Web Design for Dummies

In my experience working on various web design and development projects, I wanted to offer some insights and tips on working with designers. Now, if you already have a designer you've worked with before and that did a good job the first time around, you're probably going to be in good shape obviously. When you're taking a first run at it, there are some more variables to keep in mind and more potential gotcha's.

1. Talk. Try and speak with the designer over the phone before kicking the design phase off. As detailed as your wireframes or project description may be, its amazing how many things - big and small - can be glazed over when someone else is taking a fresh look at the specs. So just spend some time with them over the phone to make sure they understand the tone that you're shooting for. In today's economy where its not unusual for me to work with developers and designers who I never actually speak with - just IM or email with them - its important to take this step.
   
   
2. Portfolio. Of course the main thing you're going to look into when looking at your designer is their portfolio. Aside from checking to see that they have some nice stuff, you want to also see that they have some diversity and variety in their work. If all their stuff looks the same, you may have trouble getting a very unique or custom design out of them, to please your customer.
   
   
3. Availability. You're going to want to ensure that your designer is going to be available for you, especially when you need to make lots of (possibly small) revisions, but nevertheless important ones that your client wants to see right away. Unfortunately, many times the designer has to be available at a moment's notice to take care of changes, especially for a higher profile client. Check in with them on this, but go beyond that and see what they actually do. See how they respond to you over a period of time, and how their availability may change after the payment has been made.
   

That should get you started on the road to success with outsourcing your design work.