Read This Before you Hire a Graphic Designer
Karen Saunders asked:
When you own your own business, there’s never a dull moment. That’s why I wrote ‘Turn Eye Appeal Into Buy Appeal’. It’s the do-it-yourself graphic design handbook that makes marketing your business as easy as 1-2-3. There are some projects, though, where it pays to hire a graphic designer. When it’s time to hire a graphic designer, these 5 essential tips can save you a lot of time and money:
1) Figure out if you can do it yourself. If you are not a professional graphic designer, you could spend days – even weeks – to make a brochure or flyer that a professional designer could do in a matter of hours. For major projects that will be a big part of your marketing campaign, you’ll want to take advantage of the experience a graphic designer can offer. Once you find the right designer, you will have access to a consistent style of graphics for all your marketing pieces.
2) Check out their samples. Do you like what you see? If their portfolio includes the design elements that you are looking for, then you’ll know if their style is going to mesh with your style. And of course, you’ll want to see how their style will work for your type of product or service.
3) Get references. Your best place to start would be by asking friends and colleagues if they can recommend someone. Also, many graphic designers will include testimonials either on their website or correspondence. Don’t be shy to call… it’s why they’re there! You can also check with local printers. They usually know firsthand what the designers working style is. The website for the American Institute of Graphic Artists (AIGA.com) has a free listing of designers all over the country.
4) Interview your prospective designer. Talk about the size and scope of the project, what your expectations are, and any deadlines you may have. You can get a sense of their work ethic, and see if you will work well together. This gives the designer the chance to ask you questions, too. You’ll know upfront if they have the time and skill to take on your project.
5) Get it in writing. Once you’ve found the right designer, make sure all the details are outlined in the proposal or contract. Get it in writing and make sure you know what it does (and doesn’t) include. Don’t forget to read any terms and conditions (such as a deposit) and make sure you’re comfortable with them before you start the project.
Now you can go out and hire the graphic designer that’s going to make your marketing campaign come to life!
When you own your own business, there’s never a dull moment. That’s why I wrote ‘Turn Eye Appeal Into Buy Appeal’. It’s the do-it-yourself graphic design handbook that makes marketing your business as easy as 1-2-3. There are some projects, though, where it pays to hire a graphic designer. When it’s time to hire a graphic designer, these 5 essential tips can save you a lot of time and money:
1) Figure out if you can do it yourself. If you are not a professional graphic designer, you could spend days – even weeks – to make a brochure or flyer that a professional designer could do in a matter of hours. For major projects that will be a big part of your marketing campaign, you’ll want to take advantage of the experience a graphic designer can offer. Once you find the right designer, you will have access to a consistent style of graphics for all your marketing pieces.
2) Check out their samples. Do you like what you see? If their portfolio includes the design elements that you are looking for, then you’ll know if their style is going to mesh with your style. And of course, you’ll want to see how their style will work for your type of product or service.
3) Get references. Your best place to start would be by asking friends and colleagues if they can recommend someone. Also, many graphic designers will include testimonials either on their website or correspondence. Don’t be shy to call… it’s why they’re there! You can also check with local printers. They usually know firsthand what the designers working style is. The website for the American Institute of Graphic Artists (AIGA.com) has a free listing of designers all over the country.
4) Interview your prospective designer. Talk about the size and scope of the project, what your expectations are, and any deadlines you may have. You can get a sense of their work ethic, and see if you will work well together. This gives the designer the chance to ask you questions, too. You’ll know upfront if they have the time and skill to take on your project.
5) Get it in writing. Once you’ve found the right designer, make sure all the details are outlined in the proposal or contract. Get it in writing and make sure you know what it does (and doesn’t) include. Don’t forget to read any terms and conditions (such as a deposit) and make sure you’re comfortable with them before you start the project.
Now you can go out and hire the graphic designer that’s going to make your marketing campaign come to life!
