How to Find a Good Graphic Designer

What’s the first thing that comes to mind when you hear the word “graphic designer?” What exactly does a graphic designer do and why do you need one? Why is finding a good graphic designer important for growing your business and how do you find a designer that best fits your business?

In this article we will briefly discuss the job description of a graphic designer. We will also discuss the best way to find a good graphic designer. We will explore finding a local graphic designer or a freelance graphic designer.

So, what exactly does a graphic designer do?

A graphic designer is someone who creates visual content using computer software or by hand to get the attention of consumers. The goal is to inspire, inform and captivate their audience and ultimately convert their audience into customers.

A good graphic designer is someone with more than just skill. It is important to find out their creativity and work style. According to Hubspot, some good questions to ask a graphic designer are:

Describe your creative process.
How do you get unstuck creatively?
Tell us about a time when a client disliked your work.
How do you stay organized when provided multiple designs, assets, files, and ideas?
Tell us about a project which has been your greatest achievement.
What are the qualities you look for in a manager?

When you are looking for a graphic designer be sure to look at their portfolio. Their portfolio should determine whether they are worth hiring and if they would fit into your business.

Local Graphic Designer vs Freelance Graphic Designer

What’s the difference between a local graphic designer and a freelance graphic designer? How do I decide who’s best for me?

A local graphic designer can be beneficial when you’re targeting a local audience. A local designer already knows the area and your audience. Another reason to choose a local graphic designer would be that communication wouldn’t be affected by time zone differences, and you could meet in person. You could easily collaborate and consult, simply drop something off or review a project together. You’re both in the same time zone so communication isn’t affected by zone differences or potential internet issues in a teleconference. Instead, you can meet in person.

Good Websites to Find a Local Graphic Designer

According to LinkedIn and Search Engine Journal some good websites to find a local graphic designer are:

Communo

Communo is a good place to look for designers who live in your area. You can post and search a wide online community of freelancers.

Some of Communo’s key features are:

Built-in applicant tracking system so that you can keep an eye on the higher cycle
Freelancers can launch a free profile
Freelancers are verified and vetted

Thumbtack

Thumbtack is another great place to find local graphic designers.

Some of Thumbtack’s key features are:

Find local designers and professionals
Free cost estimates
Project guides written by Thumbtack pros

Yelp

Yelp is the top review site for local businesses. If you’re looking to hire a local graphic designer, Yelp is a great place to look.

Some of Yelp’s key features are:

Good place to find career opportunities
Find financial information
News and information about people and products

Good Websites to Find a Freelance Graphic Designer

A freelance graphic designer is not employed by a specific company, but is someone who works on their own for many clients on a project basis.

So, where exactly do you find a good freelance graphic designer?

From biz30.timedoctor.com, is this list of the top11 websites in 2021 to find a freelance designer:

Upwork

On Upwork you can post a job listing and freelancers can respond to the post. You can also do your own search and reach out to a specific freelancer.

Some of Upwork’s key features are:

Search filters to narrow down your search for a graphic designer
An online workspace to help you track your projects and the hours a freelancer works
Mobile apps for Android and iOS to help manage freelancers

Freelancer

On Freelancer you can use search filters to find graphic design freelancers who fit the job needs and reach out to them. You have the option to post jobs and screen the applicable freelancers. Another option on Freelancer is a platform where freelancers pitch their ideas, and you can select the best person for the job.

Some of Freelancer’s key features are:

Creates a design portfolio for each freelancer
Certification exams to verify a freelancer’s skills

Fiverr

Fiverr is popular among small businesses to hire graphic designers. It has a user-friendly interface and large visual design categories. Fiverr can help you with all your design needs and make it easy to find a graphic designer.

