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6 Questions to Ask Before Hiring a Freelance Graphic Designer
Hiring the wrong freelance graphic designer can make or break your brand or marketing objectives. A designer that can’t complete projects on time, lacks the ability to adapt to your brand aesthetic, or has never taken on the type of work you’re doing could cause you to lose business.
Regardless of the type of project you’re hiring a designer for, it’s important to make sure you’re bringing in the right person for the job. Pose these six questions to each candidate before making a hire.
6 Freelance Designer Interview Questions
1) What motivated you to apply for this project?
This question can reveal a lot about whether the graphic designer you’re interviewing is genuinely interested in your company and what they’ll be working on. If they aren’t, it’ll show in the final product — and that’s a losing situation for everyone.
Ask questions that gauge their knowledge of your business and goals, and observe how well their skills and interests align. You want a graphic designer who fundamentally understands what you are building and why it’s important. Ideally, they’ll already be familiar with your company or will have interacted with you as a customer in the past.
2) What is your workload like?
There’s a big difference between the level of attention you’ll get from your freelance designer if you’re providing a significant portion of their income versus sending them a small project here and there.
Before committing to a contract, set clear expectations around your requirements. Will you need closer to five or 40 hours of their time each week? Find out how booked up they are with other clients and if it’s realistic for them to take on your project given your expectations and their other commitments.
3) Can you describe your design aesthetic?
A critical factor to consider when hiring a graphic designer is whether their work aligns with the overall design aesthetic you envision for your project.
If the designer you’re considering has a portfolio full of edgy, hand-illustrated black-and-white cartoon characters, they might not be the best fit to work with a mature brand that wants to appear authoritative. It’s a good idea to look through the designer’s work to get a sense of whether their aesthetic jibes with your vision before getting too far into the interview process, but be sure to ask this question regardless.
4) What is your design process like?
The graphic designer you’re considering should be able to articulate a clear path to achieving your desired results. An inability to do so could mean they don’t have enough experience to suit your needs.
For example, here’s how veteran graphic designer Ian Paget of Logo Geek kicks off a project with a new client: “I start my design process by creating a list of goals that can be used as a tick-list to refer to during the design phase and when selecting the best solution. We cover areas such as the brand’s story, values, competition and target audience.”
Having a well-defined, agreed upon design process like this is key to the success of the designer-client relationship.
5) How would your other clients describe working with you?
When a graphic designer has a page of their portfolio website dedicated to testimonials or keeps an offline copy of positive reviews they’ve received from past clients, it tells you their customers are happy with their results and willing to publicly vouch for them. If they don’t offer to share, just ask.
However, if they’re unable to produce a few positive testimonials, that’s might be an indication they are unable to sustain good client relationships or produce quality results. Tread lightly.
6) Do you have a blog?
Graphic designers who have a blog and actively take steps to showcase their domain expertise are more likely to bring additional value, advice, and experience to the table –beyond the deliverables you’ve agreed upon. The right graphic designer with an active social media following or established personal brand can help create more than just a new style for your company; they can become a worthy advocate, too.
As for who should be asking the questions: If your graphic designer will be working hand-in-hand with other members of your content team such as writers and marketers, it’s essential these stakeholders have a say during the interview process. Aside from being able to weigh in on whether they like the designer’s work or not, your other team members’ inputs are valuable for a few reasons: they will have a close pulse on anticipating the timing for upcoming projects, an understanding of the deliverables, and will likely be the ones interacting most with the designer on a day-to-day basis.
These six questions will ensure you come out of the interview with a clear sense of whether the graphic designer candidate is right for the job. When you and the person you hire are on the same page, you’ll cultivate a better rapport and get mutually beneficial results.
Growing number of 15″ MacBook Pro users report ‘popping’ sound coming from their laptop
Apple’s 2016 MacBook Pro has been met with a wide array of responses since it was unveiled last fall. Now, a growing number of users are reporting that they hear a strange “popping” noise coming from their MacBook Pro. Reports of the issue have started picking up steam on Apple’s own support website, as well as other forums…
Filed under: Apple
Report: Apple has secret team working on ‘breakthrough’ diabetes treatment w/ Apple Watch
Apple has kicked up its focus on health over recent years, but the company isn’t stopping just yet. According to a new report from CNBC, Apple has a secret team currently working on developing a solution for treating diabetes that would be seen as the “holy grail” for the condition…
Filed under: Apple
Ahead of WWDC, what are you most excited to see in watchOS 4? [Poll]
As we inch closer to WWDC 2017, focus is starting to shift towards the improvements that are likely to soon come to Apple’s operating systems. Earlier today, Zac went into detail regarding the future of Apple Watch and what watchOS 4 could potentially bring to the table when it’s unveiled at WWDC.
What possible watchOS 4 feature excites you most?
