How to hire a freelance artist or graphic designer

We've all seen them: the homemade brochures, logos that use Microsoft Word art, the same lackluster business cards made from a template, the websites that look like they were thrown together in the 90s. When a business person hands you something like that, don't you wonder how they can represent themselves so poorly?

While small business owners are pros at keeping sales, customer service, and other marketing elements ticking along, many draw a blank in graphic design. That's because high-quality design requires a trained creative professional.

If you are reading this article, your business may have outgrown its plain and simple website. Perhaps you're after website visuals that mimic your packaging design, or even a fresh new logo to stand out against your competitors. For this type of advanced design work, you're going to need some help.

So, how do you even find an artist or designer, much less hire one?

Hiring a freelance artist can be alien territory for some people, especially if you are from a non-tech background. Who's the best fit for creating your business's logo or adding motion graphics to bring your web pages to life? Like any time you try something new, it's common to take some missteps the first time around. Here are some tips for hiring the right freelance artist for your business, and how to work with your new hire to get the best results.

What are you looking for in a freelance artist?

The key to finding the professional you need is to express what you're looking for clearly. Before you start, you should decide:

The scope of what you need: Do you need a complete website redesign, a rebrand, or perhaps you want your logo revamped? Think about all the elements you need to be revised or created.
The look and feel you have in mind: This is as simple as finding an image you like and sending it to the artist(s) you find and saying, "Can you do something like this?". Alternatively, if you have some ideas, create an inspiration board using Pinterest. Pin examples of what you like to help your artist's designer understand your vision. Pin anything that displays a similar look and feel to what you're going for. Your designer can use this information to bring your vision to life.
Your brand identity: Just like your personal identity, it's your brand identity that sets your business apart. Brand identity and design go hand in hand. When we talk about your brand, we're interested in your company's perception in the eyes of your consumers.
 Your brand identity is all of your outward-facing brand elements used to portray a certain image to consumers. What qualities do you want to be associated with your brand? What image do you wish to represent? Do you have a specific color palette, approved typography, or any other visual elements synonymous with your brand? These are all essential details to convey to your designer.

The essential element of the design is getting your message across. This message must reflect your company's values, attitude, and purpose, all in one, and your designer needs to be clear on what it is they're going to come up with to create something true to your business.

Set your expectations

Now you've considered what your freelancer will be working on, and we can begin thinking about the hiring process. To get your head in the right place—let's set some expectations.

How much? Automatically hiring the freelancer with the cheapest rate is a recipe for disaster. Design isn't an area where you want to cut corners. If you sacrifice quality to save a few dollars, what are the chances of being happy with your final design? Slim to none.
 Know the maximum amount of money you have to devote to the project and be realistic about what it will buy you in terms of resources. For example, a budget of $700 won't buy you a well-designed website, but it could buy you a simple logo. Make sure your expectations are reasonable before reaching out. Be upfront about your budget when discussing the project with potential designers.
How often? Is this a one-off task, or do you need your freelancer to produce content on a regular basis? The frequency of work should be precise for artists to plan their schedules accordingly. Otherwise, they might not have the bandwidth to take on work as and when you need them. If the plan is to employ someone on an ongoing basis, they need to be thought through.
Turnaround time? Are you running on a deadline? When does the work need to be completed? Be clear about when you expect the work to be completed. Designers will appreciate your consideration in asking how much time it will take (rather than assuming it's a quick fix). Professional artists and designers are good at giving estimates and will let you know how much time they need if you ask.

Keep in mind that while most people consider timing in terms of the final product, designers benefit from understanding when you expect to see things in terms of first, and second draft and so on, and when you plan to have all final deliverables in hand. Outlining your milestones is the best way to show your designer your expectations for the project. Using this information, they can assess and plan to be available and understand the amount of time and effort on their part- to see the project through from start to finish.

