Are you ready to hire a professional designer? This is an exciting time for your business! Now, it’s time to choose the right designer. You’re likely making a big investment, so it’s important that you find someone you trust and enjoy working with. There are tons of talented designers, each with their own aesthetic, process, communication style, and personality. Finding the right designer for you will result in a smooth, inspiring time together and you’ll ultimately be excited about your end results!

So, how do you make sure you’re choosing the right designer? Here are 5 questions to ask yourself about a potential designer:

1. Do I like their portfolio?

Most designers have a portfolio of past projects you can find on their website and social media. Take some time to look through their work and see if their style matches with what you are looking for. Most designers have a unique style, so you should be able to find one that matches with your own. You won’t be asking your designer to create a copy of what they’ve done for a past client, but it’s a good sign if you really like some of their past designs and can explain what you like about them.

2. Do they have a process?

This is a big one. Some designers share an overview of their process on their website and some you’ll have to get on a consultation call to learn a bit more. Either way is fine, just make sure that it does come up in conversation at some point. Leaving some space for creativity is good, but you want to be sure that your designer communicates in a way that works for you. Understanding the process before you begin working together sets the expectations and clears up any confusion around how often you’ll be communicating throughout the project.

3. Do I like what they’re saying online?

Does this designer share their ideas and approach to design? This is about trusting your gut. Read their blog posts, watch their videos, and scroll through their instagram feed to get a feel for their style and process. This can also apply to how the designer speaks about business and life in general. If the way they speak resonates with you, there’s a better chance that you’ll work well together and share similar values.

4. Are they excited about my project?

Ask yourself if this designer seems excited and inspired by your project. Did they respond to your inquiry in a timely manner? Did they seem interested and inspired by your business goals and vision? A lot of designers love what they do and would do it for free, especially the projects that excite them. You’ll likely end up with amazing results if you choose a designer who is inspired and excited by your project.

5. What deliverables are included?

This is more on the logistical side, but still super important. Make sure you are clear on what’s included in your design package for the cost. A lot of designers have packaged services that you can add additional items to, so just be sure you will receive a contract that lists out all deliverables that you are expecting. If there’s anything you don’t understand, ask!

Before hiring a designer, it’s a great idea to start getting clear on your brand vision. If you need some help with it, be sure to download my Brand Clarity Workbook. It’ll guide you through getting clear on your brand strategy which is the first step to creating a visual brand aligned with your message.