What to look for in a designer: my 8 key tips
Hello!
After working with clients for 9 years, I've learned what works and doesn't work when starting new projects. It mostly boils down to clarity and communication. These are 8 tips from my PDF guide that I thought might be useful to you. If you'd like the "what to do" action steps for each point, you can download the guide on my website.
What to Look for in a Web Designer: 8 Key Secrets to Establishing an Effective Relationship
1. Know Your Target.
How did you find your designer, if you have one, or how do you plan to choose one when you are ready? What are you expecting to find when you decide to hire a designer? Being clear on what you want and don’t want is one of the first steps to finding the right person or team to work with. What are your expectations? By listing out what you need and what you expect from them, you’ll be able to define it clearly for your designer. If you’re not sure, ask your designer what they will be giving you. It may sound silly to ask such a simple question, but it’s surprising how many times people aren’t clear in the expectations for a project or relationship.
2. Take Note of Your First Impressions.
When you are considering a designer, what about them attracted you? Are they warm and easy to talk to? Would you feel comfortable agreeing or disagreeing with them? Do they seem interested in you, or only interested in getting you as a client?
3. Remember that Communication is Key.
Does your designer “get” you? Do you feel he/she listens to you and your wants/needs? Or do they give you something they think you need? You want to feel comfortable discussing what your ideas are. Being able to leave a conversation feeling like you were heard is critical to building a relationship and getting what you want.
4. Being Flexible Will Help You Both.
Is your designer adaptable? If you change your mind or get a new idea, how would your designer respond? If your designer offers ideas that are different from your original plan, how open to you to considering changes? If it takes longer than you thought, how will that affect what you are doing? Figuring out how to grow with your project to help it reach its potential is key to developing a successful project. It may mean growing with your designer; it may mean finding another to get the result that suits what you want.
5. Consider Whether Your Designer is a Marketer or an Artist.
Marketers will design based on what will sell or generate leads in your target market. Artists will design based on what looks good. Know what you want before you decide on the designer.
6. Look for Someone You Can Talk To When You Want.
Can you talk to your designer on a call or in person? Can you brainstorm with them? Can you share examples of stuff you like? If your design company is too big to give you individual attention, or they don’t speak English fluenty, or they are unreachable, consider how well they are serving you.
7. Integrity is a Biggie.
Integrity is key to any successful relationship. Does your designer come through for you when they say they will—or let you know immediately if something changes? Do you feel confident that your designer will stick with you to give their best to get what you want?
8. Consider How Long You Want the Relationship to Last.
Will you be working together for one project? Multiple projects? Are you looking for an on-going relationship? Decide what you want and need first, then look for a designer based on this. Letting little things go is easier if you’re only working on one small ad verses and entire marketing campaign.
9. Ask About their Background and Other Projects.
How does your designer stay current to the latest design and/or marketing trends? Does your designer offer input or suggestions based on experience, knowledge and/or education? Do you feel like you learn and your business grows from the relationship?
10. Often the Greater Commitment You Make, the More You’ll Learn or Get Out of It.
When you pay for the high-quality service, you expect high quality service. You also often are more willing to take time to get things right and work together because of your investment. Short-changing yourself by selecting the cheapest designer and expecting the highest quality will only bring you disappointment.
After working with clients for 9 years, I've learned what works and doesn't work when starting new projects. It mostly boils down to clarity and communication. These are 8 tips from my PDF guide that I thought might be useful to you. If you'd like the "what to do" action steps for each point, you can download the guide on my website.
What to Look for in a Web Designer: 8 Key Secrets to Establishing an Effective Relationship
1. Know Your Target.
How did you find your designer, if you have one, or how do you plan to choose one when you are ready? What are you expecting to find when you decide to hire a designer? Being clear on what you want and don’t want is one of the first steps to finding the right person or team to work with. What are your expectations? By listing out what you need and what you expect from them, you’ll be able to define it clearly for your designer. If you’re not sure, ask your designer what they will be giving you. It may sound silly to ask such a simple question, but it’s surprising how many times people aren’t clear in the expectations for a project or relationship.
2. Take Note of Your First Impressions.
When you are considering a designer, what about them attracted you? Are they warm and easy to talk to? Would you feel comfortable agreeing or disagreeing with them? Do they seem interested in you, or only interested in getting you as a client?
3. Remember that Communication is Key.
Does your designer “get” you? Do you feel he/she listens to you and your wants/needs? Or do they give you something they think you need? You want to feel comfortable discussing what your ideas are. Being able to leave a conversation feeling like you were heard is critical to building a relationship and getting what you want.
4. Being Flexible Will Help You Both.
Is your designer adaptable? If you change your mind or get a new idea, how would your designer respond? If your designer offers ideas that are different from your original plan, how open to you to considering changes? If it takes longer than you thought, how will that affect what you are doing? Figuring out how to grow with your project to help it reach its potential is key to developing a successful project. It may mean growing with your designer; it may mean finding another to get the result that suits what you want.
5. Consider Whether Your Designer is a Marketer or an Artist.
Marketers will design based on what will sell or generate leads in your target market. Artists will design based on what looks good. Know what you want before you decide on the designer.
6. Look for Someone You Can Talk To When You Want.
Can you talk to your designer on a call or in person? Can you brainstorm with them? Can you share examples of stuff you like? If your design company is too big to give you individual attention, or they don’t speak English fluenty, or they are unreachable, consider how well they are serving you.
7. Integrity is a Biggie.
Integrity is key to any successful relationship. Does your designer come through for you when they say they will—or let you know immediately if something changes? Do you feel confident that your designer will stick with you to give their best to get what you want?
8. Consider How Long You Want the Relationship to Last.
Will you be working together for one project? Multiple projects? Are you looking for an on-going relationship? Decide what you want and need first, then look for a designer based on this. Letting little things go is easier if you’re only working on one small ad verses and entire marketing campaign.
9. Ask About their Background and Other Projects.
How does your designer stay current to the latest design and/or marketing trends? Does your designer offer input or suggestions based on experience, knowledge and/or education? Do you feel like you learn and your business grows from the relationship?
10. Often the Greater Commitment You Make, the More You’ll Learn or Get Out of It.
When you pay for the high-quality service, you expect high quality service. You also often are more willing to take time to get things right and work together because of your investment. Short-changing yourself by selecting the cheapest designer and expecting the highest quality will only bring you disappointment.
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whaldorf -
Thanks - 1 reply
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Tech Diva -
Thanks
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