You’ve probably had a bad experience with a graphic designer in the past, but that doesn’t have to be the case for you. In fact, these tips will help you treat them properly so that they are more likely to feel appreciated and make you happy with the results of their work.
Let’s get started!
| Takeaways |
|---|
| 1. Respect their expertise and creative input. |
| 2. Provide clear project goals and expectations. |
| 3. Communicate openly and offer constructive feedback. |
| 4. Honor agreed-upon timelines and deadlines. |
| 5. Recognize and compensate them fairly for their work. |
1Answer Your Designer’s Questions Thoroughly.
If you are thinking of hiring a graphic designer, this is how you should treat them.
2. Be Clear About What You Want And Need
Let them know if they can contact you at any time with questions or concerns as they work on the project (and expect them to do so).
Building a team of creative minds can be a challenge, especially if you’re new to the process. Learn how to navigate this journey in our article on how to hire a freelance designer when you’re unsure about where to start.
3. Make Decisions Quickly
A good designer is worth their weight in gold and should be treated as such. You wouldn’t want to waste their time, so don’t allow yourself to waste theirs! If you have a vision for your project, share it with the designer and then let them do their job without trying to micromanage them at every turn.
4. Don’t Dither Or Wait Until The Last Minute
This is one of the most important tips on this list: get a design done as soon as possible! This way you won’t end up having to make last-minute changes after hiring another freelancer on Upwork who won’t be able to deliver quality work because they’re already booked solid (we’ve all been there).
5. Don’t Hire Your Designer For Their Interpersonal Skills
It’s a common misconception that you should hire a graphic designer because they are good at talking. It is true that most graphic designers are comfortable speaking in front of groups or communicating with clients, but this is not the only reason why you should hire them.
Before hiring any type of designer, make sure their portfolio shows the quality of their work and demonstrates that it meets all your needs for your business.
If the designs in their portfolio meet these criteria, then consider working with them by asking them questions about how they would handle particular projects and situations related to your business.
Finding the perfect fit for your graphic design needs requires careful consideration. Dive into our comprehensive guide for 10 tips on finding the perfect freelance graphic designer and make an informed decision for your project.
6. Don’t Say “You’re The Professional.”
It may seem obvious, but you have to remember that designers are also people. While it’s true that they’re the ones who will be working on your project and making all of the design decisions, they still have their own ideas about what’s right and wrong, possible and impossible.
If you tell your designer that something is “impossible” (or even just hard), you’re effectively dismissing them from being part of the conversation and that’s not a good idea for either party involved.
If a client doesn’t understand how something could work in practice or isn’t sure what kind of look or feel they want for their website or logo, then it’s up to the designer to bring those ideas into reality through his or her creativity.
And if there are any problems along the way (like when those ideas don’t quite match up with what you had in mind), then it’s important for both parties to be able to talk through these issues without causing any hurt feelings on either side.
7. Don’t Make Basic Design Errors When You Send Revisions To The Designer
Make sure you send your feedback to all the right people. If you want changes made, make sure they are sent to the right person who can make those changes. This means that if you want something changed in your logo design, don’t send a note to the person who did your website’s header image send it directly to the designer who worked on your logo project.
Similarly, if you’re working with multiple designers and one is handling revisions for another designer’s work (for example, if one designer is responsible for creating graphics for another designer), make sure that everyone knows what needs to happen before any revisions are submitted.
When working with freelancers or agency teams, it’s important that everyone involved understands their role in making changes happen quickly and effectively so progress isn’t slowed down unnecessarily by miscommunication and confusion about responsibilities.#ENDWRITE
Embarking on a career in graphic design involves more than just artistic talent. Discover the essential steps to become a graphic designer and land freelance jobs by exploring our detailed guide for aspiring designers.
8. Don’t Take Forever To Send Feedback
If you are the client and you are getting feedback from your designer, don’t take forever to send it back. If it’s more than 3 days, let them know why. If they’re on a tight deadline and need an answer sooner, be upfront about that with them as well.
As mentioned above – if there is more than one graphic designer working on your project make sure all of them know what the timeline is for each other so that no one gets ahead of themselves or falls behind.
