How to Hire Your First Freelance Designer: A Guide for New Zealand Businesses

Hiring your first freelance designer can be an exciting yet daunting task, especially if you’re a Kiwi business looking to stand out in a competitive market. At Unicorn Factory, we understand the unique challenges New Zealand businesses face, and we're here to help you navigate the process of finding and hiring the perfect freelance designer.

When I talk to business owners, I hear a lot of reasons why finding the right freelance designer feels so challenging:

• "I don’t know where to start looking."
• "I’m not sure how to evaluate their skills."
• "I worry about communication and meeting deadlines."

If you also find it tough to hire a freelance designer, don’t worry—there are proven strategies you can implement to make the process smoother and more successful.

Today, I’m going to show you how to hire your first freelance designer. By the end of this guide, you'll have actionable steps to find, evaluate, and onboard a designer who can help bring your vision to life.

Step 1: Define Your Design Needs

Understanding what you need from a freelance designer is crucial. This includes the scope of the project, the skills required, and the style you’re looking for. Are you looking for a website redesign, a new logo, marketing materials, or something else? Being clear about your needs will help you find the right fit.

Steps to Take:

1. Outline Your Project: Write a detailed description of the project, including goals, deadlines, and deliverables. Be specific about what you need. For instance, if you need a new logo, describe the style, colors, and themes you envision.
2. Identify Necessary Skills: List the specific skills needed. If you’re looking for a website redesign, you might need skills in UX/UI design, graphic design, and web development.
3. Determine Your Budget: Set a budget for the project and be clear about it from the start. Knowing your budget will help you filter out candidates who are outside your price range.

Example: If you’re a retail business looking for a rebranding, your project outline might include designing a new logo, creating a brand style guide, and developing marketing materials like brochures and social media graphics. The necessary skills would include branding, graphic design, and knowledge of print and digital media.

Step 2: Where to Find Freelance Designers

New Zealand has a vibrant freelance community, and Unicorn Factory is the perfect place to start your search for talented Kiwi designers. You can either post a job to our job board and have designers reach out to you or review portfolios and reach out to them directly.

Steps to Take:

1. Unicorn Factory Job Board: Post your project on Unicorn Factory’s job board and allow designers to come to you. This way, you can evaluate proposals from various designers and choose the best fit.
2. Review Portfolios: Browse through designer portfolios on Unicorn Factory to find someone whose style matches your vision. Reach out to them directly to discuss your project.
3. Freelance Platforms: In addition to Unicorn Factory, you can explore other platforms like Upwork and Fiverr, specifying your preference for New Zealand-based freelancers.
4. Local Networks: Check out New Zealand-based freelancing websites and job boards. These platforms often feature local talent who understand the New Zealand market.
5. Social Media and Networking: Utilize LinkedIn and local design communities on Facebook and Instagram to find designers. Follow relevant hashtags and join groups where freelancers showcase their work. Attend networking events and industry meetups in New Zealand to connect with designers in person.

Example: Unicorn Factory allows you to filter designers based on their skills, experience, and location. You can view their portfolios, read reviews from previous clients, and even see their availability for new projects.

Step 3: Evaluate Potential Designers

Once you have a list of potential candidates, it’s time to evaluate their suitability for your project. This involves looking at their portfolios, reading reviews, and conducting interviews.

Steps to Take:

1. Review Portfolios: Look at their past work to see if their style matches what you’re looking for. Pay attention to their experience with similar projects. A designer who has worked on similar projects will be more likely to understand your needs and deliver high-quality results.
2. Check Reviews and References: Read reviews from previous clients and ask for references to get an idea of their reliability and work ethic. Reach out to these references to ask about their experiences working with the designer.
3. Conduct Interviews: Schedule interviews to discuss your project in detail. Prepare questions about their process, availability, and how they handle feedback and revisions. This is also a good time to gauge their communication skills and professionalism.

Example Questions to Ask:

• Can you walk me through your design process?
• How do you handle client feedback and revisions?
• Can you provide examples of similar projects you’ve worked on?
• What is your availability and typical turnaround time for a project like mine?

Step 4: Test Their Skills

Before committing to a long-term project, it can be helpful to start with a small test project. This allows you to see how they work and if they’re a good fit for your needs.

Steps to Take:

1. Assign a Small Task: Give them a small project that is relevant to your larger goals. This could be a single logo design or a simple webpage layout.
2. Evaluate Their Work: Assess the quality of their work, their adherence to deadlines, and how well they incorporated your feedback. This trial run will give you a better understanding of their capabilities and work style.

Example: If you need a full website redesign, start with a single page or a basic layout. This smaller task will help you evaluate their design skills, creativity, and ability to meet deadlines.

Step 5: Set Clear Expectations

Setting clear expectations from the start is key to a successful collaboration. This includes communication methods, deadlines, and payment terms.

Steps to Take:

1. Create a Detailed Contract: Outline the scope of work, deadlines, payment terms, and any other relevant details in a contract. Make sure both parties sign it to avoid any misunderstandings later.
2. Establish Communication Channels: Decide on the best ways to communicate, whether it’s through email, project management tools, or regular video calls. Regular communication helps ensure that both parties are on the same page and can address any issues promptly.
3. Set Milestones: Break the project into manageable milestones with specific deadlines to ensure steady progress and regular check-ins. This also helps you track the progress and make adjustments as needed.

Example: For a logo design project, your contract might include milestones such as initial concept presentation, first round of revisions, final design approval, and delivery of design files. Regular check-ins could be scheduled after each milestone to review progress and provide feedback.

Takeaway

Hiring your first freelance designer as a New Zealand business doesn’t have to be overwhelming. Here’s a quick recap:

• Define your design needs clearly.
• Utilize Unicorn Factory and other platforms to find candidates.
• You can either post a job on the job board and have designers reach out to you or review portfolios and reach out to them directly.
• Evaluate portfolios, check reviews, and conduct interviews.
• Start with a small test project to assess fit.
• Set clear expectations with a detailed contract and regular communication.

By following these steps, you can find a freelance designer who not only meets your needs but also helps your business grow. Remember, the key to a successful collaboration is clear communication and mutual understanding.

Start today by outlining your design needs and exploring Unicorn Factory. Reach out to potential designers and begin the evaluation process. With the right approach, you’ll find a designer who can bring your vision to life and contribute to your business’s success.

Happy hiring!