Some Fiverr’s key features are:

Fiverr helps you identify the best-rated freelancers
Affordable with no membership fees
Multiple search filters to help you find the best designers

99designs

99designs is a platform that offers freelancers for many different graphic design projects such as business card designs, logos, website designs and more! It is simple to just submit a project with a description of the requirements. The project is sent to a freelancer who will review the project and submit their pitches. Finally, you can select the freelance graphic designer that’s right for you.

Some of 99design’s key features include:

Hold contests where you can select the best graphic design freelancer
Every freelance designer has been vetted and screened

Toptal

Toptal is very selective with who they allow on their platform. First, you can submit your job requirements. Second, someone from the Toptal team will be in touch with you. Third, the Toptal team selects graphic design freelancers who fit your job description. Finally, you can select your top candidates from that list.

Some of Toptal’s key features include:

The Toptal team does the work so that you don’t have to search and screen freelancers
Freelancers are familiar with many tools such as Google apps and project management software
Toptal has a strict screening process

Guru

On Guru you can post a job and receive quotes from potential freelance candidates. You can then browse your options and reach out to the freelancer directly.

Some Guru key features include:

Detailed and extensive screening process of each graphic designer
Affordable with no membership fees

PeoplePerHour

PeoplePerHour is a UK-based company and a place where you can find many graphic designers to help you with all your graphic design needs. You can submit a project and freelancers will send a quote, Purchase packages are pre-set by freelancers. Finally, identify the freelancer that is best for your project and get in touch with them directly.

Some PeoplePerHour key features include:

Graphic design freelancers have pre-set packages, so you don’t have to do any negotiating
Graphic designers are required to be familiar with Adobe Creative Suite

Dribbble

Dribbble allows graphic designers to showcase their work to potential clients. You can browse through a freelancer’s portfolio and contact them directly if you see a project you like. Submit your project to Dribbble and their team will send you a list of graphic designers that fit your job description. You can then contact the freelancer directly and get a quote from them.

Some of Dribbble’s key features include:

Dribbble is selective with their freelancer membership and is only on a invite-only basis
Built in communication option to interact with freelancers about your project
Just submit your projects and Dribbble does all the work!

LinkedIn ProFinder

LinkedIn ProFinder is a new space to find freelancers. Currently, this platform is only available to U.S-based LinkedIn members. Submit your job description and LinkedIn will send you potential freelancers. LinkedIn will start with the graphic design freelancers in your network and your mutual networks first. You can then reach out to the freelancer of your choice.

Some of LinkedIn ProFinder’s key features include:

LinkedProFinder does the work to quickly connect you to good graphic design freelancers
Directly message freelancers through LinkedInProFinder and build a connections

DesignHill

DesignHill is a popular platform to find a graphic designer. This platform offers a few different options when you’re hiring a graphic designer. First, you can hold a contest and choose the designers that impressed you. Second, you can choose built in graphic design services offered by designers on DesignHill. Third, you can directly contact a freelancer for a specific project.

Some key DesignHill features include:

Hold design contests for freelancers to submit a quote and you can hire the best one for you
DesignHill has a built-in team of graphic designers who can work on your projects
You can ask for endless revisions without extra fees and a 100% refund guarantee if you don’t like the work

Twine

Twine specializes in creative and digital freelancers. You can browse freelancers profiles before hiring them. Freelancers can respond to your job posts.

Some of Twine’s key features include:

Unlimited pitch limit to clients with not transaction fees
You only pay if you hire a freelancer and not before
Twine has a good customer support team

Interview Questions to Ask a Graphic Designer

Before hiring a graphic designer, here are some good questions to ask in an interview:

How did you hear about our company?
What do you know about us?
How would you apply your previous work to this position?
When was the first time you realized you wanted to work in graphic design?
How would you handle negative client feedback?
Are you comfortable with the design programs you would be expected to use in this position?
This job will require interactions with clients daily. Are you comfortable with that?

Graphic designers are essential to building the image of your business and brand. Hopefully, this information is helpful when it comes to finding and hiring the best graphic designer for your business.

