10 Tips For Finding The Perfect Freelance Graphic Designer

You’ve decided that you need a graphic designer. You may be looking for a freelancer to help with one particular project, or you might want to hire someone who can handle all your design and marketing needs. 

Either way, you want someone who can deliver high-quality work at a competitive price. You also need someone with whom it’s easy to communicate and not just about the work itself but also any changes in direction or schedule along the way.

Finding the right freelance graphic designer is no different from finding any other contractor: you’re going to have to do some research. The following tips will help narrow down your search and make sure that when the time comes for final selection, your top choice stands out from all the rest.

Takeaways
1. Clearly define your project requirements.
2. Review portfolios to assess design style and quality.
3. Consider experience and specialization.
4. Check for effective communication skills.
5. Discuss project timelines and availability.
6. Request references and client testimonials.
7. Evaluate the designer’s understanding of your vision.
8. Discuss pricing and payment terms upfront.
9. Look for adaptability and willingness to iterate.
10. Trust your instincts and choose a designer you connect with.

Tip #1: The Designer Should Have A Portfolio That You Love On Their Website

The first thing you should do when looking for a graphic designer is to check their online portfolio, which should be easy to find on their website. If it isn’t upfront and center, or if they don’t have one at all, then they’re probably not worth your time.

The portfolio should be current this means no work from ten years ago! And make sure the design skills are relevant to what you need to do; for example, if you’re looking for someone who specializes in infographics but there’s only one infographic-like piece in their portfolio (or even none), then that’s not exactly reassuring.

It’s a good sign if the designer has already worked with clients in your industry. For instance, if you’re looking to hire someone who can design fundraising materials for non-profits, then it would be ideal if they had experience with that type of work. 

If they don’t have any direct experience but do know how to adapt their skills and style to different needs, then that’s good too.

Hiring a freelance designer when you have little knowledge about the process might seem daunting, but our guide on how to hire a freelance designer when you have zero clue provides valuable insights to help you make informed decisions.

Tip #2: Ask For Referrals From People You Trust, And Reach Out To The Graphic Designer Directly

To start, you should ask around. You know people who have used graphic designers in the past or are currently working with them now. Ask them if they can give you some recommendations. They may be able to tell you about their experiences with different graphic designers and what sets each one apart from the rest. 

This will give you a better idea of how useful a certain individual could be for your project, as well as whether or not their style matches up well with what you want out of them.

Next up: reach out directly! Once you’ve got some names from your initial round of research, pick one (or two) that seem like they’d be good fits for whatever project needs doing next, and reach out! 

If possible, schedule an interview with each person so that they can discuss exactly how they would approach this job at hand and why they think they’re right for it in particular! Ask any questions that come up during either part. 

These interviews should be informative and enjoyable experiences all around but only if everyone involved makes an effort toward having both positive attitudes about being helpful instead of defensive about seeming threatened by another person’s efforts at finding something valuable within themselves by putting forth effort too!

Tip #3: Look At Reviews On Your Designer’s Website, Linkedin Profile, And Other Sites Like Upwork Or Freelancer.Com

You’re probably wondering why this is important, right? Well, when you hire a freelancer to do work for you, they’re essentially going to be working closely with your brand. That means their reputation matters and so does their online presence.

A designer’s website and social media posts should reflect professionalism and pride in their work. 

Reading reviews can help you get an idea of what type of experience your potential designer offers customers does he or she communicate clearly? Is there customer service involved? Are people happy with the final product?

Even better: check out third-party sites like Upwork or Freelancer.com. These platforms are great because they have ratings from other clients who have worked with designers before you ventured onto the site yourself!

Working with a design agency comes with its own set of expectations. Discover the truth behind common misconceptions in our article on top 15 misconceptions about working for a design agency.

Tip #4: Do Not Use A Graphic Design Contest Site To Find A Freelancer. Ever

It’s not a good idea to use design contest sites like 99designs or DesignCrowd. These sites have made it easy for people to find cheap, fast design work. 

But the reality is that these platforms are bad for designers and clients alike because they encourage low-quality work and undervalue what designers do and therefore undercut their ability to make a living doing something they love.