Identifying the type of designer or artist you need

Now that you've tackled what you want from an artist, it's time to begin your search for the right candidate. Before swiping through online portfolios, you need to know the kind of person you are looking for to complete the work you need to do.

While many commercial artists are multidisciplinary, designers tend to have an area of expertise, so don't assume that a fantastic logo designer will automatically be a stellar illustrator too. Knowing which skills to look for will give you a good idea of the freelance artist you need to hire for your business.

Design artists' scope of work

What is the role of a:

What to look for in an artist

It's now easier than ever to find capable, reliable freelance artists online, but you need to know how to select the right one. Do your research to ensure your artist is:

In a compatible time zone: If maintaining regular communication is essential to your project, hiring an artist in a similar time zone is essential. While it's not necessary to have overlapping business hours, if they are fourteen hours ahead, you might run into some problems.
Responsive: Hiring someone to work remotely requires a certain amount of trust. Responsiveness in an artist is a sign of reliability. You want to find a reliable communicator who will send you status updates and revisions without being chased down via email.

Arranging payments

There are no hard-and-fast rules about artist payment. In general, payment is received when the work is completed. Specifying a due date for the job is a given. On top of negotiation, the rate of pay requires you to lay down the terms of payment. Does the designer prefer an hourly rate, or would you prefer to charge a set fee for the final completed project? Will you pay a sum upfront, and another on completion, are tools included in the fee? How will the payment be made? Digitally using a bank transfer or PayPal for example, or will you send a check in the mail. Make this clear from the onset to avoid any miscommunication when it comes to settling payments.

Here are the most common payment structures used by freelance artists.

By the hour, the other way to charge clients for your services is by "time and materials" or "hourly," which leaves room for every hour you spend working. Ask for an anticipated parameter of how long they expect the project to take to gauge how much it will cost. Revisions also need to be calculated into the time taken to complete the project. Back and forths between yourself and your designer can amass a good few hours. Factor these into your budget before agreeing on an hourly fee.
By project: The first way to bill clients is known as "fixed price." This involves setting a project fee based on set variables, such as a number of logos provided in a particular time frame. This fixed price model is essentially an estimate of hours the designer thinks a project will take. Revisions may or may not be included in a fixed fee. This needs to be declared before any work commences.
Recurring Payments: If you want an artist to produce content more than once, making regular monthly payments is ideal. Simply determine the payments on how much content and the type of content required.

Your chosen payment method is dependent on your expectations for your designer. The hour is fine if your project is uncomplicated and you have a strong relationship with your designer, as such, you don't need many revisions. If you anticipate an ongoing working relationship with your designer and anticipate working together on an ongoing basis, the latter two choices are the best option.

Now that you know what the right artist looks like and set an appropriate payment plan let's move on to how you go about finding one.

Finding artists

There are so many options out for connecting with incredible design talent. Where you find an artist will depend on what you want to be done and the relationship you plan to have with your freelance staff.

Scope out creative blogs and relevant media outlets

Following blogs isn't simply a nice way to pass the time, they can reflect changes in your industry, and hold the key to finding freelancers that fit your niche. If your business specializes in tourism, get onto the best travel and culture review blogs. If you're a personal trainer, familiarise yourself with fitness websites.

Check out media related to your business niche, and pay attention to the artists you like. Once you find someone who sparks your interest, look up their contact details, or social media handles, and ask whether they are available for new freelance work. You can often find the names of the artists involved under an image or a footer link. Yelp reviews and Google reviews are also great sources for potential artists in your area.

While doorstop-sized print directories aren't popular these days, there are plenty to hit up online. AIGA, the Professional Association for Design, provides a directory of AIGA members listed by name, location, and area of practice. Find every type of freelance artist here how design offers a similar list, separating listing from design firms to illustrators, and more. WorkBook connects businesses with the contacts they need, at no cost. Search for everything from photographers, illustrators, retouchers, and anything you can think of to make your project come to life.

