Here’s a quick exercise for you: name a brand with a logo so iconic, it’s known across consumers worldwide. If you answered Nike, Apple, Coca-Cola, Batman, or Mercedes-Benz – you’re correct! At least according to an online survey conducted by Ranker. Without a doubt, a logo designer is crucial when it comes to creating a symbol that reflects your brand identity.

If it’s your first time to hire one, it’s best to know the qualities you should look for in a designer to ensure that you’re on the right track. Here are ten of the most crucial qualities you should look for in a logo designer.

 

1. Impeccable Graphic Design Skills

As mentioned earlier, a company’s custom logo design is one of its most important visual assets. Thus, you wouldn’t want to use just any free logo design templates or logo maker app software for this graphic. 

That said, it’s crucial to hire a logo designer who has impeccable graphic design skills. In fact, that’s one of the first qualities that needs to be on your list. 

A professional designer should have the skills, knowledge, and visual fluency to translate your brand identity into a meaningful graphic.

 

2. Ability to Handle Clients 

Most designers typically work on more than one project at a time. That said, it’s crucial that they know how to handle each client well. In the same vein, they need to manage their time well so that they can give each project the effort it deserves.

 

3. Communicates Well

Let’s face it – it’s challenging to translate words directly to visuals. That said, communication is of the essence when it comes to creative projects like graphic design. 

On one side, the designer should fully understand what the client wants to achieve through the design. And at the same time, the client should comprehend the visual interpretation that the designer is leaning to take for the project. Effective communication is the key for all the cogs in the machine to work properly. 

 

4. Provides Design Perspective

A graphic designer provides a design perspective on the client’s initial input. After all, not all entrepreneurs have artistic prowess and knowledge about design elements like lines, colors theory, typography, and many others.  

Unlike making a DIY image through a logo design software, hiring a designer would give you a good perspective from someone who actually knows design. For instance, they can tell you if the color palette you’re planning can be improved. Similarly, they can also suggest ways to make your initial logo vision easier to digest visually.

 

5. Studies the Project Brief

Whether the project is advertising graphic design or web graphics, a pro designer takes the time to read the brief and understand it. In fact, that’s the element you can’t get even from the best logo maker app – a real artist gives a human input. 

 

6. Asks Questions When Something Isn’t Clear

Related to studying the project brief, an experienced designer isn’t afraid of asking questions if there’s anything vague about the brief. The last thing you’d want is a designer who says yes throughout the planning process only to submit a misguided design later. 

 

7. Delivers Designs on Time

“Time is gold,” so they say. And business is one of the best venues to prove this adage. For instance, let’s say you’re launching a Halloween campaign. Based on statistics, shoppers start looking for online purchases as early as the first week of October. Late visual assets can potentially weaken or delay your campaign at such a crucial business season.

 

8. Accepts Feedback

You can’t learn anything new if you think you already know everything. Just as with any other profession, an ideal designer is humble enough to accept feedback and consider the client’s perspective on the project. 

After all, it’s the client who will use the visual asset for their brand. So, accepting comments and using them to improve the design is essential. 

 

9. Does Research

Just as vital as creative logo design ideas are the research that comes with it. How does a typical logo within the same niche look like? And what can make a logo stand out from its competitors?

In the same vein, research is also crucial for other visual assets in the business industry. For instance, creating a packaging design entails knowing state-imposed guidelines, especially for food and medication.

 

10. Respectful to Clients and Co-Workers

A designer may have all the best skills and knowledge in the industry, but if they’re not respectful to you or to your team, it’s best to avoid them like the plague. 

Working in creatives is all about collaboration. Yes, there’s bound to be differences in opinions or artistic preferences, but all those must be discussed with respect. A pro designer would know how to express his concerns without being arrogant. 

 

Tell-Tale Signs You Need to Look for Another Logo Designer 

Here are a few red flags to look out for when hiring a logo designer:

• No solid portfolio. You’d want a professional designer to craft your logo for you. Even if they haven’t had many clients yet, any responsible designer would have prepared a portfolio showing their skills. 
• Inefficient communication. If it takes the designer three to four working days to reply to you, you’re better off looking for a new one. 
• Doesn’t provide deliverables on time. Beating deadlines is a must. Your materials should follow your campaign schedules, not the other way around.
• Feedback isn’t taken seriously. If pointed out an area for improvement, but the designer keeps on making the same mistake anyway, they might not be very open to changing and learning.
• Disrespectful. A real professional won’t let their hurt ego get in the way of completing the project. If the designer is rude to you despite your professional attitude towards them, it’s not worth the stress.

 

Conclusion

A logo has the power to either make your brand reputable and easily recognizable – or make it look like just another run-of-the-mill venture within your niche. 

That said, choosing a logo designer carefully can help ensure that you’re getting the best design you need to gear your business for success.

Looking for a professional graphic designer who has all the essential qualities mentioned above? Request for a demo and see what Design Doctor has to offer!