9. Understand What Your Designer Does And Doesn’t Do
Your designer is not a web developer. When you hire a designer, he or she will do the creative work for your project, but not the back-end development. A good web developer can turn your design into an online presence that will work well on all devices and platforms and has been optimized for search engines so people can find it.
A good graphic designer understands how to present information in a way that is clear and appealing to your audience, but if you need help with digital strategy, there are other professionals who specialize in this area. (Here’s one.)
Your designer is also not responsible for writing copy (the text on your website). Copywriting is another task that needs special expertise; while many designers have experience doing both visual design and writing copy as part of their job duties, they may not be familiar enough with SEO or marketing strategies to create effective content.
10. Respect Your Designer’s Opinions
The best way to treat your designer is with respect. You hired them for a reason and it’s because you appreciate their expertise in a field that isn’t yours.
Your designer has experience with design, but more importantly, they have experience in your industry and are able to offer valuable insight into how you should approach your branding.
They may come up with ideas you hadn’t thought of before, or they can explain why certain things won’t work well for you based on their understanding of the industry. In short, don’t discount what they say just because it sounds silly or different from what other people have said in the past!
Collaborating with freelance designers is an art that demands understanding and consideration. Explore the most critical factors to consider when hiring a designer in our article on the most important factors when hiring a freelance designer to ensure a successful partnership.
11. Keep Your Ego In Check
You may find yourself tempted to tell your designer what to do, but you need to resist that urge. Your graphic designer is not an extension of yourself; they are there to help you create a product.
They have experience, talent, and knowledge that you don’t have. If they offer suggestions, try to be open and listen carefully. If their ideas aren’t working for you or your project, give feedback instead of telling them how it should be done this is why we hired them in the first place!
Let’s say for example that you want a logo for your business but can’t decide on which font or color scheme would work best for the brand image we’re creating together. The designer might suggest something like “what about using this font?” or “maybe try this color?”
You might take one look at those options and think “no way am I using either option because neither goes with my brand!” But let me ask: who is going to be more invested in getting things right? Who cares more about making sure this logo makes sense given all of our research thus far? Who wants their client’s happiness more than anything else?
Yep, it’s probably gonna be the person who knows what they’re doing! So please keep these things in mind when working with someone else who has expertise beyond yours (and trust me…your ego will thank you later).
12. Ask For What You Want, Not What You Don’t Want
If you want something done, ask for it. If you don’t want something done, ask for that, too.
Of course, there are other factors at play here: your designer might have a different idea about what you mean and how best to accomplish it, or maybe they have another project going on that needs more attention than yours, or maybe they just aren’t feeling your style right now.
But whatever the reason maybe, if you don’t clearly communicate what you want from the start and make sure they know whether this is something must-have or nice-to-have then there’s no way of knowing how well they are doing their job until after the fact (and sometimes even then).
13. Pay On Time, Every Time, And Pay A Fair Rate
Pay on time, every time, and pay a fair rate. When you agree to a rate for your project, stick with it. If you need to change the rate because of unforeseen circumstances, have an honest conversation with your designer and be transparent about those changes.
Don’t ask for discounts; they’re insulting (and a waste of time). This includes asking if they can “work out” the cost by taking payment in something other than cash (this is especially true if your business has been around for more than a few years).
Don’t pay late or expect them to work without pay. While this may seem obvious, it has happened too many times that we’ve lost count!
14. Be Open To New Ideas And Approaches, Even If They Are Different Then What You Had In Mind
As a professional, it is your job to be open to new ideas and approaches. You should try to be flexible in your thinking, especially if you are working with a designer who has done this type of work before. Don’t be afraid to try something new or different that might not fit into what you originally had in mind.
In fact, you may find it beneficial to do some research on your own before meeting with the graphic designer so that you can bring up some concepts yourself and discuss them with him or her when they arrive at the meeting (or via email).
You should also get a second opinion from someone else that knows what they’re talking about a friend who has hired designers before or even another professional in their field could provide valuable insight into the process of hiring a graphic designer and help guide them through it successfully.
If nothing else, they can offer feedback on whether they think this person was worth their money!
