Working with a Graphic Designer is a Team Sport

Every organization has its unique objectives, making marketing, promotions and sales fundamental to every business. The client brings their knowledge and needs of the company, competition and industry. The designer takes the client’s insight and brings in a fresh and original perspective to target their market and impart their business objective.

Your designer is your teammate in the process, not your opponent. They want to make your project get the attention it deserves and help you reach its intended goal.

Your position is the quarterback. You call the plays to meet your needs and let your designer run with the ball. They want to create a marketing piece that shows off your professionalism. What do you envision the piece looking like? Don’t tell the designer “be creative”. Creativity has infinite possibilities and the chances of the designer making it to the end zone on the first try without your direction are slim. If you have something in mind it usually comes out after the designer gives you the first proof and you say, “that isn’t what I was thinking”. It will save you time and money if you give the designer a rough idea or samples of what you like. Look around at what your opponents are doing and see if you can take a page out of their playbook. You aren't “design it” but provide a starting point from which they can launch their creativity and polish your ideas. Giving them as much information as you can.

Give the designer an idea of what you want to achieve. Are you announcing a sale, a new location, a specific product, or just reminding your customers that you are there when they need you? Making your feedback constructive and positive will move the ball in the right direction. The objective is to create a piece that wins the game for both you and the designer.

Attached is a checklist that will help you prepare for the first meeting with your designer and gather the necessary information to start working on your project. Client Checklist pdf