5 Tips to Improve Your Graphic Design Experience

Creating a business from scratch can be complicated and your to-do list will read like a long and expensive shopping list with all the things that need to be done prior to even opening your business. At some point throughout the start-up stage you will, in all likelihood, need to deal with a graphic designer. However there are some tricks to be aware of when it comes to dealing with your graphic designer to make the design task smooth and enjoyable.

1. Know What You Want

Having some idea of what you are looking for from the outset can be particularly advantageous for yourself and your designer. It can be quite a time wasting experience if you tell your designer that you are open to anything they put on the table and then halfway through the process, you realise you knew exactly what you wanted from the start and are not open to negotiation. This can also be a more costly approach as many graphic designers charge for extra amendments, if after a certain period of time, you are still alternating with your decision making.

2. Be Clear With Your Communication

Knowing what you want and communicating it to your designer are two different elements altogether. Usually showing examples of what you like or what you don’t can be particularly helpful in getting to your finished result quicker. Also be specific with your colours by again providing an example. The “blue” tone you have in mind for your logo or brochure may differ entirely from the shade of “blue” your designer envisages will suit.

3. Notify Your Designer of Your Timeframe

Again this comes down to the clarity of your conversations in the early stages. If you state no particular rush, then you may find the job is taking you a week or two past the date you really needed it. Be clear with your intended deadline so that, in reality, the designer knows what they are up against. Also if it is an ASAP task – let the designer know exactly when you require the work completed by. They are working to their own schedule – not yours – therefore be clear so that you both know where you stand at any given point in the design process.

4. Be Organised

If you are using images or logos in your work, have them prepared and ready to submit. At some point in your website or brochure design you will be called upon to provide these. Be delaying the date in which you provide your professional quality images, even by a few days, can add serious delays in work completion.

5. Know Your Budget

Be clear of the costs of the work involved and how it fits in with your organisation budget. A designer will be able to advise you on the full cost of the design work prior to the commencement of the job. Note that their cost provided is usually not up for negotiation. If you are hesitant in paying your bill, then you may find your designer may not be particularly forthcoming in the work he/she has done for you.