Although our services are similar, not all brand and website designers are the same! It’s important that you know the right questions to ask so you know if you’ve found the right designer for you. Below I’ve listed out some questions to ask the designer you’re considering hiring:

1. How do you design brands based in strategy?

Any designer that promotes brand strategy should be able to answer this question. Most potential clients don’t know what “brand strategy” necessarily looks like, so it’s important to make sure you ask. Strategy looks different from designer-to-designer.

At JAI: In order to design a brand based in strategy (instead of a brand that’s only aesthetically pleasing,) we have to get to the heart of your brand. We’ll go through an intense discovery process together to figure out who your business is, what your values are, what your differentiators are, who your dream clients are, and so much more. You’ll fill out a questionnaire that dives deep into each of these things, then we’ll hop on a Brand Development call to chat through all of them and discuss how we can convey those things with design. Then, I create designs that speak to who you are, but also what your dream clients want to see. Sure, your brand will be beautiful, but it’ll be be so much more than that. You’ll be able to move forward with confidence that you’re reaching the right people and sending the right message!

2. How collaborative is this process?

Different designers have different processes, of course. Some designers prefer that you turn over all your homework and materials, and return your work without involving you in the process too much. Other designers want you involved every step of the way. It’s important to ask your potential designer this so you know what to expect during your project, and if that’s the direction you want to go in.

At JAI: Our collaboration will fall somewhere in between the two examples given above. We’re definitely going to work together a good bit, but you’re going to have to trust me to bring to life something that may be different than what you’ve been imaging.

Here’s how that looks in action: After all the homework and hard soul-searching work is done, I’ll take your answers and use my expertise to select your color palette, fonts, etc. and design a mood board. You’ll get to sign off on that mood board, and I’ll begin working on your primary logo options. Once I’ve put together a few visually distinct primary logo options, I send them over for you to vote on. The key here is that I’ve created these designs based all that deep diving you did previously, so they’re going to speak to your dream clients and convey the right message, but you get to pick the one that feels the most like you. Then I design the rest of your brand around the primary logo you’ve selected!

3. What files do you turn over?

Every designer turns over a different set of deliverables. You’ll want to make sure you ask beforehand, read through your contract or welcome guide, and truly understand what you’re getting. You may want certain file types or have future projects in mind, so this is the best way to ensure you’re getting what you need.

At JAI: When every detail of your brand design is ready to go, I format them in popular file formats for easy future use! You’ll receive PDFs, JPEGs, and PNGs. Master files are available for purchase on request.

4.  What website platform do you design in? Why?

Different website platforms offer different functionality, ease of use, responsiveness, etc. and based on what type of business you are, you may need to be hosted in a platform that your potential designer doesn’t work in. Asking about the website platform up front ensures that you’re knowledgable about where your project is going to be built out, and why that platform will work best for you specifically.

At JAI: I design websites in Showit. Showit is the best website platform for beginners and experts alike, so I use it for every site I design. It’s user-friendly, responsive, and easy for you to work in after our project has concluded. I don’t recommend Showit for e-commerce, so if you’re not a service-based business, this won’t be a great fit.

5. Will I get to make revisions?

Each designer has a different approach to revisions, even whether they’re allowed or not. Some designers work with the “Zero Revisions” method, some designers allow unlimited revisions. Knowing whether you will get to request revisions to your design is crucial to knowing how your project will go.

At JAI: I allow up to two rounds of revisions at each stage in the project when materials are turned over. This ensures you’re happy with your design, without making a bunch of small (or pointless) changes over and over again.

Well friends, there you have it! Five questions to ask before hiring a brand and website designer. If you’ve got any other questions, or you’re ready to work together to reach your dream clients and increase your bookings, send me a message! I can’t wait to hear from you.