Media Marketing: How to Get Exactly What You Want From Your Graphic Designer

Graphic designers perform an essential job when it comes to communicating your ideas visually. Whether you need a new brochure, leaflet or any other printed material, a designer can help you to achieve your goals.

But sometimes it is not easy to work with a designer, especially if you are hiring your first one. Frustration can arise when you have unrealistic expectations that can lead to misunderstandings. Here are a few tips you can use to make sure you get exactly what you want when you work with a designer.

Show Your Designer Relevant Examples

Try to find some visual examples of designs you like to show to your designer. You could either collect physical items or find things online and print them off. If you do print designs, make sure you print high-quality examples in colour rather than rough drafts (click here if you’re running low on high-quality ink).

It can be a lot easier to describe what you want from your designer if you can show them. Sometimes you think you are describing what you want with words, but the designer has a very different idea.

Provide Clear Instructions and Constructive Feedback

Use descriptive language as much as possible in your brief, and avoid jargon and meaningless descriptions like ‘attractive’ to describe what you want. You need to be as specific as possible to get the most from your designer.

This is especially important when it comes to feedback. Feedback is expected, so by all means provide it, but don’t be vague. Don’t just say ‘I don’t like it’, and instead say that you want the headline to be larger or that you want a particular element to be a different colour. Talk about the components of images, layout, colour and fonts, and this will help your designer to get a better visual idea of what you want. Essentially, try to avoid providing feedback like this.

Be Open to New Ideas

Even if you have a set idea of what you want from your graphic design, your designer can provide a new perspective. Don’t let them force you to do something you don’t want to, but do be open-minded. You may find that they have an even better idea than yours. Value their opinion because they are the experts, and appreciate the new perspective they can bring to a project.

Be Realistic with Deadlines

Always be realistic when you hire a designer and be flexible with your deadlines. You may have an idea of when you want to see the first draft and final design, but if your designer says that this will not be possible, don’t force them. If you cannot work to their deadlines, don’t hire them in the first place, because otherwise it will just lead to problems with the project. You want to give them the time they need to do the best job they can.

Get the Most from Working with Your Designer

Overall, getting the most from your graphic designer involves good communication. Don’t disappear and then expect the perfect result. Talk to them, ask questions, provide constructive feedback and enjoy the process. If you strike up a good working relationship, the designer will enjoy working for you, the results will be better and you will have your go-to designer for all your future work.

John Sollars started Stinkyink.com in 2002, a printer cartridge supplier in the UK. He knows a thing or two about printing and he enjoys sharing his ideas and insights online through blogging.