Standing out as a brand is a thing more important than ever. In this digital era, where everything is shifting online, a strong branding strategy is just a necessity to connect with your audience, build your brand, and make a lasting impression. The one person you need to make this branding strategy successful is a talented graphic designer.
What looks great to the eyes lasts longer in memories. Skilled graphic designers can turn your ideas into visuals that could be captivating, communicative, and resonate with your audience. So, why hire a freelance graphic designer? They can bring flexibility, creativity, and often a more personalized touch to your projects.
We will take a look at everything you want to know about hiring a freelance graphic designer-from where to find the right match for your brand and how much to expect in costs. Whether you’re a small business owner, startup founder, or marketing professional, this is the ultimate resource for you to make the right decision.
“Design is thinking made visual.” – Saul Bass
We all know the significance of a graphic designer. The only problem is finding the right graphic designer for you to achieve that within budget. You can hire either a freelance graphic designer or an intermediary outsourcing company providing a fully managed designer for your marketing team.
How to Find a Graphic Designer in 7 Easy Steps?
Hiring a graphic designer is not an uphill battle. It is easier than you think. You can hire the right talent within seven easy steps.
Define Your Design Needs: Before hiring a designer you need to clearly define your needs. Why do you need a graphic designer, what tasks do you want to outsource, and what is your budget?
Generally, a graphic designer can handle the following tasks:
- Packaging design
- Brand guidelines
- Brochures
- Logos
- Business cards
- Infographic
- Marketing
- Web design
- Book covers
- Illustration
- User interface design
- Publication design
- Social media graphics
- App interface redesign
- Banners & Menus
- Motion graphic design
- Posters & Print design
- Marketing emails
- Vehicle wraps
- Invitation cards
- Presentation design
Set Design Budget: Before hiring a graphic designer ask your marketing manager to estimate the workflow and project budget.
As far as the Design costs are concerned, they vary widely, typically ranging from $15 to $150 per hour. Therefore, defining your needs will help you pinpoint a clearer budget range. Secondly, it will help you identify whether you need a full-time, part-time, or freelance graphic designer.
Find Freelancers: Once your design needs and budget are established, it’s time to start your search for the right freelancer. Freelance platforms are a popular option, but keep in mind that many beginners who rely on tools like Canva (rather than professional software like Adobe Illustrator or Photoshop) also use these platforms.
A more reliable approach is word-of-mouth referrals. Reach out to your network to find a designer with a proven track record and solid reputation.
Alternatively, Google can be a helpful tool. Search for terms like “graphic designer near me” plus the specific type of design you need. Designers with professional websites that rank well in search results often demonstrate a commitment to their craft.
Vet Their Work: Evaluating a designer’s portfolio is a critical step to ensure quality and avoid potential issues. Brush up on basic design principles to help you make informed judgments.
When reviewing portfolios, consider the following:
- Overall Aesthetic: Look for consistency in colors, typography, layout, and design style. A cohesive portfolio often signals professionalism.
- Simplicity: Skilled designers create impactful visuals with minimal elements, solving problems effectively without overcomplicating the design.
- Relevance: Ensure their portfolio reflects the type of design work you need and aligns with current design trends.
- Originality: Ask about their creative process and verify that their work is authentic. You can use tools like reverse image searches or check metadata to confirm originality.
Establish a Management Style: Hiring a freelancer means you’ll need to manage their
workflow. Decide who within your team will oversee their work, how often they’ll check in, and what level of supervision is required. Create clear design briefs and ensure your brand guidelines are updated and accessible. This will set expectations and streamline communication.
Hire the Freelancer: When you’re ready to bring a freelancer on board, treat them as a valued extension of your team—even if it’s for a single project. Draft a contract outlining terms of engagement, and consider including a non-disclosure agreement (NDA) to protect sensitive business information.
Evaluate the Work: Implement a quality assurance process to review the final deliverables. Use a checklist to evaluate key aspects of the design, such as:
- Does the design align with your brand guidelines?
- Did the freelancer deliver what was outlined in the design brief?
- Are there any spelling or content errors?
“Design creates culture. Culture shapes values. Values determine the future.” – Robert L. Peters
How Much Do Freelance Graphic Designers Cost?
One of the biggest reasons why people outsource graphic design tasks is to cut costs. Freelancing platforms like Fiver, Behance, and Upwork, are known for cost-effective options. There are some other platforms to hire a graphic designer assistant to assist you with creative visuals for a solid brand.
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported that the median annual wage for graphic designers was $58,910 in May 2023. This means on average graphic designer’s salary in the United States is $23.8/hour.
If it seems quite expensive to you, you can hire a fully managed dedicated Graphic designer at $5-8/hour from WorkStaff360.
Hire a Graphic Design Assistant At an Affordable Rate At WorkStaff360
There are thousands of outsourcing companies that offer fully-managed graphic design assistants, each has its own pros and cons. But WorkStaff360 has expertly vetted graphic designers with 3-5 years of experience at $5-8/hour.
Furthermore, you can check these 5 platforms to hire a graphic designer in the USA to explore more platforms. Their graphic designer assistants have a 94% retention rate. Their graphic designers are skilled in industry-standard software such as Adobe Creative Suite Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign, Sketch, Figma, CorelDRAW, and Canva.
WorkStaff360 will replace your graphic designer in case of unsatisfactory performance. All you need to do is let their success manager know about your issues and they will find you the right one within 1-3 working days. People think hiring a graphic designer in the USA costs you an arm and leg but it’s just a myth. WorkStaff360 made it easy for businesses to get one at an affordable price. Book a free consultation call and save up to 80% on payroll each month.
