4 Ways to Get the Most Out of Your Designer – In a Good Way by @skleberdesign

by Stacy Kleber Jensen | Featured Contributor 

Now, the heading of this post is a little deceiving – no, I’m not going to teach you how to take advantage of your graphic designer. But I do want you to know how you can work with your designer to get the best possible result. A win-win for both you AND them.

1. Be honest about your budget – with yourself, and the designer.

We want to help you – really we do.  I do everything in my power to come up with a solution within the clients budget, or to offer them a referral in their price range. But this means being realistic about what you as the client want and what you can afford. Proposals and quotes are time consuming, and this will ensure that both parties use the time to the utmost advantage.

2. Involve the designer early in the process.

While you do know your business, designers are trained to find a different and creative angle.  Instead of going to your designer with the whole idea sketched out, come to them with inspiration and some ideas, and let them build the design concept WITH you.  Many of my clients tell me they get the best results when they don’t try to lead me too much in any particular direction, and I tend to agree. Some guidance is great – a full sketch that I just have to execute in Creative Suite is a bit too much.

3. Have your files ready.

For almost any design, the designer is going to ask for an eps of your logo, and will likely want brand guidelines if they exist. Having these things ready and accessible is something that you can do to help yourself, and the designer, to ensure continuity in your brand.

4. Know your output.

If you are going to handle printing yourself, share whom you are printing with up front. Many online printers have different requirements for crop marks and bleed. Knowing this when a designer sets up the file will save you costly revisions and resizing when the time comes to print.

Think about these tips next time you start the design process with a new vendor.  I hope they will help you get the most out of your experience!

—————————————————————-

Stacy Kleber Jensen (Washington, DC) – Founder and Chief Creative Officer of the graphic design studio, Stacy Kleber Design, LLC

Stacy Kleber Jensen is the Founder and Chief Creative Officer of Stacy Kleber Design, LLC (www.skleber.com).  She is a graduate of the University of Delaware with a BFA in Visual Communications and a concentration in Graphic Design. Stacy is currently attending the Johns Hopkins Carey Business School to obtain a Masters of Science in Marketing.

Stacy founded her graphic design studio, Stacy Kleber Design, LLC, in 2008. Since its humble beginnings, Stacy Kleber Design, LLC has grown to specialize in branding and design for growing businesses and start-ups. Projects range from logo design and business collateral (business cards, stationery, etc) to websites and social media assistance. The greatest part of owning Stacy Kleber Design, LLC is helping businesses to establish their brand and their identity as a company, as well as find their voice in an ever changing digital world.

Notable clients include ASRC Federal Holding Corporation, Marriott OceanWatch Villas, Myrtle Beach International Airport, Horry-Georgetown Technical College

Please connect with Stacy on Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn, and Pinterest.

Stacy Kleber Jensen