As a professional graphic designer, I’ve worked with a multitude of clients from a variety of industries. While each product, service and company is unique, there are a few basic tasks that should be considered prior to giving me a call, including the following.
1. Think About What You Need
As a full-service graphic designer, I can provide you with virtually any design service you might need including logo design, packaging design, product design and even clothing and shoe design.
For many clients, my job begins by creating a logo or brand image. This image can be used on letterhead, business cards, envelopes, invoices and other printed materials, as well as being featured on your website and on any type of promo item. This might include items such as customized clothing, stickers, posters and advertisements for magazines and newspapers.
Before, you come to our first meeting, compile a list of what you need me to accomplish. We can always add to the list or modify the list, but having an initial game plan is always a good idea.
2. Compile Some Information
While you might not know exactly how you want a design to look, you probably can find some examples of designs that speak to you and the image you wish to project to the world. Bring some examples of designs and logos that you love, but don’t forget to also include a few designs or design elements that you don’t like. We can save a great deal of time if I have a clear picture of your likes and dislikes.
In addition, I also need a bit of information about your product or services. For instance, it helps to know some facts about your target audience. After all, design choices I make for a product targeted at 20-year-olds might be quite different from what I would design for a target audience 50 and older. It also helps to understand your company mission and goals and what values are important to you. All of this information helps me to craft designs that truly complement your company.
3. Establish A Budget
Hiring a professional graphic designer can be very cost effective. For one thing, when you allow me to handle your design tasks, it leaves you free to concentrate with other aspects of your business. I also know design tricks and techniques that can reduce printing costs and production costs.
While I can find many ways to save you money, it does help if you have crunched some numbers prior to our first meeting. Bringing in an estimated budget can be very helpful, and gives me an idea of what types of design solutions will be the best fit for your needs.
4. Establish A Timeline
Too often, people put graphic design on the back burner and wait until the last minute to think about their logo and product design. Rome wasn’t built in a day, and good graphic design takes more than a day. While I certainly can work quickly, you do need to be realistic about your timeline. The first step of creating the actual design tends to take the longest, and it’s really the most important part of the design journey. Once we have agreed on a design, we can begin scheduling printing and production. While it takes more than a couple of days to complete a project, it does help if I have an idea of your general deadline. If it isn’t realistic, I can let you know how long I think it will take to complete all of the items on your list. As a good rule of thumb, you should be prepared for the design process to last several weeks to a month, but it can take more or less time, depending on the scope of the project.
My experience includes creating designs for surf brands, clothing companies, motocross brands, fine wine & liquors, restaurants & bars, shoe manufacturers, music schools, gyms & fitness centers, and a wide range of retailers. Take a look at some samples of my work, and if you are ready to hire a professional graphic designer, feel free to give me a call or send an email at any time.