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Article Title:
==============
Finding a Graphic Designer
Article Description:
====================
Are you ready to hire someone to design your logo, collaterals,
or artwork for your website? Well, here's just the information
you need to create the best relationship with your graphic
designer.
Additional Article Information:
===============================
1377 Words; formatted to 65 Characters per Line
Distribution Date and Time: 2006-07-06 12:12:00
Written By: Erin Ferree
Copyright: 2006, All Rights Reserved
Contact Email: mailto:elf@elf-design.com
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Finding a Graphic Designer
Copyright � 2006 elf design, All Rights Reserved
Written by: Erin Ferree
Elf Design
http://www.elf-design.com/
Are you ready to hire someone to design your logo, collaterals,
or artwork for your website? Well, here's just the information
you need to create the best relationship with your graphic
designer.
A graphic designer designs your marketing materials-print- and
web-ready art-which are then turned over to a printer or coded
for the web for the final outcome. Some of their vocabulary can
be foreign to you, and their processes might not be familiar
either. We'll address that and more in the remainder of this
article.
The more qualified the designer, the better the match between you
and that designer, and the more appealing the final designs, the
more professional you and your business will look. The following
recommendations give you the essentials for hiring the right
person for this critical project:
1. Look at their work samples. Many designers offer a portfolio
of samples either on their website, by email as a PDF file, or in
a hard-copy format. When you review these, look for a general
design style that you like, not necessarily whether the samples
are appropriate to your particular industry. In fact, deep
experience within an industry isn't necessarily the best thing
when you want a designer to put a fresh visual spin on your
business and your offerings.
2. Make sure they've actually done the work in their portfolio.
This is especially true if you're reviewing design companies or
firms. Make sure that the designers who created the work that you
really admire are still on staff.
With solo designers, make sure that the portfolio clearly
represents their personal involvement in the development of all
the design elements. For example, if the designer shows you a
brochure design or a website in their portfolio, but the part
that you really love is the logo, make sure that they created the
logo before you hire.
Furthermore, ask what the client's involvement in the design of
that logo was-if the client came to the designer with a sketch of
the logo already created, then the logo might not be reproducible
by the designer or firm alone-if all of the work wasn't created
3. Talk to the designer. Having an actual conversation with your
potential graphic designer can really help, for two reasons:
* To make sure you can communicate well with each other. If you
each have very similar styles of communication, levels of energy,
or enthusiasm about the project, then the project will most
likely run very smoothly. Also, make sure that you each
understand what the other is saying-having similar definitions
for concepts is amazingly helpful. When you don't understand
something, ask questions!
* To see if the two of you "gel". You'll be working closely,
so make sure that you get along! If you don't like the
designer's personality, or vice-versa, then the relationship
will most likely become strained.
4. Review their skills. This becomes especially important if
you're hiring a web designer-make sure the designer is qualified
to provide you with all the technical components you'll need.
For example, web coding, forms coding, HTML newsletter
integration, and Search Engine Optimization are all somewhat
technical fields that not all designers can deliver. Make sure
you'll be able to get what you need.
5. Check their references. If you really like a particular
project in the designer's portfolio, see if you can get that
client's contact information. But if the designer can't release
it, that's not necessarily a bad sign-maybe the client prefers
that their contact information be kept private, or they've moved
and haven't told the designer how to get in touch with them. Be
open to reasons why they might not be able to furnish a
particular reference.
6. Learn about their processes. Find out how the designer plans
to execute the work that you'd like to have done. Ask what the
designer needs you to do, what you'll be asked to review and
approve, how decisions will be made, and how those decisions will
be turned into product. Make sure your designer is able to guide
you through the design process, providing all the information
you'll need along the way.
7. Check their turnaround time for replying to emails, sending
quotes, and returning calls. Make sure that it's in line with
the turnaround time that you expect throughout the project.
Turnaround time here can also indicate the designer's level of
excitement about your project. However, if turnaround is a bit
slow, make sure that the designer wasn't just out of the office
or tied up in another deadline-understand that they are running a
small business as well, and the fact that they're busy is
probably a sign of how effective they are for their clients!
8. Review the rights that they're selling to you. Make sure that
you have the copyright and reproduction rights that you want.
Think as far into the future as possible-you want to make sure
that you'll have what you need as your business grows. You
don't want to have to come back to your designer and renegotiate
your rights in a few years!
9. Do not ask for some sample designs for your specific project.
This is known as work on "spec" (speculation): having a
designer do work without a guarantee of getting the project.
While designers can understand your fears, asking a designer to
work on spec isn't very fair. The first round of designs on any
project is the most time-consuming to create-it often consists of
researching your company and your competitors, brainstorming on
the creative side, and generating first ideas. You wouldn't ask
a doctor to diagnose you before paying for his time, and then
offer to pay him if you like the diagnosis-it's no more fair to
do so with a designer.
10. Make sure that you'll get the deliverables you expect. Some
designers don't plan to include final files in their
deliverables to you. If you want to have the original files
delivered to you along with printed collateral or the final files
uploaded to your web server, make sure the designer knows that up
front: it might change the pricing.
If you want to be able to edit the final files, make sure that
the designer can deliver the files to you in a way that you can
edit them. Realize that, depending on the software you have, this
might either limit the design or be impossible, but you won't
know unless you ask!
And if you envision having your final files in a particular
format-such as having your letterhead in Microsoft Word-be sure
to ask for that. Many designers don't consider Word files to be
part of a standard set of deliverables.
11. Have a realistic schedule. Allocate enough time for your
project to be completed-rush jobs never turn out to be as good as
they could be if enough time were allotted. An average logo
project takes weeks, not days!
Also, be sure that the designer has time available in their
schedule to complete your project on your timeline. Check for
upcoming vacations, and whether they work evenings and weekends,
if your timeline calls for that.
12. Make sure that you're both clear about revisions. Many
designers include a set number of revisions in their project
packages. Make sure that you understand what constitutes a
revision, how many you'll get, and what happens if you need more
than the standard number.
13. Get it in writing. A contract can help to lay out
expectations for the project on both your end and the
designer's. Once you have a contract from your designer, make
sure to read it carefully-it will often state exactly what
you're going to get out of the project, how you're expected to
pay for designs, what you're paying for, and how to get out of
the contract (in case you have to cancel the project for any
reason). If the contract doesn't make things clear, ask the
designer to elaborate for you.
Following these steps gives you all of the background information
you need for optimum results when hiring a designer. Refer to
them when you review designer's websites and when you meet with
or interview your potential designer. Understanding the process
and expected outcome does wonders for a smooth transition from
ideas to reality.
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Erin Ferree is the owner and lead designer of elf design, a
Brand Identity Design and Management Company that specializes
in helping small businesses and entrepreneurs create a powerful
and unique brand identity that differentiates them from their
competition and helps them to connect with their target market.
Our work is bold, clean and effective, and our processes are
proven to get your materials completed quickly, so you can use
them to get new clients right away. We create designs that are
effective and contribute to your business's bottom line by
getting you noticed, reflecting your values, increasing your
credibility, and ultimately, helping you to make more sales.
Learn more about brand design at http://www.elf-design.com
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