If you've never worked with a freelance graphic designer before, you might not know quite what to expect. How does it work? What are you paying for? How long does it take? Will you have any control over the outcome?

These are completely normal questions — and the more you understand the process before you start, the better the experience (and the result) will be.

This is an honest, behind-the-scenes look at what it's actually like to work with a freelance designer — from first contact to final files.

The quality of your design project is directly linked to the quality of your brief.

That's not a disclaimer — it's a truth that experienced designers and clients learn the hard way. Great design doesn't come from thin air. It comes from understanding: understanding your business, your audience, your goals, your constraints, and what success actually looks like.

A strong brief is the foundation of that understanding. And yet it's one of the most overlooked parts of the creative process.

Whether you're commissioning a logo, a brand identity, a website, or a print campaign, this guide will walk you through exactly how to brief a graphic designer — so you get results that genuinely work.

It's a question I hear all the time, and it's a genuinely important one: what's the difference between a logo and a brand identity?

People use these terms interchangeably, but they're not the same thing. Confusing them is a bit like confusing a front door with an entire house — one is part of the other, but they're very different in scope, function, and impact.

Understanding the difference will help you make smarter decisions about your design investment, communicate more clearly with your designer, and — most importantly — build something that actually works in the real world.

Let's break it down.

Let's get straight to the point — because it's one of the most Googled questions in the world of branding, and yet it rarely gets a straight answer.

How much does a logo cost in the UK?

Health Sense Wellness is a small but well-established health and well-being business that has been trading successfully for the past seven years. Known for its dedication to improving the health and wellness of its clients, the company prides itself on offering high-end treatments and personalised care. 

When Health Sense Wellness approached me to revamp their visual identity, I was excited to take on the challenge of creating a design that would truly reflect their core values and elevate their brand presence

The brief: design a new visual identity that conveyed the premium quality of services that Health Sense Wellness provides.