As a designer, working with a client is all about relationship built on mutual respect and understanding. We know how to work with a client, but do you know how to work with us?
The DOs and DON'Ts of Working with a Graphic Designer (a guide to small business)
DO your research before hiring someone. Check out their credentials and their portfolio to see if the work they produce is a style match for you. Know what area of design they specialize in, as in don't hire a web designer to do a print campaign and vice versa.
DO prepare your list of needs/deliverables up front. Our estimates are based on the time and resources we’ll commit to developing that list of deliverables. Don't say "I just want a logo", then call 2 weeks later and ask for envelopes as well and assume that the price would remain the same.
DO have a budget and shop accordingly. Know that good design is time intensive.
DO expect the number of executions (initial designs) and rounds of revisions to the chosen execution to be specifically outlined in the estimate. Unfortunately, no one can afford to provide endless revisions at no additional cost.
DON'T negotiate fees. Invariably, we commit more hours to the project than we actually bill (and we too like to eat and pay our bills)
DO listen to our expert advice. That's why you hired us in the first place. Trust us, we know design.
DON'T bring to us someone else's product and ask us to copy it. It's just wrong on so many levels! (And very likely illegal.)
DON'T show work-in-progress to every Tom, Dick, and Aunt Sally. Yes, you're very proud that you are working with a designer, but the only opinion that will matter to us is yours — and that is the only opinion that should matter to you, too. My suggestion: keep your project, especially if it's a brand design, confidential until it's all finished.
DO proofread everything. Then proofread again. Print it out, flip upside down and read. Take a break and read again. When printer proofs arrive, check them as well. Not kidding here.
DON'T ever mutter the words "free font." There is no such thing as a free font. Remember, you hired a professional designer, not some blogger who bought Photoshop and took a podcast class.
DO expect our designs to possibly push your visual comfort level, but DON'T compromise your taste. If you can't live with a design element, or something just keeps you up at night because it's just "not you or your company" say so. But explain in detail exactly what it is that you're uncomfortable with, don't just say "I don't like it."
DO take pride in the end result. And boast about it. Because we love happy clients.
Thank you to Della Burns, my long-time friend and marketing mentor on helping to compile this list. Together, we have seen it all, heard it all, rolled our eyes, laughed hysterically at the ridiculousness, slammed phones when necessary, defended our work and our expert opinions to rooms full of naysayers, stopped presses, and fought for that perfect shade of purple.
The DOs and DON'Ts of Working with a Graphic Designer (a guide to small business)
DO your research before hiring someone. Check out their credentials and their portfolio to see if the work they produce is a style match for you. Know what area of design they specialize in, as in don't hire a web designer to do a print campaign and vice versa.
DO prepare your list of needs/deliverables up front. Our estimates are based on the time and resources we’ll commit to developing that list of deliverables. Don't say "I just want a logo", then call 2 weeks later and ask for envelopes as well and assume that the price would remain the same.
DO have a budget and shop accordingly. Know that good design is time intensive.
DO expect the number of executions (initial designs) and rounds of revisions to the chosen execution to be specifically outlined in the estimate. Unfortunately, no one can afford to provide endless revisions at no additional cost.
DON'T negotiate fees. Invariably, we commit more hours to the project than we actually bill (and we too like to eat and pay our bills)
DO listen to our expert advice. That's why you hired us in the first place. Trust us, we know design.
DON'T bring to us someone else's product and ask us to copy it. It's just wrong on so many levels! (And very likely illegal.)
DON'T show work-in-progress to every Tom, Dick, and Aunt Sally. Yes, you're very proud that you are working with a designer, but the only opinion that will matter to us is yours — and that is the only opinion that should matter to you, too. My suggestion: keep your project, especially if it's a brand design, confidential until it's all finished.
DO proofread everything. Then proofread again. Print it out, flip upside down and read. Take a break and read again. When printer proofs arrive, check them as well. Not kidding here.
DON'T ever mutter the words "free font." There is no such thing as a free font. Remember, you hired a professional designer, not some blogger who bought Photoshop and took a podcast class.
DO expect our designs to possibly push your visual comfort level, but DON'T compromise your taste. If you can't live with a design element, or something just keeps you up at night because it's just "not you or your company" say so. But explain in detail exactly what it is that you're uncomfortable with, don't just say "I don't like it."
DO take pride in the end result. And boast about it. Because we love happy clients.
Thank you to Della Burns, my long-time friend and marketing mentor on helping to compile this list. Together, we have seen it all, heard it all, rolled our eyes, laughed hysterically at the ridiculousness, slammed phones when necessary, defended our work and our expert opinions to rooms full of naysayers, stopped presses, and fought for that perfect shade of purple.