Is your business growing? Are you sure that your business is growing and can handle a new employee? Are you looking to hire a graphic designer? Then you are at the right place. Whether you want a designer on a part-time, contract, or full-time basis, this article is set to clear all your doubts.
Approximately 80% of graphic artists in the United States are working in a freelance work environment. They are well-trained and know how to work professionally. The work falls upon the businesses and firms to appoint the perfect candidate for them. When hiring, it’s crucial to set a budget for freelance graphic design, as hourly rates can vary widely based on experience and location.
Table of Contents
- Understanding Graphic Design and Your Needs
- Wondering How To Hire A Graphic Designer In 7 Steps
- Finding and Evaluating Graphic Designers
- Contractual, Part-Time, Or Freelance Graphic Designer
- Great Graphic Designer Skills
- Learn To Write Graphic Designer Job Description
- How Much Do Graphic Designers Charge?
- A Few Graphic Designer Interview Questions
- Summary
- FAQs
In this article, we will look into📝
- Understanding the graphic design industry and your needs: Here, we will analyze the graphic design industry from the basics to help you realize what your company needs in terms of graphic design.
- How to hire a graphic designer in 7 easy steps: Here are 7 easy steps to hiring a graphic designer for your small business or company.
- Finding and evaluating graphic designers: We will also help you evaluate graphic design services to help you hire graphic designers easily.
The Best graphic artists are those who can accurately bring uniqueness to each of their designs. A creative designer can provide you the freedom to focus on other aspects of your business.
Hiring a new employee is an intricate procedure in which you, as an employer, have to take care of many things. If you’re hiring, let’s find graphic designers for your company in this article.
Understanding Graphic Design and Your Needs
Graphic design is a process that involves planning and projecting ideas and experiences with visual and textual content. The purpose of graphic design is to communicate and problem-solve using symbols, images, and text. Graphic design is used in various mediums, including websites, digital products, and informational brochures. It can help sell, direct, instruct, explain, entertain, and tell stories. Great graphic design can help a product become a market leader and help movements gain traction.
GRAPHIC DESIGNING FOR BEGINNERS:
HOW TO HELP BUSINESSES ATTRACT CUSTOMERS WITH DESIGNS. (FREE RESOURCES) 💼📈
– a thread 🧵
— Ayesha | Graphic Design (@mirai4k) February 23, 2022
In essence, graphic design is the art of visual communication. It combines creativity with technology to convey messages in a visually appealing way. Whether it’s through a logo design, a website layout, or a marketing campaign, graphic design plays a crucial role in shaping how your audience perceives your brand. By understanding the fundamentals of graphic design, you can better articulate your needs and find the right designer to bring your vision to life.
Wondering How To Hire A Graphic Designer In 7 Steps
Now that you have a detailed description of how to employ the best candidate, you need to channel your hiring process. You will be required to form your hiring team, which will be responsible for all the steps. A graphic designer can help you with your in-hand multiple projects. Let’s find out how to enroll graphic designers that fit your needs.
Step 1 – Clarify Your Design Needs
The first step is to check with your team to see where they are lacking. Various designers specialize in a particular area; it depends on your business needs to select a particular type of designer.
There is a chance that you will get a designer who knows how to multitask the different design needs in a single duration of time. This will help you a lot financially as well as in management purposes.
You might require an illustrator for the design needs, which could be a logo designer, branding designer, advertisement campaigning designer, infographic, animation, or business designer. It is better to ask the designer to explain the designs they have worked on.
Step 2 – Define Your Graphic Design Skills
The next step is to analyze the skills you require for the design job. Graphic experts have to undergo a variety of certifications to become well-skilled in the graphic design job. The important thing from your end is to decide what skills you are looking for.
Not everyone in the world has all the skills. Based on your project details, you can decide what works best for your clients. Skills like using different sorts of tools, communicating with the team, experiences in handling clients, and many more
Step 3 – Prepare A Job Description For Graphic Designers
A job description is an explanation of the job roles that are expected of a candidate for the position. It is an outline of the roles and responsibilities in a company. You can provide details about your business as well.
