4 things you need before hiring a brand designer

Hiring a brand designer is a big investment for any business. When you feel ready to outsource, there are a few things to keep in mind before getting started. 

3 min read

what you need before hiring a brand designer

1. A vision of the brand & business

You don’t need a perfect strategy, but having some sort of plan is a must. 

Start by figuring out your goals & your ‘why’. What is the purpose of the brand? Why do you do what you do? This helps us designers create branding that resonates. 

It’s worth noting the styles you, as the client, like & dislike (even though we are ultimately designing for the customer). 

Gathering images on Pinterest that represent the vision & vibe you have for the brand can help us better design as well. I always ask clients to do this if they haven’t already. 

By starting with a clear vision, you can better communicate the goals & I can better translate that into design. 

2. A good budget

Outsourcing is a privilege that not everyone has! Make sure you’re ready to take that leap before you do.

It’s tempting to get a cheap & quick logo off Fiverr or Upwork, but you never know what you’re going to get. There are better options.

It’s totally okay to keep the same DIY logo until you’re ready to hire that freelancer you’ve been following on Instagram. (Better to do one big rebrand than a thousand little ones) 

Finding a designer who works with you throughout the process, who takes the time to research & develop concepts & someone you can work with long-term is going to cost more than $50. 

If you’re running a quality business, your branding needs to reflect that. 

There are many freelance designers out there. All with their own style & process. Browse around for a bit until you find someone you’re ready to invest in.

if you are running a quality business, your branding needs to freflec tthat

3. A unique brand name

Such a big task, I know!

If you don’t already have a brand name picked out, you might want to start word mapping. 

If you do already have something picked out, make sure that name is available! You don’t want to be switching things up when it gets to the design phase. 

Check for trademarks & social handles before you even think about talking to a designer (unless they’re offering brand naming as a service, of course).

Read more about coming up with the right brand name for your business here

4. Flexibility

You’re putting your business in the hands of a total (but not for long) stranger.

It can be scary, but there must be some level of trust.

Be flexible with your vision & trust that your designer wants what’s best for the brand because we really do!

If you feel things are going in the wrong direction, communicate with the designer but try not to take over the project.

You’re hiring a professional because we have the resources, knowledge & experience to create something that works. 

Who knows, the end result might exceed your expectations. 


Branding is a serious investment.

Set yourself up for success by taking the time to find the right designer who can bring your vision to life & prepare yourself for the process. 

Don’t forget to have fun either! 

I hope this gives you some insight into what it’s like working with a designer. Leave your comments below!

Thanks for reading!

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what you need before hiring a brand designer
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