Choosing the right graphic designer is critical to the success of any website. And with so many designers in the market today, your selection process must be thorough and thought out to pick the designer that meets the specific needs of your site. Consider the following when contracting your next graphic designer:
Knowledge:
A great graphic designer will have an established knowledge of their field, and should know what works and what doesn’t work when designing a successful website. They should be able to take your rough sketch and turn it into a professional finished product that is visually attractive and fully functional.
Knowledge comes not only with experience, but with keeping up with the latest internet trends and design tools. A great website in 2006 isn’t going to have the same effect in 2011. A graphic designer with sharp skills in the latest design software, as well as the latest online and social networking tools will turn your idea into a modern, state-of-the-art finished product.
Creativity:
A great graphic designer has the vision and creativity to take even the weakest and most obscure ideas and turn them into powerful and bold realities. They will work with their clients on as many revisions as it takes to create a satisfying final product, even if it’s nothing like the original idea. Essentially, the most creative and innovative graphic designers are the ones who know what the client wants even more than the clients do themselves.
Time:
Because time is money, it is critical to select a graphic designer who can quickly turn around the design for your new website. That is not to say you should accept a poor design if it can be done in less than 24 hours, just remember you get what you pay for. Sometimes the right design arrives after a process of revisions, in which case it is critical that the designer communicates just how long each revision will take. Even if the design takes longer than you originally anticipated, it is worth the investment if the designer delivers a fantastic final product within the quoted time frame.
If your designer doesn’t respond to emails and returns projects days later than originally quoted, you should seek another designer.
Testimonials:
Nothing predicts future work like proven results. Look through the designer’s website for previous client testimonials, which will provide a true and accurate picture of the service the designer provides. Good communication, fast turnaround and outstanding production are all characteristics of an elite designer. Be wary of designers who cannot provide any testimonials – it is likely their previous clients were not satisfied with the work.
