I recently spoke to a room full of women much like myself, members of The Enterprising Moms. We are all mothers who have launched our own businesses, in a broad range of professions – there are marketing professionals, make-up artists, authors and jewelry designers, to name a few. I was asked to offer tips for hiring and working with a designer. Preparing this information reminded me that graphic design is as much about providing a service as it is as delivering a product. Portfolio and price are actually secondary when it comes to selecting the right designer for the job. The RELATIONSHIP between the client and the designer can be the most important element that guarantees the success of a your project.
Below are the the three things that I believe to be the keys to a great relationship and the secret to getting the result you need:
Comprehension This can be the most important quality in a designer. Make sure that the designer is willing to understand your business and it’s unique challenges. Give your designer everything they need to know: mission, company background, purpose of project, budget limitations.Communication
For a successful relationship, have an open dialogue about everything from budget to timeline, initial designs to review processes. Review the designer’s proposal carefully, ask questions and revise if needed.
Collaboration
To get great results, be involved right from the beginning of the design process. Start talking while the work is in progress. The final design should not be a surprise. Be comfortable stating what works and what does not. Speak in terms of business objectives, rather than colors and imagery. A skilled designer can translate your goals into a visual format, giving you the result you need.
The secret to any successful business relationship is communication. If the line of communication is open between you and your designer, the end product will speak to your audience without saying a word.