Filed under: Apple
As we wait for Apple to finish the real thing, watch a Minecraft tour of Apple Park now [Video]
Apple is set to start moving employees into its new Apple Park campus this month. Throughout the construction process, we’ve seen a variety of looks at the construction process, mostly via overhead drone footage. Now, we’re getting a different look at Apple’s new campus courtesy of Alex Westerlund, who designed the entire Apple Park campus in Minecraft…
Filed under: Apple
Apple begins selling lightweight Hover Camera Passport drone & offering in-store demos
As drones continue to rise in popularity, the ultra-portable Hover Camera Passport today became available from Apple.com and in Apple retail stores. Created by Zero Zero Robotics, the Hover Passport is a lightweight drone made from a carbon fiber material, so it’s portable and easy to take with you everywhere you go.
Filed under: Apple
Sketch app Paper gains new ‘Copy & Paste’ feature for subscribers
Paper by FiftyThree is one of the most approachable sketching apps for iOS, and recent versions have made it a viable note-taking app as well. While Paper has always been free and previously included in-app purchases, FiftyThree added an optional subscription patronage system last year. Now Paper is introducing a new ‘Copy & Paste’ feature that will only be available for subscribers.
Filed under: Apple
Apple CarPlay at NY Auto Show: Acura TLX w/ dual-displays, 2018 Sonata, Jeep, Honda EVs, Lincoln & more
The New York International Auto Show is about to kick off this weekend and that means the latest vehicle announcements for CarPlay, Apple’s platform for in-dash entertainment systems that allows app functionality using a connected iPhone.
Acura is showing off the first example of CarPlay that uses a dual-display setup with the latest generation of its On Demand Multi-Use Display. And Hyundai, Jeep, Honda, Lincoln and others are introducing new vehicles with support.
Head below for a first look:
Filed under: Apple
Microsoft expands Google Calendar and Contact sync testing with free Outlook for Mac Preview
Building an iPhone 6s for $300 using recycled parts from China
Scotty Allen, a world traveller with an appetite for the unknown, had decided that he would take on the challenge of making his own iPhone. Traveling to Shenzen over a period of months, Allen discovered he could buy all the components needed to make his very own iPhone, and all for less than half the price of a new one…
Filed under: Apple
WWDC Wishlist: How Apple Watch could improve with watchOS 4 this year
WWDC 2017 is just around the corner and we’re eager to see what Apple has planned for watchOS 4 and Apple Watch. While we don’t expect to see an update that addresses every opportunity left for watchOS in one year, there are certainly a lot of areas ripe for improvement considering how new Apple Watch and watchOS are. Read on for our watchOS 4 wish list below and share your own ideas in the comments.
Filed under: Apple
Apple showcasing artist’s NBA star illustrations with iPad Pro and Pencil
The iPad Pro and Apple Pencil are powerful tools in the right hands, and artist Rob Zilla is a great example of what’s possible with the latest hardware.
Apple is showcasing his work illustrating NBA stars like Kevin Durant using the iPad Pro and Apple Pencil with an exclusive look at how Zilla creates from start to finish.
Filed under: Apple
Concept imagines Apple’s upcoming modular Mac Pro and external display
Following Apple’s pre-announcement of a new modular Mac Pro it has in the works, there has been a lot of speculation about how Apple could implement such design changes. Will it stick with a design similar to the current cylinder, aka the trash can? Or perhaps it will return to a more classic Mac tower or box design, or something new entirely, in order to accommodate whatever it plans for the machine’s so-called “modular” design that will allow easily upgradability of key components pros care about.
Imagining the possibilities, the folks over at Curved.de put together the concept below.
Filed under: Apple
9to5Toys Lunch Break: iPhone SE 32GB $200, BeatsX Wireless In-ear Headphones $130, iPad Pro (refurb) $380, more
Keep up with the best gear and deals on the web by signing up for the 9to5Toys Newsletter. Also, be sure to check us out on: Twitter, RSS Feed, Facebook, Google+ and Safari push notifications.
