Graphic Design Essentials
What is essential to being a graphic designer?
Know Your Client
Every client has different expectations and you won’t know what they are until asking the right questions. Have a contract that clearly defines the scope of the project, number of revisions, number of initial versions you will make, etc. Understanding your client’s expectations and having them written down is one of the best time-saving approaches to have. Make sure you also understand the timeline for the graphic design project. You should research and learn about the client you are doing work for. What have they done before? Get samples of their current printed material, visit their website and visit their office. What are there company values? What does their company currently communicate to you? How do they want that changed or reinforced? The point is to better understand your client.
Know Their Audience
It’s important to know what your customer(s) are used to and what’s accepted in their industry.
Know the Medium(s)
You want your graphic designs to look their absolute best! In order to do this, you need to know on what mediums will your design be used. Common applications include: presentations, online, printed, etc.
Know its Value
Charge a price that will accurately reflect what your time is worth. Find out what competitors charge for the same work. Also, don’t be afraid to charge clients for your time, whether it’s one the phone, in a meeting, making changes, etc. Doing this gives them the freedom to ask for what they want and expect to get it. And this approach pays you for your efforts and makes your work more rewarding. When you accurately know the client’s expectations, their audience, the type of work you’re doing and it’s value and you have it all spelled out in a contract it will allow you to focus on what you enjoy most: graphic design.
