There are many very good web designers, and many very good print designers. If you know that you will never need to convert your projects from one format to the other, you can feel safe choosing a qualified designer from either field. On the other hand, if you are not sure about your future needs, or you know that you need to integrate both real world and internet designs, you need to choose a designer with training and experience in both fields. We've prepared a list of guidelines to help you find a designer who can meet your needs.
1) How long have you been in business?
2) Do you have experience on a project such as mine?
3) Can I see your personal portfolio?
Meet with the designer you are considering, and ask to see his or her personal portfolio. If you cannot meet face to face, have the designer send you samples of his personal work, in every medium you intend to use.
4) Can I have at least 3 refererences?
Ask for customer references -- don't accept "testimonials". Get an actual list of customers with addresses and phone numbers. Contact several of these references and get honest opinions. If they can not supply at least 3 verifiable references, you should consider utilizing the services of someone else.
5) Can I have the URL's (web addresses) of web sites you have graphically designed?
Visit web sites the designer has created. Everything should work properly and look like it belongs. Check the spelling, punctuation and grammar. Errors are evidence of slipshod work. Contact the site owners and ask for their opinions of the designer.
6) Can I have a copy of any sample print materials that you have done recently?
Examine print materials carefully. Every element should be part of the whole. Again, errors in spelling, punctuation and grammar are evidence of slipshod work. A poor printing job is evidence of either poor design or substandard printing. In either case you should not deal with that designer.
7) What are your fees? Hourly or by project?
Ask them for a detailed written estimate, including all forseeable fees and expenses. You may also want to ask them to get you a printing estimate to see what kind of numbers they can get for you (if applicable) Remember, this is just an estimate based on early parameters, so if things change later, their estimate will likely change.