How to Work with a Graphic Designer as a Green business ( A Fear-Free Guide)
It’s finally time: you need a graphic designer. Maybe you’ve looked at your website and it doesn’t reflect your brand anymore. Perhaps your logo suite needs an entire revamp. Or you’re ready to create a whole new line of products and need some help. It can be intimidating to try to find and hire a designer, especially when you’re a values-driven brand working to save the planet.
But not to worry! This fear-free guide will take you through all of the most important steps and aspects of hiring a green graphic designer for your sustainable brand. From one sustainable founder to another, I got you! How do you know your designer is the right fit? When is the right time to even hire one? We’ll be exploring all of that here today.
Common fears green brands have when looking for a designer
First off, I want to say that you’re totally valid to feel cautious before searching for a designer! Your brand is your baby, and you want to make sure you can entrust it to a designer who gets it. Here are some common worries you might have during this process, and how to assure that you’re in good hands.
“They won’t understand our mission.”
It completely makes sense that you’re looking for a designer who understands the world of sustainability. That’s why it’s important to narrow down your search to green graphic designers, or at least those who specialize in working with nature-based brands. You can conduct your search on Instagram, Behance, Linkedin, and plain old Google. Make sure to include terms like “green graphic designer”, “graphic designer for outdoors brand”, etc. You’ll be sure to find someone with similar values!“We won’t have as much control over our vision.”
A great graphic designer is someone who incorporates their expertise and your vision to create an output that reflects you! Make sure the designer you choose has rounds of feedback included in their process. That way, you can ensure that you’re both on the right track.“It’s too expensive or risky.” Brand and web design is an investment for sure. But it’s one that will help uplevel your business, connect you to your dream supporters, and allow you to continue to thrive for years to come. Your brand’s design can make or break a potential customer or donor’s support. So ensuring you receive a quality design outcome is important! Your designer is an expert with a mission to help you create an evergreen brand. You can trust that this investment will change your business for the better!
“We’re too small to hire a graphic designer.” Your brand can be benefitted by a designer at any stage, whether you’re just starting out or revamping after years of business. Starting off your brand’s story with the help of a designer can put you on the path to success!
How to find the right graphic designer for you
You’ve worked through your initial concerns, and now you’re ready to pick out a designer that resonates with you! Here’s the tips for the process.
Look for someone who shares your background and passion for sustainability, especially if you’re an environmental non-profit or business. They’ll just “get” you! That shared background will make the process more personable.
Take a look at their portfolio of past work. Have they worked with other green brands? What kind of case studies do they have? For example, if you’re looking for some to redesign your website, check their portfolio for past website builds.
Ask them about their process for working on projects with clients. This will help you get to know their timelines, communication style, and organizational skills.
Are you feeling good vibes from them? Is there an ease and excitement between the two of you? Like meeting a new friend, look for a natural connection between the two of you! If they ask great questions and actually appear interested in you and your mission, you’re on the right track.
preparing for a design project
Preparation is the key to a great project! You’ll be fear-free with this checklist.
Gather any brand materials that will help the designer: logo files, brand guides, your website link, etc.
Reflect on your mission, vision, goals, and target audience. These are essential for creating a project that aligns with your brand and resonates with your people.
Make a Pinterest board! Designers love this, trust me. It helps to get visual examples of what you like and what you’re looking for! I love when my client shows up to the meeting with a moodboard of their own.
Come up with a list of questions for the designer if you’re still unsure of anything. This will assuage your concerns.
Be open to suggestions and collaboration with your designer. They know what they’re talking about, and have lots of amazing ideas for your project! Trust them to get things right.
Healthy collaboration between creative partners
The design process is such an exciting time. You’ve found your designer and you’re chomping at the bit to bring your vision into reality. Ideas are flying around, sketches and notes are being shared, and strategy calls abound. Using my own process, I want to break down the steps of the collaboration process between you, the client, and the designer.
Discovery and Strategy: once you hire your designer, they will begin to gather research and build up the strategy for approaching your project. You will likely receive some “homework” from them in the form of questionnaires and strategy meetings. These will help guide the entire process and ensure things run smoothly. You’ll go over your goals, target audience, and vision together.
Creative Direction: your designer will create the initial visual direction for your project. Think colors, typography, moodboards, etc. It’s a fun time!
Design Time: with your approval of the creative direction, your designer will get to work! This will likely include a couple rounds of feedback from you. This transparent communication will keep you both on the same page.
Delivery and Implementation: your designer will turn over all the assets and teach you how to implement them! If they have created a brand identity for you, they’ll give you a brand design presentation with great examples of how to add your logo to assets like your site, merch, and business cards.
And that’s that! It should be an exciting and enjoyable process for you both. Great organization and communication is the key to having a great project.
Working with a designer doesn’t have to be scary! When you find the perfect creative partner who understands your background, fits your personality, and listens deeply to your vision and ideas, you are in for a wonderful time. And if you’re looking for a green graphic design studio to help with your next project, we’re here to help!
Designing a gorgeous brand, one that is uniquely you, is a strategic decision that will elevate your sustainable mission to new heights. It’s important to remember that how you show up directly correlates with who you attract.
So let’s show up as our authentic, fullest selves so that we can communicate trust, find our ideal supporters, and keep them involved in our mission long-term. A powerful combo of aligned visuals and messaging can make you magnetic. Great branding helps your mission speak louder.
Knowing it’s time to rebrand is a sign that you’re leveling up and growing. Just like people, our organizations and businesses grow and change over time.
Ready to bring your new brand to life in a way that’s strategic, soulful, and sustainability-minded? Feel free to explore our branding services or reach out. I'd love to help you plant the seeds for a brand that grows with purpose!
Thanks for reading!
Sarah
