What to Expect When Working With A Graphic Designer

By Jane Atkinson-White

You chose a designer.

Now what? Give as much information about the project as possible. The designer will then be better able to quote you a fair price.

The Quote

This is a written agreement on the terms and details of the job. Read all of it, making sure that you understand everything. If you have questions about the information, this is your chance to ask him or her. Make sure that a time line is indicated.

Price

With any design source, price is on a "per job" basis. You pay for the TIME it will take, and the SKILL level required to create the art.

Proofing

You must proof everything, even if your designer offers proofing as a service. One way to proof copy is to read the information beginning at the end and working backwards to the beginning. It slows you down and forces you to focus on individual words. Try to resist the temptation to "skim" through the information. Another way to check the job is to let someone else proof it.

Printing

Your designer will steer you toward the most economical print method without sacrificing quality. Digital printing is often used for full colour and short runs of 500 or less. Traditional offset printing is used for large runs of one, two, or full colour jobs.

Jane Atkinson-White, is the owner of Atkinson Graphics Tel: (519) 644-2786 Fax: (519) 644-2785 E-mail: atkinsonj@claven.fanshawec.on.ca This is the third article in this three-part series.

Be sure to read:
Part One: Design Tips, Logos & Print Ads
Part Two: Choosing Your Design Source

Published in Networking Today, December 2000.