Why the Right Questions Matter Before You Sign

Hiring a designer is a bit like hiring anyone else who's going to work closely with your business, it's part skill, part chemistry, and part trust. But because branding and web design can feel a little intangible (how do you judge "good" before it exists?), a lot of business owners end up choosing based on a nice portfolio and a gut feeling alone.

That's not nothing, but it's not enough either. The questions you ask before you sign tell you far more than a portfolio ever will, they tell you how someone actually works, and whether that way of working is going to suit you.

I'm Mar, founder of La Mar Studio, a brand identity and web design studio based in Brighton, UK, and I've sat on both sides of this conversation, as the designer being interviewed, and as a business owner hiring people myself. Here's what to ask, and why it matters.

1. "What does the process actually look like?"

A strong designer should be able to walk you through it step by step, discovery, strategy, design, revisions, delivery, without hesitating. If the answer is vague ("oh, it just kind of flows"), that's often a sign there isn't a real process behind the pretty portfolio.

Why it matters: a clear process means fewer surprises, fewer delays, and a much better idea of what you're actually paying for.

2. "How many rounds of revisions are included?"

This sounds like a small, practical question, and it is, but it also tells you a lot. A designer who has this figured out in advance has done this enough times to know where projects tend to go sideways.

Why it matters: unclear revision terms are one of the most common reasons projects drag on (and budgets creep up).

3. "Can I see an example of your strategy work, not just the final design?"

Anyone can show you a beautiful finished logo or website. Fewer people can show you the thinking that got them there.

Why it matters: good design solves a problem. If a designer can't show you how they arrived at a solution, you're really just buying a look, not a strategy.

4. "What happens if I don't love the first direction?"

Not because you expect to hate it, but because how someone answers this tells you everything about how they handle feedback and collaboration.

Why it matters: you want someone who treats feedback as information, not criticism. That's the difference between a smooth project and a stressful one.

5. "What do you need from me to do your best work?"

This is a bit of a trick question, in a good way. The best designers will have a clear answer: brand questionnaires, content in advance, timely feedback, whatever it is. It shows they've thought about the collaboration from both sides.

Why it matters: a project is only ever as good as the input on both ends. Someone who's thought this through is setting you both up to actually get a great result.

6. "What happens after the project ends?"

Do you get the files? Ongoing support? Is there a retainer option if you need small updates later? This is one people forget to ask, and then feel stuck when they need a tweak six months down the line.

Why it matters: you want to know you're not left high and dry the moment the invoice is paid.

The bigger picture

None of these questions are about catching someone out. They're about finding a designer whose way of working actually fits your business, your pace, and how you like to communicate. The right designer will welcome these questions. If anything, being asked them tends to make a good designer more confident, not less, because it means you're taking the process as seriously as they do.

If you're currently weighing up who to work with on your brand or website, it's worth taking five minutes before any call to jot these down. It'll save you a lot of second-guessing later.

And if you'd rather skip straight to a conversation, book a free 30-minute chat with me. I'm always happy to answer exactly these kinds of questions, no pressure, no pitch, just an honest look at whether we'd be a good fit.

Build Your Brand With La Mar Studio

You can't control how someone feels the moment they land on your website, but you can absolutely influence it. That's what good brand strategy does.

At La Mar Studio, brand strategy is where every project starts, before a single colour or font gets chosen. It means getting clear on the questions that actually shape how your brand comes across, like:

• Why did you start your business?

• Who do you actually want to work with?

• What do you want people to feel the moment they find you?

• What makes the way you work different?

• Where do you want your business to be a few years from now?

If you're ready to build a brand that feels unmistakably yours, get in touch with La Mar Studio. I work one-on-one with small businesses, solopreneurs, and purpose-led brands, especially in wellness, lifestyle, and creative sectors, helping them create an identity and website that reflects who they really are, connects with the right people, and makes it easy for someone to say yes.