by Melanie Spring, Sisarina
Choosing a designer is no small task. Some designers are great at print, others at web while others would rather just do illustrations. There are so many types and each has his/her own way of designing and specialty. With the job market the way it is, many designers have gone freelance and started their own studio but not all designers are created equal. Here are some questions to ask yourself & the designer before making a decision:
1. Does their design style fit my project? Review designer portfolios until you find a style that fits your vision. Even if they haven't done a project just like yours doesn't mean they can't. Look at details, color schemes and overall layouts - you'll be able to figure out quickly if they can handle your requests. Many companies (like Sisarina) have more than one designer so ask to see the different styles they can offer.
2. Can they do all aspects of my project? There are logo designers, print designers, web designers, app designers and illustrators. Not all designers can do every aspect of your project. Make sure they can show you examples that fit your entire project.
3. Do their design costs fit my budget? All designers know what their fees are. Ask for a range of costs when initially interviewing designers so you can get an idea of how they will fit into
4. How will they be able to meet with me? Although it can sometimes be cheaper to hire someone far away, we all know that buying local only helps support your community. I've found that I have a much better rapport with people I can see face-to-face. Communication breakdowns are less likely when you know that person in real life.
5. How long does the process take? Ask your designer for their general timeline for completing a project like yours. Make sure you are willing to meet the scheduled deadlines and milestones also. We've realized that it's more often the client that has a problem keeping up with responses than it is the designer. Make sure your designer isn't planning a vacation during your project or has another big project that would take away their attention.
6. What is the typical payment schedule? Many designers expect a 30-50% deposit upfront with final payments upon completion. You can often ask to have the payments split up through the project or at milestones. Never pay for the entire project upfront unless it's a quick turnaround or a small project.
7. Who do they work with if they can't do it all? 99% of web designers are not web developers (the one who actually builds your website). Most print designers don't do printing in-house. Make sure you know all of the members of their team, even if it's just by name and qualifications.
8. What happens once the project is done? Once your project is finished, ask if there is maintenance or training included, whether you'll get all of the original files of your designs and if there is a package of final files included. Make sure you know what the longterm costs of your project will end up being.
9. Who owns the work once it's paid for? Your agreement with your designer should include a statement that gives you full rights to your project and all items in it once you've finished paying for it.
10. Do they have great references? Ask for references and take the time to ask those people questions about communication, reasons they chose the designer, look at what the designer completed for them and make sure the reference would use them again.
Choosing a designer is similar to choosing a good partner. Your designer should work with you, listen to you and offer advice based on their experiences. Find the right person and make sure it works well for both of you.
Happy Searching!
