Tip #3 to Help You Hire the Right Design Agency: Review the portfolio

There are a lot of fantastic graphic designers out there, and many that aren’t very good. And to complicate things a little more, there are designers who do beautiful logo work and designers who can make any big publication look great. How do you know you’re getting the right designer for your job?

The easiest way to assess the designer’s ability to do what you need is to look at their portfolio. If you have a 100-page catalog with more than 300 products, someone who specializes in logos is not the right person for the job (and vice versa). While large design agencies can do everything, boutique agencies usually have an area where they excel and their portfolio will reflect this.

What should you look for when you’re reviewing the portfolio?
1. Make sure the samples are similar in scope to what you need. If you’re bidding out a suite of trade show collateral, you should see some postcards, catalog/registration brochures, and other things you might need.
2. Make sure you like the designer’s style. Independent of talent and skill, every designer has their own style. While they will give you a unique product, their portfolio will give you a feel for what to expect. If you love every sample you see, you’ll love what they do for you.
3. Look for creativity. How is the designer talking about the sample and that project? Did they come up with an interesting way to meet the goals of the project? Are you impressed with their process? If so, then you’ll most likely have a good working relationship.

The portfolio review is a great way to assess the fit with your designer, and its fun to see what your peers have done with their projects. So have a good time with this step…and don’t skip it!