Graphic designers are popping up everywhere. And with so many to choose from, finding high-quality design feels like finding a needle in a haystack. Simple quality control isn’t going to cut it anymore. Two little words can make all the difference; quality assurance.
Finding graphic design is one thing. But finding high-quality graphics adds a whole new challenge to the mix.
Quality assurance is a way to ensure the results will be up to standard. Additionally, it is a way to save you time and headaches. Sounds good, right? But what is quality assurance? In this article, we will tell you all about it.
What does quality assurance mean?
If, at this point, you are thinking about quality control, then please read on. There are some significant differences between the two that are essential to know.
So, what is quality assurance? Simply put, it’s cross-checking every single aspect of the design process to make sure it is up to standard.
Therefore, it’s a way to guarantee that everything has been done to ensure high-quality design. It will provide confidence in quality internally to management, for example, and externally to clients.
There are many different ways to do this, and most designers and agencies have their own processes. A few things are essential. Good quality assurance includes the following.
Structure
Documentation like checklists can help provide a framework. This makes the process of quality assurance more streamlined and helps to keep up a certain standard.
A fresh pair of eyes
Instead of the designer, quality assurance works best if a fresh pair of eyes look at the design. Someone who is in the field and familiar with the checklist but hasn’t been in the trenches of the design, so to speak.
Commitment
The process of quality assurance takes extra time. On top of your deadlines, this may not sound great. But think of it as an investment. Because if the design ends up with a bazillion minor errors, it may just as well have to be redone, which will cost you even more time.
Discipline
Discipline and commitment go hand-in-hand. Quality assurance shouldn’t be just another box you tick off. Remember that good graphics are a process but will eventually set you apart from your competition.
The importance of quality assurance in graphic design
Have you ever noticed how slick websites are looking nowadays? People used to have a static blog page, but it is now very typical to have motion graphics on your homepage.
As a business, visually striking design is important. It can help build trust in your brand or even be the final push for your audience to make a purchase.
Quality assurance in graphic design will ensure a high-quality result.
A designer can create rhythm and order in his workflow with quality assurance. This equals effectiveness, both for you and your designer.
Let’s take a look at a simple example. If your designer works on a big project (like a website page). But there are a few small errors: a color that is slightly off, a font that is a bit smaller than the rest. These are small mistakes on their own but with a high risk of piling up.
These minor errors can easily be considered insignificant. An “I’ll get to it later”-mentality can have a snowball effect, eventually resulting in a dysfunctional design. The design has to be redone, deadlines won’t be met, and the whole timeline is affected. Yikes.
Ways to assure quality
Right, now that you’ve become aware of the answer to the question: “What is quality assurance?” let’s dive into how you can actually assure quality.
A professional designer or agency will have a process put in place already. But you can do a few things as a client to make sure everything runs smoothly.
Design brief
A good design brief is vital to ensure you end up with the exact design you envisioned. It should answer all questions about the design your designer may want to know. Some examples are:
- Who is the target audience?
- What should the design accomplish?
- What message do you want the design to convey?
- What are the deadlines?
Find the right designer
There are many different types of designers in the wonderful world of design. After you have determined the scope of your project, it’s crucial to pick a designer that fits those needs.
Now is a good time to enable your network. No matter how polished and slick a designer’s portfolio may look, that doesn’t mean anything. Ask around for recommendations, or verify reviews and testimonials from your designer or agency.
Communicate
Communication is the key to success. That’s not just a nice-looking quote; it’s true for a graphic design project, too.
Before you start a collaboration, it’s a good idea to let your designer know your preferences and expectations. How often would you like to connect, and through which platform?
Feedback
Stay involved throughout the project, and give feedback on each version. Don’t be shy. A good designer can take it, as long as it is constructive feedback.
Designer's Work Tracking Checklist
Learn how to work effectively with designers: from writing a brief to giving feedback and tracking work.