If you want high-quality work that will help your business grow, then try using a small number of freelancers who are passionate about doing great work and treat them well in return by compensating them fairly (i.e., paying them properly).

Tip #5: Review Your Job Listing To Make Sure It’s As Clear As Possible About What You Need To Do Before Sending It Off

We’ve already covered the importance of asking yourself, “what kind of designer do I need?” before sending a job post out, but it’s also important to be clear about other aspects of the position.

These include:

• What exactly will they be doing?

• How much time is available to complete this project?

• Will this be ongoing work or a one-off gig? If so, what kind of relationship would you like to build with them after this project ends (will they become part of your team on an ongoing basis or will they just be considered for future projects)?

• What kind of experience do you expect them to have – and why?

• A good designer will need time to understand what exactly you want and how it relates to your brand, so make sure you have an open dialogue from the beginning.

Finally, be honest about what kind of work you’re looking for. For example, if you’re not sure that someone has the skills to help with what’s being asked (and they don’t), then let us know we can find someone else who does or offer advice on how you might change things so that it’s easier.

One of the most important things you can do before posting a job is to review your job listing. Be sure it’s as clear as possible about what you need to do, and make sure that you’re upfront (and honest) about what kind of experience they should have.

If you’re looking to navigate the world of freelance graphic design work, our comprehensive guide on finding freelance graphic design work offers expert advice and strategies to help you succeed in this industry.

Tip #6: Look Out For Crazy Low Quotes And Be Prepared To Ask Them Why They’re So Cheap Compared To Others

It’s important to be cautious of any low quotes you receive from designers. When a freelance graphic designer is offering their services for below market price, it usually means that something is wrong with the work.

Generally, if a designer is charging something like £12 for their services, there will be aspects of their service that aren’t top-notch. 

This could range from a rushed job done by someone with limited experience or simply not meeting your artistic expectations in terms of design quality and expertise. If you’re on a budget and need quality work done quickly, then this might be acceptable but don’t expect too much!

Tip #7: Don’t Just Pick The Lowest Quote But Also Don’t Pick The Highest Quote Either!

If you’re in a rush to get your project done, it’s tempting to just pick the designer who quoted the lowest price. But remember: you want to find someone with enough experience to get the job done well and make sure it’s delivered on time. 

You don’t want somebody who doesn’t know what they’re doing and you also don’t want them charging more than they have to.

It’s important that you ask questions about their previous work and make sure they can produce what you need for your business or organization. 

If a designer has been doing this for 15 years but doesn’t have any examples of work on their website (or only has one small project listed), then that might be an indication that he or she hasn’t done much freelance design work or maybe even any at all!

In general though, if someone has been freelancing for any length of time at all (even if it’s just six months), chances are good that they’ve got some great projects under their belt by now. So look carefully through their portfolio before making a decision; sometimes seeing something in person is better than reading about it online!

Tip #8: Make Sure The Designer Knows That This Isn’t Their Only Chance With You  It’s Not A One-Time Gig

It’s important to remember that this isn’t the designer’s only chance with you. They want to make sure that they’re doing a good job, and they want to make sure that you’re happy with their work. If there are any questions or concerns, feel free to ask them! The worst thing they can do is say no. What’s more likely is that they will happily answer any questions and give advice on how best to proceed with your project.

Don’t be afraid of asking for help it may seem awkward at first, but it’ll be worth it in the end!

It’s also worth considering whether or not another designer might have some insight into what would work better for your project than someone who has never done something similar before (even if their portfolio looks amazing). 

If so, don’t hesitate in asking around; chances are someone else will have had similar experiences themselves and can offer valuable insights into what works best when trying out new things like this.”

Freelance design is a unique career path with its ups and downs. Learn about the lesser-known aspects of freelancing in our article on 11 things people don’t tell you about freelance design.

Tip #9: You Might Want To Check If Your Freelancer Has Access To Any Stock Photos Or Graphics

If you want to save money, it’s a good idea to see if the designer you’re considering using has access to any stock photos or graphics that they can use as part of the project some are included in monthly subscriptions.

Here are some places where you might find free stock images: Adobe Stock is one of the best resources for designers and photographers. Shutterstock offers a subscription service that includes not only photos but also vector illustrations and video footage. 

