Designing a logo is probably the initial step in building a brand identity. A logo with a company name and image represents a brand. Just think about a situation when you visited any company for the first time. What impression did you get when you met the receptionist? Professional? Disorganized? Based on your first impression, you must have made some assumptions about a company. Similarly, when a company reveals its logo for the first time, it creates some impression among the audience.
Unlike a business name, most business owners don’t prefer to invest much time in designing a logo. They think that designing a logo is simply about drawing a circle and putting a company or graphics in it with trendy colors and fonts. That’s not true! It requires proper planning. One needs to do some industry research, understand the company and its target audience, sketch ideas, think about colors and fonts, and many other things.
Not every company comes up with a great logo design, and there can be several reasons behind this. But one of the common reasons behind this is they don’t realize the importance of hiring a professional logo designer for their company. As we said earlier, many companies believe that creating a logo is simply about putting a company name on a blank canvas. That is why they may get their logo designed from someone who has little knowledge about the designing or who is a graphic designer but doesn’t have a specialization in creating a logo.
Well, not all graphic designers are the same. They have their own areas of specialization and different skill sets. Therefore, if you are planning to get a logo designed for your company, it is better to hire a professional logo designer for the job.
Don’t know how to hire one? Never mind! To make it easy for you, we have come up with this blog, where we will be sharing the ultimate guide on how to hire a professional logo designer in 2020. Let’s get started!
Have a look at their portfolio:
Anyone who has experience in hiring a logo designer will tell you that the designer’s portfolio is one of the most valuable resources. A portfolio allows them to highlight their skills and achievements. It also allows them to prove the interviewer why they should hire them. When you spread out the news that you are looking for a professional logo designer, anyone can say that they are professional, but it is their portfolio that proves it. A portfolio must contain their experience, work samples, and also include testimonials. If a designer has reached this level of the hiring process, chances are they are meeting up to your expectations. But you can take the process further after looking at their portfolio. It will help you understand them in a better way.
Know their design process:
When it comes to logo design, every designer has a different approach to follow. If you are interviewing an experienced candidate, they will definitely be able to explain their process. From initialization of the design phase to its completion, ask them every intricate detail you can think of. It will help you in evaluating how they design research, define direction and analysis, translate their ideas into reality, and most importantly, how they compare themselves with other designers.
Know what tools they are proficient in:
Tools assist us in creating things we like or dream about. Just like a musician uses instruments to play music, graphic designers need talent along with certain tools to create compelling visuals. You may get impressed with a candidate’s portfolio or design process, but it is still important to know about the tools they are proficient in. You can check their knowledge by asking them the meaning or usage of some of the features relevant to a particular tool.
How they collaborate with other team members?
This is very important. Collaboration is one of the biggest factors that contribute in achieving the goals of a company. It takes place when two individuals or a group work together towards achieving objectives by sharing their ideas and skills. When the collaboration passes through the whole company, it benefits the company in various ways, such as higher retention rates, innovative ideas, motivation among employees, etc. While hiring a logo designer, it is important to know how they collaborate with other team members. You can also give them a hypothetical situation and ask them to showcase their ability to get along with other team members.
How well do they take criticism?
Nobody is perfect. Everyone makes mistakes. But there are only a few people who are open to feedback and criticism. Therefore, before making the big decision, it’s crucial to ask this question to a candidate. If the candidate is not open for criticism, the moment you ask this question, they would feel offended, and the same would reflect on their face. . It may be because they think that they have, for instance, seven years of experience, and no one can point out their mistakes. In graphic designing, having a trait of taking feedback positively is vital because designers are asked to make several revisions. In such a scenario, they cannot lose their temper, or they cannot say no to make revisions just because they think they are experienced and perfect in their work.
Know their greatest achievements on their projects:
When you spread out the news that you are hiring a logo designer, you will probably get dozens of applications. Asking a candidate about their greatest achievement is an example of a behavioral question that is commonly asked by all the interviewers to access the competencies and skills of a candidate. The question will also give you an insight into the demonstrated work and achievements, a candidate interprets, as vital and valuable.
Give them a trial project:
Once you find that a candidate is suitable for the position, to gain more confidence, give them a trial project. It is another great way to not only access the skills and creativity, but also the commitment of a candidate towards a company. If you think that the given project will take almost a whole day, then we would suggest you pay some amount to a candidate. It will motivate them to perform better and also leave a positive impression of your company.
Understand their expectations as well:
Just like you, candidates may expect certain things from your company too. If you like a candidate and find it suitable for the profile, before taking things further, ask them their expectations. For instance, a candidate may be interested in knowing all the deductions a company makes from its employees’ salary. Understanding their expectations in advance decreases the chances of having any future discrepancies.
Negotiate the price:
Many companies, especially startups, have a budget constraint. If you find that a candidate is perfect for the role but asking a little high salary, we would suggest you don’t be stubborn. Go ahead, and give them an offer. After all, it is not easy to find the right talent. Also, a talented candidate at a higher salary would be an investment for your business.
Conclusion:
Hiring a professional logo designer for creating a logo is very crucial. They understand every little detail that can make a logo look impressive and memorable. So follow the above tips and hire the best talent for your brand.
