Businesses looking to revamp their websites or looking to improve the user experience on their site or mobile apps are often faced with the challenge of hiring people who would be great at doing the job. Therefore, it is important to have a guide in place on what exactly to look for. Mobile designers are essential members of a development team that ensure that a site or application is optimized for mobile interaction.
The proliferation of mobile internet-enabled devices in recent years, due primarily to the internet of things, has increased the need for businesses to operate through smartphones and the like.
You may also want to consider bringing more members in the decision-making process. Many times, a team of people will be able to determine the consensus fit within a brand or business. Consider using every resource available to find the perfect mobile designer. Here’s how to assess a portfolio like a pro:
Have your design team analyze a portfolio with you
If you don’t have an eye for mobile design, don’t fret. Have your team (if you have one) review it with you. If you don’t have a development or design team at your company, then you may want to have other employees take a gander or reach out to the design community on the web.
You would be surprised how freely and willingly people give out their opinions, so there’s no shame in asking. Just remember to take every bit of criticism or comment with a grain of salt.
Ultimately mobile designers aren’t hired to win a popularity contest. Hiring the right mobile designer is about finding the perfect fit for your team.
If you’re looking for sleek designs, then you won’t want to be tempted into hiring an awesome designer that fails to fit in with your brand. Be sure to communicate what you want when you have others look at the portfolio with you to get the best feedback possible.
Take note of major strengths
Going through endless portfolios can be a daunting process. It doesn’t have to be mind numbing, however, There are plenty of ways to simplify the process. Be sure to take written notes of the strengths and weaknesses of designs and the portfolio as a whole.
Keeping a written list will help jog your memory when you actually go to interview mobile designer candidates and provide you with an outline of what to talk about. So, don’t skip the note taking process -- while it can be a pain, it can also save you a lot of headache in the end.
Ask the candidate about weaknesses
After you’ve written down your analysis, you’ll want to present your findings to the mobile design candidate. Did you feel like they designed apps with only a certain make or model of phone in mind? Do they have major blind spots? Do they lack the detail-orientedness to undertake complex projects?
Be sure to bring up the weaknesses you’ve found in their portfolio. Give them a chance to address them or provide more context for certain projects. The top web designers should be able to give you context with ease.
And, of course, be sure to double check that your findings are valid before presenting them to a candidate. Ask designers and mobile developers if you’re accounting for everything and if your criticisms make sense.
Lastly, be sure to keep things positive, making sure criticism is measured, constructive, and delicate.
When in doubt, ask for more work samples
If you feel like you simply don’t have enough information to go on to make a concrete judgment -- that’s okay. There’s no reason to panic or abandon a potential prospect. Simply ask for more work samples.
Maybe the mobile designer can give you a link to an online portfolio? Perhaps they have a live project they worked on that was released on the App Store. Be sure to gather as much information as possible, especially if you find yourself confused, nonplussed, or ambivalent.
Conclusion
The audience numbers are continuing to grow for the mobile market and show no signs of slowing down. However, that doesn't mean that a business should hire the first mobile designer that applies.
In fact, determining the style and method of the potential candidate is the only way to determine if they will be a good fit for the brand. To do this, managers must review designer portfolios with a discerning eye and a knowledge of the craft.
Mobile designers are always developing from their point of view and that view should line up with the company’s brand and image. After that, it is time to determine the level of skill that they possess by assessing what the ideal image for the business will be.
This is when the examination of the portfolio is truly key. The way a mobile designer translates the site or application is of the utmost importance.
One must decide whether they make pictures and text too small or if they are using old design trends that lag behind the competition. These are all important things to consider when reviewing a mobile designers portfolio.