That's where a crucial employee like a graphic designer comes in. With one your business will get a unique visually appealing concept and idea. Let's discuss the details.
Hello there! In the modern world, shaping your business can be a struggle. The idea is great, but usually, the idea is not enough to sell the product or service. Most people tend to interpret the world using their eyes. That's why working on a visual part of your business is a must. Without visually appealing graphic materials, your idea will not achieve all the height it possibly could.
That's where a crucial employee like a graphic designer comes in. With one your business will get a unique visually appealing concept and idea. Let's discuss the details.
A graphic designer creates visual content to communicate messages effectively. They combine typography, images, and layout techniques to design everything from logos and advertisements to websites and product packaging. A good strategy in designing a product is to create a responsive and contemporary design like we did with Trigga.
The scope of work can range from branding and marketing materials to digital content for websites and social media. Graphic designers work across industries to shape the look and feel of visual communication.
So, you want to hire a graphic designer? There is an approach to understanding what exactly you need a designer for. Let's break it down.
Decide what you’re looking for. Do you need to create a logo, a brand book, or even shape your whole brand? Identifying your specific needs — whether it’s to hire a Python developer or a design specialist — will help you find the right fit. As we've said before, trying to find a specialist without clarity is like grocery shopping on an empty stomach. You’ll likely end up with the wrong things!
When you’re clear on what you need from a specialist, define the specifics of their role. Do you need them part-time or full-time? Will they work remotely, or do you prefer in-office? And if you’re looking to hire remote developers or design specialists from different time zones, ensure you're prepared for logistical and time differences. Don’t overlook the legal side — having a professional cover the necessary paperwork will save you time and potential issues.
After you have a clear idea of what you need and have handled the legalities, you can dive into the hiring process — think of it as recruiter Tinder for executives! Reviewing resumes may be fun at first but can quickly become overwhelming. For example, if you’re looking to hire mobile app developers, understanding the required seniority, skill set, and experience is essential. An experienced HR professional can be invaluable in identifying these requirements, helping avoid the trap of hiring candidates who aren’t the right fit.
After identifying about 10 candidates who seem to fit the role of a graphic designer, it’s time to start the interview process. Here, it’s easy to get swayed by the range of skills each candidate brings. Whether you're looking for design talent or aiming to hire a backend developer down the line, having someone rigorously assess their skills can be essential to finding the right fit for your business needs.
Here’s the part where you really dive into their technical abilities. Do they know their way around essential tools like Adobe Illustrator or Photoshop? This is also a good moment to consider if you need a fractional CTO to oversee these technical hires and ensure alignment with your overall tech strategy. Look through their portfolio—can they handle a variety of styles, or are they specialized in one niche? Versatility and skill are key, so make sure they’ve got both.
Now, it’s decision time. After all the resumes, interviews, and portfolio reviews, it’s time to trust your gut. Who’s got the right mix of creativity, technical skill, and the right attitude to mesh with your team? Pick the best fit, and you’re all set to bring your project to life!
While hiring a graphic designer can be overwhelming, there are ways to use a cheat code. Hiring a contractor like we — Empat will eliminate the burden of hiring a specialist. We handle all of your hiring procedures.
Finding the right designer can be tricky, but if you know what skills to keep an eye out for, you’ll be ahead of the game. Let’s go through some of the key abilities that separate a great designer from just an average one.
Here’s what you should look for when you’re browsing through portfolios or chatting in interviews:
This is a no-brainer, right? You want someone who can think outside the box and come up with fresh, unique designs. A designer’s creativity is what’ll make your brand stand out, so you definitely want to see a spark of originality in their work. Look at what our designers did for Caries Monster Fighters!
Look for someone who’s skilled in essential software like Adobe Creative Suite (Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign). If your project is more focused on digital design, tools like Figma or Sketch should be in your arsenal, too. The right tools allow designers to turn ideas into reality, so they’ve got to know their way around these programs.
Typography might seem like a small detail, but it’s a massive part of good design. A designer who knows how to play with fonts, sizes, and spacing will make sure your message doesn’t just get seen but gets noticed. Bad typography? It’s like mumbling in a loud room—people won’t stick around to listen.
Colors aren’t just pretty—they evoke emotions and reactions. A designer should understand the psychology behind color and how to create a palette that reflects your brand’s tone and purpose. The wrong colors can completely throw off your message, so this one’s crucial.
Design is all about the details. Does the designer have sharp lines, consistent layouts, and balanced compositions? A small mistake like misaligned text or poor spacing can make a big difference in how professional your final product looks. Check out the detailed approach we used for HealUA.
You want someone who can listen to your needs and translate your vision into visuals. But beyond that, they need to be able to explain their design choices and take feedback in stride. Design is a back-and-forth process, so finding someone who’s easy to work with is key.
It’s great if a designer has a unique style, but they also need to be flexible. Whether it’s a clean, minimal look or something more colorful and bold, they should be able to adapt to your brand's needs and switch up their style depending on the project.
