A problem for me for quite a long time was finding a talented designer that I could work with. No offense to any designers here on DigitalPoint, but there are a lot of designers that are a lot better. If you go on DeviantArt, you'll find stunning graphics. Look through the popular images and find an artist that suits your style. Then, it's as simple as sending them an email.
If you're looking for more higher quality designers, you won't really find them advertising at DP (because they charge too low, which correlates with the low quality that they give). DeviantArt is a great place, but they are not all designers. If you're interested in their works, you can verify if they have a portfolio site and contact them there. The only issue is that most of them are of the younger age group As for professionals, I suppose this tends to come from word of mouth.. (at least that's how I receive most of my clients). You can also look through search engines for them (but this might take a while). Essentially, I would avoid any outsourcing freelancing type sites because they're filled with low quality graphic designers. The ones who provide high quality can stand on their own with their business/site. ( Or maybe have a look at my portfolio site )
you wont find good designers and cheap mate All good designers take at least 30-40$ / hour and they work on the designs at least 2-3 hours. I can show you some portofolio if you're interested.
I would have to say the best qualified designers would be found in your Local yellow pages & or business directories. Those designers that have successfully established them self in their local communities are 10x more likely to produce the quality you deserve. In today's design industries there are more & more freelancers popping up than ever before. New designers are now out weighing the seasoned experienced designers & flooding the markets with low prices & substandard work. Unless you have been referred to a designer Via the internet by a friend that had a personal experience already with them, I would suggest searching through your local directory first & foremost. Just my 2 cents. I wish you & your Business the best of Success!
I have not found this to be true. I find that many of the locals are often in business because they are good at marketing and networking as opposed to doing great work. This is not to say that there are not great local designers, only that just because they are in the Yellow Pages does not mean they are any good.
I think you just need to look around and find someone that you like. You might find some good designers here and you might not. High prices do not mean you will get a great design. This only means that they will charge you more.
There are many clients happy with outsourcing their work using the freelance boards. However it does require some knowledge and experience so that the whole process is smooth and conflict-less.
to my mind I have seen some good pro looking results from some designers here on DP. the fact that they are cheaper here is only because they dont have any additional costs like for staff, office, marketing etc. I think DP is a good base to find something for your taste.
That's the whole point of searching for the designer that fits your need/budget. I mean, as a designer myself, some people like my work and some people don't..but as a designer, I do what the client asks of me..can I do better quality work? OF course I can, but if a client is going to penny pinch, then I'm going to pinch off the creativity as well. Also, if you leave it up to the designer, you're gonna get that designers interpretation. The more specific you are, and the more examples you give, will give the designer a better understanding of what is in your minds eye. The best question you can ever ask a potential designer is "what marks the completion of my project?" Some designers will say "I'll make a draft or two and you'll decide between the drafts". While other designers (the ones you'll probably like to hire) are the ones that say "the job is complete once you are satisfied". That is my 2 cents..probably 3..lol
No, I'd agree, have half a dozen years in the industry or so, I always spend more time and am more detailed with individuals who pay for it. It sucks that time really is money, but you can't do much about it. And I can do a much better job in 3 hours than in 1. No doubt about that, I'd also agree that the parameters and criteria being put forth is important. If an employer is pretty vague than they cannot be upset from a design that doesn't meet their expectations. I'd usually tell them to find a few example sites and to tell me what they like/dislike about each design. If they could piecemeal it how would they do that, rough sketches, and then studying the targeted industry help as well