The graphic design world has changed, its morphed and contorted, stretched and cracked – the result? A graphic design world with crowdsourcing as it sun. It resembles the opportunities that wait for both designers and companies, it resembles the breaking down of international barriers and it resembles why, design at its very core can create beauty in a world dominated by plainness!
So, as a freelancer, a conveyer of this beauty in this new world, how can you make sure you are winning freelance graphic design jobs and contributing to making what is now known as "Crowdsourcing World" a better place (eat your heart out Kevin Costner!)? Well, easy, follow these 4 tips and you'll be on your way to winning freelance graphic design jobs, left, right and centre!
Read the brief
Obvious maybe, but often not adhered to. Read the brief, read the brief and re-read the brief. Customers want a design which matches their requirements – so read the brief. Look for colour and shape direction, look for influences and inspiration and look for what the design job means for the client.
Listen to feedback
Once you've submitted an initial design (which meats the design job brief, because you read it), then wait for feedback. Good customers will provide detailed feedback. The rule, listen to all feedback whether it's positive or negative. Both provide guidance and an invaluable insight into the client's needs for the design job – which if you can meet quickly will put you well on course to winning the freelance graphic design job.
Be polite
Sure, you can create a great design and implement all the feedback that the customer provides. However, if the customer has applied a negative connotation to you because you've provided short, abrupt or plan rude communication then you've just ruined your chances of winning the crowdsourcing design job. Always be in all communication, provide detailed descriptions of changes, always say please when more information is provided and thanks when positive feedback is given. By being polite, you'll be a step above everyone else!
Design with inspiration, not plagiarism
An easy way to start with a design is to copy. This is a massive no no – don't ever copy someone else's design in the hope to pass it off as your own. Not only is this lazy, but it's often spotted very quickly. In addition to this a copied design isn't going to match the brief – so if you've read the brief, which you should have, then create something unique. It's important to remember you can draw inspiration from design, get ideas and borrow techniques, but beyond this you are plagiarising. Wondering what is the difference is between copying and inspiration? Read this post: 4 Tip to Create Original Graphic Design Artwork.
Be consistent
This last point is a goodie. Customers will by their very nature look at your previous work even once they've post a freelance graphic design job. If you submit a design to a job, then expect the client to check out your portfolio! The more consistent your portfolio in terms of quality the more likely a customer is to hold you in high regard. So, when you design, always design to the best of your ability, never submit a design which you think is low quality, never submit a design which you know is below your usual standard, because eventually this will come back to bite!
Written by Clancy Clarke on Friday, May 30, 2014
Clancy is the Organic Search manager at DesignCrowd. Clancy has over 7 years of online marketing experience and a passion for analytics. Get in touch via Google+.
