Are you thinking about taking the next steps and revamping your business content?
Maybe you’re ready to purchase a well-polished logo. Or maybe it’s time that you get a graphic designer to develop a website that converts.
Before you begin searching for a graphic designer who can help elevate your visual brand identity, you must know what you’re looking for. This guide can help you find the right designer to ensure that your visual communication aligns with your long-term business goals.
That’s where we come in!
As a Brisbane-based graphic design agency that has worked with countless business owners and individuals, we can help identify what you need. So, to help you out, we've put together a little guide on what you should prepare before you start Googling graphic designers aplenty.
✅ List out the graphic design work that you need
You want to design something and add a visual presence to your brand. That’s great!
Now, it’s time to determine which design assets will help you deliver this as quickly as possible. Some of the options we frequently work with include:
New Logos
Business Cards
Packaging Design
Website Design
Re-branding
Marketing Collateral
If you’ve never done this before, it can be tricky to understand which visual branding strategies will elevate your business. There’s no need to panic if that’s the case!
Most graphic designers, including the team here at Harbrow Creations, are happy to help you understand which collateral (visual representations of your brand) will help you succeed. Many of us are even happy to create custom graphic design packages that will include everything your business needs.
If there are some things that you know you want to be included, such as particular design elements or colours, bringing them into the first consultation can give us more time for creative collaboration.
✅ Set clear expectations - including when you want your designs to launch
Setting clear intentions and remaining honest throughout the process can help your graphic designer understand your project, and gather all the information they need to steer the design in the right direction. This helps ensure the design is perfect, and it can also guarantee that your work is completed within the appropriate timeframe.
Remember, graphic design does take time, but setting an expectation on when you need your work delivered can help your designer allocate the appropriate timeframes for each task. It’s also essential to prioritise your tasks so everything can be delivered as required. For example, if you would like your flyers to be ready before your website, be sure to tell the designer, as this will impact the order in which packaged services are completed.
It’s vital to leave at least 4 weeks for your graphic designer to perfect the collateral for you. Though more time is always preferred as this allows for additional detail and refinement to go into your job.
✅ Be honest with your budget
Your designer wants to work with you to achieve your desired outcome. So, you must be honest with your budget from the beginning. Underestimating your budget can restrict the level of detail that goes into each project. In the same way, over-estimating can leave you out of pocket.
Now, this doesn’t mean that graphic designers expect you to know the exact dollar value you are willing to spend. But, an estimate always helps!
If you’re wondering why we need a budget, it’s simple. Like any other service on the market, graphic designers can provide different detail, depending on your budget. A low range investment will still produce a high-quality final product. But, the result may be more generic than someone paying a high value for a fully customised and innovative design.
✅ Hire for style, not cost.
Just as every chef would prepare the same meal differently, every graphic designer has a different style. Some prefer more animated designs, others prefer minimalism, and some love having fun with your ideas. Before you hire a designer, it’s always best you check out their portfolio and industry experience to ensure that they can align with the work you require.
When in doubt, you can always ask the designer if they would have the capacity to deliver your concept.
As an experienced graphic design agency located in Brisbane, we are passionate about helping business owners develop the visual collateral they need to see greater sales and success. If you are ready to transform your business, and have your checklist complete, click this link to get started.