Graphic Design Chicago is here to help with all your graphic design needs. Contact us today and let’s get started together!

Categories: Business Graphic Design

business graphic design graphic designer

Top Graphic Design Terms That Every Business Owner Should Know

[section]

Top Graphic Design Terms That Every Business Owner Should Know

[/section]
[section]

[ux_image id=”172″]

[/section]

Graphic Design Terms for Business

The importance of graphic design to businesses cannot be overstated, but that does not mean that every business owner is a professional graphic designer, or even has a background in the subject. Graphic design represents the visual communications that convey a message or inspire people. Designs like these are commonly used on business cards, letterheads, marketing materials, brochures, and more. In this article, you will learn all about the top graphic design terms that anyone running a business should know.

Examples of Graphic Design

The umbrella of graphic design covers a lot more than many people may realize. Sure, It can be a company’s logo, or the font they choose to use, but it also means much more.

Marketing and Advertising

Graphic design has become increasingly important to businesses as they realize the scope to which graphic design can be used and the benefits it has. For instance, a company’s logo is a prime example of graphic design being utilized by a business. This logo often finds its way onto letterheads, memos, marketing materials, and much more. These items themselves are examples of graphic design being employed by a given company as graphic design can be much more than just the images we see.

Brand and Visual Identity

Graphic design is also used to develop the identity of a company. Visuals have the ability to communicate tones, provoke emotions and memories, and make viewers feel a certain way. Business owners everywhere are beginning to realize the importance of graphic design to help extend their brand identities and effectively communicate this identity to their customers.

User Interface Design

User Interface design is a term used to describe much more than just the visual design of a company’s website. These types of designers figure out how users can best interact with software and have the most problem-free experience with a given site. When this type of design is thought of in terms of graphic design, it can be described as the visual experience that a given user is encountering. It’s important that a UI designer creates a high-functioning website, and it’s almost just as important that this is balanced with an aesthetically pleasing design. A blog post from Less Annoying CRM gave a good example of the difference between companies who focus on UI design in comparison to UI graphic-design, citing the visual appeal of Apple and contrasting that with the more impressive functionality of one of their top competitors, Google.

These are some of the most important examples of graphic design for business owners, although the list continues. Examples include environmental graphic design that encompasses things like office design and layout or even motion graphic design seen in GIFs, animated logos, and more. There’s no exact number for how many types of graphic design there really are, but a blog post from 99Designs about their thoughts on the 8 types of graphic design gives a great overview of the basics.

The Definition of Graphic Design

It’s hard to pinpoint what exactly the definition of graphic design is because that can depend on who you ask. However, there are main themes that stay consistent throughout almost all definitions. I can say confidently that graphic design is the communication of certain ideas and themes through visual and textual content. It’s a method of communication in order to connect with customers and appeal to their visual senses. Think about this in terms of your own business, once you are able to pinpoint the messages and themes you want to convey, utilizing graphic design becomes far easier. Are there certain colors that aid the theme of your business? Certain fonts that do the same thing? It’s important to stay consistent in your graphic design usage and know what it is you want to accomplish for your business. At Graphic Design Chicago we specialize in making serious improvements to the success of your company through these visual and textual approaches.

[ux_image id=”141″]

Design Terms

Digital Marketing and Advertising

After working with a graphic designer and developing your new design, what’s the next step? Sure, you want to make business cards, display your new logo, and hopefully have updated the layout of your website. Now it’s time to think about digital marketing. Just a few examples of this include email campaigns, having a social media presence, and content marketing such as blog posts. Take social media marketing for example, as a business owner you should develop social media accounts on platforms where you feel your customers are most present (Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter are a few of the most common examples). You can now use your custom branded graphics in your social media posts so that a consistent theme will start to develop and help to strengthen your brand identity. Reaching customers through digital marketing strategies allows you to successfully communicate a message to your target audience without needing significant funding and thus earn a strong return on your investment (ROI).

