.
Who will be working on the project?
When you are choosing a graphic design agency, you need to know who will be working on your project. It is crucial to know who will be doing the actual work and whether they are outsourcing your work. Inquire about the team you will be working with including their names, title, and expertise level.
Along with it, you also need to ensure that the graphic designers can work collaboratively with your team members (if applicable). You can ask them about the real-life examples of their collaboration with other clients.
How will you communicate with us?
You have to be aware of the status of the project and communicate with the designers whenever required. You will also need to do follow-ups whenever needed, making it important to ask the designers how they will keep you informed. Based on the size and the scope of your project and the number of people working on it, a project management system will have to be in place.
You should also take into consideration whether the designers are responsive enough to your emails, chats, and calls to get in touch with you.
What graphic design software you have worked on?
This question is important to ask to know whether the designers have worked on any design software. It is vital that they have experience of working with software like Illustrator, Photoshop, etc. You will not only get an idea about the skills of the designers but also about the software you will probably need to download or purchase if they work with you.
What graphic design process do you follow?
The graphic design process is what sets a graphic designer apart from others. Though you may not be able to understand the process, designers should be able to explain them to you and articulate a clear path to help you reach your goals. The designers should make the process easier to understand even if the complexities are involved. The process would determine the quality of the designs they deliver.
When they explain you the process, try to evaluate how they can work keeping your business goals at the focus. This can help you to understand how they will be able to fulfill your unique design needs. You need to ensure that their first step is to understand your company, and its goals and requirements. They should be on the same page as you, specifically for branding. It is vital to take into consideration the revisions that will be required and how much time they will take in the process as that varies from client to client.
You also need to know whether the designers will involve you in their process or they will present you with the final design for your review.
What’s the time-frame?
Defining a time-frame of the project is crucial. You have to take care that the designers can complete the project within the given time-frame and ensure its expeditious delivery. Milestones are an important part of the project to see whether it is progressing the way you had expected and meeting your delivery goals.
Experienced designers can give you a good time estimate considering the requirements of the project with knowledge of using various tools and technologies. Also, ask them questions like what they will do if the project takes longer time than expected. It’s always good to ask how will they manage things if a deadline is missed to avoid any issues in the future. There might be some rounds of revisions too, so you need to keep buffer time for that as well.
Some designers will also mention that the time duration will be dependent on how early feedback they get from your side. So you too can be a part in speeding the design process by being regular in your responses.
What are your rates?
The foremost important question is asking what designers will charge for their services. The cost would vary based on the experience level and whether they are charging on an hourly basis or project basis. Before asking them, take some time to research what graphic design services cost is.
Designers will even charge you for additional revisions if required. Get an idea about what will happen if you have to cancel the project. Being upfront and honest about your budget will help the designers give you rates that you are comfortable with.
You should determine a realistic budget to be able to get your money’s worth. It is also crucial that you don’t choose designers just because they are the cheapest as they lack quality. You might even end up paying more for the time spent or in revisions. Bargain and ask why they are charging more as compared to other companies if their charges are higher.
Who will have the copyright after the completion of design?
It is crucial to ask about the copyright and licensing rights before you decide on a graphic designer. Some graphic designers might not want to give you the copyrights while some may not have any problem with it. You need to clarify that you want copyrights as well as source files after the project is completed. Source files will be required if you wish to make any changes in the future.
Conclusion
One of the required qualities in graphic designers is how they can communicate, both verbally (with clients) and visually. A successful graphic designer is one who can create designs that convey a brand’s vision.
Having a good working relationship is important for the success of your project and the growth of your business. So the decision to select graphic designers should be taken seriously. Asking the above questions will ensure you make an informed decision in choosing the right graphic designers and have a wonderful experience in the years to come.
ProDesigns has expertise in providing graphic design services to its clients across the globe. You are free to ask any questions to gain a better understanding of our design process, how we can bring more to the table and can impact your business.