TODAY’S CAN’T MISS DEALS:
Apple iPhone SE 32GB pre-paid, no contract for $200 (Reg. $399)
Apple iPhone 6 32GB off-contract for $200 at Boost Mobile
BeatsX Wireless In-Ear Headphones go to $130 at Amazon and Best Buy
Apple 9.7-inch iPad Pro Wi-Fi 32GB (cert. refurb) down to $380 shipped
Apple 15-inch MacBook Pro w/ Touch Bar: $2,070 ($329 savings)
Apple’s 13-inch 512GB MacBook Pro + Touch Bar $1,750 (Reg. $1,999)
iTunes $100 Gift Card from PayPal for $85 with email delivery
Hyperburner iOS space racer free for very first time (Reg. $3)
- LVL 3D puzzler gets very first price drop: $1 (Reg. $2)
- WikiLinks Smart Wikipedia Reader for iOS now available free
- Legend of Skyfish iOS/Android action-adventure hits lowest price ever: $1
- Trine 1, 2 & 3 for Mac now on sale from $2 each (Reg. up to $15)
- Artkive for iOS goes free: easily keep track of all your kids’ artwork
- App Store Free App of the Week: Toca Life School children’s iOS app free
Review: MUJJO Leather/Wool Sleeves keep your MacBook protected in style
Review: Belkin Valet Charger Power Pack pulls double duty for Apple Watch and iPhone
Review: Decks by FluidStance bring motion and fun to standing desks and more
Best Console Releases for April: Mario Kart 8 Deluxe, Outlast 2 & more
9to5Rewards: Brydge iPad Keyboards provide serious productivity on-the-go [Giveaway]
MORE NEW GEAR FROM TODAY:
Gift Cards up to 20% off: Toys R Us, Lowe’s and more
AmazonBasics iPhone 7/Plus cases from under $1
- Smartphone Accessories: Anker 3-pack of MFi PowerLine Lightning Cables $20, more
- Daily Deals: APC 10-outlet Back-UPS $150, Insignia 50-inch LED 1080p HDTV $280, more
- Egyptian cotton sheets up to 25% off today only at Amazon
- Games/Apps: Uncharted 4 Triple Pack $25, Dishonored 2 $23, iOS freebies, more
- 1byone’s best-selling 50-mile Amplified HDTV Antenna $20 Prime shipped
- Nordstrom’s Clear the Rack Event is live with 25% off all clearance
- Star Wars Battlefront 2 debut trailer leaks, watch it right here while you can
NEW PRODUCTS & MORE:
Sony announces super thin $700 e-paper tablet
Uncharted: The Lost Legacy releases in August w/ 10+ hour campaign
Misfit’s Flare is a low cost fitness tracker that doesn’t skip out on functionality
- Under Armour SpeedForm Record Equipped shoes takes fitness to a new level
- Gorillaz launch new AR/VR app to host largest ever listening party
- The KERUO L7 smart pocket projector puts the big screen in the palm of your hands
- Anker takes the wraps off new slim iPhone 7 battery case with Lightning port access
- Teodoor offers full smart lock functionality in the ‘world’s smallest package’
- Kniterate is a smart 3D printer for the aspiring tailor
- Ford’s smart crib will get your infant to sleep without having to take a night drive
- Play Elder Scrolls Online for free on PS4, Xbox One, Mac/PC
- Knomo’s water-resistant LiveFree bag offers wireless charging on the go
- Duo is the AI-infused Smart Mirror that everyone needs to start their day
- Powrtabs is a biodegradable charger for your iPhone and Android
- TP-Link Smart LED Light Bulbs gain Alexa control, remain affordable at $20+
- With Polar’s new M430 iOS compatible sports watch, you’ll run smarter
- Transformers Forged to Fight out now on iOS/Android (free-to-play)
- Lift-bit offers a stylish and intelligent modular seating system for your home
- Xbox Scorpio console specs unveiled with native 4K and more
- Samsung’s MU Series Ultra HDTVs bring affordability and sleek designs
- Clarity is a touchscreen Smart Speaker that combines Google Now and Alexa
- How to add sound to your LEGO creations with the PFx Brick
- The Sunrise Smart Pillow aspires to make every morning better
MORE DEALS STILL LIVE:
Dell’s Color Laser All-in-One Printer w/ AirPrint is down to $130
Caseology iPhone 7/Plus cases in a variety of styles and colors from $4
Anker’s Easter Sale discounts your favorite power and audio gear
Filed under: Apple
Apple’s CarPlay comes standard in new 2018 Lincoln Navigator
With an official introduction of the 2018 Lincoln Navigator today, the vehicle becomes the latest that will include Apple’s in-dash CarPlay system standard.
Filed under: Apple
Analyst: iPhone 8 fingerprint sensor integrated into screen facing low production yields, Apple may change design
According to one analyst, Apple is facing a significant bottleneck in the production of the bezel-less iPhone 8. As the device’s front is expected to be mostly screen (and almost no bezel), the Touch ID sensor is being re-engineered.
Cowen and Company’s Timothy Arcuri is claiming that yields of a new fingerprint sensor that would be integrated into the iPhone 8 screen are low (via AppleInsider) and that Apple may consider other less-exciting designs if the production problems cannot be solved.
Filed under: Apple
Snowy developer collaborating with Spotify on upcoming Apple Watch app
The folks over at Spotify had to have been impressed when Andrew Chang first revealed Spotty, a third-party Spotify companion app for the Apple Watch. We went hands-on with Spotty back in early February, and were likewise impressed by the app’s full-featured design, offline Spotify playback ability, and workout integration.
After being met with some initial legal pushback over Spotty’s name and close resemblance to the official Spotify app, it was unclear what the future might hold for Chang’s highly-anticipated creation. Since then, the app has been visually updated and rebranded as Snowy.
But give credit to Spotify, because instead of overreacting and using the company’s significant legal resources to shut the project down, the Stockholm, Sweden-based company has agreed to collaborate with Chang to help fill in an obvious void on Apple Watch. more…
Filed under: Apple