How To Hire A Freelance Graphic Designer

How to hire a freelance graphics designer
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Looking for some guidelines on how to hire a freelance graphic designer? Look no further, as you’re in the right place.

There are so many reasons you might need a graphics designer’s services, regardless of the industry you find yourself in.

Do you have a website project you need to be completed?

Or do you need images on your social media pages for engaging posts?

Perhaps you email marketing campaigns or a blog and need engagement with captivating images?

Or maybe you have some printables you wish to use for marketing purposes or souvenirs for your business?

Whatever the case, you definitely need a graphics designer.

Get a freelance graphic designer on Fiverr today.

How To Hire a Freelance Graphic Designer- Who is a Graphic Designer?

A graphic designer is a skilled professional who puts together images, texts, motion graphics, and other design elements to create visual concepts.

He does this manually, or computer software as the case may be.

The designs made by these are either electronic/digital, printed, or published in magazines and brochures.

Sometimes, graphics designers also double as illustrators and can use the relevant software needed for illustration to create their designs.

Who is a Freelance Graphic Designer?

A freelance graphic designer is a graphic designer that works for himself and is not considered employed by a company.

Usually, these are given jobs on a contract basis.

They work with their own schedules while meeting up with the requirements given them and deliverables from the company they are contracted to work for.

This means you do not need a permanent employee to handle your graphics needs but a contractor.

What a Freelance Graphic Designer can do for your Business 

So as a business owner, are you still contemplating whether or not you should get a graphic designer on freelance?

Truth be told, there are several things that a graphics designer can do for your business, be it a startup or a developed business.

Find below some of the functions or responsibilities of a freelance graphic designer for your business:

Branding

One essential thing your business must have to stay afloat and ahead of the competition is branding.

Branding denotes the way your business is recognized.

With the proper branding, it shouldn’t be difficult for your customers to identify your products and services wherever they are found.

Branding is all-encompassing and entails a lot of things, things that you need a graphic designer for.

Some of the designs relating to business branding which a freelance graphic designer can handle for you are:

Logo Design

Logos are like the primary identifier for your business.

A business without a logo has no identity.

The best graphic designers can use modern software and applications in designing the best logo for your business.

When you contract a freelance graphic designer to make a logo for your business, you are getting someone with an open mind to explore various options.

Chances are this one has been in the business for a long time, with a wealth of experience, and able to give you the best design.

You would agree that this is much better than using online platforms that allow you to put things together, which do not turn out professional.

Business Cards Design 

Another integral part of your business branding is business cards.

Business cards are an easy, simple, and effective way to introduce your business to people.

Not only that, but you are also guaranteed that your business stays on the mind of your prospects even when you are not there.

Nevertheless, having a business card is not just the most important thing.

You must have a captivating and informative business card.

By captivating, we mean a business card that people would be very eager to collect because the design draws them in.

How do you achieve this?

Rest easy, and hire a freelance graphics designer who will effectively take care of this for you.

Letterheads

Business letterheads are also very important for the branding and identity of your business.

Has it ever occurred to you that the reason why your business proposals might not be getting much success is your bland paper?

In this modern era and dispensation, it is outrightly criminal to run a business without a designed letterhead.

This letterhead will carry your company’s logo, business address, contact details, and other important information.

A graphic designer can help you get the perfect letterhead for your business to add professionalism to what you do.

Customized T-Shirts and Caps

One other thing that your business would need to support her brand identity are branded T-shirts.

This has been an age-long means of marketing for businesses, as everywhere you go, you have the business name on you.

You can share these with your staff and also give some out as souvenirs to your customers.

Certainly, they help get the word about your business out there to the world.

Of course, you already know who to call upon to give you the best design that makes people stop and stare.

The graphic designer. 

Social Media Graphics 

When it comes to social media, you already know that you must be present on that platform and very consistent.

That being said, one of the most important things you need to do is good graphics.

The way visitors on social media consumes information is now different, and therefore, you must pay close attention to images and videos.

A graphic designer can help you create all the images you need for this purpose, so you can command the attention your business deserves.

Additionally, the graphic designer also has the experience to know that there is no single design dimension that fits all platforms.

Therefore, he makes different dimensions of designs to fit into the different social media platforms.

Infographics 

Like other images designed for marketing, advertisement, and brand identity purposes, infographics are also essential for these.

You can start by converting many of the posts on your blog and other social media platforms or website to infographics.

With infographics, the message you are passing across to your audience easy to understand at a glance.

You will definitely need a seasoned graphic designer or illustrator to make this happen.

Printed Materials like Banners, Flyers, Posters, e.t.c.

If you also use flyers, posters, or banners as part of your marketing processes, you definitely need a graphic designer’s services.

How often do you find it difficult to reject a flyer given to you by a stranger simply because you are enticed by its design?

People are naturally wired to feel that they are not interested in that thing when they do not perceive benefits from something.

The only way you can make them stop and look at your marketing copies is if the content is captivating, of which the design is a huge part.

This is something a graphic designer will do for you.

Why Hire a Freelance Graphic Designer? – The Benefits 

Get a freelance graphic designer on Fiverr today.

