Questions I always get asked as a graphic designer

Graphic design is a mystery to so many people, and to be honest, graphic designers don’t make things easier on ourselves by gatekeeping design knowledge. You’d expect the mechanics of the design process to be designer-only knowledge (let’s be real, as excited as I get about it, nobody actually cares about the ins and outs of Figma). But my heart breaks when clients come to me and I can tell they’re intimidated by a process that literally exists to support them, AND that, when it goes well, should be the highlight of their work week. Here are answers to some of the most commonly asked questions I get about the design process.

What does my project actually need? 
Every project is different, and if you’re feeling intimidated by trying to figure out, for example, what your brand kit should include, the best thing to do is talk to your designer about what your operational and marketing plans look like, and ask them their thoughts. If you want to come in with a sense of what you need, do some research into similar projects on Behance, Dribbble, or Pinterest. Then, think about your plans and separate them into wants and needs. 

For Example:
Every business needs a logo, fonts, and colors, for example. Patterns, icons, and proprietary photography, on the other hand, will help strengthen your business, but may be up for discussion depending on budget or timeline.

What should I bring to the process?
Many things help, but the most important thing to bring is your goal for the process. That way, even if you don’t know what exactly you need or what looks you like, your designer can help guide you. That said, anything you do know — looks you like, design you find inspiring, non-negotiables, etc. — is helpful, so never be afraid to share everything you do know.

How do I explain my idea to a graphic designer?
If you have a concrete idea already, the best place to start is to word dump all over them, ask them to repeat back what you said, and edit until you get there. It can also help to come in with similar examples of things you like. The more information the better here, so bad sketches or silly descriptions are all helpful. 

What if I *have* no ideas?
You don’t have to! That’s not your job unless you want it to be. A lot of clients find collaboration empowering, but if you don’t know what you want, it’s your designer’s job to figure out what you want, through conversations,  moodboards, the concepts they show you, and their expertise of what will help you.

How much is this going to cost me?
Pricing transparency in design is abysmal — partially because design is kind of hard to price. That said, designers exist at every end of the spectrum. Newer designers may charge $35-50 dollars/hour, more experienced designers will likely charge $100-200, and big agencies will charge much more. Many designers offer package deals, which can be really helpful for small business owners so you know exactly what you expect to pay. DO have the budget chat as early as possible so both of you know if the partnership is worth pursuing, and come in with a general sense of how much you can budget for your project (even if that’s just a number of 0’s).

What do I do if I hate my design?
TELL YOUR DESIGNER. So many clients are afraid to give feedback — even for small changes — but it is our job to make you happy! It’s up to you how diplomatic you want to be, but make sure the message gets through. Feedback is an expected part of the process, and while we all love to get everything right the first time, we know that doesn’t always happen and want to make the changes you need. 

How do I use what I’ve been given?
Depending on the project, knowing how to use what you’ve been given can require some technical knowledge – for example, the difference between digital and print usage. Make sure you’re set up to use the results of your project, either by learning the basics of implementation, or telling your designer you’ll need guidance at the start of the process so you can work it into your scope.

Design is a mystery and as a client, it’s hard to know what you don’t know.
The Graphic Guide brings all this information together in one place so you save money, and get the most out of your work with designers. Learn more here!