How to Work with Your Designer
A graphic designer loves a blank canvas. It’s an exciting choose-your-own-adventure process. You may liken this to excitedly planning a long-awaited getaway; open plans, open experiences but a destination is well within sight. Unlike this destination-oriented vacation, designing may not have such an obvious journey’s end. Being clear with your design intentions will be a collective effort between you, as the client, and the designer.
Hiring a designer to reimagine your business image, website or graphics can initially feel daunting. Where do you start? What is the best way to relay your creative objectives? How do you kindle the vision within your designer to create a compelling product? Set the following goals and you will enable a seamless workflow.
KNOW THYSELF
Socratic-wisdom has long encouraged knowing yourself as the foundation to our existence. As the client, you should find yourself brand-aware. Not knowing your brand can create conversational ambiguity during planning meetings. During production, the design will flail as the designer aims to chase visions that are not well-defined. Be confident in your brand-identity so you can lead your designer down the right path. Time is money, and well-defined goals and boundaries will create a more productive result.
MEANINGFUL DIALOGUE
Paul J. Meyer once said, “Communication – the human connection – is the key to personal and career success.” This is vital for you to receive a product that exceeds your expectations. Effective, relevant communication will inevitably give you greater results. Constructive-criticism will give your designer the direction they need. It’s easy to respond in an overly concise manner and lose context of your goals. “Fix this” or “add that” leave much to be desired. However, expounding on your suggestions will help your designer mindfully and methodically achieve the final look. A designer is adept in receiving detailed feedback. In fact, they crave it. Sensible direction can keep you well within your design deadline and spare your designer the headache of seeking an indeterminate vision.
PIERCING THE VEIL
So, you’re drafting adjectives, meager doodles, and abstract concepts for your designer’s consultation. Don’t hesitate to share these concepts with your hired creative mind! Your designer would love a rare insight into your deeper thoughts and sometimes, honestly, words fail. This does not negate the meaningful dialogue we have discussed. However, trusting your designer to take that step into the most intimate part of your business, your brand, can awaken fantastic developments. A good designer is worth their weight in gold. They will treat this insight with the utmost respect and successfully re-imagine the vision in ways unseen.
Working with a designer doesn’t have to be a frustrating process. You, as the client, are very much a part of the process. With brand-confidence, clear communication and revealing those inner-most goals, your designer will be well-equipped to successfully and professionally bring life to your vision. If you still have hesitancy in taking that first step with a designer, contact DCA Virtual Business Support. We are well-equipped to guide you through the process of reimagining your brand.