Did you know that 24% of graphic designers stay in a job for less than 12 months? This indicates a need for companies and businesses to use more effective hiring strategies. Graphic designers are an essential part of almost every digital marketing team. From blog posts to social media ads, you need great graphics to make your strategies work. But, finding a good designer that you can rely on in the long run is a little tricky. In this blog post, we’ll talk about the qualities to look for in a graphic designer and how to hire the right one for your specific needs so that you don’t invest more than you should. Let’s dive in.
Understand Your Design Needs
One of the first things you should be doing is understanding your specific graphic design needs. Do you only need social media post designs? Maybe you want someone to design the whole marketing funnel, including the landing page and sales page? Identify your marketing goals and understand what you’d need from a graphic designer.
Know the Skills and Qualities to Look for
Good graphic designers have certain skills and qualities. A graphic designer’s technical skills are the most crucial when it comes to doing client work effectively. One important skill to gauge would be their ability to work with different design tools like Photoshop, Illustrator, Figma, and Canva. If you’re already using a graphic design tool in your workflows, make sure the person you hire has at least some experience using it or is willing to learn it. In addition, they need to have a good understanding of the basic design principles, such as typography, color theory, and composition.
In addition to technical skills, having soft skills equips a graphic designer to accomplish tasks and collaborate on projects effectively. For instance, creativity and problem-solving skills are helpful in situations where you’re stuck. Good communication is another important trait to have as a service provider; it helps both parties move forward without any confusion and get the job done efficiently.
Decide Between Remote, Freelance, or Agency Designers
A service provider can be remote or in-house. You can hire one full-time, part-time, or on a contractual basis, where you pay per project. All have their pros and cons; knowing your needs will help you go the right route. A freelance talent tends to be lighter on the pocket as you only pay for what you need. An agency designer would be a bit more expensive, but you’re more likely to get better-quality work. You can also hire an individual remotely on a full-time basis, which would require consistent monitoring, tracking, and performance analysis for a long-term relationship.
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Where to Find Graphic Designers
With so many options available, it can be tricky to find the right resource, whether you’re looking for an in-house talent or a freelance one. Here are some of the best places to find a graphic designer:
Freelance Platforms
Freelance platforms like Fiverr, Upwork, and Legiit host many quality freelancers in a variety of categories, including graphic design. Fiverr has its own search engine, so you’ll have to find the right freelance with its search features. Upwork lets you post your job and accept bids or proposals from suitable candidates. You can filter different candidates based on your criteria and find a suitable match from a pool of applicants.
Design Specific Platforms
Dribble and Behance are specific to graphic designers if you want to explore more niche platforms. Freelance platforms offer a safe business environment between freelancers and clients, which is something missing on platforms like Behance, where you’ll have to hire freelancers completely at your own responsibilities.
Design Agencies
Another place to find and hire graphic designers would be design agencies. Agencies already have a filtering process; they usually have experienced graphic designers, eliminating the need for you to go through the hiring process. You do need to make sure you’re working with a reliable agency and agency designers tend to be a little on the expensive side.
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Evaluate Candidates
Once you’ve picked a few good options, the next step is to evaluate them thoroughly to make sure they fit your requirements. Start by reviewing their portfolio, skill set, and experience. Check to see if they have worked with similar businesses in your industry. Look at their past designs and make sure they can satisfy your branding needs. Next, take interviews to gauge their communication skills and understand their design process. If you can get in touch with their previous employer and get some insights into their work ethic and quality, that would be super helpful.
Frequently Asked Questions
Let’s address some frequently asked questions about how to hire a graphic designer.
How Much Should I Pay a Graphic Designer?
The pay of a graphic designer varies depending on factors like project type, experience, and location. A good freelance designer charges anywhere around $25 – $100/hour while an in-house designer normally charges between 40k – 80k USD/year.
What is the Process of Hiring a Graphic Designer?
Define your project needs, long-term goal, and budget. Look for suitable candidates on online platforms and go through their portfolios and hire the best fit for your project.
When Should You Hire a Graphic Designer?
Hire a professional graphic designer if you want to build a brand through online marketing and need consistent design support from an expert.
What are the Qualities of a Good Graphic Designer?
The right graphic designer will have good communication, problem-solving, creativity, and technical skills. They should have a portfolio that showcases quality and relevance to your needs.
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Conclusion
A graphic designer can help you create visually appealing social media visuals and make sure everything aligns with your branding. Freelance platforms like Fiverr and Upwork and design-specific platforms like Behance are some ideal places to look for the right talent for your needs. Just make sure you’re hiring the right resource by looking at their technical and soft skills. Also, look at their portfolio, client reviews, and references from past employers for an informed and effective hiring decision.