Social media

Nowadays, most artists use social media to get exposure and clients. Using social media channels is another handy way of finding suitable freelancers. Those that are most important to artists and designers include Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter, and Instagram.

Don't forget that social media works both ways. If you don't have a social media account for your business, set them up. These platforms are ideal networking grounds for personal and professional purposes. Use them to promote your business and to announce your requirements.

While Facebook has many active professional groups, it's also full of scammers and spammers. LinkedIn, on the other hand, has a much better professional matching, allowing registered members to establish networks of people they know and trust professionally. You can also build professional relationships and peruse artists' online portfolios. You'll have a complete overview of their career and works to date without asking a single question. To attract professionals through LinkedIn, post an advertisement with a link to your website so that they can apply directly. Use the chat function to talk directly with artists that show interest in your post.

When you're browsing social media for an artist, don't forget Pinterest. This site uses mainly visuals making it the perfect place for freelance designers to flock to. If you're interested in working with a designer from this platform, you have two options. Messages can only be sent to someone who is following you. The best way to attract a designer's attention is to create a Pinterest account for your business. Use your account to express interest by following a designer. They can contact you since someone can only send messages through Pinterest if you are following them. Otherwise, find a mention of their website or social media as a means of contact.

If you don't know of a group, share a "help wanted" ad on your newsfeed - chances are that someone in your network will know someone fit for the job. People on social media networks are generous in sharing content, and this can work in your favor.

Job boards

Job boards are a great place to find artists. Posting an ad means you save the legwork of looking around. Artists will offer their services based on your job brief. The best places for posting freelance artist jobs ads are:

Freelance Marketplaces/ Portfolio sites

The internet is brimming with sites dedicated to talented freelancers. The best thing about these sites is that they are designed to protect both clients and the freelancers they represent. It's commonplace for these sites to charge the project fee upfront. They usually charge upfront, then hold the money and transfer the balance to the artists once the project is complete. This practice is in place to protect both parties. Designers won't have to chase down payments, and clients have some guarantees that payment is only made once they are happy with the final design.

Agency

If you're determined to hire the best of the best and there's no room to compromise on quality, hiring through an agency is the best route to go down. Indeed, costs are higher with an agency, but the quality is higher than hiring an ad hoc freelancer, and you won't need to micromanage or constantly harass someone for designs. Agencies oversee projects; a project is well communicated and delivered on time.

If you have the cash flow necessary to hire an agency, then, by all means, go for it. Indeed the price of an agency is steeper than your average designer. However, there are benefits to paying a bit more. For example, a startup or business wouldn't hire an agency for a simple logo design. Agencies are called upon to help with branding. The brand discovery process helps a business solidify its identity, values, mission, and vision, everything considered to create a complete brand.

To hire an artist through an agency, head to Google, and search for the type of artist you need + "design agency." My search for a "graphic design agency" brought up over 1 billion results. Don't let this number put you off. Narrow the results by focusing on businesses in your area. Local agencies are best to work with most of the time because they'll know not just the region but also the competition.

Fortunately, Google's SERPs lists local businesses above the organic listings. Reading Google reviews is the key to finding the best design agencies in your locale. Alternatively, head to the Design Directory for a comprehensive guide to design firms and creative agencies in your region.

By the word of mouth

Sometimes, it's easier to place your trust in a personal recommendation than a killer resume/ portfolio or Linkedin profile. Begin by asking your inner circle if they can recommend anyone. Colleagues or friends might know just the right person for your business. There's also the option of seeking out local independent freelancers. See if there's a meetup group for designers in your community. Sites like meetup.com can hook you up with events in your area. Alternatively, look at what's working in your area. Perhaps you've driven past a logo that's caught your eye. Ask local businesses who did their artwork and take it from there.

