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So you’ve started up your own business or even need a design to sell/promote your product or service or business. You need a good logo, some business cards, stationery & assorted marketing collateral. Where can you go from here? Many individuals will fall into the trap of signing up for a ‘can’t believe it’s so cheap’ design deal online. There are plenty of people offering design services such as a Google apps consultant, and they range in experience from true professionals with years of experience to high school students with fake software who would like to make a quick buck. Will you get the opportunity to speak with them about your business And the direction it is headed?

One of the best ways to get a great designer is to ask around. If you have a buddy or colleague that has a good logo or brochure for their business, simply ask who has done their design work. Contacting someone whose work you're already impressed with is a step in the right direction. Failing this it might be time to put Google to work for you. Search on the internet for graphic designers in your area & start to check out their sites. These days the very best designers will have an online profile so prospective customers can get a feel for the work they have completed.

When looking for a graphic designer there are some questions you need to answer:

Do they have a professional, well designed site? The design quality of their website is most likely a fair reflection of their design skills.

Do they have a strong portfolio along with a wide range of designs? It is important for you to like their work & feel assured they can speak your message.

Are they very easily contactable? Are you able to get in touch with them by phone or do they only offer online/email contact? A designer really has to get within your business which comes best from direct contact with you, possibly face to face, over the phone or even a video call.

Do they have great interpersonal skills? A great designer should be able to interact well with their clients. They will work carefully with you to develop a creative brief that is right on target.

Will they offer you with contact details for a couple of their clients so you can get a reference? An excellent designer will have no problems letting their clients sing their good remarks.

How do they charge for their work? Will you be paying an per hour rate or are they confident enough to charge a flat fee for the job? Do not hesitate to ask questions about their fees – you do not want any nasty surprises that will throw your financial budget down the drain.

Will these people manage to carry out the work in a timely fashion? Do not expect to find a designer & have your new logo within a couple of hours. Provide a timeline that gives your designer plenty of time to plan, research & most of all create!

Are they appropriately certified? It is a good idea to check your prospective designer’s qualifications. It might not be a regulated profession in Australia at this time, but graphic design is a specialized field like accounting, architecture or law. You wouldn’t hire a lawyer that was not properly qualified and the same should go for any graphic designer. Professional graphic designers will be happy to tell you where they studied and what certification they obtained. Their application of design principles and adhering to design procedures and commercial guidelines is a good indicator of a professional, well versed graphic designer.

When you find the designer that is the perfect fit for you the results will be awesome. Always remember that communication is essential – both before, during & after the design process. Never accept a design that you do not absolutely love & can stand proudly alongside. A great designer will never want you to be satisfied with something good – they will want you to be amazed by the end result.

Learn more about graphic designing from Icreate Solutions.





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