The average day of a graphic designer here at Fast-Trac Designs entails helping a customer bring a vision to life. Sometimes it gets difficult to design with a customer when they don't have much guidance or know what they want... so we made a list! Here are 10 rules to follow to avoid any difficulties and achieve an end result fast! (Hence the name)
This could be a make or break for your time limit. Providing a logo to your graphic designer is of the upmost importance, that being because it tells how your design will look. A graffiti looking logo will lead a designer to believe you are going for a street look unless specified otherwise. If you don't have a logo it's okay! Just know it might take a few tries for a designer to get it right because they are starting from scratch. Having a logo from the get-go is a tremendous help to the graphic designer.
It's always important to keep in mind that a graphic designer knows nothing but the information you give them. To build something from the ground up is a long process for one person! One way you can help your graphic designer is looking for pictures online that are similar to the look you are trying to achieve. "I want something that follows this style" is the phrase most commonly used. This way, a graphic designer can have a visual representation of what you are expecting and it gives them creative guidance.
There are a GAZILLION BILLION TRILLION fonts that exist in the world. When you have a font handy that you want to use, it lessens the work of a graphic designer tremendously. Therefore you will get to where you want to be quicker! A font also contributes to how the rest of the design will flow together. It is very important. When a graphic designer has no font, they have to go look for one and possibly have numerous trials and errors. You can eliminate the headaches by looking for a font yourself! DaFont.com is one of our favorite sites to find fonts, but you can search anywhere online for one that suits you best.
#4: Pick Your Favorite Colors
Colors play an important factor in completing your design. The color you pick will determine the contrast and compliment colors that will come from the mind of a designer. They also depict different moods to incorporate into the design. Just as the last two rules go, a quick search on the internet will help you determine what colors you would like to incorporate. A little goes a long way especially when in communication with your graphic designer.
#5: What Is Your Company
You may not think of it as a big deal, but as we have stated before: the more information you give your graphic designer, the better. Give as much relevant information as possible regarding what you represent or what your company is exactly. Is your company a daycare center? If so, then your graphic designer will most likely create something child-like and cartoony. Letting them know who you are and what you're about helps with their creative process.
#6: Whats the "Vibe"?
Issa vibe! The definition of vibe states "A person's emotional state or the atmosphere of a place as communicated and felt by others." Examples of some vibes are tropical, corporate, girly, or vintage. A vibe is how a graphic designer will describe the look of something they are working on. With a vibe provided, they will make sure to make the design fit the desired vibe. It will keep the designer on track and fit the theme you are going for. Another valuable asset!
#7: Busy Or Simple
Determining if you want a busy or simple design is a key factor to the graphic designer. A busy design has lots of text, elements, information, and colors. Let's call the busy part of the spectrum an 'ice cream truck'. Usually on these trucks there is a lot of pictures and prices, making it look very busy. Meanwhile on the opposite side of the spectrum there is the simple look. This visual usually looks minimalistic and has hardly anything on it. Simple shapes, flat text, and limited variety of color are all examples of a 'simple' design, such as a taxi cab! Figuring out where you want to land on this spectrum will help the designer visualize what to do with what they are given.
#8: Your Target Audience
Do you know who you want your target audience to be? If so, you guessed it! Tell the graphic designer! A younger teen audience would require a hip fresh design while an older audience might be more inclined to a corporate professional look. Whoever your audience, it is important the designer knows about it. If you don't have a target audience, it's fine. However if so you should still let the designer know. That way they can cater to a look that fits everyone. Yes it's possible!
#9: What not to do
Graphic designers don't want to waste your time nor have their time wasted. Avoiding confusion at all costs is a goal to create with them. If you aren't too sure what you want then you most certainly should have an idea of what you don't want. Ruling out any elements can help the graphic designer get a grip on a vision of their project. Whether you want to stay away from the color purple or avoid a certain ugly font, let the designer know.
#10: PATIENCE
Full disclosure: graphic designers are not magic! In some circumstances a project can take hours on hours on end, and making different proofs and drafts is not a walk in the park. These tasks can be tedious and stressful at times, so this is just a reminder to please be patient and have a positive attitude. Getting upset at the graphic designer is not going to make them work quicker! In fact, designers work best along side someone who is willing to work together and communicate effectively. If you plan on collaborating with a graphic designer, go in with a positive attitude and a passion.
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