Asking the Right Questions: 6 Things You Need to Know
Getting graphic designers nowadays is as easy as buying your milk in
the supermarket. Graphic designers have become so endemic that
everybody thinks that if they know how to use software programs and
provide design and artwork to a material, they could easily get clients.
Graphic
design is a two-way street of benefits- one for you and the other for
the designer. To be able to maximize those benefits, here are 10
questions that we came up with to help you get the most suitable
graphic designer working for your project.
1. How many years have you been in graphic design? As
I\'ve said earlier, graphic designers are a dime a dozen. Almost
everyone is a graphic designer these days. They even come younger than
your next-door neighbor\'s son or daughter. Getting someone who has a
background on graphic design is not enough anymore to build a strong
working relationship. It is still better to have someone who has spent
time training and getting the needed experience to do the job for you.
2. Can I see a portfolio?
Knowing
what your designer has done in the past and getting his likes and
dislikes on designs and art can suggest what he/she will be presenting
to you. You might just get someone who has the exact look of what you
have in mind.
3. Who have you worked for? This
is the most significant. Maybe I should put this on top. Anyway, your
candidates should be able to produce not just clients but HAPPY
clients. This is important because these clients are living references
that you could talk to. Go one step further. Call them and ask about
the candidate. 4. What\'s wrong with this project?
Prepare
some material that includes an intentional mistake on the content. If
they don\'t see any glitch or error, I think it\'s time to move on to the
next candidate. Remember that editing and errors even minor ones will
mean money out of your pocket.
5. Here\'s a page, what can you do? A
little test will go a long way in evaluating whether they say what they
mean, and mean what they say. It\'s easy for them to tell you that they
ca produce great results. However, you would need someone who CAN. So
don\'t be afraid to give the test. Make it simple and give them a day or
two to provide you with their results.
6. How long will it take you to do the job? Your
answer would be dependent on many things. Be more specific and ask for
concrete answers. Also, try to ask our live references whether the
candidate submitted late jobs. Not all projects are on time. We should
accept that fact. Nevertheless, it\'s up to you to decide if chronic
lateness can be within your tolerance for pain.
7. How much will it cost?
Prices
do vary on the amount of work and your specifications. And do they make
over-charges? This is another fact that you should accept. Overcharges
are unavoidable because of the changing nature of the industry. Again,
call the live references. They will know whether the overcharge is
justified or not.
After everything has been said and
done, choosing your Graphic Designer depends on you and your
requirements. As with each fingerprint being unique, so does with
graphic designers. Each of them has their own differences that can be
an advantage for you and your company. So don\'t be afraid to look
around. What you need might just be a block away from your office.