Find the right artist for your business

Now that you're aware of the ways to go about hiring a designer, it's time to focus on choosing the right designer for your project and your business. Picking the right artist for you and your business comes down to their designs. Deciding which designer is a good fit for you comes from evaluating their work, which is often presented in a portfolio. Portfolios offer insight into their aesthetics, which aesthetics they are strong in, the areas they stand out in, be in banners, logos, or branding, and those who aren't their strong point.

How to evaluate a portfolio

How do you know what to look out for if this is your first time evaluating a portfolio? Without some guidance, it can be tricky to know what to keep an eye out for. Let's cover what you need to look for when evaluating artists' portfolios:

Relevant samples: The first thing to look for when browsing artist portfolios are design examples that fall within your project's specific parameters. If you're hiring for a new logo design, don't go with someone who hasn't produced any logos. Their portfolio might be packed with spectacular designs. Still, no matter how great they are at designing logos, this doesn't necessarily translate to them being great at creating your new website banners, for example.

Market: A designer with experience working with companies in your industry is usually the best choice because they will already understand your market. When you're evaluating a portfolio, look for a designer who has prior experience in your industry. Let's say that you run a popular sports apparel website, a designer with experience in the industry of 'hype sneakers,' the jargon that comes with this niche, and the looks and feel that it will connect with your target audience.

The right design aesthetic: Is your company going for a minimalist aesthetic? One that capitalizes on space and maximizes simplicity. Think of Steve Jobs's vision of slick designs that thrive in Apple's products and branding. Minimalist design keeps coming back to popularity, as evident in the latest Pepsi, IKEA, Google, MONT BLANC, Levi's, and Nike logos. Perhaps you find the less is more approach timid and dull, favoring a bolder look, also known as 'Maximalism.' This style has heaps of personality, playing with color, patterns, and texture, as displayed in the logos below.

 Look for a designer that shares your aesthetic. If your brand is edgy, look for a portfolio that reflects an edgy design aesthetic. If your brand is focused on targeting young children, you might want to pass on designers pushing an edgy aesthetic in favor of something more whimsical.

A solid body of work: Professional artists should have a portfolio of work to present to potential clients, i.e. you. Take this opportunity to check their level of skill and expertise and whether their style fits what you are looking for. Digital portfolios also offer an opportunity to check for plagiarism. Online tools like Copytrack are available to help with this.

The freelance artist hiring process

If you've decided to use a job board to hire, you need an ad that attracts the right people. That's done with an effective job description. How do you write a compelling job ad that does just that?

Writing an ad

Looking at other similar jobs already posted online to get an idea is a good place to start. Explain why you are interested in hiring a freelance artist, and what you need help doing.

Basic Job description template

Information about your company and what it does
What the freelance artist position entails
The kind of content you need
Salary expectations
How to apply

Prepping your artist

Now you've found the ideal artist for your project, and it's time to reach out and make a proposal.

Make contact to let them know you like their work and are interested in working together.
Provide a simple outline of the project
Describe what you need from a designer and ask if they are available, and interested in your proposal

Assuming all goes well, and your chosen artist is interested in working with you, you will need to create a design brief. The design brief also allows you (the client) to focus on precisely what you want to achieve before starting the project. A good design brief will ensure that you get a high-quality design that meets your needs, providing you have chosen the right designer.

Design brief template

The brief should include the following information

Type of Business: What do you do?
Goals

What is the overall goal of the new design project?

What are you trying to communicate, and why?

Are you trying to sell more products or get awareness of your product or service?

How do you differ from your competitors?

Do you want to reinvent yourself completely, or are you simply updating your promotional material? If it's a rebrand you're after, why have you decided it's necessary? Why now?

Target market: Are you targeting teenagers? Middle-aged males? Or retirees are living in Upstate New York, for example.

Budget: Be upfront with your designer on how much you are willing to spend. Providing a budget prevents a lot of wasted time down the road. A clear budget that is offered upfront also allows designers to know if the project will be worthwhile to complete. Make sure you are worth their time.

