If you are a graphic designer...

[BedraggledBlitz]

Please tell me how to be a good client!

I have had issues with every designer I've worked with. The results don't look very professional (like clip art, cramped layout etc). I've used 3 different agencies and not been impressed with any. I'm starting to think it's me, maybe I'm too fussy.

For example, how much direction should I be giving? I try giving a brief in terms of what achieve, but encourage them to use their creativity, then have to go back and point out images are low res and look pasted in etc. Then I spend ages on internet finding examples of what works well to give an idea of expectations. It's really time consuming.

(Sorry, the app only let's me choose aibu as topic)

It doesn't sound like you're too fussy at all, sounds like low quality work. There's a rule in the industry: QUICK. QUALITY. CHEAP. Pick two cause you can't have three. Are you giving enough time? Do you have budget? When you brief do you have something in your head already? If so are you showing them examples of what you want and what you expect? Stock photography is low res until you pay for it so that's why they can't put in the high res. If they put in high res from google and you approved it, chances are they couldn't get the license and you'd be back to square one. If it's just a visual however and there's budget for photography then that's different. Hope you get a better result soon.

When you say the images are low res, is it because they’re showing you the mock up before you pay? Because most places won’t give you the high res stuff until everyone is satisfied and you’ve paid.

If you’re giving them too much leeway it’s possible they’re not hitting the mark because they’ve been given too much creativity. You may have an image in your head and they aren’t seeing it because you’ve given them nothing to riff off.

What is it they’re doing for you?

Thanks @Novino, I like the quick, quality, cheap rule.

Not sure if cheap, £250 to design a 4 page a4 brochure? I provided content. All the hours of amends must mean they're virtually paying me. I'm not after anything radical, readable and better than I could achieve in Word.

I'm considering just buying off the shelf templates in future.

So its stuff like, my content talks about value for money. So the designer has inserted a picture of a pound coin. Coin has white edge around it where image has been cut out. It's the kind of stuff a layperson can do in Publisher.

I then feel terrible having to go back and point out it's not great quality and not especially creative (I wouldn't say it that harshly)

Have you tried people per hour? We got some design work done by someone from there, was good quality although we did change some of the photos after.

I would use the hi res images in the doc, but send you a low res PDF for proofing purposes - if they aren’t doing that, they aren’t very professional.

It sounds to me like you haven't found the right designer. To keep things professional you need some kind of guidelines for your brand (whether you consider yourself a brand or not) and you need to provide examples of previous work you're happy with alongside the brief.

Are you going to outfits where they are designers and printers in one? IME they aren't really designers.

Actually yes they have been design and print @doyoumind. Maybe that's where I'm going wrong.

I tried providing an example of a previous piece of work I'd commissioned and liked, the designer literally replicated it despite me saying it's for different audience/project.

I'd be nervous using hourly rate @coffee, based on past experience it would get very expensive.

What I mean is they are basically printers but they offer design as well - the kind of places that print takeaway menus which are usually the worst examples of graphic design. Most designers will also get things printed for you but that's different.

Good design can be expensive. I would say it's worth spending the money getting something you're really happy with and then finding someone who can replicate it cheaply in the future if money is tight.

I'm a student studying graphic design, looking for some work. Is there anything I can help with @BedraggledBlitz

£250 for a 4 pager including artwork is reasonable so the question may be time. However, doing a cut out of something simple like a coin can be done in photoshop or Indesign automatically and takes seconds so that's not great. Unless there's a shed load of info graphics, complex graphs or the need for a creative design concept then I can't see why they can't do it all within £250. You might want to see a couple of cover options, get that approved and then roll it out. Will save the designer time and give you peace of mind. Doing all the design, presenting and being told it's not right will not go down well so be very clear. A. You want a new design but here's something you like. B. The audience is X. C. Can you see an initial visual before the full design is done. D. If you're not happy with the initial design, how many chances/Alts do you get within budget before the meter starts. Agree all of this up front in a written quote.

I'm a professional graphic designer. You're quite welcome to contact me and discuss anything, no pressure. You should easily be able to get the brochure you require for £250. In 12 years freelancing I've never had a dissatisfied client or left anyone with the issues you've had. Sounds like you've been using people who don't know what they're doing, or printers who offer a design service when they're mere amateurs. If you require any help, let me know as I can easily do this for you. Or you're quite welcome to ask my objective opinion on any designs you receive elsewhere.

@Novinosincebambino has it.

Thanks everyone

@novino, when you say ask for "cover options" do you mean get a couple of examples of page 1, before they design all 4 pages? I understand the rest and it makes perfect sense. I'm definitely getting to the point where I'm pissing off the designer with my amends. :-/

Thanks for the couple of offers to look at/develop the work but I like to stay anonymous on MN. X

Yes just one page and get that signed off first. To be a good client don't use the phrase 'it should only take...' or 'I could do that myself...' and the absolute worst 'just play around with it' 🤣 If you need any guidance we're here to help!

Hello BedraggledBlitz, if you need help or someone to take over the project then feel free to get in touch. I run my own design studio and have a strong history of working with small businesses and female entrepreneurs. I'd be happy to help. www.conceptstore.co.uk

Feel free to drop me a line.

If you're considering doing your own work, I would recommend an app called Canva. It is approx €12 pcm but it is brilliant. I use it daily for my blog and Hubs business to do our own designs. You can get a 30 day free trial I think, and there is a totally free version of Canva but it has limitations hence me recommending the paid for one.

When I do rebranding for businesses, I use a GD and have always been very impressed with their services. Happy to send you a link if its any help. Agree with above, £250 should be more than enough to create what you're after,

H x

Not a designer but work with designers. If I pay £250, that is the kind of work I can expect as a junior would do the job (the size of the paper is totally irrelevant).

If I want something top notch done by the senior designer/creative director, it will cost far more than that.

£250 for a 4 page A4 including artwork is pretty cheap. What kind of ‘agencies’ are you using?

As part of a brief for work I need designing I quite often reference work I like to give an indication of the style and competition for example. Perhaps that would help?

Also if you are regularly producing material do you have even a simple set of brand guidelines so that it is clear how you want your business/event etc to be represented?

Tell you what, I’ll be your graphic designer. And if I find you a difficult client I’ll tell you. What do you need next?

Hey there @BedraggledBlitzBedraggledBlitz, there is a lot of good advice in this thread. I'd have to see the brief and chat about your expectations vs the results, to know whether or not you have been let down. It sounds like communication is lacking on the designer's part if you have to point out such basic details which are likely on draft versions of the design. However, if it was considered a finished design than it's more likely you are dealing with a student or desktop publisher. The cost is quite low, so I am guessing this is not a high tier designer. Then again if the info you need to include is brief this is debatable. If you want to send me more detail I can help. I've been in the industry for years.
www.linkedin.com/in/natascha-taylor-b81b984/

This is the kind of thing that I hate, doing the rounds on social media at the moment. Normally peppered with spelling mistakes etc too. It just looks so jumbled! This person does the design and print work too therefore I think it's better to get them done separately.