Before posting the vacant position on websites and flyers, you must decide the details of the job. You will have to include some intricate details as well. The applicants will read the job description and decide whether they wish to apply or not. Additionally, choosing the right hiring platform tailored to specific company needs is crucial to effectively hire graphic designers.
It is one of the most necessary steps to get a desired candidate. It is important to find a graphic artist that can fit into your work environment.
Step 4 – Know How To Hire From The Applied Candidates
If you have successfully reached this step, you are close to hiring someone talented. Now, from this step onwards, you need to decide the code of conduct for the hiring procedure. It is on the hiring committee to determine the pre-employment rounds.
The committee will discuss its bandwidth and time limitations for hiring. Accordingly, it will discuss the test questions, test processes, interview questions, and hiring criteria. The sooner these decisions are made, the sooner you will be able to start analyzing the candidates.
Step 5 – Test Their Design Process
The first step of the hiring process should be testing their design skills. If you’re looking to hire a designer who knows the process of design, it is essential to analyze their skills against your requirements.
One thing you can do is create a mock-up design project that aligns with your company’s vision. Provide them with the deadline of the project and ask them to submit it by them. If needed, designers will submit their ideas for future work.
Step 6 – Interview All The Candidates
Every graphic designer should be able to give a face-to-face interview if your requirement is to work from the office. This is essential to understanding the candidate’s communication and determination. You can also study the candidate’s body language.
The hiring committee can decide the interview questions and the details to conduct the procedure. You can gain a perspective about the possible candidates.
Step 7 – Hire The Best Graphic Designer
You are just one step away from hiring graphic designers for your business. Deciding how to hire among the candidates for your graphic illustrator position can be a laborious task. According to your set criteria, you can choose your employee. The next step is to finalize the contract and mention the details in the same. Such contracts state the guidelines for employment that an employee would refer to.
Finding and Evaluating Graphic Designers
Where to Find Graphic Designers
There are many options for finding graphic designers, including job boards, freelance platforms, and design communities. The best option will depend on whether you’re looking for an employee or a freelancer and whether you need ongoing graphic design support or someone to help with a one-time project. Some popular freelance platforms for finding graphic designers include UpWork, Guru, Dribbble’s Freelance Project Board, Fiverr, and 99designs. For full- or part-time roles, consider using job boards like Dribbble’s Job Board, The Design Kids, and AIGA Design Jobs.
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Freelance platforms are ideal for short-term projects or when you need specialized skills for a specific task. These platforms allow you to browse through profiles, view portfolios, and read reviews from previous clients. On the other hand, job boards are better suited for finding candidates for long-term or permanent positions. They provide a more formal application process and often attract designers looking for stable employment.
Evaluating Graphic Designer Portfolios
When evaluating graphic designer portfolios, look for a variety of projects that demonstrate their skills and experience. Consider the designer’s style and aesthetic, as well as their ability to communicate effectively through their design. Check for consistency in their work and attention to detail. Also, look for any awards or recognition they may have received for their work. A strong portfolio should showcase the designer’s ability to solve problems and communicate ideas through their design.
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It’s also essential to evaluate the designer’s approach to design and communication. Discuss their method and approach with them directly to ensure you’re on the same page. Consider their experience and skills, as well as their ability to work with your team and communicate effectively. By taking the time to evaluate graphic designer portfolios and approaches, you can find the right designer for your project and ensure a successful outcome.
By following these steps, you can confidently navigate the process of hiring a graphic designer who not only meets your technical requirements but also aligns with your brand’s vision and values.
Contractual, Part-Time, Or Freelance Graphic Designer
The first step before starting the whole hiring procedure is to understand the company’s limitations and bandwidth. Whether you hire a freelancer or a new graphic designer depends on your requirements and team. When looking to find a graphic designer online, consider the importance of reputation and search engine visibility. While freelance platforms are an option, the quality of designers may vary, with some lacking professional skills. Personal recommendations and effective online searches can be valuable in this process.
