Hiring a disciplined graphic designer who can bring ideas to life can be a big advantage for your company. It is especially important to find a graphic designer who can collaborate well with colleagues and clients while working on multiple projects at the same time.
Here is a list of responsibilities of a graphic designer:
- Create visually appealing print and digital materials that fulfill their intended purpose;
- Support marketing initiatives based on a strategic vision;
- Start new projects immediately
- Create and edit images such as logos, photographs and graphics;
- Create layouts for print projects while maintaining consistency and understanding brand principles;
- Constantly meet project deadlines and sprints.
When should you look for a graphic designer?
You are probably not satisfied with the images and visuals that your company has. Maybe the company’s policies and culture have changed and the visuals don’t reflect those changes, or maybe you never had a real brand or identity for your company.
Review this checklist to assess your graphic design needs.
- Do you post frequently on social media?
- Do you need to develop something daily?
- Are you dissatisfied with the quality of the graphics representing your brand right now?
- Does your content/posts get almost no feedback?
- Is there any inconsistency in your brand? (Example: a business card has a different color or logo from everything else)
If your answers are mostly positive, it’s time to seek the help of a graphic design professional.
Not all graphic designers are the same, but they are all graphic designers.
A common mistake that people often make is that they hire a graphic designer and think that the hired specialist will be able to take on any project. It’s like asking the plumber who usually fixes your sink to build you a new roof. There are different types of designers, each with their own specialization.
The term “designer” in the world of graphic design is very broad. Designers can specialize in things like web and app design, logo design, corporate identity and brand design, even packaging design. The faster you understand them, the faster you will find the perfect designer for your project.
A logo designer is especially good at designing logos. An illustrator can also create logos, but he’s better off designing characters and models. A web and app designer specializes in designing websites and UX/UI projects and will most likely perform poorly in everything else.
Understanding what skills you expect from a candidate is crucial when looking for a designer. So make sure you evaluate your own needs first before inviting someone for an interview.
Here are some of the common types of designers, each specializing in a particular area of graphic design.
- Packaging designers
- Motion designers
- 3D graphic designers
- Art directors
- Logo designers
- Corporate identity designers
- Web designers
- UX designers
Freelancers versus in-house designers
- Pros of hiring freelancers
Designers work great as “freelancers” or under a GPC agreement. Freelance designers tend to work for themselves and are not tied to one particular company or employer. Freelance graphic designers are ideal for companies that need to complete a one-time project quickly and easily. And the cost of hiring a freelancer on a project basis is pretty low compared to hiring someone full time. In addition, there are many exchanges, freelancers in recent years too. As a rule, freelancers have a more diverse portfolio – they often take on different projects, not necessarily in their field.
- Cons of hiring freelancers
The downside to hiring a freelancer is time wasted. You will spend a couple of days only on communication, discussing the details of your project and payroll. Basically, you also take on a part-time job as a project manager and work alongside your freelancer. After all, someone will need to view the resulting options and make changes.
- Benefits of hiring an in-house designer
Hiring an in-house designer can greatly increase your organization’s productivity and allow you to create the quantity and quality of design you need. Hiring an in-house designer is especially important if most of the design projects they work on are focused on your brand and only someone who understands the company’s culture and values can translate them into design.
- Cons of hiring an in-house designer
The obvious downside is the cost. While the help of a designer is certainly invaluable for a team that requires a level of care and attention, the costs can be significant, especially for a startup or new company. You also need to make sure that you basically have a significant amount of work and need for a designer, so as not to overpay an employee who will sit idle for several hours.
What a Graphic Designer Does and Doesn’t Do
Before you go to interview candidates, you need to understand what a graphic designer does and doesn’t do. Potential designers are here to support you in your graphic design needs. Design is not development, coding, sales, marketing, etc. Find a graphic designer who is focused on what he is good at.
While a graphic designer can create a website for you, they won’t code, it’s not a front-end developer after all. Designers are also not responsible for shaping your brand identity. While some designers may have ideas, they are not marketers. Most designers also have a specific professional area of expertise, so make use of their strengths. If you need a specific project, like a logo, hire a logo designer who understands what you are looking for. Focus on the portfolio, do not hesitate to ask and view the work in more detail – this is the best way to get acquainted with the work of the designer and understand whether this particular specialist is right for your company.
Where can I find a freelance graphic designer?
Of course, in today’s world it is easy to both become a freelancer and find a freelancer. The field of graphic design is no exception. You can create a job posting and post it on corporate or personal social networks, you can simply use freelance exchanges like Freelancer, Guru and Upwork, or you can traditionally post on Headhunter.
About Author
Bruce Murphy is a freelance designer and illustrator. Bruce Specializes in UI/UX, concepts, branding, identity and 2D/3D animations. Bruce’s popularity did rise as an art director at InGenious Guru a leading digital marketing agency in New York.