Color Palette/Profile

A color palette or profile is extremely important in graphic design and ties back to the brand image you want to convey and stay consistent with as a marketer. Colors have a profound effect on the way we think, for example, the color blue is supposed to convey trustworthiness and security, which is in large part why so many banking and financial institutions seem to have a blue theme (Chase bank, Venmo, Visa, American Express, etc.) So it’s important to keep this in mind when working with graphic design and in any aspect of your business. It’s also important to think about how colors interact with each other, and how to use this to your advantage.

Brand Image and Strategy

Your brand image can be rather simply defined as the way that customers perceive your brand and the expectations they have. As a business owner, you want to identify what it is you want your brand image to be, and how you want your customers to think of your business. Do you want to be known for great customer service? Or maybe the lowest possible prices? The point is, you want to know the message you are trying to send and then utilize graphic design to help extend this theme into your target audience. Your brand strategy is basically that, how you plan to inform customers about your company and make sure they are receiving the brand image the way you want them to.

Graphic Design Elements and Principles

As Rasmussen University correctly states, graphic design elements are used in conjunction and opposition with each other in order to create visually impactful designs. I know that you’re reading this as a business owner and not a graphic designer, but that does not mean it’s not important to understand some of the most basic graphic design terms. These elements include, but are not limited to color, form, shape, size, and texture. All of these elements are thought about when designing and all have an impact on the visual success of your designs. Graphic designers also know the importance of adhering to the principles of graphic design that help to ensure a successful creation. Some of these include balance, contrast, rhythm, and more. To me, these design principles and elements help show how important it is to find a graphic designer who knows what they are doing because as we see there is a lot that goes into successful designs.

How Graphic Design Chicago Can Help You

One thing that I’m sure is becoming more apparent to you after reading this is that graphic design is not an easy thing to master, and it’s not something that should be overlooked. I’m sure you feel overwhelmed and may not even know where to start. Here at Graphic Design Chicago, we have a team of experienced designers that have been mastering their talents for many years that want to help you create successful designs for your business, and can do so in the most effective possible way.

FAQS

What is graphic design?
How important is graphic design to the success of my business?
What are some examples of graphic design?
How can I use graphic design successfully?

Categories: Business Graphic Design

Hello world!

Welcome to WordPress. This is your first post. Edit or delete it, then start writing!

Play

Video

Ut enim ad minim veniam, quis nostrud exercitation ullamco laboris nisi ut aliquip ex ea commodo consequat. Duis aute irure dolor in reprehenderit in voluptate velit esse cillum dolore eu fugiat nulla pariatur. Excepteur sint occaecat cupidatat non proident, sunt in culpa qui officia deserunt mollit anim id est laborum. Sed ut perspiciatis unde omnis iste natus error sit voluptatem accusantium doloremque laudantium, totam rem aperiam, eaque ipsa quae ab illo inventore veritatis et quasi architecto beatae vitae dicta sunt explicabo.

Ut enim ad minim veniam, quis nostrud exercitation ullamco laboris nisi ut aliquip ex ea commodo consequat.
TOM TAILOR

Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipisicing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam, quis nostrud exercitation ullamco laboris nisi ut aliquip ex ea commodo consequat. Duis aute irure dolor in reprehenderit in voluptate velit esse cillum dolore eu fugiat nulla pariatur. Excepteur sint occaecat cupidatat non proident, sunt in culpa qui officia deserunt mollit anim id est laborum. Sed ut perspiciatis unde omnis iste natus error sit voluptatem accusantium doloremque laudantium, totam rem aperiam, eaque ipsa quae ab illo inventore veritatis et quasi architecto beatae vitae dicta sunt explicabo. Nemo enim ipsam voluptatem quia voluptas sit aspernatur aut odit aut fugit, sed quia consequuntur magni dolores eos qui ratione voluptatem sequi nesciunt.

Categories: Single