Hiring a graphic designer can be a complicated, trying process to undergo. There are so many things to take into consideration. Getting it wrong can result in all kinds of problems like wasted time, money, and just more stress. And nobody wants more headaches in their life!

That’s why today we are going to give you the top 10 things to consider before you hire a graphic designer. Whether you need a new logo or a portable trade show display for your business, these tips will help make sure you have a positive experience hiring a graphic designer.

#1 – Graphic Designer’s Portfolio 
Any good graphic designer worth their fee will understand the vital importance of a substantial portfolio. Looking at their past work is your first glance into their style. Their collection ought to be putting their best foot forward. So, if it contains sub par work, you know you’ve got a problem.

However, remember that you shouldn’t rely solely on the portfolio.

#2 – Communication
As you begin a relationship with your prospective graphic designer, pay special attention to how they communicate with you. Are they responsive or are they always late getting back to you? Working with a good communicator is awesome. Working with a poor communicator is not.

#3 – Designer’s Area of Expertise
Just like any profession, some graphic designers specialize. If you are looking for a portable trade show display you should probably talk to a graphic designer who specializes in that or hire a graphic designer who has experience in designing portable trade show displays. If you are looking for a book cover design, again, one option is to talk to someone who specializes in book covers, or hire a graphic designer who has experience designing book covers.

#4 – Remember to Ask What They Need
Graphic designers will need certain things from you in order to meet your specifications. Remember to ask for this list up front. This will expedite the process plus their response will tell you how experienced they are with your type of project.

#5 – Experience
While this may seem like the same thing as their portfolio, it’s different in a couple of key ways. First, not everything a graphic designer does will end up in their portfolio. Second, having expertise in customer relations/service or something like what your business is could be a serious asset to the project.

#6 – Allow Them to Be Creative
If you have a strict idea of what you want your project to look like, this may stifle ideas that your graphic designer was going to bring to the table. Often there are set requirements for how a project must look or feel. However, if you can, don’t be afraid to allow them to make you think outside the box and come at things from a different angle.

#7 – Your Target Audience
One thing that you might not think to discuss with your graphic designer is your target audience. Whatever you are having designed is most likely going to be used to help you get or maintain customers. Therefore, making sure that your graphic designer understands your wants, needs, and desires is critical to ensure you get the result you’re looking to achieve.

#8 – Price
You can get a graphic designer for $5 or $5,000. Your price will depend somewhat on your project’s scope, however remember that you do get what you pay for. Trying to skimp can have some bad results and end with unsatisfied parties on both ends of the transaction.

#9 – Compensation Structure
Is your graphic designer getting paid upon job completion? Or will they be paid when you are 100% satisfied with the work? Are you going to pay them by the hour or by the project? Making sure you have clarified the compensation structure upfront will reduce headaches all around.

#10 – Maintain Clear Goals
Anytime you are hiring a graphic designer, you want to be very clear in your own mind as to your goals for the project. If this is going to be a long-term hire, what kind of metrics will you use to measure the outcomes? If this is a one-off, having goals will make sure you don’t get lost in the process.

Summary
Hiring may seem like a daunting task, especially when it comes to a less than concrete space like graphic design. Just remember that you are the one doing the hiring. They need to prove to you why they are the person for the job.

Keeping these top 10 things in mind while hiring a graphic designer will ensure that you cover all your bases and get a graphic designer who will be a benefit to your business.