How did you find a Graphic Designer?

[Mike Thornley]

Hi Steff

My business is design, print, web and signs. The sign work being a new addition to our business.

So we are coming from the other way to you.

We are in the same position in needing a graphic designer and still thinking on this, but we are thinking of starting with someone part-time and see how they go. It all depends on what level you are looking at and what you want the design for?
Is it design for commercial print or design for sign work. If its for commercial print then they need to have an understanding of print processes to produce commercial print ready artwork. I have been surprised at how many don’t understand this.

We have tried offsite freelancers and it does work, but sometimes it is easier to have someone on site as you have more control.

Have a look on People per Hour and see if there is anyone in your local area you could commission for a job and see how they go, if you need any advise please get in touch, happy to help.

[Mike Thornley]

Meant to add, you would be better of being Applemac based on the design side of things also with industry standard software packages.

[David Hammond]

If taking someone on in a freelance position, you need to be careful they meet HMRC’s criteria of being ‘self employed’ and not technically employee. Such things, you cannot dictate their hours, holidays, and they must find their own work/clients, but there’s more to it than that.

We will need to replace an experienced designer in the near future, and I’m dreading it, I get the impression some of these ‘designers’ think they should be paid £80p/h for knocking together a logo for the local builder, they’re great at making pretty pictures, but without any clue about the logistics of producing it.

We tried and apprentice and I think she got frustrated that it wasn’t all sitting in front of the Mac making pretty pictures. If I was to employ I’d look for someone with a pre-press apprenticeship as it covers the theory of print, as well as design.

I know of a very good freelance designer, who works full time for a studio, but works freelance of an evening, I can get his details Monday if that’s any use. Trouble is, they’re not on demand, when a client rings up with a minor change, you’re waiting about for it, before you get printing, so having someone on site is advantageous.

Perhaps try a freelancer, where you’re not having to keep a roof over their head, and food on their table, and if the turnaround is too slow, or your spending serious £££’s with them, then look to bring someone in house?

[Kevin Flowers]

Steff

a slightly different idea for you to contemplate & it will depend on the level of designer you are looking for. If you have a local college or Uni try an get to speak with someone in the graphic design dept mentioning that you are looking for a designer. I use to work with my local college commercially & with their students from producing their work to them design some leaflet, business cards, web design

Kev

[Unknown Member]

Second Kevin advice on finding someone e young through a colleague there is a lot of raw talent out there that with abit of training and moulding can become fantastic

[Steff Davison]

Thank you for the replies, I think going with the college route is the option I feel most comfortable with.

I don’t like the idea of a commercial freelancer really as my setup needs fast turnaround times and I think I would lose that.

Now ideas have been put forward I think my needs are more toward a "creative" my current work is domestic focused however I do want to expand my offering into interior commercial soft signage.

I looked at Warren Beards website and was very impressed with the "design element" of his interior soft signage and window work (If you read this post Warren how did you find your designer?)

I shall approach my local art college and see what happens from there.

Steff