How to Choose the Right Designer for Your Luxury Branding Project
A comprehensive guide to finding the perfect branding and website designer for your luxury small businesses
Your branding is the heart and soul of your business - it tells the story of your brand, helping you to stand out from your competitors and really resonate with your perfect customers. So, it goes without saying that choosing the right designer for your branding project is super important! In this post I’ll guide you through the main considerations to make sure you choose a designer who is the perfect fit for you.
1. What do you need for your branding project? Know your requirements from the beginning.
Getting your non-negotiables down on paper before you start looking for a brand designer is a great start. Think about the timeline - is there a particular deadline for the project or can you be flexible? Many designers book quite far in advance but a good designer will always be worth the wait! It’s also important to know what your tangible requirements are - think through your customer journey and the touchpoints they pass through - examples could include your website, your social media profiles, your packaging, point of sale material or even business cards - all of these will need to feature consistent branding so be sure to get clear on what you need.
2. Understanding your brand inside out
Knowing your brand’s USP (unique selling point) and having a clear understanding of your ideal customer is crucial, as is knowing the message you want to convey and your brand’s tone of voice. In the discovery phase, your designer will need to understand your brand essence to be able to translate this into a visual identity, so getting clear on this will make sure you get the most out of working with a branding designer.
Need some help getting clear on your brand?
Download my FREE Brand Essence Guide which walks you through simple steps to find your brand’s essence and craft an exciting vision for your brand.
3. Choosing a designer with the right style and aesthetic
It’s almost too obvious to put in this post but choosing a designer with the right artistic aesthetic for your brand is really important! Most branding designers have a preferred style of design, be it bold and graphic or delicate and pretty (my style as a designer is modern and feminine, FYI!).
Yes, some designers will say they can work over all kinds of styles but my personal opinion is that choosing someone who specialises in a look and feel that you like is the best choice for your brand. Make sure you look through their portfolio of past projects to get a sense of the kind of work they excel at, and take your time creating a shortlist of designers you’d like to make enquiries with.
4. Choosing a designer based on your working style
Branding projects can take some time and also can be a significant investment so think about the kind of experience you would like to have and choose a designer that will suit you. Perhaps you prefer to do everything via email and would very much like to leave the project in the designer’s hands? Or maybe you want to have lots of involvement and to work hand in hand with your designer? If you know that you thrive with structure, finding a designer who will methodically work through each stage might be your best fit.
Understanding the client experience that your designer offers is really important - make sure to pay attention to the way they make you feel from the initial point of contact and don’t be afraid to ask questions about how the design process works.
5. Ask for recommendations and read reviews
Again, this is another obvious point yet something that is often neglected. Recommendations from your peers can be really valuable because working with a designer who is trustworthy and has delivered great results is a really great foundation, so long as their style is aligned with what your vision is. Reviews from a designer’s past clients are also really valuable - designers should have these on their website but don’t be afraid to get in touch with the clients directly to ask how the experience was - it might give you the final confidence you need to make the booking!
6. What are you getting for the price?
Budget is a huge consideration for most business owners when it comes to working with a branding designer. The cost of branding can vary greatly from designer to designer, depending upon their level of expertise, their experience and the value they offer. Make sure you understand what exactly is included in the project fee and get clear on the full list of deliverables you will come away with when the project is complete.
It’s crucial to balance cost and value. While it can be tempting to opt for the lowest price, investing in a skilled designer who understands your vision can give your business far greater long-term value, helping you attract ideal clients, stand out in a competitive market and ultimately drive higher revenue. Remember, a strong brand foundation is worth the investment!
Making the right choice for your brand’s success
Choosing the right designer for your branding project is one of the most important steps to building a successful brand. By knowing what you need, understanding your brand and choosing a designer whose style and process align with your needs, you can create the foundations of a meaningful (and profitable) brand. Take your time, do your research and make a choice that will help your brand shine.
Do our stars align? I’d love to hear from you if you think I am the right brand designer for you - get in touch for a consultation and let's create brand magic!
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