7 Questions to Ask a Designer Before Working With Them

So, you’re ready to start or update your brand, and you’re ready to bring a designer into this process… but who do you go with?! There are so many designers out there, how do you know which one is perfect for you and your brand?

Here are 7 important questions to ask your potential designer to get a better understanding of their workflow and how they work with their clients.

Can you walk me through your design process? 

Asking about their design process will help you understand how they approach a project, from gathering information and research to conceptualizing and executing the final design. It will give you insights into their methodology and whether it aligns with your expectations. 

How do you ensure that your designs are visually appealing and effective in communicating the intended message?

At the end of the day, designers are problem solvers. This question helps gauge the designer's understanding of the principles of design, their attention to detail, and their ability to create visually appealing and impactful designs. It also demonstrates their understanding of the importance of communication and problem-solving in design. Just because something looks pretty, doesn’t mean it is a good design - it must be able to solve a brand’s problem.

Can you explain your approach to collaborating with clients and incorporating their feedback? 

Being able to listen is a huge skillset in the world of design. Listen to clients and their customers' needs. This question allows you to evaluate the designer's communication skills and their ability to work collaboratively with clients. It will give you insights into how they handle client feedback, make revisions, and ensure the final design meets the client's vision and objectives. Effective communication and collaboration are essential for a successful design project.

Can you provide examples of websites you have designed in the past? 

This is a very important question for multiple reasons. Reviewing the designer's portfolio and looking at their previous work will give you a sense of their style, aesthetics, and ability to create beautiful and functional websites. It will also help you assess whether their design sensibilities align with your project requirements. Does your designer only work with 2+ employee mobile dog groomers? Amazing - only if your service aligns with what the designer normally works with. If you are looking for a designer to create a website for your 50+ employee law firm… this may not be the best match.

What is your process for designing and developing websites? 

Understanding the designer's workflow and process is crucial to ensure a smooth collaboration. Ask about how they gather requirements, conduct research, create wireframes or prototypes, and handle the development and testing phases. This will help you understand their approach and ensure it aligns with your expectations.

How do you handle website updates and maintenance? 

Websites are not stone tablets. They need to grow and change over the years as the business grows and changes. Websites require ongoing updates and maintenance to keep them secure, functional, and up to date. It's important to clarify how the designer handles these aspects. Ask about their post-launch support, potential maintenance plans, and whether they provide training or documentation for you to manage the website's content. 

What is your approach to SEO (Search Engine Optimization)? 

SEO plays a crucial role in determining a website's visibility in search engine results. Inquire about the designer's knowledge of SEO best practices and how they incorporate them into the website design. Understanding their approach to SEO will help ensure that your website is well-optimized for search engines, which can ultimately improve its online visibility and traffic. Learn more about the importance of SEO HERE.

And there are 7 important questions to as your graphic/web designer before starting your dream project! It’s so important to understand your designer and it is so important for your designer to understand you!  Your brand deserves the best so it can reach its full potential.  Reach out to our talented designers to get your dream brand and website started!