Now maybe you’ve found this post because you follow me on Instagram so already seen my creative work and perhaps even considering me as a designer – wahoo! But there is also a high chance that you have come across this post in another way such as googling or ecosia-ing(?!) because you are looking to find the right designer for your business and project. I’ve layed out what you should consider in your search.
Portfolio / Style
A large majority of designers have a certain style come through, even if they are working on a minimal design one day and a bolder one the next. But it can also be a very niche style that they have. So look at their portfolio of work and if it is not to your taste the chances are you won’t be happy with the outcome – of course!
It’s important to keep in mind that your brands visual identity and website ‘target audience’ might have different tastes that are different to yours. So there is a balance and you should consider whether the designers work fits their taste. This is because to be strategic ultimately it doesn’t matter if you personally don’t like the colour pink and handwritten fonts if that is what attracts customers!
Budget
Another big consideration is what your budget actually is and finding a designer that is a fit for your budget. Many designers will offer payment plans so it might be you couldn’t afford to pay in full but can budget for it if split over a number of months.
Specialisms & Services offered
What work are you looking to have done? A brand identity? A website? Marketing materials? General graphic design? Social media posts?
There are benefits sometimes to working with a generalist and there are benefits sometimes to working with a specialist. Depending on the projects you have in mind depends on the type of designer you need to be looking for and that they offer the services you need. If you are an e-commerce brand then you will most likely want to work with someone who does work for e-commerce businesses, it can be a very different set of considerations to designing for service providers.
Niche
Some designers niche by their style and others will niche by industry or business type or will only work with women for example. It can be beneficial to work with a designer who works within the niche you are in. For example I am a designer for eco-conscious fashion and lifestyle brands because this ties in with the style and type of work I enjoy and my past experiences.
Experience
Something you may wish to look at is the designers experience level, this can be an indication of quality of work and a higher chance of relevant industry experience that will benefit you because they bring those years of experience to the design process and outcome. You will likely be able to see some testimonials and past projects.
There are some amazing designers who are actually pretty new to the industry and so if they have a strong portfolio that you are drawn to then by no means rule them out because of their lack of years experience.
Values
Chances are if you are reading my blog then you are a values-led business and you might want to consider finding a designer who is in line with your values and ethics. If you are a vegan business or business owner then maybe you will want to work with a vegan designer. If you prioritise being eco-friendly then you should try to find a green designer who understand your values and can make recommendations for things like printing or making your website greener for example.
Availability
Depending on how quickly you need your project completed you may need to factor in your shortlisted designers availability. Can they meet your deadline? Are they booked out for months and if so are you willing to wait?
Process
Does their process fit your requirements and expectations? Do they explain their process? Has it been formed through experience and you will be led through a process that works to achieve the results that you desire.
Personality
Luckily nowadays we can often get a sense of a potential service providers personality from social media, in the photos they put up, the way they talk and write. So you can probably tell somewhat whether they would be someone that you would like to work with! If you are introverted and quiet perhaps an extroverted chatty person would not be a good energetic match for you – and vice versa!
Communication style
Which leads me on to communication style. Are you someone that prefers to write things out, jump on a call, get on a video call or have an in person meeting? Do you need to know every little detail or do you prefer a top-line level of communication? Consider these things and whether the potential designer communicates in the way that you prefer. You can ask the designer directly whilst discussing the project if you aren’t sure how they work.
