How to Find the Best Graphic Designer

• Author: admin
• Filed under: Articles
• Date: Sep 2,2010

If you have a business, at some point you’re going to need a graphic designer. Though you may be able to print your own business cards or letterhead, if you want them to look good and really make your business stand out, you need someone who knows how to make fonts, colors and graphic elements work together.

A graphic designer is trained to use design elements (from photos to clip art to lines and boxes to typography) to convey information or create an effect on a consumer.

Basically, what you’re trying to do is let people know about you, whether it’s yourself, your business or your product that you’re trying to show in the best light.

So, if you really want to catch people’s attention in print, you need a design that is eye-catching and leaves a positive impression. And that’s where a good graphic designer is so invaluable.

What do you need?

Your first questions when hiring a graphic designer should be to yourself.

What are you presenting to the world that requires a professional design?

How will it be presented—in product packaging, in business stationery, in brochures, in magazine ads?

Do you need a logo created from scratch, or do you already have an image to work off of that just needs polishing and minor tweaks?

Do you need a single business card design, or do you want a total package with branding—brand your product and name with a memorable marketing tool, such as a logo or jingle?

As soon as you have these questions sorted out, you’re then prepared to ask graphic designers some questions.

1) Ask how long they’ve been in business.

Someone that can prove twenty years of experience with happy customers is probably going to charge more than someone new to the business. They are also more likely to be able to help you figure out what you’re looking for, unless you have a very concrete idea to begin with. If you don’t have a solid idea of what you want, a less experienced graphic designer may take several tries to create what you want, and could cost more in the long run.

2) Ask to see previous work.

Many graphic designers have a certain style. While their work doesn’t all look the same, there are often similarities you’ll spot in their portfoloio. One designer may specialize in a softer look (with light colors and a floral motif), while another designer may favor something edgier (sharply contrasting colors, geometric shapes). Neither is bad in and of itself, but if you’re trying to set up a day spa, you’d likely go for Designer A’s style rather than Designer B. A punk rock band would have the exact opposite reaction.

3) Ask for references.

You don’t want to hire a graphic designer who can never finish a project on time, especially if you’re on a tight timetable. Is the designer open to suggestions? Can s/he take constructive criticism? Yes, they’re the designer, but you’re the customer, and your opinion counts. This can work the other way too. You could hear from references that this person takes his or her time, but it’s definitely worth the wait because the price is right and the end product is fabulous.

4) Who does the actual work?

Are you hiring a firm that gives the grunt work to subordinates, who may not be able to do the level of quality work you want? Or is this a one-man show, where you have to wait your turn until the graphic designer can get to your project in his roster of clients?

5) Exactly what services does the graphic designer provide?

If s/he designs a brochure, who prints it? If a banner is created, whose responsibility is it to get the real thing done? Will you be given a CD with your logo and master copies of the letterhead and brochure files and then need to take the CD to the printer yourself, or will the CD be delivered along with your first batch of printed materials? Additionally, will you have several mock-ups to choose from, or will the designer simply create one version for your to approve or disapprove?

6) Will the graphic designer spend time consulting with you?

A good designer will take the time to listen to your ideas, and ask questions to make sure s/he is clear on your vision and the feeling you want your logo and marketing materials to evoke in potential clients.

7) Ask about copyrights.

Does the graphic designer keep the copyright and just license reproduction rights to you, or do you get the copyright? Does the designer ensure that the brand s/he creates doesn’t infringe on an existing brand?

Ask about the price.

What are you getting and not getting? Request a list of everything that is included, either in the form of a fee schedule or an entire project quote. Make sure you understand what you’re getting yourself into, and what you’re getting out of the relationship you’re about to start.

You will be signing a contract and you will be in this relationship for the term of that contract. After you put your signature on something is not the time to discover you made a mistake, or had more questions.

In Conclusion

What you want to ask a graphic designer before you hire him or her is everything. Do your research on the going rate in your area for various design work, and be willing to talk to several designers before choosing one. Shop around. Ask around. If you see graphic design you like at a business, ask who did their work.

Most of all, remember that a graphic designer is supposed to give some type of memorable representation of “you”, whether it’s for business or for personal use. You will want an excellent working relationship that can potentially last a long, long time.

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Why You Should Install Designer Lighting

• Author: admin
• Filed under: Articles
• Date: Sep 1,2010

Designer lighting is not an easy task. It requires knowledge, creativity and skills. It may not require educational background; however, it pays to know the basic things about designing the lighting system of a certain place or area.

If you choose to give life to your kitchen, there are several classifications of fixtures, which can be   recessed from the ceiling.  Pendant lights suit perfectly to point light to the dinner table, if you do not like to have chandelier. While preparing for meals, you can do the work easily when you have wall lights or ceiling lights customized according to your needs.

The existing theme, design and style of the room are all important. This is another consideration to make. The owner of the house or the officeholder does not want anything to be out of place, especially the lights. Lights are very important because other than being decorative such as designer lighting, they illuminate the place. It now depends whether the whole area needs lights or just a certain portion. Lighting system can be versatile.

Because soft lights produce soft glow, they set the mood of the room. Bright lights are for rooms that have lively activities. Often, bright designer lighting is used at the early part of the evening to prevent lethargy. However, as nights grow deep, soft lights like those of the floor lamps, wall lamps and sidelights on the ceiling give the proper glow fitting to the mood of the hour.

Interior lighting such as Ceiling lights could either light up the entire place from above or certain areas. Pendant light is similar to ceiling lights. It hangs from the ceiling like a pendant on a necklace. Its moniker is swag light and its function is decorative. Versatility is its style, which can be expounded in three ways.

For garden lights, lampposts that are solar lights are among the best for economic reasons. There is a wide variety of solar lampposts to choose from. There is a type of solar light that needs minimal charging and yet, can produce light longer. This type of solar light is ideal for long winter nights and for areas that cannot get direct sunlight.

Color of the room is also considered together with its reflectance. To complement the interior color scheme, the appearance of color coming from designer lighting including lamps must be natural. The selection of lamps can influence the color rendition of the room, thus a careful assessment of the right color combination is the key.

If decorative lights are complementary, make sure that the room has much natural lights as possible. There are many ways to accomplish this; however, the best way is to have see-through or thin clothing for the curtain of the windows or sliding glass doors to allow the lights from outside to penetrate into the room. If blinds are used, they can be adjusted so not to block the light during nighttime until necessary.

Also, it provides lights to walkers or visitors in walking through the front door. Of course, when you have garden set, gazebo and the like, you need Designer lighting. It helps you appreciate the beauty of your investments. Do not worry about the cost for outdoor lighting system because solar lights are the trend today. In fact, solar lights are more than a trend, it is a way of the lighting system to be cost-efficient while delivering quality light.

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