What to Look for in a Design Agency, Part 2

Our first post in this series looked at how the type of agency can effect the cost of the project, and why the lowest cost agency is not always the best choice. This post will explain what software your designer should be using to prevent problems in producing the piece (try saying that five times fast!).

Depending on if your project is a print or Web print, you’ll want to make sure that your designer has the appropriate program knowledge.

Print designers should be experienced working with Adobe InDesign, Adobe Photoshop, and Adobe Illustrator (also known as the Adobe Creative Suite). Some designers choose to work in Quark Xpress, which, like Adobe InDesign is a layout program. Your designer should never use Adobe Illustrator for page layout. Illustrator should be used for drawing, creating maps and charts and graphs, and for designing your logo. Similarly, Photoshop should not be used for page layout. Photoshop is a tool for photo manipulation, including color adjustments, collaging, and resizing. InDesign (or Quark) brings together the components created in Illustrator and Photoshop and combines them with text to create your pieces.

Web designers typically use Adobe Photoshop or Adobe Fireworks, as well as Adobe Dreamweaver. Depending on your project and vision, you may want to find a designer experienced in Adobe Flash. Don’t eliminate a designer from your prospect list if they don’t have experience in Flash; your designer can always contract out this part of the project. Additionally, your Web designer will have knowledge of a wide variety of programming languages. Rely on the designer to advise you on the best language for your project.

Using the proper tools for the job prevents printing and file sharing issues, and ensures your piece will be of the quality you desire. In our next post, we’ll what to look for in your designer’s portfolio to make sure they have the experience necessary for your project. Check back next week, or sign up to receive the post in your email.