Graphic Designer Learning Fees – How to Spot a Professional Graphic Designer
Graphic design is very much the career choice of the moment at this point in time, and considering the fact that modern technology is continuing to advance and evolve at an alarming rate, it’s easy to see why that is.
We rely on technology for so much, especially in a business sense, and as people are becoming more visually orientated (just look at Instagram and the increased use of infographics) we can begin to appreciate just how important a graphic designer can be for a business.
While graphic designer learning fees are still very reasonable, as the demand for competent graphic designers grows, so too will the demand for graphic design course providers and tutors.
If you put the shoe on the other foot however, and you want to source a graphic designer for your business, knowing what to look for can be tricky. Anybody can sit down and learn the basics of graphic design, but finding somebody who is fully qualified, experienced, and who takes pride in their work, that’s where things get tricky.
To help you find a designer for your business, below we will be listing several character traits and characteristics commonly displayed by professional designers.
Their fees are reasonable
As mentioned, graphic designer learning fees, like seemingly everything else in the world at the moment, are increasing steadily. Despite this however, a good graphic designer will never try to rip off their customers.
Of course, graphic designers can charge whatever they like and what they feel their services and time are worth, but it’s important to understand that this is not an excuse to overcharge and essentially rip off their clients.
A professional graphic designer will have done their research and will know what their competitors are charging, and will use this to work out their prices. They WON’T, however, hike their prices massively in the hope of people paying well over the odds, because that’s not how business is done.
If for example, a typical graphic design project requires 2 hours of work, and the going rate is typically £25 per hour, you can expect to be quoted roughly £50 for a 2-hour project, sometimes slightly more, sometimes slightly less. If a designer tries charging £200 for this work, most would agree that this is an unreasonable price and would look elsewhere.
Don’t take the figures we just provided too literally, but still be aware of the fact that some people will try their luck and will try ripping you off.
They show a keen interest in logos and designs
Another way to spot a professional graphic designer is to look at how they react to logos and other forms of graphic design.
Remember, graphic design is all around us and a professional who takes pride in their work will appreciate good design, and show great contempt towards poor design too for that matter.
If a designer looks at a logo for longer than 5 seconds, and if they study the intricacies and the ins and outs of what it would take to create a design like that, there’s a strong chance they take great pride in their work and they can appreciate good graphic design work created by others.
They’ll show great attention to detail
Graphic designers are artists, and like any artist and creative, they’re never satisfied with their work. Sure, they’ll settle on great work, but never perfect, meaning they’ll constantly be making small tweaks and changes here and there.
One of the reasons why graphic design learning fees have increased so much over the years, is because more and more would-be designers are being taught more complex designs and design processes requiring greater attention to detail.
If a designer draws up a basic design with obvious mistakes, inaccuracies, and signs of sloppy work, and they don’t address these issues and simply try to get the work done as quickly as possible so as to get paid and move onto their next job, this shows they don’t truly care.
A good professional designer will draw up a stunning design by paying great attention to detail, and they’ll still not be entirely satisfied. In graphic design, it’s the small things that can really make a big difference, so look for a designer who shows great attention to detail with their creations.
They’ll be very knowledgeable
If you are looking to find the most professional graphic design candidate that you can find, look for a designer who is very knowledgeable when it comes to topics relating to graphic design.
If you’re interviewing applicants for a potential new job, ask them a question based upon graphic design and see how they answer. We aren’t saying you should start quizzing them like you’re creating a brand-new game show for ITV, but ask them a question or two about graphic design and see how they answer.
You could, for example, ask them which software and applications they use, or what some of the most popular fonts and typefaces are in marketing and advertising. A good professional designer will have first-hand experience and will be able to answer you no problem. If, though, they suddenly go quiet and start mumbling, umming and ahhing, and stalling for time, this shows that they may not be as knowledgeable and/or as experienced as they would have you believe.
They’ll proudly show off their work
Another tell-tale sign of a professional graphic designer is the fact that they’ll proudly show off their work.
When speaking to them about potential work you’d be looking for them to do for you, don’t just look through their portfolio and have them show you, instead, ask them to pick out some of their favourite designs and ask what inspired them, and which techniques they used.
If you wanted, you could even pick a design at random and ask them all about it to see how they react and how quick they think on their toes. Remember, you’re not trying to catch anybody out here, you’re simply looking to find the most professional graphic designer you can.
They’ll have studied for a long time
There are numerous graphic design courses that people can take in order to qualify as graphic designers, which is why graphic designer learning fees can vary so much. One sign that a designer is professional and is worth the money however, is the fact that they will have studied for a long time.
If you come across a graphic designer who took a quick online course and passed in a matter of days, or weeks at the most, this could be an indication that they aren’t as professional as you might have thought.
Qualifying to become a graphic designer takes a long time, and it isn’t just something that happens overnight. Because there is so much to learn about graphic design, I.E the various skills and techniques needed, along with the different applications and software, qualifying takes a long time as there is a lot to learn.
If you encounter a graphic designer who has spent a long time studying, they will have spent a good portion of their graphic designer learning fees on bettering themselves and mastering a craft, and consequently you’ll probably wish to hire them.
