How to Choose the Right Brand Designer for Your Business

Hiring a brand designer can totally transform how your business looks and feels. But before you jump in, it’s important to know what to look for and how to find someone who gets your vision.

If you’re searching for a freelance brand designer or wondering what to expect from the process, here’s a quick guide to help you choose the right person and make the whole thing run smoothly.

Why bother hiring a brand designer?

Branding can feel like a bit of a maze. Sure, you could watch a few tutorials and try to figure it out yourself. (After all, you can change a tyre by watching a YouTube video but most people wouldn’t want to tackle that alone.)

Hiring a brand designer isn’t just about getting something that looks nice. Here’s why it’s worth considering:

• You’ll look more put together: A designer creates a visual identity that works everywhere, from your Instagram to your packaging, so your brand feels consistent, professional and recognisable.
  

• It’s about strategy, not just style: A good designer thinks about who your customers are, what your story is, and what you want to achieve, not just picking pretty colours.
  

• Saves you time and stress: Instead of second-guessing every little detail, you can focus on running your business while a pro brings your brand to life.

What to look out for before choosing a designer

Before you jump in and book someone, take a step back and check a few key things:

• DESIGN STYLE Every designer has their own vibe. Some love clean and minimal, others go bold and colourful. Scroll through their Instagram or website and ask yourself: Can I imagine my business in their portfolio?
  

• INDUSTRY OR NICHE Some designers specialise in certain areas, like food and beverage brands, wellness brands, or service-based businesses. While it’s not essential, it can be helpful if they understand your space.
  

• YOUR BUDGET Branding is an investment but that doesn’t mean it has to break the bank. Look at what’s included in each designer’s package (some offer logo-only options, others include all the essentials, social templates, etc). And don’t be afraid to ask about payment plans if that makes things more manageable.

Questions to ask before you book

• What’s included in your brand package?

• Do you offer brand strategy too, or just the visuals?

• What’s your process like, and how long does it usually take?

• Have you worked with businesses like mine before?

• How many rounds of changes are included?

• What kind of files will I receive at the end?

Where to find brand designers

You don’t need to spend hours hunting for the right person, here are a few places to start:

• Instagram – Search keywords like brand designer, freelance graphic designer, branding designer or branding studio. Alternatively, you can search for similar hashtags.
  

• Pinterest – Lots of designers share their work, case studies, and moodboards here.
  

• Behance – A great platform to browse full design portfolios.
  

• Creative directories – Sites like Dribbble, The Dots or even LinkedIn can help you find creatives.
  

Tip: Pay attention to the captions and their tone of voice too. Sometimes you can tell a lot about whether someone will be a good fit just by how they talk about their work.

How much will you pay?

The answer really depends on what you’re looking for and who you’re working with but here’s a rough guide to help you get your head around it:

Under £800

• Usually for DIY templates or entry-level designers just starting out

• May include a simple logo and basic colour palette

• Limited revisions and little to no brand strategy

• Great if you’re testing the waters or need something super simple
  

£800 – £1,200

• Typically includes a logo, colour palette, font suggestions, and maybe a few extras like social media graphics

• Likely from a freelance designer with a solid portfolio

• Good option if you’re a small business looking for a clean, professional look
  

£1,200 – £2,500

• A more in-depth brand identity package: logo, brand guidelines, colours, fonts, social templates, and more

• Often includes discovery sessions to help clarify your vision

• Ideal if you’re launching a new business or giving your brand a proper refresh
  

£2,500+

• Full service: visual identity, collateral design, and potentially packaging or web design

• Multiple rounds of feedback, high attention to detail, and a collaborative process

• Perfect for businesses ready to invest in long-term growth and consistency

Tip: Always check what’s included in the package. Some designers offer payment plans or split payments to make things more manageable, so don’t be afraid to ask!

A few handy tips before you dive in

• Have some clarity on your business: You don’t need to have everything figured out, but having a rough idea of who your audience is and what you offer will help your designer create something meaningful.
  

• Book early: Lots of freelance brand designers get booked up a month or two in advance, so don’t leave it to the last minute, especially if you’ve got a launch date in mind.
  

• Be open: Share your ideas, but trust your designer’s eye too. It’s a collaboration!

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Looking for a designer for your small business?

If you’re on the lookout for a designer who gets small businesses and loves bringing ideas to life, feel free to get in touch! I’d love to hear what you’re working on.

Pop me a message or come hang out with me on Instagram for more tips, and small biz cheerleading.