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What is the difference between quality assurance and quality control?
Quality control vs. quality assurance: you may have heard about the former rather than the latter. It’s important to know that there is a difference between the two.
Quality assurance relates to how a process is performed. Quality control comes afterward. You can see quality control more as the inspection of quality management.
Put into the field of graphic design, it means quality assurance focuses on the process of designing, whereas quality control focuses on the actual design that is to be handed over.
Both are important. However, with good quality assurance, your quality control is a lot less hassle, saving you time in the long run.
Good design versus bad design
Alright, you can explain quality assurance to your team and know the quality assurance definition by heart. Now, let’s look at other ways to make sure you find a good design.
Knowing what good design actually is, makes finding good design an awful lot easier. Put on your designer hat, and see what works. And more importantly, what doesn’t.
It is easy to spot design fails. In fact, it’s actually easier than spotting good design because good design is relatively neutral and doesn’t take away from its purpose.
10 principles of good design
What is good design? It’s an important question to ask when you’re on your quest to revamp your business’s looks. Dieter Rams agreed, so he established some rules that good design should adhere to.
Dieter Rams is a German architect and graphic designer that has been in the field for close to 60 years. At one point, he realized that he directly impacts the looks of the world he lives in as a designer.
With true German precision, he established the 10 principles of good design. According to Dieter Rams, good design:
- Is innovative.
- Makes a product useful.
- Is aesthetic.
- Makes a product understandable.
- Is unobtrusive.
- Is honest.
- Is long-lasting.
- Is thorough, down to the last detail.
- Is environmentally friendly.
- Is as little design as possible.
How to find high-quality graphic design
You can know all about quality assurance and graphic design. But if you don’t know where to find it, you’re back to square one.
Graphic design is available through many platforms, offering free templates. But when using free graphic design you risk mundane, overused design.
Find out how and where to outsource your graphic design needs
Download our guide to find a solution that suits your business
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The best way to find high-quality and unique design is by collaborating with a professional graphic designer. There are different options to consider.
Hiring a graphic designer
You can hire a graphic designer to add to your team or hire a freelancer. Both of these options can ensure you high-quality design. With the first option, you can even have a say in the quality assurance process.
Bear in mind, though, that hiring someone is an expensive option. Increasing your headcount comes with responsibilities, and finding a suitable freelancer can take weeks.
Hiring an agency
The benefit of hiring an agency is that it comes with professionalism and experience. Additionally, they have the tools and a team of designers with different specializations.
Don’t forget to apply your newly acquired knowledge here. Before you hire an agency, it’s a good idea to ask them if they have a quality assurance specialist.
Hiring an agency does come with high costs. What’s more, an agency is often swamped in design requests, so delays are more the norm than the exception.
A better alternative
The third option combines the pros of both options and eliminates the cons. ManyPixels has an innovative business model that allows you to get high-quality graphic design for a flat monthly rate.
ManyPixels is a flexible option, offering monthly, quarterly, and yearly subscriptions. Once you subscribe, you have access to a team of designers, ready to create.
Learn how to get started with our unlimited graphic design service
Download the ManyPixels User Guide — you’ll find all the useful information there
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In summary
With the continuous stream of graphic design available to us, it’s hard to keep up. Everyone’s website is looking slick, so as a business, you have to step up to compete. Finding graphic design with quality assurance can help.
Quality assurance in graphic design is a structured way to keep an eye on the design process. The result? High-quality end products that will set you apart from the rest.
When you pick a designer to collaborate with, it’s a good idea to check if there is quality assurance in place. Additionally, it’s vital to have a clear design brief and find the right designer.
Finding the right designer is not an easy task and takes up a chunk of your time. Can’t find the time in your busy schedule? ManyPixels may just be the right fit for your next design project.
Find out more through a 1-on-1 demo, where you’ll learn about how ManyPixels works and have a glance at the platform. It’s completely free and planned at your convenience!
