Tip For Choosing a Designer
By Jason Milburn

A common story I hear, when meeting with new clients, is that their previous designer did them wrong. I’ve seen cases where designers have left unfinished websites in their wake, took a deposit and were never heard from again or couldn’t perform the services they were contracted to do.  In one recent case, there was some sort of personality conflict and the client doesn’t even know where their site is hosted.  They have no information about the domain name – through whom it was purchased, when it expires and also no information about their email account (which they have also never checked). They have a website they can’t access, that has no information on it, and looks horrible – but DOES have their name on it. And they have no means, or desire, to get this information from the person they had worked with.

Scared yet? If you are in the market for a designer for a creative project, don’t worry. There are plenty of designers out there that can handle your project flawlessly. The trick is finding them. Perhaps you are a small business owner or are just getting started and you need someone who will do a professional job, but within a limited budget. This means you aren’t interested in working with a larger firm. You like the idea of supporting someone else who has the same entrepreneurial spirit that you do. This article will provide you with some tips, which should help guide you in the right direction.

Tip #1: Ask yourself if your chosen designer is trustworthy?

It seems like every student with a computer is offering freelance design services. Many of them can produce good work, and we have all had to start somewhere, but there are some potential problems you need to be aware of before securing this type of designer for your creative project.

Is the designer running a legitimate business, acting in a professional and dependable way? Maybe they own the necessary design software, or maybe they are using pirated software. Maybe they will do a good job on your project, providing a professional result on time and on budget… maybe they won’t.

I’ve run across several businesses who have partnered with someone just getting their feet wet, offering their services for perhaps the first time. All freelance designers have been there! You do need to be careful who you partner with however, as you could run into the same problems a local real estate firm had. The designer didn’t finish the project – probably after realizing that working for a client is just that – work. The client came to Jason Milburn Design to salvage their site and upgrade the look of the site so that it projected the right kind of message about their company.

Tip #2: The 'friend' will probably not do as good a job as someone you pay.

You may know someone that does some design work, either as a full-time job or on a freelance basis.  Sometimes this can be the perfect set-up: you’re going to get a deal with someone you know and trust. However, there are some pitfalls to this scenario.

One of the problems you may encounter is that the familiarity of the friendship ends up resulting in a project that never seems to get done. One comic shop decided to use their ‘friend’ for their website project, telling us that it was already being worked on. That was two years ago. Another client had Jason Milburn Design re-design their website because the friend she worked with ended up deciding she really didn’t want to do websites, and left the site unfinished and poorly designed.

It is usually better to enter into a professional relationship with a dependable, proven designer than going this route. However, if you do work with a friend or relative, just make sure you set the guidelines for the project in detail and make sure the friend knows what you expect.

Tip #3: Things to look for when choosing a designer:

1. Proven track record: One of the best ways to judge a designer is by the work they have already completed. Who are their clients? What type of experience do they have? Do you like the work that they have done and does it prove that they have the skills necessary to complete your project?

2. Client Testimony: What do their previous clients have to say about them? Are they easy to work with, and dependable? Is the designer easy to reach?

3. Pricing: Everyone wants a good deal. For some of the clients I have worked with, this was a main motivator for choosing a designer that ended up leaving the project in shambles. They were cheaper! Another reason for making a poor choice in whom to work with for your creative project is that some business owners don’t properly value good design. It is important to understand the importance of design and how it can help your business be successful.

It is possible to get a professional, experienced designer for a good price. However, if you are simply looking for the cheapest you can find, chances are your project will look cheap and end up costing you more in lost business and re-do costs in the long run. Remember - you get what you pay for!

4. Professionalism: After you contact a potential designer asking for a quote, how they handle your request will tell you a lot about what working with this designer will be like. How quickly did they respond to you? Is the quote professionally done, properly outlining the project with a competitive price? What is their process for completing the project and how long will it take them? What guarantees do they have?

A creative and professional design can be critical to your company’s success. A well designed website can drive traffic and produce new business, as well as keep existing customers coming back. How your logo, stationary, and brochures look – they all speak volumes about your company to your customers. It’s all about establishing your brand. Choosing the right designer to partner with is important. Hopefully these few thoughts will help you find the right person for your next creative project!