How to Find a Good Graphic Designer for Your Marketing Materials

Create slick and professional-looking marketing materials with the help and expertise of a good graphic designer.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Things You’ll Need:

• Phone Books
• Electronic Personal Organizers
• Internet Access
• Computers
• Web Browsers

1. Search the Internet using the keywords "graphic," "design" and "designer" to find the Web sites of individuals and companies offering graphic design services.
2. Post ads on Internet message boards and employment sites that specialize in graphic arts.
3. Take note of other companies' ads and promotional materials. If anything catches your eye, contact the company's marketing department and find out who did the graphic design work.
4. Place a classified ad in your local newspaper or a graphic design or publishing periodical.
5. Contact an advertising agency. Most agencies have graphic design departments or have a long list of free-lance artists they use.
6. Interview several designers before making a commitment. Request and review varied samples of each designer's work. Check his or her references for a history of professionalism and ability to meet deadlines.

Tips & Warnings

• Place notices on bulletin boards or campus newspapers of design and/or art schools and departments. Students who are near completing their courses of study can provide professional and creative work at a significantly lower cost and are anxious to get "real world" projects under their belts. The head of the department might be willing to suggest a qualified student.
• Keep in mind that if you go through an advertising agency the agency's fee will be in addition to the cost of the graphic design services. It's a good idea to exhaust your less expensive sources before contacting an ad agency.