Getting a brand identity made, when you have no idea how the process works or what is involved, can be daunting. However, its YOUR business, and you should make sure you feel in control of the process and outcomes!
If you're looking to get a new logo or brand identity for your business, its important to make sure your designer knows what it is you need, and you know what it is that they can do for you. The best way to avoid disappointment is clear communication from the beginning of the process. If you have little experience in design, marketing and brand identities, you should be looking for a designer who will teach you about it along the way and involve you in the process. Just because you don't know, does mean you can't learn something!
The best way to be active in the design process for your business's brand identity, is to know what questions to ask your designer. Asking for what you need, as well as asking for more information, does not make you less capable as a business owner or person. It shows strength and passion!
Questions to ask
Prices and deliverables
→What are your prices?
→What is included in your price?
→Will I own the final design?
→What program do you use?
→Will I get the working files?
→What file format will they be in?
Process and contract
→What is your process?
→At what stages in the process will I see your work?
→What will the timeline be?
→How many revisions do I get?
→Can I review our contract?
Experience and portfolio
→What do you know about my industry landscape?
→What about my project excites you?
→How will your past experience add to this project?
→Do you have any past work that I can see?
Deliverables in depth
→How many versions of the final logo will I get?
→Is any collateral design included in this package?
→What exact final file types and how many variations are included in the final deliverables?
How can I help this process
→How involved will I be in the process?
→How often will you check in with me?
→What do you need from me and my business?