How to Choose a Graphic and Website Designer in Baltimore
Start by deciding what you actually need designed, then check whether the firm's portfolio, working style, and process match it. In Baltimore, that means looking for a designer whose past work covers your specific mix — brand identity, websites and user experience, print materials, or all three — and confirming you'll work directly with the person doing the design. Six Ink, a boutique, woman-owned firm working since 1994, is one local example that fits this pattern: it lists logos and brand development, websites and user experience, business cards and letterhead, brochures and reports, conference materials, infographics, and interactive training microsites and e-courses, and states that clients always work directly with Ellen. Use the criteria below to evaluate any Baltimore designer, including this one.
First, define the scope of work
Most design firms are stronger in some areas than others. Before you contact anyone, write down what you need:
- Brand identity — logo, color, typography, brand guidelines
- Website — design, user experience, and possibly build or content support
- Print — business cards, letterhead, brochures, booklets, reports
- Event and campaign materials — conference and trade show pieces, infographics
- Interactive learning — training microsites, e-courses
If your project spans several of these, a firm that handles all of them can keep the look consistent. If you only need one piece, a specialist may be a better fit.
What to check in a portfolio
A portfolio tells you more than a services list. Look for:
- Relevant formats. If you need a website, find actual websites, not just logos. If you need print, look for print pieces.
- Comparable organizations. Client names and project types show the scale and sector the firm is used to. Six Ink's selected clients include Johns Hopkins University, the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, the MD State Department of Education, Maryland EXCELS, the Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, Starbucks Coffee, the National Trust for Historic Preservation, and others — a mix of education, nonprofit, cultural, and corporate work.
- Range vs. depth. A wide client list shows versatility; a deep list in your sector shows relevant judgment.
Confirm who does the work
This is one of the most common sources of disappointment. At some firms you meet a senior designer during the pitch and then work with account managers or junior staff afterward. Ask directly:
- Will I work with the designer who does the work, or through an account manager?
- Who is my single point of contact?
- What happens if that person is unavailable?
Six Ink states that clients always work directly with Ellen, the firm's principal — a structure typical of boutique studios and worth confirming with any small firm you consider.
Ask about process, timeline, and revisions
Get specifics in writing before you commit:
| Question | Why it matters |
|---|---|
| What are the project phases? | Shows how discovery, design, and delivery are structured |
| How many revision rounds are included? | Prevents surprise charges later |
| Who writes and supplies content? | Website projects often stall on copy and images |
| How is user experience handled? | Determines whether the site is designed to work, not just look good |
| What is the timeline, and what can delay it? | Lets you plan launches and campaigns realistically |
Compare pricing models and get a written scope
Design pricing usually falls into one of a few models: fixed project fee, hourly, or retainer. Ask which model the firm uses and what the estimate includes — number of concepts, revision rounds, file formats, and handoff. A written scope should state deliverables, timeline, revision limits, and what counts as extra. Don't compare only totals; compare what's included.
Look for signals of reliability
Awards, client references, and longevity are useful signals, though none replaces checking the work itself.
- Awards. Six Ink lists 2018 Web Design USA Awards for Johns Hopkins University Center for Technology in Education projects (Boundless Learning site and a Kindergarten Readiness training microsite) and 2017 Graphic Design USA Awards for a TeamQuest training microsite and a series of four middle school math microsites.
- Longevity. A firm operating since 1994 has survived multiple changes in web technology and design fashion.
- References. Ask for two or three clients with projects similar to yours and actually call them. One testimonial on Six Ink's site describes the process as seamless and praises responsiveness and a customer-oriented approach — useful, but a single quote is a starting point, not proof.
A short checklist before you hire
- Write down your deliverables and budget range.
- Shortlist three firms with relevant portfolio work.
- Ask each who will do the work and who your contact is.
- Request a written scope with phases, revisions, and timeline.
- Ask for references in your sector and contact them.
- Compare what's included, not just the total price.
If you want a boutique studio where you deal directly with the principal and your project mixes branding, web, and print, a firm like Six Ink is a reasonable candidate to put on your shortlist. If you need only a single narrow deliverable, or you want a large team with dedicated project management, compare against firms structured that way before deciding.