Hiring a full-time designer is the best option if you are short of artists or someone has left is a better option. Still, there are various other options available for choosing the suitable work type for your employees. Find a graphic designer who is ready to show determination toward the company.
What Is A Contractual Designer?
Contractual work type is when you pre-decide the designer’s time duration. You can hire someone on a contractual basis when you need graphic designs for a shorter period. It is useful when you cannot hire someone for a permanent position.
Businesses hire designers on a contract when they have a big order to complete and their existing employees have time limitations. There are times when graphic design services do not actually need a graphic designer on a permanent basis. However, there are just a few designs or logos that need to be made for the company.
Therefore, the company can intake people on a contract until they believe their work can be completed. During this time, you can ask them to either work from home or come to the office for necessary meetings.
Does A Part-Time Designer Work For Your Business?
You must already be familiar with the culture of part-time work. It is understood that a part-time employee has to do more than one job. They will not be fully committed to your work and will require a lower salary.
If your business does not require many graphic designers, a part-time designer position is best suited for you. It will provide you with financial freedom and fewer headaches by bestowing them with employee benefits.
If you are paying your part-time employees, they might be able to go the extra mile for you. If they do not have any other liability, you can also hire them full-time.
Why To Hire A Freelance Graphic Designer?
Freelancing is a position where you have the liberty to hire freelance graphic designers for a limited period or a particular project. You must find freelance graphic designers for your business if you have sudden clients or projects and no employees to work on them.
If you are not sure whom to hire, then you can try the designer for freelance work and offer them a full-time designer position as well. Freelance graphic designers may require you to provide them with the exact timelines of the project. This lets them plan their working hours for different ongoing projects.
If you cannot manage a full-time graphic designer professional, it is the right decision to hire a freelance graphic designer. Freelance designers are always on the go.
Great Graphic Designer Skills
You must find the right graphic designer that suits all your needs. Many talented graphic designers come up with all the required skills needed for your project. However, you must have your needs clarified from the start.
A graphic designer’s duty these days is to be unique and well-versed in all the technical knowledge, but is that enough? Let’s find out:
Type Of Graphic Design Work They Do
You need to choose the skills you’re looking to hire for. There might be designers in the market who do not have enough experience working on a particular project. That is why you need to know their specialty.
Product Design – If your business is to design products to develop new products, you might require a product designer. It is essential to hire someone whose mindset is aligned with yours for no future clashes.
Branding – Branding is also done by a graphic artist. You will need to provide the designer with all the details of the products. They will then help you prepare a brand of key products for your company.
Web Designer – Web designers are designers who are skilled in designing the whole website on their own. It will require an ample amount of creativity and uniqueness.
Ad Designers – If you have an established business, your next step is to grow it. In the modern age, ad campaigns have become a solution for that. Designing and working on those ads will require a skilled designer.
What Their Design Process Is
Graphic design skills are hard to acquire. You must be qualified and certified to attain an excellent job. The most important thing is to find someone who is determined and has a plan in mind to help you with your work.
When you ask the candidate about how they generate a design, try to analyze whether the designer has a proper working process. Your focus should be on how they research the client and the project and how they use the tools.
Technical Skills
There are many design software applications available for designers. These help them complete their projects quickly and efficiently, making it essential to work smartly. Graphic designers use these tools to create a design.
Tools such as Canva, Adobe, Figma, and Cloud have specific features for creating good graphic design. Many certifications are available to learn these tools individually and in detail. A skilled designer is often professionally trained in these tools.
Skill Of Precision
Attention to detail is required of a creative designer because it gives the design a personal touch and a wide outlook. In-house designers have many responsibilities, and they may handle more than one project at a time.
They will only be able to complete the projects on time and in a unique way if they have precision skills. They must be able to identify mistakes in the design and rectify them.
