In our last blog post, we talked about the value that a graphic designer can bring to your next printed or sign project.
An excellent graphic designer, such as the one at AlphaGraphics of Downtown Raleigh, can create and design something amazing that will deliver outstanding results.
We’re going to look at a few things that you can do to help ensure that you’re able to effectively communicate your ideas to the designer—which will allow them to translate those into the perfect design.
Take a Minute or Two to Reflect
Before you hop on a phone call with the designer, take a few to reflect on the vision that’s inside your head. Or, if you’re part of a team, have a quick meeting to determine a group consensus.
If you’re having trouble coming up with ideas, round up a few samples of marketing materials from other companies that you like. Determine what elements you do and don’t like. Be sure to take notes (both positive and negative) as you go along.
This will help you express your ideas and thoughts to the designer much more clearly. You’ll be able to provide them with some initial direction that will allow them to create a few mockups that closely match what you’re looking to achieve.
Clear Communication
Once you have an idea of what you’re looking for, it’s now time to communicate that to the designer. You can do so through words or pictures—or a combination of both. The more information you provide, the better the designer will be able to create something that has the look and feel that you’re after.
Keep in mind that the overall design process keeps you moving forward towards the desired result. Along the way, you’ll be asked to review a series of design proofs—take your time to examine them carefully and immediately write down and share your thoughts. This will provide your designer with the necessary details that they need to dial it in.
Keep an Open Mind
While the final design approval is up to you—and you alone—keep in mind that your graphic designer has years or even decades of experience. They’re not sitting in the same office as you nor were privy to all of the meetings and/or conversations that took place. Your graphic designer will provide you with a fresh outside perspective and suggest design elements that you may not have thought about previously.
Another point to consider is that a good graphic designer knows exactly what colors, shapes, and sizes work well in conjunction with one another. They have worked on countless projects just like yours over the years and have developed a keen understanding of what really makes a design stand out. Carefully consider their advice and feel free to ask as many questions as you have. They will explain to you the reasons behind their advice.
Explain Your Reasoning
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Photo by
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Once you’ve received your proofs, the absolute worst thing that you could do is respond back with something along the lines of “did not like it.” Design is an iterative process—very rarely will a designer “nail it” on the first pass. The more information that you give them that clearly explains what you did and didn’t like, the better. This will allow them to make the necessary changes to the next proof.
Respect the Turnaround Time
Keep in mind that good design takes time. A graphic designer is no different than a painter sitting in front of a blank canvas. This is why they will provide you with a turn-around time after your initial phone call or email. They need time to create something out of nothing.
If you try to rush them to “get it done now,” it could place an undue amount of stress on them. Most graphic designers work on multiple projects simultaneously, so you can’t realistically expect them to drop everything because you’re in a huge rush.
Graphic Designer in Raleigh
A graphic designer is an artist who creates value out of thin air. Their job is to take abstract thoughts and turn them into something that is not only visually stunning but will achieve the desired results. If you take a few minutes to review the above suggestions, you’ll most likely find that your graphic designer will be able to meet or exceed your expectations.
At AlphaGraphics of Downtown Raleigh, we’re much more than a print shop. We’re also marketing experts who you can count on to help you when it comes time to market your business. To learn more about how AlphaGraphics of Downtown Raleigh can help with your content graphic design and marketing needs, you may
email us,
request a quote or call us at
(919) 832-2828.