7 ways to tell whether an independent designer is a good fit for your project

First, let’s define “independent designer,” so we’re all on the same page.

An independent designer is a creative individual who develops brand visuals and messaging by combining three crucial things:

    • knowledge of good design

    • love of technology

    • innate ability to understand and empower people


      Make sense? Cool. Now that you know how to identify an independent designer, ask yourself this:

Why do you want to work with an independent designer in the first place?

Here are a few reasons my clients have shared:

  • Matching priorities. If you know exactly what you need—like an infographic and icon set for your website—hiring an independent designer who specializes in those assets is a quick, easy way to get your project done. 
  • Vision preservation. When you have a specific vision in mind, it’s easier to partner with only one other person. That way, you don’t risk having your project pulled in multiple directions by multiple minds. Unfortunately, I’ve seen that happen within highly competitive agencies. 
  • Budget consciousness. Large design agencies can produce great creative work, but paying them may empty your rainy day fund. With much lower overhead costs, independent designers can deliver the same value for a more reasonable price. 
  • Although there’s no right answer here, your why, or purpose, matters at every stage of the design process. Tattoo that on your forearm or write it on your mirror, so you never forget.
  • With the who and the why out of the way, we’re ready to gab about good designer-project fit.
  • We’ll explore this through three different phases of your project process—researching designers, initial contact and creation.

How to tell whether an independent designer is a good fit when researching

When searching for an independent designer, review their website and portfolio for:

1. Style and aesthetic. Every design they’ve developed should clearly communicate a message in a visually pleasing way.

2. Variety. An assortment of projects demonstrates an assortment of skills. After viewing a designer’s past work, you should trust they have the talent and ability to tackle your idea. If you can’t find enough projects on their website to evaluate this, the designer may have more work they’d be willing to share privately.

Once you’ve discovered a designer who fulfills those two requirements, contact them to discuss your needs.

How to tell whether an independent designer
is a good fit when making initial contact

When emailing, phoning, calling or faxing a designer, be sure to:

3. Ask a thousand questions. K, not a thousand, but more than a few. Some questions I suggest asking include:

  • What’s your design type? (some folks work strictly on web projects or print, others—like me!—do it all)
  • What are your design strengths?
  • Describe what it’s like to work with you.
  • Can you stay within my budget?
  • What expectations do you have of your clients?
  • What projects are you most proud of and why?

4. Clearly communicate your needs. Like all relationships, outlining expectations is crucial to a good client-designer partnership. Because without clarity, collaboration is rarely, if ever, successful.

How to tell whether an independent designer is a good fit throughout the creation process

While developing your project, your independent designer should…

5. Directly address your needs. Your ideas and requests are important, and good designers will honour them or explain why a different approach is needed.

6. Create designs that are both innovative and on brand.

7. Make your audience sing (or nod or cry or laugh … basically achieve whatever outcome you intended).

“Doctor Claire, I’m afraid I may have a bad designer-project fit. Would you diagnose my symptoms, so I can be sure?”

First, let me clarify one thing. I’m not a doctor. But I can still share some signs of a bad designer-project fit. Watch out for…

Poor communication

This may look like:

  • Chronic unresponsiveness

  • Delayed answers to questions and concerns

  • Lack of listening skills and curiosity

  • Inability to articulate their needs or process

Unreliability

This may look like:

  • Ghosting you and your project mid-way through the process

  • Increasing costs with zero explanation why

  • Late deliverables

Inadequate credentials

This may look like:

  • Lack of relevant past projects to showcase

  • Designs that overwhelm the viewer with information

  • Inability to follow a creative brief and tailor creations to your target audience

It all comes down to this

A good designer-project fit isn’t hard to achieve, especially when both clients and designers are honest and open-minded.

If you remember one thing and one thing only from this article, let it be this: clarity is key.

Happy collaborating!
Claire