The freelance graphic design journey is filled with valuable lessons that shape your career. Delve into our insights and experiences in our piece titled 11 things you learn as a freelance graphic designer to gain a deeper understanding of this creative profession.
15. Be Willing To Put In Some Hard Work Yourself And Get It Right The First Time
If you are looking to hire a designer, there are a few things that you need to consider before starting. First, get all of your information together and make sure that you have all of the questions answered before even starting on the project.
This way, your designer will be able to give you an accurate quote and know exactly what it is that you want to be done.
Second, be clear about what outcome or result (or product) you want from this process so that both parties can work towards getting there together.
If there isn’t enough time allotted for revisions or if there isn’t enough communication between both parties then problems will arise down the line which may cost more than originally planned spending without any results being produced at all!
Thirdly: budget! It’s important not only because everyone likes money but also because it helps prevent unexpected costs later down the line when someone doesn’t realize how much something really costs until after they’ve already paid for it (or worse yet…after they’ve already signed).
As far as time goes? Well…that one’s pretty self-explanatory too; I mean…duh!
Articulate what you want clearly and use technology to communicate efficiently so that you and your designer can work well together
16. Be Clear And Direct With Your Designer So That You Can Work Well Together
Your designer is smart and intuitive, so they can often figure out what you mean if you’re not quite sure how to ask for it. This is why it’s important that both parties are as clear as possible about what the other wants in order to avoid any confusion or miscommunication.
Use technology to communicate efficiently with your graphic designers, such as Google Docs or Dropbox shared folders where both of you can access files at any time from any device even when, not at work!
Make sure that whoever has been assigned the task of communicating with the graphic designer understands how best way(s) works best for them (i.e., email vs Slack messages).
Conclusion
As you can see, hiring a graphic designer is not as simple as it seems. It’s important to hire the right person if you want your business to succeed and be successful.
Take your time in choosing an artist that can help make your brand stand out from the crowd, and treat them how they deserve to be treated so that they will be happy working with you!
Further Reading
Here are some additional resources that can provide you with more insights into hiring and working with graphic designers:
Ten Things to Consider When Hiring a Graphic Designer
Discover key considerations for hiring a graphic designer and ensuring a successful collaboration.
How to Hire a Graphic Designer
Learn practical steps and tips for effectively hiring a graphic designer for your projects.
Working with Graphic Designers: A Comprehensive Guide
Dive into a comprehensive guide that covers various aspects of collaborating with graphic designers.
Frequently Asked Questions
What Is A Graphic Designer?
A graphic designer is someone who can help you communicate your message visually by creating visual elements and laying them out in a way that is easy for viewers to understand. They may work with you to create logos, websites, social media graphics, or other marketing materials such as ads or presentations.
How Much Does It Cost For A Full Package Of Design Services?
This will vary depending on the project but for most businesses, we’d expect to pay somewhere between $500-$2000 for everything from logo design through to business cards, letterhead and envelopes – although there are always exceptions!
Do I Need A Graphic Designer If I’m Not An Artist Myself?
Yes! In fact, we’d say that’s one of the biggest misconceptions about designers: they’re not just artists – they’re skilled communicators who can turn your ideas into something tangible other people will understand quickly (and love).
How Do I Find A Designer?
Finding the right designer is as simple as searching “Graphic designers” on Google or LinkedIn. You can also ask your friends, family, and colleagues for recommendations. Once you have narrowed down your list, arrange to meet all of them in person so that you can get a feel for their personalities and style.
What Is The Best Way To Communicate With My Designer?
The best way to communicate with your designer is through email or phone calls. If possible, it’s always better if they can visit your office so that they have an idea of what kind of space you’re working with and how big or small it is (this will help them create mockups).
When writing emails to your graphic designer make sure that you keep things short and sweet don’t give them too much information at once! It’s always better if everyone works together towards consensus rather than arguing over every little detail like which font should be used etc.
I am a content writer, and I love what I do! Writing makes me feel like the words are flowing through my fingers, and then onto the keyboard, like magic. My experience as a writer has taught me that writing makes me feel good, as well as helps others to feel better too!