Hiring A Brand + Web Designer In Denver
When I moved to Denver, I was terrified to enter the field as a newbie graphic designer. I knew how saturated the city was with multiple design schools spewing out amazingly talented people every year, while I was mostly self-taught and fairly inexperienced (I even considered going back to school to get some sort of degree or certificate to prove I knew what I was doing). Now I've got over a decade living + working here under my belt, so I feel pretty confident in what I’m doing. And I can say that while there definitely are tons of designers in the Denver market, doing your due diligence to find the right one for you will pay off in the end.
Here are my top tips for hiring a brand + website designer in Denver to make your project a success.
DOs:
1. Embrace the laid-back vibes
I showed up to my first office job here wearing slacks and a blouse, not realizing that business casual has more of a Colorado casual vibe here. Denver is known for being pretty chill, and that includes jeans being considered appropriate for most any occasion. When searching for a designer, look for someone who embodies that spirit while still being able to communicate professionally and meet a deadline.
2. Look for creativity in played out concepts
I'm talking about mountains. Everyone and their mom seems to have a logo with mountains in it here, and I've designed my fair share as well! Every place a designer lives will have some theme that they end up creating around over and over again (when I worked in North Dakota oil country it was wells and pumping jacks!). The key here is to make sure your designer can do it creatively in a way you haven't seen before. Definitely check out their portfolio (take a peek at mine right here) to see if you can spot any twist on the tired out idea. Especially if you know that's something you want to do for your own designs.
3. Find someone with a style that resonates with you
One of the pros of living somewhere with an abundance of design folks is that there's tons of diversity in style. Denver is a breeding ground for creatives, so the best way to narrow it down is to hone in on the specific style each one has and decide what’s in line with the image you want your business to give off.
4. Share any local hidden gem recs you may have
This one is just a little selfish, but I absolutely love when clients or potential clients tell me about a new restaurant or shop they've discovered. Not only does it give us something to bond over, but it gives insight into the places you're going + things you like that may eventually be reflected by your brand or website. Plus, Denver has approximately one billion and a half local breweries, and while I don't drink beer myself, I'll go just for the culture and I absolutely love the industry's design style.
DON'Ts
1. Don't lean too much into the laid-back vibes
Alright alright, I know I literally just said that the laid-back vibes here are a great thing...but too much of a good thing usually becomes a bad thing. Yes, you want someone who embodies the chill culture. But that doesn't mean you want someone who's unprofessional or too busy hitting the slopes to answer your email or get your files to you on time. And if your business is more buttoned up, you may want to consider hiring a more traditional agency rather than a freelancer.
2. Don't get carried away with hipster trends
Denver's got a super fun hipster culture with bushy beards and plaid shirts as far as the eye can see. But you’ll want to be sure that cool looking hipster isn't all style over substance and can actually flex their design chops. Find someone who can strike the balance between being trendy and creating timeless designs that will work for your business for years, not months.
3. Don't talk poorly about other local designers
There's nothing that's made me more uncomfortable than having a discovery call where a potential client wants to sh*t talk someone else they worked with (yes, it's happened!). If you want a creative critique that's one thing, but if all you want is someone to tell you that your previous designer is the worst human alive on planet earth, then I'd recommend calling your therapist instead. Plus, the marketing community here is pretty tight and there's a fair chance that we could know each other!
4. Don't assume we all like to hike
Ok this one is just about me specifically. I love the beauty of nature as much as the next gal, but some days I'm lucky to just get up from my desk or outside of my office. And to be honest, my preferred outdoor activity is sitting on a patio under an umbrella.
It can be the wild west out there when it comes to navigating the world of local brand + web designers in Denver. But that also means there's absolutely someone out there who is going to be the perfect fit for exactly what you want and need. Do your research, check out portfolios, follow these tips, and you'll be well on your way to hiring your dream designer who can bring your brand and website to life. And if you happen to be in the market, drop me a line! Even if we don’t end up working together, I’ll always take recommendations for your hole in the wall taco joint!