In this section, we will talk about two (2) interwoven things.

First, we will be giving you reasons why it is important to hire a graphic designer in the first place.

While we do this, we will include reasons why the graphic designer you are hiring should be a freelance worker.

This is because it is possible to hire a graphic designer as a permanent full-time worker.

However, there are reasons why getting a freelancer to handle this role is good for your business.

Here are a few of those reasons why you need to hire a freelance graphic designer:

It Saves Cost 

Have you heard of the common saying that sometimes we end up spending more if we are not careful?

That is the situation with a business owner who wants to handle graphics himself/herself.

Sometimes, you are tempted to explore free online resources available to solve your graphic design needs.

This isn’t bad in itself.

However, you must know that if you want to get the best and avoid having to repeat operations, things must be done by a professional.

Additionally, it is best to hire a graphic designer as a freelancer to save costs.

This is because when you hire a freelancer, one thing you are sure of is that you are paying them for what they do.

Hence, if, due to certain circumstances, a freelancer cannot meet up certain expectations, you are not obliged to pay for work not done.

This is not true for a full-time permanent employee who has fixed pay even when sometimes the workload might be lighter.

In light of this, when you hire a freelance graphic designer, you will be saving your business some much-needed bucks.

Get Quality Designs 

No doubt, your target is to get the best quality of jobs when it comes to graphic designs for your business.

The only way you can guarantee quality output for your designs is to let a skilled professional handle it.

Of course, you can get a design together when you do it yourself or give it to a learner on the job.

However, you must remember that great designs stand the test of time because they are of the topmost quality.

Therefore, hiring a freelance graphic designer will help you achieve this.

Uniqueness in your Industry 

It will be counterproductive to design yourself without the expertise because you’ll be like every other person.

While using free resources to make designs can appear cheaper and easier than hiring a graphics designer gives no originality.

However, when you hire a graphic designer, you are getting someone who understands your company’s brand message and gives you what suits it best.

Therefore, you can stand out among the rest by getting custom texts, images, colors, e.t.c. for your designs.

There is no telling the great impact of this on your business.

It Saves you Much Needed Time 

Do you still want to do everything yourself?

The time it takes a professional chef to prepare a bowl of jollof rice isn’t the same as what it would take someone without culinary knowledge to do the same.

When you try to combine a graphic designer’s job with your already tight work schedule, you spend more time trying to achieve the same results it takes them little time to get.

Therefore, you need to consider how valuable your time is and how much more you can do with the free time.

Trust us on this; as a business owner, there are so many aspects of the business that needs your attention.

Do not add graphics design to the list of things when a professional can easily handle it.

Hire a professional graphic designer.

Better Productivity of the Entire Team 

Maybe you have been putting so much pressure on your social media team to give results in the past few months.

That is okay because it is only natural to want the best from your team.

However, has it occurred to you that they might not have enough resources to work with to get productive?

Imagine having to source for images that tell your brand story from the multitudes of images online.

This can be time-consuming, draining, and very unproductive.

Hiring a freelance graphic designer can take the burden off the shoulders of this team.

Then, watch their productivity skyrocket.

How to Hire a Freelance Graphic Designer – Qualities and Skills Needed 

Once you are set to hire your freelance graphic designer, there are certain skills and qualities you should look out for.

The reason this is important is that there are so many self-acclaimed graphic designers available for hire.

However, only a few really qualify for the role of professional graphic designers.

These qualities and skills will help you make the right choice when it comes to getting a freelance graphic designer for your firm.

Take a look at some of them:

Creativity and Innovation

Obviously, this is one of the most important skills that a graphic designer must possess.

This is because the concept of making designs boils down to creativity and innovation.

Without a creative designer, your graphics would end up looking like what your competitors and every other business do.

In fact, you might start having your designer going online to copy other people’s work.

This is very bad for the image of your company, you would agree.

However, with creativity and innovation, a graphic designer can develop bespoke designs that tell your brand story well.

Also, when there are changing industry trends, he can quickly adapt his designs to meet up.

Good Communicator 

Considering communication skills is essential when choosing a freelance graphic designer because you will be doing more.

More often than not, you will be passing over instructions on what you want to get done with your graphics needs and getting feedback.

This is especially important when the freelancer does not work in-house but remotely.

He/she must have excellent communication skills to relate with you and provide needed feedback properly.

Skilled in Adobe Creative Applications 

Of what good is a farmer without the knowledge of how to use his hoe and cutlass?

Really, of what use is a graphic designer without the know-how of the necessary creative applications for design.

When it comes to graphics, adobe is a leading creative applications provider for graphic designers.

While it is true that there are a lot of applications used for graphics, knowledge of adobe apps is a big plus.

Applications such as Photoshop, Indesign, and illustrator are basic requirements for every graphic designer.

Excellent Time Management 

Time management is an essential quality for every freelancer, and it’s no different for a freelance graphic designer.

This is because, in most cases, this person is not needed to be present in-house to get the work done.

Due to this, he/she will not be properly supervised at all times.

