9 Tips for Getting the Best Out Of Your Freelance Graphic Designer

    Getting The Best  Freelance Graphic Designer. Whether you are looking for website design, logo design, t-shirts, posters, banners, business cards and more. A freelancer can provide quality work at an affordable price. 

First, you'll want to search through the many freelancing sites available to find the best fit for you/your business. Then decide what you want to spend on. If your budget is tight, don't worry. There are many freelance designers who are good at what they do but are just starting out and are willing to do work for less money to build their portfolio. Sometimes the designer you hire is from another country with a lower cost of living and will count on that. Or, in the meantime, you have the option of hiring experienced graphic designers who will pay more and do guaranteed quality work. 

So now that you've gone through the sites and found some potential candidates, you need to decide which one to choose. A few tips will help you: 

• Make sure you get samples of their past work. Do you like it? Remember, style means everything. Most designers stick to their own style and may not always match yours. 

• Ask for references and call them. 

• Request Agreement - You are the sole owner of all rights to the work, you will receive all files by email if changes are needed, hourly rate / flat rate / cost. 

• Be clear and consistent in your instructions and let them know you can change your mind. Totally worth it. Your image is important. 

Communication is extremely important

Graphic designers are generally very visual people, and communicating with them might be a little difficult. However, a positive attitude, supported by clarity in communication can help you to develop a good working relationship. Set up a routine communication process such as daily or weekly updates.

Maintain clarity in communication

Use words that specifically communicate what you want to say to avoid ambiguity. You should have detailed discussions about the project, until you both understand each other well. You both may have completely different perceptions, based on your backgrounds and experiences.

Provide essential information

Prepare before a meeting and gather all essential information needed. Appropriate background information is very important for a designer to create the finest designs. Since you know the most about your business, your input to the designing process is actually the most significant information.

Use visual descriptions

If you have a suggestion about what you want the end product to look like, do not be afraid to draw or sketch it. Your expertise in drawing is not important here, but your shaky sketch will enable the graphic designer to get a better idea of your expectations, given that designers are generally visually perceptive.

Ask questions

If you come across terms used by the designer that are new for your, ask questions instead of feeling frustrated. The creative kind generally jumps ahead in the process, without actually intending to.

Provide constructive feedback

Provide feedback with the intent of improving the project deliverables, not to find fault. Specify the aspects of the project that you like and the parts you do not like. Your explicit feedback can improve the final outcome. Provide encouragement where the outcomes meet your expectations.

Define your team clearly

Adding your staff, friends or clients to the designing process at a later stage is detrimental to the project outcome as the graphic designer is likely to get overwhelmed by everyone's suggestions and expectations. Add all essential people to the design team at the onset of the process.

Stay focused on your target audience

Your target audience is the key element that determines your graphic design projects. Any specific design may not be as effective out of the target audience. Don't get distracted by the advice of your family members, friends or other people not well-informed about the design process.

Ask for modifications if needed

If your graphic designer has taken a direction with the project that you do not agree with, let them know and ask for modifications. Be specific about what you don't approve of, such as the design or the colour. Increase communication so that you see the designing progress as it happens.

When many work relationships start, it is usual to have an initial bumpy ride, but a few adjustments from both sides can result in the development of a good working relationship. Although it is more fun to work with someone you know, ultimately you should prefer a professional over a personal friend.

Your first impression is important, your business is important. The better you look, the more you can do. In addition, you can connect with a graphic designer who is unique and can work with you in a lasting relationship.