Hiring a visual designer


If you are hiring a visual designer, it is good to consider the following things. There are many skills required to work as a visual designer, but here are the top five things they should master:

Visual Hierarchy and Layouts :
A designer must understand how to visually arrange elements so that they guide the user’s attention logically and effectively. This means that the designer must master the basic principles of layout, such as balance, harmony, empty space and the placement of elements in order of importance. A well-designed hierarchy helps users navigate and understand content quickly.

Color theory and contrasts :
Colors have a strong influence on users’ experiences and emotions. A visual designer must know how to use color to express the brand, communicate information and create pleasant visual entities. In addition, contrasts are important for usability – good contrast improves readability and makes the design more accessible to all users, including those with impaired vision.

Typography :
Typography has a great impact on the readability and stylistic look of the design. A visual designer must know the principles of typography, such as font selection, font size, line spacing and contrasts. Good typography helps convey the right atmosphere and ensures that the text is easy to read and clear on different devices and platforms.

Software management :
The designer must master the main design software and tools, such as Adobe Creative Suite (Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign) or more modern tools such as Figma and Sketch . With the help of these software, the designer can implement his visual concepts and produce high-quality content efficiently.

Branding and consistency :
A visual designer must understand the role of the brand in design and know how to create consistent visual elements that reflect the brand’s identity. This means consistent use of logos, color and typography palettes, images and other elements to ensure clear and consistent communication across platforms and materials.

In addition to these, designers are often required to have the ability to communicate and work effectively in teams, as well as the ability to take into account the user experience (UX) perspective, even if their work focuses on visual elements.



Janne Gylling
Creative Director • janne@jannegylling.fi