When it comes to hiring a graphic designer, it’s easy to get overwhelmed. The right designer can boost your brand, but the wrong one can lead to a host of problems. 

Did you know that businesses that overlook strong brand identity can lose up to 20% in revenue? According to a study by the Design Management Institute, design-driven companies outperformed the S&P 500 by 219% over ten years. 

This highlights the critical role a skilled graphic designer plays in your brand’s success. To make sure you choose wisely, here are five major mistakes to avoid when hiring a graphic designer.

1. Not Having Sufficient Technical Skills

A designer must be proficient in industry-standard software like Adobe Photoshop, Illustrator, and InDesign. Without know-how to use these tools advance features, they won’t be able to deliver high-quality work that meets professional standards. Additionally, He or she must be aware of typography. Typography is more than just picking a font; a good designer understands how to use type to convey messages effectively and aesthetically. 

You can’t ignore the Colors. Colors evoke emotions and responses, and a designer who doesn’t understand color theory might create designs that look unprofessional or don’t align with your brand identity. 

A graphic designer should also have a solid understanding of web design principles and user experience (UI/UX), making sure your digital assets are not only visually appealing but also functional and user-friendly. 

Print design is another crucial aspect; if your designer isn’t familiar with print techniques, you might end up with issues like poor resolution, incorrect colors, and improper layout dimensions.

2. Not Considering Creative Skills

A great graphic designer tells stories through visuals. If they can’t think creatively to develop compelling visual narratives, their designs will likely fall flat and fail to engage your audience. Your brand deserves unique, creative designs that stand out, and a designer who recycles old ideas or lacks innovation won’t help your brand shine. 

Also consider Concept development, a key in graphic design; if a designer can’t come up with fresh, unique concepts, their work will likely feel uninspired and generic. Furthermore, a designer’s sense of aesthetics impacts how your brand is perceived, and a poor sense of aesthetics can lead to designs that are unattractive or don’t match your brand’s image.

3. Avoiding Portfolio Evaluation

A portfolio is a window into a designer’s skills and experience. If it lacks variety or doesn’t showcase different types of projects, it’s hard to gauge their capabilities. Don’t just look at the quantity of work in a portfolio; assess the quality and range. This helps you understand if the designer can handle different styles and complexities. 

The next big thing to evaluate a portfolio is consistency. Consistency in design work is crucial for brand identity, and a designer should be able to produce work that maintains a consistent style, making sure your brand is easily recognizable.

4. Not Updated with Industry Knowledge

Design trends evolve rapidly, and a designer who isn’t up-to-date with the latest trends might produce work that looks outdated and doesn’t resonate with contemporary audiences. Design is not just about making things look pretty; it’s about communication, and a designer should understand basic marketing and branding principles to create effective designs. 

Incorporating design into digital marketing strategies is essential, so a designer should be familiar with tools and platforms used in digital marketing to make sure their designs are optimized for various channels.

In the digital age, graphic designers should have some level of information about:

5. Overlooking Problem-Solving Skills

Graphic design often requires creative problem-solving. A designer who can think outside the box will be able to come up with innovative solutions to design challenges. Projects and requirements can change unexpectedly, so a good designer should be adaptable and flexible to handle shifts in project direction or client feedback. 

Attention to detail is critical in design; small mistakes can make a big impact, so a designer must have a keen eye for detail to make sure of high-quality work.

Hire a Graphic Designer

To sum up

Hiring a graphic designer can be a game-changer for your brand, but only if you avoid these common pitfalls. Make sure they have the necessary technical and creative skills, evaluate their portfolio thoroughly, check if they are updated with industry trends, and don’t overlook their problem-solving abilities. 

By taking these steps, you’ll find a designer who can truly boost your brand and bring your vision to life. 

Looking for an expert and professional graphic designer in India? Invedus offers remote graphic designers who can work as an extension of your internal team. You can avoid all these red flags in hiring a graphic designer for your business.

With 7+ years of experience in the outsourcing Industry, we help SMEs and enterprises to build the brand they dream of. With Invedus you can hire a team, single virtual employees, or opt for staff augmentation. Fill out the form here to learn how Invedus can help you!

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