You can check out iStock (which used to be called Getty Images), Depositphotos, Pixabay, and Canva before making a decision on which one will suit your needs best. Unsplash is a great source where photographers share their work for free; it’s an excellent community where people can collaborate together on projects! 

Pexels offers high-quality photos that have been handpicked by professionals who know what works best based on what type of image they’re trying out (landscape shots versus close-ups). Pond5 also has various kinds of stock footage available. 

This company focuses on providing music clips but may offer other types as well depending on what exactly makes sense in terms of creating visual content such as memes targeted towards teenagers today.”

Tip #10: If You’ve Got Any Worries About Working With Someone Alone

If you’ve got any worries about working with someone alone, consider asking them if they work with a team who can help create your project faster and more efficiently. A good freelancer will be able to tell you whether or not this is possible.

Working with a team isn’t the right choice for every client, but it is generally faster and more efficient than going solo on projects that require multiple skill sets. Plus, having several sets of eyes on your project can help ensure that deadlines are met and deliverables are of high quality (because they won’t just be judged by one person). 

By hiring someone who works in-house, you also have the added benefit of being able to directly contact their boss in case something goes wrong something that can save both time and money!

The first year as a freelance graphic designer is a learning experience. Gain insights into the journey with our article on 12 things I learned as a freelance graphic designer in my first year.

Conclusion

We hope this article has given you a solid foundation for finding the perfect graphic designer. Finding the right person to work with is an important task, but it doesn’t have to be difficult or frustrating. Use these tips and tricks that we’ve outlined in this guide to help narrow down your search.

Once you have found the right person, don’t forget that they need to know what type of design style will work best for your brand! This is why it’s so important that both parties discuss their expectations from each other prior to getting started on any projects. Check out our other articles about designing logos or branding strategies if this interests you!

Further Reading

8 Tips for Freelance Graphic Designers: Discover essential tips and insights to enhance your freelance graphic design career.

7 Tips for Hiring a Freelance Graphic Designer: Learn effective strategies for finding and hiring the right freelance graphic designer for your projects.

10 PR Marketing Tips for Freelance Graphic Designers: Explore valuable PR and marketing tips tailored for freelance graphic designers to promote their services effectively.

Frequently Asked Questions

How Do I Find A Freelance Graphic Designer?

Finding a graphic designer is not as easy as it may seem. The best way to do this is through personal or professional connections and referrals. If you have no connections, try searching on social media sites like LinkedIn or Twitter. 

Also, consider hiring someone who has worked with the company in the past or has completed projects similar to what you need to be done. This will help ensure that their work is suitable for your needs, while also saving time and money in the long run.

How Do I Choose A Graphic Designer?

The first thing to consider when choosing a freelance artist is his/her work history this includes any previous clients, awards received for his/her designs (if any), etcetera, and whether he/she lives up to industry standards when it comes down to personality traits such as professionalism and communication skills (via email).

What Is A Graphic Designer?

Graphic designers create content for websites, social media posts, and more. If you’re looking for someone who can create logos and branding, design flyers and advertisements, or even help with your website’s aesthetic they are the ones to talk to!

What Is Graphic Design?

Graphic design is all about communication through visuals it’s art mixed with a strategy to achieve an outcome that meets your needs as effectively as possible. 

Graphic designers use their creativity in order to convey messages visually while staying on-brand while also maintaining consistency throughout all of their work. They have an eye for detail and the know-how to make things look good (we all love pretty things).

What Is A Graphic Designer?

A graphic designer also called a “web designer” or “graphic artist”, can be described as someone who specializes in using visuals (images and/or text) in order to communicate a message. 

The communication may be for marketing purposes, such as designing business cards and logos; or it could be more editorial for example, providing artwork for magazines or websites.

What Is The Difference Between A Graphic Designer And A Web Designer?

While some people use these terms interchangeably, there are key differences between them:

Web designers work mainly with code languages like HTML5 and CSS3 whereas graphic designers tend to focus more on user experience and usability. 

Web designers typically make websites look pretty while working within the limitations of existing technologies; whereas graphic designers create logos and other images from scratch without any limitations imposed by technology itself.