Why should I hire a UX designer?

A UX (user experience) designer is your software's personal strategist. My job is to make sure that, from login to logout, your software or website accomplishes its purpose, and does so with the flair and polish that modern technology users expect. The sad fact is that in the tech world, experience is everything. If a user finds your software difficult to understand, overly time consuming, invasive, or irritating, they'll drop it and find something better. Creating software that not only avoids these pitfalls and goes on to really connect with its user requires a special skillset that differs from the skills required to create the look of a user interface and from the skills needed to code it. You need someone who will think through the individual goals your users come to the software to accomplish, then translate those goals into workflows, and eventually into a series of steps within the program. A good UX designer creates interactions that feel natural to the user so that they finish their task thinking "Whew, one thing checked off the list!" rather than "Why am I STILL working on this?! What a dumb program!" Most people know that software needs to be easy to use, but a UX designer will be able to identify hindrances in the current process and craft an experience that feels right for the task.

Why should I hire a graphic designer?

A graphic designer gives your website, app, brochure, logo, signage, etc, its personality and public face. The look of your materials set the tone for the inaudible conversation you're having with your customers and guide the opinion they form of your product or company. Think of it as your product's outfit, handshake, and body language. If you interviewed for a job in inappropriate clothing, had a dead-fish-esque handshake, and rolled your eyes at the interviewers, in all likelihood they would dismiss your application without hearing a word you said, even if you had the skills for the job. Likewise, your digital and printed materials earn viewers' trust and the right to be heard through the quality of their design. If you are working on a high-stakes project, you need an experienced graphic designer who understands the tone set by different visual elements and can craft the right personality for your product.

What do I need to do before I talk with you?

I can work with you at any stage of your project from refining the initial idea to creating workflows or mockups for an established idea, or even updating the look of an item you already have. Assuming you've already put some thought into your project, there's no extra prep you need to do before talking with me. I'll ask you some questions about your project and we'll formulate a plan from there. If you're someone who prefers time to think through questions before talking about your project, here are the core questions I'm likely to ask you:

• Who is the target audience for your project?
• How should the user/viewer respond to your project?
• What are your goals for the project? / What constitutes success?
• What is your timeframe and deadline for completion of the project?
• Tell me about any ideas or expectations you already have.

"Amy designed our company's logo which we absolutely love and are proud to use everywhere & anywhere in our marketing efforts. She also helps us bring our ideas and concepts to life in our promotional materials. She's an indispensable strategic partner to us!"

"Amy Hamm is one of the most THOROUGH designers I've ever worked with creatively and technically. She was very detailed in her communication with our team, both written and verbal. She made the complexities of discussing abstract, creative ideas very easy and fun. She asked very strategic leading questions that helped us accurately articulate our creative goals for our new logo, as opposed to just giving us her ideas. Our team appreciated her patience, and joyful demeanor from start to finish. We love our new logo, and have asked Amy Hamm Design to work with our creative team on the redesign of our website. Thank you Amy Hamm Design!"

"Amy is incredibly talented and efficient! She worked with me to make sure she was providing exactly what I wanted with the digitizing of my company logo and I am still over-the-moon about the quality of what I received! Amy is my go-to choice for design work."

"Cover page design for new book: Creative suggestions, fast execution and diligent turnaround for changes, very pleasant personality and intelligent designer!"

"Amy is very professional and does her best to meet the needs of her clients! She's designed a variety of projects for myself and our church and she does well in every different setting!"