How can you determine if someone is a top-notch web designer?

A top-notch web designer can be determined by several factors:

      Portfolio  : Look at their previous work and evaluate the quality of their designs, user interface, and user experience. Pay attention to the diversity of projects they have worked on.

      User-Centered Design  : A great web designer focuses on creating designs that prioritize the needs and experiences of the end-users.

      Technical Skills  : They should be proficient in HTML, CSS, JavaScript, and other relevant tools and technologies. Additionally, knowledge of responsive design and accessibility standards is crucial.

      Creativity and Innovation  : A top-notch web designer demonstrates a strong sense of creativity and innovation in their designs, moving beyond using standard templates and creating unique and engaging interfaces.

      Understanding of Branding and Business Goals  : A skilled web designer understands how to align the website design with the client's branding and business objectives.

      Problem-Solving Abilities  : They should be able to identify potential design challenges and provide effective solutions to improve user interactions and conversions.

      Collaboration and Communication  : Effective communication and collaboration skills are necessary for understanding and fulfilling client requirements and working within a team.

      Continual Learning and Adaptability  : A top-notch web designer keeps up with the latest design trends, tools, and technologies and is adaptable to changes in the industry.

      Attention to Detail  : A top-notch web designer pays attention to the minute details of the design, such as typography, color schemes, and spacing, which contribute to the overall aesthetics and user experience.

      Knowledge of UX/UI Principles  : They should demonstrate a deep understanding of user experience (UX) and user interface (UI) principles, ensuring that the website not only looks good but also functions intuitively and efficiently.

      Client Testimonials and Recommendations  : Positive feedback from previous clients or colleagues can be a strong indicator of a web designer's expertise and professionalism.

      Passion for Design  : A great web designer is passionate about their craft, constantly seeking improvement and investing time in personal projects or further education related to web design.

      Adherence to Best Practices  : They follow industry best practices, including clean and maintainable code, SEO-friendly designs, and performance optimization.

      Problem-Solving Abilities  : A top-notch web designer should be able to identify potential design challenges and provide effective solutions to improve user interactions and conversions.

In the world of web design, just like in any form of design, a professional's portfolio speaks volumes about their expertise. The quality of a specialist is unmistakably evident in their body of work. Evaluating professionalism and seeking out professionals has become more accessible, as we can now rely on not just our own judgment, but also the opinion of others. Platforms like Behance have features such as likes and comments that indicate users' reception of a completed project. However, the reliability of these indicators is contentious due to the possibility of manipulated likes and praise from acquaintances.

Furthermore, the definition of "high level" design is subjective and varies for each client, shaped by personal perceptions and observations. This subjectivity has dual implications. On the positive side, it ensures that designers at all levels can secure work, and clients can find designers within their budget. Conversely, constrained budgets may lead to lower-quality work, visible in some websites and online stores, eventually becoming commonplace.

A designer's project can be dissected into its components: composition, style, color, font, shapes, references, and color-graphic techniques employed. Yet, outside of a design studio, such analysis rarely occurs, often boiling down to a matter of personal taste: "like/dislike." Within studios, however, art directors possess a keen eye and instinctively conduct such analyses, even identifying flaws in the most polished projects.

Truly discerning a high-level designer necessitates feedback and recommendations from previous employers. A designer is not solely defined by their technical skills but also by their personal traits, ambitions, and how they fit into a team. These attributes inevitably impact their work. Web design goes beyond creating visually appealing content; it also encompasses presentation skills, the ability to defend one's perspective, and navigating edits and feedback with diplomacy, thus maintaining a harmonious workflow for all involved.

I believe that the aspect of design, including communication, adaptability, and empathy, is crucial for creating successful and impactful web designs.

What steps should a designer take to create a high-quality design without extending deadlines?

Ask questions not only about the design. You need to have a basic understanding of marketing and understand how people make decisions. The designer needs to figure out why you want the design to be like that, what kind of company it is for, what kind of business you have, what needs to be emphasized, and why your product is unique.

Look at the competitors during the process and inquire about the customers. If the designer doesn't ask anything about them or doesn't mention studying them during the process, the outcome may end up with the same colors or elements as the competitors, causing you to blend in visually with them.

It's important to clearly understand the task and not rush to request an advance payment. If the designer immediately mentions the amount in the third message, it's likely that they are not focused on the quality of the design. They might underestimate the workload, resulting in a poorly executed project due to lack of motivation.

Present the results and incorporate this stage into the processes. All design decisions in the project should be well-founded. If the project is being presented, it indicates that the designer is deliberately approaching the process.

Choose visual examples independently and not rely solely on your input. Creating a functional design is the responsibility of the designer.

Limit the number of revisions and avoid making them endless. If the designer is willing to make adjustments without discussion and without limits, their decision may lack justification. When the solution is derived from understanding the problem, analyzing competitors and customers, most of the revisions can be avoided at the discussion stage.

Remember that effective communication and collaboration between the designer and the client are key factors in achieving a successful design outcome.