How do you find the best Graphic Designer for your Project?
Every successful business has several stages that culminate into growth.
The moment your business starts to grow, you can forget about a DIY approach to everything.
This is the time you need other people’s skills the most.
Your visual brand identity will need some serious attention now, and a Graphic Designer is the best solution.
The problem is that there are many unanswered questions, for example:
● Do I know how to find the best graphic designer?
● How long does this process last?
● Do I hire short term or long term?
You are about to get the best information and tips about how to find talented graphic designers.
You see, graphic design is backbreaking work, but it can be fun and rewarding for those who utilise their talents well.
Modern graphic designers work in difficult circumstances where they encounter health problems, copyright issues, clients’ demands, etc.
While you cannot control these factors, you can at least choose your preferred designer.
The following sections will help you in this process.
1. Characteristics of the best Graphic Designers
What makes a top graphic designer?
This is a common question from people looking for graphic designers for the first time.
Here are some distinct characteristics of a talented graphic designer.
a. Continuously learning
Every expert has an innate desire to keep learning and improving.
Graphic design is very dynamic, and only the talented designers can remain relevant for long.
Starting small does not matter.
The will to learn new things every day and being creative is more important.
b. Able To Receive Criticism Positively
I bumped into an advert for a skilled graphic design intern position the other day and noted something interesting.
The recruiter was searching for someone ready to accept constructive criticism.
We have all seen how some tech professionals tend to detest criticism for their work.
A graphic designer who does not want to be corrected is simply not good enough because he or she may end up disappointing clients.
c. Several Relevant Skills
A talented graphic designer has more than average skills, with creativity being one of the most crucial ones.
However, such skills must be blended with modern technical skills to make the designer relevant.
The era of Rapidograph pens, T-squares and stat cameras is now gone.
Sketch, Dreamweaver, Adobe InDesign and Photoshop are the hottest tools now.
No one is sure how long these will last before others take over.
What does this mean for the present crop of graphic designers?
It shows that stagnation is the biggest career risk.
As a recruiter, you want to select the person with the most relevant technical skills.
d. Personal and Business Skills
Everyone has realised the importance of business and people skills for graphic designers and other techies.
For success in this increasingly competitive world, it pays to know how to find clients and keep them.
With excellent communication skills, the designer is capable of establishing and sustaining healthy professional relationships with customers.
Such a graphic designer is pleasant to work with, whether on the short-term or long-term basis.
e. Finally, A Work Ethic To Match
Talent should also be crowned with hard work.
Every graphic designer should be prepared to work long hours.
This is something newbie designers tend to forget, only to be met by the bitter truth that success is largely out of the input given.
Remember that this is not a regular job; a graphic designer is mostly doing something new each time.
Is your prospective designer ready to sacrifice a few hours to complete a task?
2. Where Are These Professionals?
Graphic designers, as technologically averse as they can be, have many platforms for talent display.
Most designers use just one or a few of them and get the results they need.
Similarly, you can meet some of the best players on these platforms and hire them. Visit as many platforms as possible.
Here is a list of resources where you can find talented graphic designers.
a. Resume Websites
Nowadays, everyone is creating an online portfolio.
Graphic designers know that having an online presence gives them an edge over those who are yet to upload their details.
An obvious benefit of this kind of presentation is increased visibility.
Hiring managers have an easier time accessing a person’s information and initiating contact.
I have in mind a favourite site referred to as Careerbuilder.com.
This site is attractive, yet simple to use.
Monster.com is also reliable for graphic design resources.
They have a state-of-the-art interaction whereby employers can use the cloud, social media and mobile phones to connect with potential candidates.
From their talent pool of millions, you can be sure to get at least a few impressive candidates.
Other resume websites to consider include jobs.net and hotjobs.yahoo.com.
b. Graphic Designers’ Forums
Anyone interested in graphic design information can join new online forums for advice, tips and of course, employees.
There are so many talented freelance graphic designers in these forums.
Howdesign.Com is one such forum.
Since serious discussions are happening all the time, you can meet an expert within the first few minutes.
Graphicdesignforums.co.uk is also impressive, although it tends to focus more on UK audiences.
c. Other Sources of Graphic Designers
If other methods of finding talented graphic designers do not yield fruit, I will urge you to turn to a first method-job board.
Many employers and job seekers still use job boards as a meeting point.
Job seekers create profiles on these platforms and upload their application letters and resumes.
These sites have progressed with technology and are already using mobile apps.
Traditional job boards to try to include Freelance Switch, Coroflot, Simply Hired, AIGA Design Jobs and Smashing Magazine.
Beyond job boards, it is also important to visit classifieds such as Craigslist.org and classifieds.myspace.com for talent.
3. How to Attract Designers
Yes, recruiting talented graphic designers is hard, but you can improve your results significantly by adopting a tested strategy.
a. Create A Network
The first step is to establish a network of talent that includes even candidates who are not necessarily looking for work.
Those that you may have rejected in the past should also be on this list.
Sourcing companies have applied this strategy successfully, so you need to consider using it.
Just because someone did not make the cut for a particular role, it does not mean he or she cannot be suitable for another job.
Maintain that contact with your candidates and be ready to share with them progress within your organisation so that their interest in your company does not die.
These candidates should be your priority whenever you need a talented graphic designer or any other employee for that matter.
b. Update Your Career Site
Do you have a job site?
If not, you might want to read a recent report by Talent Board on Candidate Experience Research, which revealed that candidates prefer job sites for information about companies.
With this revelation, you may want to enhance your brand by updating your site regularly.
A compelling and accurate site acts as a screening stop for candidates seeking to work for your organisation.
You can get much input from the best web hosting providers here.
c. Enhance Your Social Media Presence
Social media has taken over from common engagement platforms such as radio and newspaper.
It is evident that any firm not active on social media may be losing much exposure to top talent.
Most young job seekers do not go further than social media. According to research by Glassdoor, 86% of the younger generation job seekers prefer using social media.
To tap into the younger talented graphic designers, you need to set up a robust social media strategy.
If you want to know which social media sites graphic designers use, determine who the clients are first.
For instance, photographers are most likely on Instagram.
However, the general trend is that most professionals tend to use LinkedIn, so you might want to make a stop there.
Make sure that your LinkedIn profile portrays you perfectly.
Other popular sites for tech talent are Stack Overflow and Github. This does not mean you should not set up profiles on Twitter, Behance.net and other websites in this category.
Final Thoughts
In this increasingly technological world, you might need to find a graphic designer at one point.
If you are focusing on talented individuals, you are not alone.
Many hiring managers are looking talent as opposed to experience.
Several studies confirm that hiring top talent is entirely worth the effort for any organisation.
Whichever approach you use, always pay attention to details.
What skills does the prospective designer have?
Does their keenness convince you to detail and communication style?
I have discovered that the perfect way to establish this kind of relationship is to offer a trial project.
For example, you could ask the candidate to design a small advertising piece.
This short-term commitment brings to light most issues regarding the candidate’s capabilities and professionalism.
If the collaboration works, then you will have found a talented graphic designer worth hiring for a longer term.
If you wish to discuss how we can develop your brand or provide graphic design for your product or business, email us at: [email protected]
Inkbot Design is a Creative Branding Agency that is passionate about effective Graphic Design, Brand Identity, Logos and Web Design.
T: @inkbotdesign F: /inkbotdesign
The post How to Find the Best Graphic Designer for your Project? is by Stuart and appeared first on Inkbot Design.
