There are many graphic designers around and most operate both inside and outside your zip code. But how can you tell if the designer is any good? Will the designer work with you or be abrasive? Will the designer suddenly disappear? Will he price his work fairly?
These are real concerns when you begin to look for a designer. It can become overwhelming. But there is hope! There are a few things to look for when hiring a designer that can help you connect with the right person or company.
1. Referral: One of the best things to do is to ask other business professionals who they have used and what their experience has been. Generally, a fellow business owner will only recommend people they have had good and solid relationships with.
2. First impressions: When looking at different designers online, go with your gut. First, does the company seem to share your values and does the company appear to be at a similar level as your business. If you are starting out in your business, try to find a company that can grow with you. For instance, if you are beginning a flower shop, you probably don't want a Fortune 500 firm to help you. Their pricing will be far too expensive and their reach will not be tailored for you. But a smaller groups or individual, most likely a local business, will be better for you.
3. Local or long distance?: In today's world everything can be done virtually and there are competent and talented designers all over the country. But your choice to stay in your zip code, town, county or state is strictly a comfort level. If opting for a long-distance designer, make sure that designer is a good communicator. Insure that you find some comfortable benchmarks to agree on so that your comfort level is achieved. If opting for local, again agree upon benchmarks and respect the boundaries.
4. Price: What is a good cost-effective approach to finding a designer? This can be tricky ; pricing is all over the place. Some designers charge as little as $25/hour, others are over $100/hr. Some charge by the job, most require deposits, others wait until the job is complete. Which is the best approach?
First, understand the scope of your project. Do you need a logo, a brochure, a business card, all of the above? A good rule is to bring all of your needs to a designer for a bulk price. Most designers will send you a quote detailing what they can do for you and the time frame they can do it in, so that will be the first idea you have as to what certain designers will charge. Get a round of three different quotes and compare.
You never want to choose the lowest-priced designer or even the highest-priced one: again, it's important to connect with your designer and trust that person. The lowest-priced designer typically is about production: it is a numbers game and your project is one of many. That designer's aim will most likely be to finish up as quickly as possible he can get started on the next project.
The highest-priced designer may be good, but his work is only as good as it resonates with you. Also, with may high-priced designers, there is some attitude. It depends if you want to transact with someone or connect with someone.
That is why we recommend an individual or group who's pricing is fair, who's attitude is professional yet casual, and will act as an extension to your business rather than a company you are doing business with. It is important for a company to give you some added value, give you breaks where it can and to work with you, as if this person is part of your company rather than an additional company. In the long run, this is very important.
5. Flat fee verses hourly: When looking for a designer, I would recommend getting into a flat-fee agreement rather than an hourly agreement. As a business owner, you want to know what you are paying for a project. If the agreement is the design of a logo for $300, and there are parameters and benchmarks agreed upon, then both parties should be confident of an even exchange of talent and payment. Hourly can be a blackhole of finances, but it does work if there, again, are parameters. A NTW (Not to exceed) clause will be important, or a cap on hours per week that you are willing to pay. Also, if you have long-term needs, entering into a monthly agreement ( a monthly amount you are willing to pay in exchange for design hours) is also a good concept. The bottom line is this: you don't want to get a large bill that you weren't expecting at the end of your arrangement. So make sure you articulate what you are willing to pay for services, based on your projects.
These are real concerns when you begin to look for a designer. It can become overwhelming. But there is hope! There are a few things to look for when hiring a designer that can help you connect with the right person or company.
1. Referral: One of the best things to do is to ask other business professionals who they have used and what their experience has been. Generally, a fellow business owner will only recommend people they have had good and solid relationships with.
2. First impressions: When looking at different designers online, go with your gut. First, does the company seem to share your values and does the company appear to be at a similar level as your business. If you are starting out in your business, try to find a company that can grow with you. For instance, if you are beginning a flower shop, you probably don't want a Fortune 500 firm to help you. Their pricing will be far too expensive and their reach will not be tailored for you. But a smaller groups or individual, most likely a local business, will be better for you.
3. Local or long distance?: In today's world everything can be done virtually and there are competent and talented designers all over the country. But your choice to stay in your zip code, town, county or state is strictly a comfort level. If opting for a long-distance designer, make sure that designer is a good communicator. Insure that you find some comfortable benchmarks to agree on so that your comfort level is achieved. If opting for local, again agree upon benchmarks and respect the boundaries.
4. Price: What is a good cost-effective approach to finding a designer? This can be tricky ; pricing is all over the place. Some designers charge as little as $25/hour, others are over $100/hr. Some charge by the job, most require deposits, others wait until the job is complete. Which is the best approach?
First, understand the scope of your project. Do you need a logo, a brochure, a business card, all of the above? A good rule is to bring all of your needs to a designer for a bulk price. Most designers will send you a quote detailing what they can do for you and the time frame they can do it in, so that will be the first idea you have as to what certain designers will charge. Get a round of three different quotes and compare.
You never want to choose the lowest-priced designer or even the highest-priced one: again, it's important to connect with your designer and trust that person. The lowest-priced designer typically is about production: it is a numbers game and your project is one of many. That designer's aim will most likely be to finish up as quickly as possible he can get started on the next project.
The highest-priced designer may be good, but his work is only as good as it resonates with you. Also, with may high-priced designers, there is some attitude. It depends if you want to transact with someone or connect with someone.
That is why we recommend an individual or group who's pricing is fair, who's attitude is professional yet casual, and will act as an extension to your business rather than a company you are doing business with. It is important for a company to give you some added value, give you breaks where it can and to work with you, as if this person is part of your company rather than an additional company. In the long run, this is very important.
5. Flat fee verses hourly: When looking for a designer, I would recommend getting into a flat-fee agreement rather than an hourly agreement. As a business owner, you want to know what you are paying for a project. If the agreement is the design of a logo for $300, and there are parameters and benchmarks agreed upon, then both parties should be confident of an even exchange of talent and payment. Hourly can be a blackhole of finances, but it does work if there, again, are parameters. A NTW (Not to exceed) clause will be important, or a cap on hours per week that you are willing to pay. Also, if you have long-term needs, entering into a monthly agreement ( a monthly amount you are willing to pay in exchange for design hours) is also a good concept. The bottom line is this: you don't want to get a large bill that you weren't expecting at the end of your arrangement. So make sure you articulate what you are willing to pay for services, based on your projects.