Time-scale: You'll rarely accept the first design that lands your way. The design process takes place over many stages; the brief, their research, initial concept ideas, and several rounds of feedback. You should take into account the various stages of the design process to set a realistic deadline that both parties can agree on.

Specs: 

Where are the designs going to be used? The web, or in print, for example. On stationary or on your delivery van.

Include anything the designer should know in regards to your specifications.

Does your brand use a specific color or color scheme, font, images, or text? If so, make these details known to the designer.

Benchmark: This is where your initial research comes in handy. Provide a potential designer with an example of what you consider to be an effective or relevant design. This will be your benchmark; this way, you won't get something completely far removed from your vision.

If you stick to the points above, you can deliver a 'designer-friendly' brief your artist can interpret without any trouble and begin creating relevant designs for your project. Take the time to fill out each section with as much information as possible. This way, you'll reduce any snags in the process and a faster result.

Artist contract template

Once the design brief has been communicated to your freelance artists, you need to draw up a contract. Contracts are essential because they put in writing what is required of each party before any work can begin. It also provides consensus since you and your new hire must agree on the contents before embarking on the project. If problems arise during the project, or once it's complete, this mutual contract can be referred to as a fallback. It clarifies the responsibilities of both parties should problems arise.

For a guide to creating a simple graphic design contract, take a look at 'Keeping a Graphic Design Contract Simple' featured in HOW magazine. While the article assumes a contract for a freelance graphic designer, it can be adapted for any freelance artist. This article includes tips for creating a contract user-friendly contract that all parties will understand. Thirteen clauses guide laying down the terms for a successful working relationship between client and designer. These include timelines and schedules, client responsibilities, including their scope of work and how edits are handled, payments, and terms of ownership that no contract should overlook.

To save time drafting a contract from scratch, adapt this template from Pandadoc. There's even an electronic signature feature that can be signed from any computer or mobile device. This way, you can email or text the document in splits of a second. It's also handy if you are employing someone overseas.

Don't forget to ask about ownership of any graphics used in the design and the final design itself. Many designers use stock photography, for example, which only allows for limited use.

If you want unlimited use of an image, communicate this with the designer, so they know to acquire exclusive rights for graphics. In addition, put it in writing that you own the rights to the final design.

Onboarding and setting expectations

To create a good working relationship with your new hire, you need to be clear from the get-go about what you expect from them and set the tone for your working relationship.

Maintain good communication

The key to building a good relationship with a freelancer is communication. Decide on your preferred method of communication by email, telephone, or communications tools like Slack or Skype. For a more streamlined approach, look to collaboration software like Google docs, or set up a Trello board so all parties can clarify the work in progress.

Feedback is key

The best way to approach feedback through the project is to find a constructive but direct means of delivery. To set the tone, make it known to the artist you've chosen, that you respect their work and value their opinion.

Feedback is an important part of the creative process, and it doesn't have to escalate into an awkward butting of heads. If this is new territory, you might be tempted to go to extremes in providing feedback: afraid to offend and not provide the critique that's necessary to deliver the desired finished product. On the flip side, you might fall into the 'too forceful' trap that is deemed inconsiderate and risks causing friction in your working relationship. Designers are used to taking positive and negative feedback and responding constructively. When sharing feedback with your artist, just be direct, honest, and considerate of their effort.

Pull together your assets

Compile any existing assets that could assist the designer in creating the final product. Your asset pool might include a guide to your brand, a style guide including colors, fonts, and aesthetics, for example, as well as compatible versions of your logos, (if you have them). Pull together any creative executions that didn't work out in the past to avoid repeating the same mistakes.

Conclusion

Hiring a freelance artist is a walk in the park when you take the time to consider the scope of the project and your expectations. From here on, you can filter out the qualities needed from your would-be artists, and screen only the right candidates for the job. With this guide to hiring a freelance artist, all you have to do is get to work finding the best designer for your business.