Therefore, it is important that a freelance graphic designer has good control over his time and how he spends it.

Only then can he deliver on the projects he is given and also on time.

Accuracy and Attention to Details

In graphic design, the minutest of detail matters.

For this reason, a graphic designer must pay close attention to every single detail as it pertains to the business.

He cannot rush things or approach design with a lackadaisical attitude.

The best graphic designers are accurate in their interpretation of materials and presentation in designs.

Therefore, this is one important quality you should be looking out for.

Where to find the Best Freelance Graphic Designer to Hire 

There are many places to check to find the very best graphic designer to hire on a freelance basis.

Usually, as with all freelancers, one of the first places you should look is your close circle.

Speak with a family member, a friend, or a business owner you know.

Chances are they have come across great graphics from designers in the past or have worked with some very good ones before.

You can ask them to give you recommendations on this.

Also, you can check on social media, as this is where many of the top graphic designers share their portfolios.

More so, what better place to assess designers than on their portfolio pages?

Another very fruitful place to source for freelance graphic designers is on LinkedIn.

LinkedIn has become the generally accepted social media platform for business.

You will find so many professionals indicating their expertise on their profile and sharing their projects on LinkedIn.

This is a very good place to get your next freelance graphic designer.

Platforms to Hire Freelance Graphic Designer

Here are some of the platforms where you can hire a freelance graphic designer:

  • Freelancer
  • PeoplePerHour
  • Indeed
  • Guru
  • Fiverr
  • Upwork
  • Toptal
  • Google for jobs e.t.c.

You will find graphic designers who are freelancers, their portfolio, and their rates on this platform.

Many businesses have gotten so many graphic designers on these platforms.

Get a freelance graphic designer on Fiverr today.

Procedures on How to Hire a Freelance Graphic Designer 

Ready to hire your next freelancer graphic designer?

Here are the steps you need to follow to make sure you bag the best candidate for the job.

Define the Job Role and Requirements 

The last thing you want to do is leave your graphic designer confused about what you need from him.

Therefore, you need to sit down with your team and define your graphic designer’s job role and scope of work.

During this time, you will also determine which of your online assets you will need the designer to work on.

This must also be spelled out clearly on any job posting platform you use to list the job so that applicants can see it.

Decide on How Much you Want to Pay

Freelance graphic designers have different rates that they charge for their work.

Before you set out to get one for your projects, you need to check your budget and decide what you want to pay.

This should be commensurate with the workload you are giving to them and the skill level you are hiring.

While you are keeping the payment within your budget, avoid the urge to underpay the freelancer.

Most times, experienced freelance graphic designers don’t particularly charge too cheap.

So, if you want the best, you should be willing to spend to get it.

Make a Vacancy Announcement 

The next thing is to get the word out there that you are looking to hire a freelance graphic designer.

You can do this using any of the mediums we’ve mentioned above.

Start with speaking with people in your industry and ask for recommendations.

Do not also forget to put the job advert out there on job posting sites.

Please put it on social media where many of your qualified candidates spend most of their time.

Before long, the applications will start pouring in.

Assess the Applications and Make a Shortlist 

Once you receive those applications, it is now time to assess them and see who fits in with your requirement and objectives.

One of the things you will have to review is the experience level of the applicants.

Additionally, you would need to check the graphic designer’s portfolio and see what work he/she has done in the past.

Also important are the creative applications that the applicant is skilled in and a proven record of how they’ve used them.

This procedure would ensure you can prune down the list of applicants down to the barest qualified minimum.

Schedule an Interview 

This is the stage where the freelance graphic designer gets another opportunity to market himself.

Schedule an interview with the shortlisted candidates for a time that would allow you to get in-depth information about them.

Depending on your applicants’ location and other logistics, this can either be done face to face or virtually.

Be sure to prepare the right questions to ask them during the interview session.

Here are some of the questions you could ask:

  • Do you have a portfolio website?
  • Can you tell us what your design process is like?
  • What kind of experience would other clients say they have with working with you?
  • How do you manage time?
  • How many other projects do you have working on at the moment?
  • What motivated you to apply for this project?
  • How much should we pay you?

Be sure to include other questions as it suits you and your company’s needs.

Set KPIs and Deadlines 

Once you’ve decided which freelance graphic designer to hire for your projects, the next thing is to give them KPIs and deadlines.

What KPIs do is that they give you a clear indication of whether or not you are getting enough value for what you are paying for.

It is also good to provide deadlines for when the projects would be delivered to ensure everyone is on the same page.

Putting this in place will ensure you are paying for the work done.

Final Thoughts on How to Hire a Freelance Graphic Designer 

There you go! Hiring a freelance graphic designer is not necessarily a difficult process.

By following the guidelines and procedures so far discussed, you can get the best work for you from the pool of designers available.

When you finally get your designer, be sure to put the necessary structure to manage him/her and get results effectively.

No doubt, you would need a graphic designer for many processes as it pertains to your business.

Hire one soon and see how it transforms your business in the areas of branding, identity, and marketing.

See also how to hire a blogger.

Get a freelance graphic designer on Fiverr today.