Working with a graphic designer in web development can be a very frustrating experience not only for the client, but for the graphic designer as well. Most of these frustrations however can mainly be avoided through descriptive clear communication. Outlined below are six sure-fire ways to ensure a smooth process when working with a graphic designer.
Write a detailed description of what you would like the page and/or imagery to convey, and what message you are trying to convey to the viewer.
Encourage contact between your graphic designer and developer to ensure smooth image transition onto the web
Have the designer create a draft of the design before coding.
Provide any images you would like included to the designer up front.
Check in often with your graphic designer to make sure you are both on the same page.
Have your designer give you copies of graphics in PSD (Photoshop document) format after all is said and done.
Many people contribute the woes of working with a graphic designer to the designer’s lack of ability. In almost every situation, however, this is not the case and is due mainly to lack of communication. It is impossible to guess what vision the client has in their head. Although telepathy may exist for a select few chances are your designer is not one of those lucky people.
This is where the description and draft come into play. If you really want to get in depth and allow the designer you are working with to get in your head, creating a customer avatar is very helpful. An image designed to target the twenty something age population is going to look very different than imagery targeted to an established business person. The most helpful resource you can provide when working with a designer is a sketch or an example page to base imaging off of.
Finally when working with a graphic designer to create webpages be sure to either check to see if the designer has a background in coding or web development, or is in contact with your web developer. Creating a webpage using only images rather than a combination of graphics and coding can make your site extremely difficult to edit in the future, especially if you choose to part paths with your designer. This is where getting a copy of a PSD comes into play. Whether you trying to make edits to your webpage or simply wanting to change the phone number on a coupon, unless you are still using the same graphic designer, or have a PSD version of the image edits are impossibly and you will be starting from scratch.
Checking in with your designer often will ensure that they continue to stay on the right track. If a designer thinks they are allowed free reign with the imagery they will use it. It is easy for designers to take imagery in their own direction when left on their own, they are after all first and foremost artists at heart, hidden behind computer screens.
Want to learn more about how to effectively communicate with your graphic designer? Contact us today!
SEO Consultant Roger Bryan