How Graphic Design Can Help your Business
May 14, 2011 by admin
Filed under Uncategorized
Andy Lomax asked:
Effective graphic design is the applied art of arranging text and images in a way that effectively communicates a message. Effective graphic designers can enhance the image of advertising your company and products through media such as direct mail, flyers, newsletter design, brochure design, annual reports, business cards, letterheads and of course web site design. Graphic design agencies can assist you with all the above stationary to be designed to a good standard and would give you ideas of how to implement brand development.
Effective graphic designers attract people to read the content of your message. People often get their first impression of your company through some communication such as a brochure or flier or even a business card. And the quality of the graphic design influences their reaction. Effective graphic designers build trust and confidence in your company and products and helps in brand development.
At its best, graphic design agencies welds artistic concepts such as colour and shape to the essence of your products or services and takes into account the characteristics of the consumer and their trends.
Effective graphic design is also a key component of brand development. Consumers respond to graphic images such as logos, and skillful graphic design companies helps make your product stand out in a crowded marketplace.
So though you may be tempted to give your brochure design job to Sid in accounting who’s a dab hand with watercolours, you should realise that the image of your organisation is something that needs a professional’s touch. Graphic design agencies offer a specialised service so outsourcing is your best option. For one thing, pro designers work in many fields and are in touch with the trends of the day.
So how do you go about finding effective graphic design agencies, graphic design companies or graphic design studios? Look for a company with a strong portfolio of memorable designs. Check if you recognise any of the clients the design firm has done work for. And don’t forget that graphic design is an applied art. Designs that are beautiful for their own sakes don’t guarantee commercially viability. Look for designs that indicate the designer has a strong grasp of marketing too.
When you find graphic design agencies, you need to ask them about brand development, advertising etc like, how many revisions the firm will do until you’re satisfied. Clarify such factors as what you’ll get at the end of the project. For example, is printing included? In what format would the graphic design agencies delivery any graphics? There are a host of details like this that you need to consider.
If you want convenience, it’s an advantage to hire effective graphic designers that offers a complete range of services in web development, brand development, advertising and other promotional tasks, along with portfolio management and printing. This means you can leave the whole project to one company which streamlines the whole procedure.
Effective graphic design is the applied art of arranging text and images in a way that effectively communicates a message. Effective graphic designers can enhance the image of advertising your company and products through media such as direct mail, flyers, newsletter design, brochure design, annual reports, business cards, letterheads and of course web site design. Graphic design agencies can assist you with all the above stationary to be designed to a good standard and would give you ideas of how to implement brand development.
Effective graphic designers attract people to read the content of your message. People often get their first impression of your company through some communication such as a brochure or flier or even a business card. And the quality of the graphic design influences their reaction. Effective graphic designers build trust and confidence in your company and products and helps in brand development.
At its best, graphic design agencies welds artistic concepts such as colour and shape to the essence of your products or services and takes into account the characteristics of the consumer and their trends.
Effective graphic design is also a key component of brand development. Consumers respond to graphic images such as logos, and skillful graphic design companies helps make your product stand out in a crowded marketplace.
So though you may be tempted to give your brochure design job to Sid in accounting who’s a dab hand with watercolours, you should realise that the image of your organisation is something that needs a professional’s touch. Graphic design agencies offer a specialised service so outsourcing is your best option. For one thing, pro designers work in many fields and are in touch with the trends of the day.
So how do you go about finding effective graphic design agencies, graphic design companies or graphic design studios? Look for a company with a strong portfolio of memorable designs. Check if you recognise any of the clients the design firm has done work for. And don’t forget that graphic design is an applied art. Designs that are beautiful for their own sakes don’t guarantee commercially viability. Look for designs that indicate the designer has a strong grasp of marketing too.
When you find graphic design agencies, you need to ask them about brand development, advertising etc like, how many revisions the firm will do until you’re satisfied. Clarify such factors as what you’ll get at the end of the project. For example, is printing included? In what format would the graphic design agencies delivery any graphics? There are a host of details like this that you need to consider.
If you want convenience, it’s an advantage to hire effective graphic designers that offers a complete range of services in web development, brand development, advertising and other promotional tasks, along with portfolio management and printing. This means you can leave the whole project to one company which streamlines the whole procedure.
