Find Your Dream Designer: 6 Key Questions for a Successful Design Consult Call

Finding the right designer for your project is a sometimes difficult yet crucial task. A free consultation call is an excellent opportunity to assess the designer's skills, expertise, and compatibility with you and your project. Throughout my design career, I’ve been asked tons of questions by potential clients. Here are six questions that I feel should be answered on every consult.

Many of these topics should be covered on a designer’s website, but there is always room for more detail and the answers may vary a bit depending on the project.

1. What is your design process?

Understanding the designer's workflow and approach is essential for a smooth collaboration. Ask about their design process – from gathering requirements to delivering the final product. This will give you an idea of their organization, attention to detail, and ability to meet deadlines.

2. How do you handle feedback and revisions throughout the design process?

This is a common topic that can vary from project to project. It’s important to have clarity on revision limits and the preferred feedback methods. Ask how they handle client feedback, how many rounds of revisions are included, and what happens if additional revisions are needed.

3. What type of client do you like to work with most? 

Every designer has a client avatar they work best with, whether they promote a specific niche or not. Getting to know your designer and who they work with best will be a good indicator of whether or not they are a good fit. 

4.  Who owns the design once it’s complete and the final invoice has been paid?

In most cases, the client owns all copyrights to designs once they are complete and paid for. This is generally covered in the contract, which is supplied by the designer once a proposal has been sent. Most designers will specify that they have the right to use the designs on their website, social media, and any promotional materials.

5. Can you provide examples of your previous work?

Although most designers have a portfolio page on their website, we usually limit it to a select number of designs. You can always ask if the designer has done work similar to what you are discussing. You’ve likely already checked out their work prior to booking the call, but if you have something in mind in a style or industry you don’t see represented, ask them if they’ve done something similar.

6. Do you use a communication/project management system? 

Many designers use Asana, Trello, or another similar platform to manage their projects. Ask the designer how they communicate and if they use this type of software. If you aren’t comfortable signing up for and learning to navigate the system, ask what the options are. Asana for instance doesn’t require the client to log in, so ask the designer to explain their tools. Communication is key!

In summary, asking the right questions during a free consult call with a designer will provide valuable insights into their skills, experience, and work style so that you can choose the right designer for your project. If you’d like to talk with me about an upcoming project, feel free to book a free consultation here.