Sometimes design isn't just about making things look pretty—it’s about solving a problem, like how to communicate a message visually or how to make a layout more user-friendly. A good designer knows how to approach these challenges creatively and efficiently.
If you find someone who ticks most of these boxes, you're in good shape! Just remember, it’s not only about their technical skills — it’s also about how well they’ll mesh with you and your team. So trust your gut, and you’ll know when you’ve found the right designer.
When you are ready to hire a graphic designer, you will definitely have a question. Should I find a freelance designer or should I hire in-house? Let's break down the two and discuss the advantages or disadvantages of both.
Freelance designers offer great flexibility, especially if you need someone for a specific project like creating a logo or designing a website. If you’re also wondering how to find a web developer for these tasks, freelancers can be an excellent solution as they’re skilled at managing varied projects and adapting to different styles and client needs.
Hiring an in-house designer means you’re bringing someone onto your team full-time (or part-time) to handle all your design needs. This is ideal if your business constantly needs new graphics, like social media posts, marketing materials, or product designs. An in-house designer will have a deeper understanding of your brand over time and can bring a consistent look and feel to all your visuals.
Factor |
Freelance |
In-house |
Cost |
Generally more cost-effective, pay per project/hour |
Higher cost due to salary, benefits, and other expenses |
Availability |
Part-time; may not be readily available for quick edits |
Full-time; on hand for immediate needs |
Brand knowledge |
Limited; may take time to understand your brand |
Strong; deeply involved in brand culture |
Flexibility |
High; can hire as needed |
Low; requires longer-term commitment |
Diversity of Skills |
Often has varied experience across industries |
Knowledge may be limited to in-house projects |
Communication |
Can be challenging remotely |
Easier due to direct team integration |
Alright, so let’s talk numbers — how much is a graphic designer going to set us back for a quality graphic design project? When determining the cost of hiring graphic designers, many factors come into play, such as their seniority, location, project scope, and specific skills. Knowing how to hire a graphic designer wisely can make all the difference in your budget and final product.
Junior designers, with around 1-3 years of previous experience in graphic design, typically charge between $20 to $50 per hour. Mid-level designers, with 3-5 years of experience and a strong grasp of essential design skills like Adobe Illustrator, Adobe Photoshop, and content management systems, might range from $50 to $100 per hour. For senior or top graphic designers with specialized expertise and familiarity with tools like Design Hill, rates can climb to $100-$200 an hour or more. If you’re exploring talent options and comparing Toptal competitors, consider the platform that helps you find freelance graphic designers or in-house professionals to best match your graphic design services and budget.
Location is also a factor; freelance graphic designers based in cities with high costs of living tend to charge more, while remote freelance graphic talent from other time zones can be more budget-friendly than in-house designers. Whether hiring a freelance graphic designer online or locally, costs also fluctuate depending on the design project type.
The type of project also matters — a single logo design might come with a flat fee, while project management and ongoing branding work or visual elements like social media posts, book covers, and digital products could require a retainer or a higher hourly rate. A freelance graphic designer handling a creative brief or brand style guides will typically require more time to deliver design solutions and ensure customer satisfaction. When hiring for design services like web design or complex visual concepts that include brand identity development, it’s crucial to set a clear job description and communication channels to ensure the project fits your target audience’s needs and business growth goals.
If you’re searching for qualified candidates for a specific project and need quality work, ensuring excellent communication throughout the design process is vital. Whether your focus is project scope, final price, or the potential for unlimited revisions, the investment in finding the best graphic designers who offer creative work and clear communication can be invaluable.
Hiring a graphic designer can feel like a journey, but with the right approach, it becomes a lot simpler. We’ve covered everything from understanding a designer’s role and the essential skills they should bring to the table, to deciding between freelance and in-house options. We’ve also looked at costs, which can vary widely based on seniority, location, and project type. Ultimately, it’s all about finding the right person who fits your needs, your brand, and your budget.
If all this still sounds like a lot to tackle, we’ve got an option that’ll make your life easier — Empat. At Empat, we handle the hiring for you, matching you with top design talent without all the hassle. Contact us, and let’s bring your vision to life with the perfect graphic designer.
The average hourly rate worldwide for graphic designers is $60 per hour. Beginner graphic designers may bill $25 to $50 per hour, while more experienced graphic designers charge over $100 per hour.
Hiring a designer can free up your time to focus on other aspects of your business or project. Budget: Consider your budget. Hiring a graphic designer can be an additional expense, but it's often worthwhile if it enhances your brand or project's image and helps you attract customers or achieve your goals.
Some of your current employees may already have experience in the field of graphic design. Reach out to these employees, collect portfolios and set up interviews. Post your job online. Try posting your graphic designer job on Indeed to find and attract quality graphic designer candidates.
You want to ensure that the designer you choose has the necessary communication skills and experience for the project you have in mind. By testing, you'll have real-time feedback on whether or not they have the skills they claim to have. This is extra helpful when hiring freelance graphic designers.