At some point, you needed a professional graphic design firm to do your logos, stationery, web design, or brochures. You’ve already met a number of graphic designers. You’ve already visited several websites. However, you’re still empty-handed. You are not sure who among those graphic design firms are professional and whether they can meet all your needs.

A professional graphic designer offers a complete array of services such as photography and illustration, print and web design, Flash and video services, quality and affordable printing, and other marketing services. A professional graphic designer is also knowledgeable about and uses professional tools such as Dreamweaver, Cold Fusion, InDesign, Quark, or Photoshop.

Take a look at the graphic design firm’s clientele. Examine the type of clientele they serve and the services they provide. Do the services they provide include a wide variety of graphic design and marketing services? The graphic design firm is professional if it has access to and is able to use a wide array of resources. If this information is not included on the website of the graphic design firm you are checking out, you can ask for the list of all their services.

Once you have come up with your top 2 or 3 firms, you can now ask for their references and then call each reference personally. This step is important so take time to understand what the clients have to say about the firm.

The following are sample questions that you may want to ask, but feel free to ask other questions that you think may provide you with more information:

• Does the graphic design firm provide the following services: logos, business cards, marketing postcards, stationery, brochures, newsletters, print advertisements, press releases, web design and web optimization, market research, marketing CDs or DVDs?
• Were the services or products done as desired by the client?
• Did the firm deliver the orders on time and at a reasonable cost?
• What are the pros and cons of working with the firm?
• How happy or satisfied was the client with each of the services that the graphic design firm has provided?
• Do they consider the graphic design firm professional? Why or why not?

When you’re done talking with the clients as your references, take a look at the information you gathered. To make it easier for you to decide, you can rate each of your prospective firms on a scale of 1 to 5 based on the clients’ answers to your questions.

Afterwards, let your personal taste help you decide. You should ask yourself:

• Which of these firms has adequate experience in your field?
• Which of these firms has pieces or creations that you like?
• Which of these firms has people whom you would want to work with?

Guided by these elements, you can now select your best choice for a graphic design firm to meet your needs.