If you are needing to find the right graphic designer— here are 10 rules to follow.

1. Look at the designer’s website for examples of their work. Ask to see work that he or she has done that will be similar to your project. Also, ask them exactly what part of the project they worked on.

Look at their referrals and call some of them. Ask the referrals if they were satisfied with the quality of the work and if the designer was easy to work with. Then ask them if they would hire the designer again. Listen to any hedging in their voice even if they say,"Yes." If there is hedging press on with more questions.

2. Is the style of design that you are looking for is similar to what the designer has in his or her portfolio? Are you confident that the designer can do "the look?"

3. What financial arrangements are made with the designer? I recommend that you pay them when your receive the final project. If it is a big project that takes weeks to finish, pay them 1/3 of the project to start and 2/3 when it is finished. Some clients don’t pay graphic artists for 30-90 days. But honestly, this is not a fair way to treat someone who has finished a job.

4. How versatile is your graphic artist? Can they solve problems? Do they have contacts to find solutions to problems?

5. You need to write a contract with the designer on who has the rights to the layered files and flat files after the job is finished. If the graphic artist has not signed anything, he or she has the rights to the creative work he or she has created.

6. Pick a graphic designer that you like. A nice person. A person that is fun to be around. A person that is easy to work with. Not someone with a gigantic ego that barks at every change you need to make on your project. Life is too short.

7. Pick a graphic designer that feels a great passion about your project. Ask them questions like, "Do you get excited about your projects and when was the last time you updated your portfolio." Questions like these will tell you if a designer values their work, or if they are just doing work for a paycheck.

8. Pick a designer that wants to learn your business. Someone who you treat as a partner. Not just a supplier of creative. You will benefit with greater ideas from the designer when they feel more connected to your business.

9. You pay for what you get from a designer. If you want a corporate identity package and website, you can get it for cheap and it will also look cheap. Or, you can pay good money and get a job that is worth it’s weight in gold. Your brand will stay with you for years. Don’t penny pinch when it comes to your brand.

10. Stick with your graphic designer. Don’t play him or her against other graphic designers. Be loyal. If you do you will get loyalty back in the form of bailing you out of a mess someday.

In conclusion, pick your graphic designer out carefully and then stick with them. Treat them like a partner and pay them well and on time. You will get a loyal graphic designer, that wants to do their best work for you. Time and time again. And you get what you want. Great creative.