Five questions to ask your brand designer
Apart from the obvious; “are you an InDesign or an Illustrator kinda gal” here are some questions it’s best to ask before hiring a brand designer.
What’s your process?
Asking this question ensures you’re on the same page with what to expect and when. When answering your designer should cover things like:
Turnaround time
Number of concepts presented
Rounds of feedback included
How you’ll communicate
Exactly what deliverables will I receive?
Designers will often showcase your brand across a range of items, but that doesn’t mean those items will be delivered as part of your final files.
It’s always worth confirming exactly what you will receive when the project wraps. This ensures you won’t be missing anything important to your business.
Can I see past examples of your work?
Any designer worth their salt will be able to ping over either a PDF portfolio or a website link. It seems pretty obvious to say, but don’t hire a designer if you haven’t seen their work - no matter how cheap they are!
It’s also worth checking out their work to see if you like it. Design is so subjective and your preferred style may not align with what the designer generally produces.
Will you manage the print side of things?
If a designer has been in business for a while, generally they’ll have built up a few key contacts and might be happy to manage the print side of things for you too.
I worked in a print company for years, so perhaps I am biased - I love print!
Do you offer payment plans?
I get it - branding and design can be expensive. It’s totally worth the investment, but sometimes you just have to spread it out a little.
Most designers I know will offer payment plans to make it a little easier for you.
Don’t trust a designer that doesn’t take at least a 25% deposit up-front. It shows a serious lack of boundaries and professionalism.