5 Questions to Ask a Designer Before Booking a Branding Package
Many brand designers offer custom branding packages for small business owners with many options to choose from. If this is your first time hiring a brand designer and making a significant investment in your brand, you may feel overwhelmed and indecisive. It’s hard to know which branding package is right for you. I understand how you feel.
When you begin your search for a brand designer, you’ll quickly notice that there are a lot of differences between the design process, price ranges, and even the items included in the packages. This is because some designers tailor their branding packages to their target audience. So how do you know which branding package is the right one for you?
It all starts with asking the right questions. This article will help you choose the branding package that will work best for you and help you to meet your brand goals.
Here are 5 questions to ask a designer before booking
1. What does your branding package include?
At a minimum, when you hire a designer or design firm, you can expect to receive a visual brand identity that includes a logo, color palette, typography, and imagery. You should also receive a brand style guide. A style guide provides written guidelines for the way your brand is visually represented. This document can range from a single page to more than 20 pages long.
If you are running a business by yourself or with a few staff members, you may only need a basic brand identity to start. You can always add more visual elements later, such as custom patterns and icons.
Make sure to ask these important questions as well:
How many logo design concepts are included?
How many design revisions are included?
What design files are included for delivery?
Every branding package is different - some provide just the basics while others include a long list of items. Some packages even include a brand strategy. Packages that include strategies usually cost more than the ones that only create brand visuals.
2. How many brand clients do you take on at one time?
Why is this important to ask? Every designer is different. Building a custom brand design requires designers to devote a lot of their time, energy, and focus to the project. Many people don’t realize how much of that time and energy goes into the pre-design creative thinking that takes place before anything visual is created.
If you find a designer who works on custom branding projects with multiple clients simultaneously, you can expect the quality of the work to suffer as his/her attention is split between different projects. You may want to keep this in mind during the selection process and make sure you are choosing a branding package that is most aligned with your goals.
For example, I will only work with one client per month for a full custom branding project. I accept only a limited number of new clients to ensure a high-quality result on every project.
3. How does payment work for the branding package?
Most designers will ask you to pay either 25% or 50% upfront to book a branding package. If you are planning to hire a designer outside of your country, make sure to double-check the currency and payment methods before you book. Are there any additional costs, such as processing fees? The designer will ask for the remaining balance before the final files are delivered to you.
You may also want to ask if they offer a payment plan. Some designers do offer different payment plans, so make sure to get information about payment options upfront.
For example, I ask for a 50% non-refundable deposit to officially book your project. This can be done either by check, bank wire transfer, or PayPal. Once the project is complete and we receive the final payment, all materials and files will be delivered to you.
I also offer a payment plan. I know custom branding is a big investment for many small businesses. I ask for a 50% non-refundable deposit upfront to officially book your project. Then the remainder of the balance is divided into 2 or 4 payments.
4. How long does it normally take to complete a branding project?
A branding project typically takes more than a month to complete, but it depends on both your needs and the time required by the designer. Sometimes small business owners need to create a brand identity as soon as possible so they can start promoting their business. However, I try to emphasize to my clients that building a brand requires dedication. Also, keep in mind, it’s not just a matter of how fast your designer can work. You will be receiving drafts, reviewing them, and responding with your feedback, which also takes time. I know small business owners are very busy, so make sure you have the time to meet each deadline. That will ensure the branding project goes smoothly and completes on time.
5. What is your design process like?
The design process is, for the most part, similar for most designers. However, depending on what’s included in the branding package, there may be some minor differences. For example, some branding packages include a brand strategy. Developing a brand strategy is much more involved than just building a visual brand identity.
You may also want to check with a designer about how many revisions are offered. For example, I normally offer up to 3 rounds of revisions for each design phase. Once I create a mood board and get the brand visual direction approved, I create primary logo designs and send them to you for review. Once you’ve narrowed it down to one design idea, I refine it and create a secondary logo for review. If you want me to revise the logo, I can do that and send it for your review. We can do up to 3 rounds of revisions in the logo design phase.
Please remember, every designer has a slightly different way of handling the design process. It’s always better to ask a designer before you book your branding package.
There is one more important question you’ll want to ask your prospective designer: Can I see samples of your work? The designer will likely direct you to their website to see a gallery of their past projects.
Every designer has a unique design style with different strengths. You want to find a designer who can understand your vision and how you want to approach your target audience. Some designers use bold and colorful design styles, which may work well for some businesses. My design style, in contrast, is simple and clean with a touch of elegance. So make sure you are comfortable with the designer’s style before booking your brand project with them.
Conclusion:
Finding the right designer for your small business may at first seem like a daunting process, but a little knowledge goes a long way. Asking the right questions will help you to find the best designer for your small business. When you and your designer know what to expect of each other, you're much more likely to get a successful outcome.
I hope this article is helpful. Have questions or thoughts? Please feel free to leave a message below or send me an email about the branding package I offer.