The final category in our search for the perfect designer involves looking outside your current contacts. There are many ways to find a designer online. From the simple Google search to portfolio sites to just looking at the bottom of a website that you frequent.

This category is wide open. Much of it depends on what you want and when you want it. Most designers have a simple form to fill out right on their websites and most are more than happy to give you a quote without any kind of obligation. Making contact by filling out a quote form online you can find out many things about how that design firm works. For example, how fast do they get back with you. This is important because it shows how well a firm communicates. If it takes a week to get a quote back it might be an indicator that communication is not their strong suit. Is the quote personalized? If you get a price back in the form of a price sheet or a generic answer it might be an indicator of how the the project might be handled.

To receive a timely and personalized quote from Brian Petty Design click Here.

Hopefully you now feel informed enough to make contact and start that next great project.

Making Contact. Encounters of the Second Kind

Read Making Contact. Encounters of the First Kind by clicking here. Or read step one of the Starting A New Project series by clicking here.

So we are still looking for that perfect person on design firm to create that new project that is going to send your business into the stratosphere. Yesterday we looked at people that we know well, friends, family, that kid down the block that built his own Myspace page or whoever. Maybe we found the right person maybe not. Today is all about using those business connections that we all have made over the years in a different way.

Every small business owner that you know that has a website probably has worked with a web designer at some point. Or else they probably wouldn’t have that site. So should you use the same person or design firm that did their site? Maybe yes, maybe no. Do you really, really like their site and wish that your site looked exactly the same? Then yes look into working with that designer. However every situation is different. What are your needs? Are you going to need additional services that they cannot or do not provide such as print work. It all depends on if you want to build a relationship with a web designer and a graphic artist or just one. That being said not every great web designer is a great print graphic designer. Ask to see examples of both if you are looking for a full service designer.

Please do everyone a favor though and not ask your business connection how much they paid for their website or print work. The reason for this is simple. All projects are different. What he or she needed is different than what you need, it could cost more or it could cost less, either way don’t put your business connection in that position of revealing what they paid. Get the quote from the designer that you are interested in working with. And whatever you do don’t say “Well, you only charged so-and-so this.”

Tomorrow: Encounters of the Third Kind

This is the second part of an on-going series about starting a new project. To read the first part click here.

So now we know what our mission statement is, when our deadline is, and what we can pay. What’s next? Making Contact!

A simple Google search for “Graphic Designers” gives us almost 5.2 Million web pages to go through to find the right person for the job. Or you need a website? Google “web Designers”. That will give you what you want right? Only if you have a couple of years or so to dedicate to reading 8.9 million web pages. Let’s simplify the process a bit and break it down into three categories.

Category 1: Encounters of the First Kind.

You have a friend or someone you know well that can do the job for you. They know you, you know them. Perfect fit right? Well maybe. Ask yourself a few questions first before asking them. Do they do this full time, part time, or as a hobby?

If they do it full time great. More than likely they have the time to dedicate to your project. Plus it is their professional reputation on the line. But will they be out of your price range?

Part time? Will they have the time for your project? Can they make last minute changes if needed or will they be at their other job? How long will it take them if they can only work on it on nights and weekends? There are many great part-time designers out there, but make sure that their schedule fits with your schedule.

The guy (or woman) that you know that does this as a hobby? Have they done this before? Can they do it? Will they use professional design software to complete the project? (by the way… Microsoft PowerPoint is not professional design software) If they can’t do it right can you afford the time and money to redo it professionally? Be careful of this option unless the project is purely for fun and has absolutely nothing to do with business or your reputation as a professional.

One last thing needs to be said about this category. What if things go bad? When friends and money are involved there are some scary things that can happen. It’s probably not worth ending a friendship over a bad website or a poorly designed business card.

Tomorrow: Encounters of the Second Kind.

Step One: The Big Idea.

This part is probably already done. You know what needs to be done and what you will do with it. The problem is now what. Chances are it just seems daunting. Answering a few simple questions will help you focus and guide you in the right direction.

Question 1

What is the mission statement for this project?

No matter what the project is it has to have a purpose. Write a short mission statement for your project that states very clearly what you are doing. Keep it short. Make it very clear. “I’ll know it when I see it.” just doesn’t cut it. Know what the exact goals of the project are. Write it down.

Set yourself up for success. A clear focused mission statement is the best way to start your project.

Question 2

When do I need to have this done by?

This seems like a simple one but probably one of the most important questions that you need to ask yourself. The right amount of time creates a better project in my opinion. If the deadline is too quick sometimes the quality of the work suffers. Of course we do our very best on every project no matter what the deadline, but there is no doubt that communication creates a better end result. Communication takes time.

On the other hand a deadline that is too long creates problems as well…actually probably more problems than a quick deadline. Long drawn out projects lose focus. Think about all the messages that your audience receives on a daily basis. A concise, focused message is key.

Give yourself enough time to develop good communication, but not too much that both parties could lose focus.

Question 3

What is my budget?

No designer in his or her right mind thinks they are going to get rich on one project. They know what goes into a project and what it is worth to them. You know what you can pay for the project. Now what? Get it out in the open right from the start. Don’t be afraid to say “I can pay this for this project. Is that a figure you can work with?” and say it right from the start. If the answer is yes then great you’re on your way. If the answer is no then very little time is lost on yours and the designers parts. Remember you get what you pay for though, so if more than one designer says no because of price your budget may not be realistic.

A realistic and fair budget is key to the success of a new project.

Check back tomorrow for part two: Making contact!