Communication Skills
Communication skills are the most important thing to look for in a candidate. If your business works with different clients, then the designer must be able to communicate and understand their needs.
Your team may also have employees from different regions. Therefore, it becomes necessary to have one communication platform for everyone to connect. You can also use enterprise project management software to further streamline collaboration within your organization. There will come a time when artists will have to collaborate with other designers or employees. It becomes efficient if they have nice communication skills.
Learn To Write Graphic Designer Job Description
This is the most important step in attracting thousands of graphic designers from around the world. The job description gives a little peek into your business’s roles and responsibilities. It is essential to mention all the little details here for a better understanding of the future.
From an employee’s point of view, it is hard to trust employers these days. A graphic designer needs assurance in writing that they will be paid a certain amount and at a particular time with all the perks your company has to offer.
The details that are necessary to be there on a job description are:
- Have clear communication about the roles and responsibilities you are expecting out of them. Mention the kind of work your business does and what they deals with.
- Mention your company’s working hours and shifts. A designer must be mentally prepared for the duration of your office.
- Make a column for the essential qualifications, which will contain all the degrees and certifications the job requires. Below that, you can mention the good-to-go certificates, which are not necessary but will be an add-on.
- Mention the skills you are looking for a designer.
- The most important thing to mention is the salary details (negotiable or non-negotiable). You can also refer to the perks and benefits your business has to offer.
- If you’re not hiring a fresher, mention that you need experienced graphic designers.
How Much Do Graphic Designers Charge?
In this time of recession and inflation, everyone expects an employee who can work for a lower budget. However, it is not the right choice for you. A designer will feel unmotivated to work and might not be productive to you.
Although a graphic illustrator is dependent on various other external factors, a few of them are mentioned below:
- The amount of experience they have
- If they are working from home or office
- What kind of skills do they have
- The location you are hiring for
- The working situation (part-time, full-time, or freelance) you prefer
According to all these parameters, there is an estimated figure for experienced designers. You will have to pay them approximately $45,000 to $55,000 in salary compensation.
Now, graphic creators are already aware of the market and must have worked in a freelance market as well. So, before you negotiate with the candidate, be clear about your company’s budget and stick to it.
A Few Graphic Designer Interview Questions
Interview questions should be based on your business’s work and the design requirements. Still, if you have doubts about what to ask, here is a list of a few of the interview questions.
- Ask them to give feedback about the design they worked on for your test.
- What graphic design resources, such as physical tools and graphic design software, do you use?
- What is your favorite project design type to work on?
- What is your current favorite design trend in the industry?
- Ask them about their experiences working with the different tools.
- If they belong somewhere else, they are willing to relocate.
- Give them a problem statement to solve, such as disagreements with team members, tough clients, or artist’s block.
- What type of design process do you follow?
Summary
This is it! Now, you are all set to hire the most creative graphic designer. Sometimes, there is a chance that the most qualified graphic designer will ask for their own terms and conditions and higher pay. It is on you to decide if you prefer talent or qualification.
However, there is a probability that you get the best of each skill in one employee. There are various people looking for a job; it depends on your selection procedure and eye of selecting the candidate.
Moreover, the hiring procedure is not that difficult if you streamline it and go step-by-step. Therefore, it is essential to form a hiring committee in your company. I hope you were able to learn how to hire designers for your business!
FAQs
1. Is it worth it to hire a graphic designer?
Of course, it is. These designers are properly skilled technically as well as creatively to give you the best results of your ideas. They know how to use the available tools and give you an amazing design. Ideas come to graphic designers naturally. If your business has in-house designers who can take on more projects for you, you don’t need to hire more for short periods.
2. What would be the main 3 factors that would decide to hire a graphic designer?
If you are confused about the candidates who have applied for your job posting and are confused about the candidates, you can check these three criteria:
1. Their designing skills for a particular project you want to hire for.
2. The design process they follow to come up with the creative design.
3. How determined they are to learn new skills and the talent they possess.