How to hire a custom designer

How to hire a custom designer, step by step

Here's a step-by-step custom designer hiring guide:

• Step 1: Identify your hiring needs
• Step 2: Create an ideal candidate profile
• Step 3: Make a budget
• Step 4: Write a custom designer job description
• Step 5: Post your job
• Step 6: Interview candidates
• Step 7: Send a job offer and onboard your new custom designer
• Step 8: Go through the hiring process checklist

What does a custom designer do?

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1. Identify your hiring needs

   First, determine the employments status of the custom designer you need to hire. Certain custom designer roles might require a full-time employee, whereas others can be done by part-time workers or contractors.

   Determine employee vs contractor status

   Is the person you're thinking of hiring a US citizen or green card holder?

   Yes

   No

   A custom designer's background is also an important factor in determining whether they'll be a good fit for the position. For example, custom designers from different industries or fields will have radically different experiences and will bring different viewpoints to the role. You also need to consider the candidate's previous level of experience to make sure they'll be comfortable with the job's level of seniority.

   This list shows salaries for various types of custom designers.

   Type of Custom Designer	Description	Hourly rate
   Custom Designer	Graphic designers create visual concepts, using computer software or by hand, to communicate ideas that inspire, inform, and captivate consumers. They develop the overall layout and production design for various applications such as advertisements, brochures, magazines, and corporate reports.	$20-38
   Graphic Designer Internship	In a graphic design internship, one of the primary responsibilities is to accomplish tasks while under the supervision of more experienced colleagues. An aspiring graphic designer may use this opportunity to observe and participate in designing for various industries, handle different clients, participate in creative meetings, and learn strategies from experts... Show more	$12-22
   Graphic Designer/Production	A Graphics Designer in production is the person in charge of designing and interpreting ideas pointed out by the client or the company. The graphics designer must use market standard applications and techniques to produce attention-grabbing designs intended to market a product, service, or company... Show more	$16-32

   Show more

2. Create an ideal candidate profile

   Common skills:

   • Sketch
   • Customer Orders
   • Customer Service
   • Customer Specifications
   • CAD
   • Graphic Design
   • Project Management
   • Product Knowledge
   • Prototyping
   • User Experience
   • Design Process
   • Custom Design
   • Product Development
   • Trade Shows

   Check all skills

   Responsibilities:

   • Accomplish a theme redesign using css edits and html edits for a not for profit children's social network helpline.
   • Design and code responsive email templates to current industry standards using CSS, HTML and some JSON.
   • Develop functional wireframes and GUI prototypes in HTML using Dreamweaver MX.
   • Perform QC test on the fabric to ensure it meet customer requirements.
   • Utilize various graphical and animation software tools and technologies to transform graphical concepts into specific electronic applications on and off-line.
   • Create t-shirt graphics and logos for embroidery.

   More custom designer duties

3. Make a budget

   Including a salary range in your custom designer job description is a great way to entice the best and brightest candidates. A custom designer salary can vary based on several factors:

   • Location. For example, custom designers' average salary in south dakota is 47% less than in california.
   • Seniority. Entry-level custom designers earn 48% less than senior-level custom designers.
   • Certifications. A custom designer with a few certifications under their belt will likely demand a higher salary.
   • Company. Working for a prestigious company or an exciting start-up can make a huge difference in a custom designer's salary.

   Average custom designer salary

   $59,230yearly

   $28.48 hourly rate

   ---

   Entry-level custom designer salary

   $42,000 yearly salary

   Updated December 17, 2025

   Average custom designer salary by state

   Rank	State	Avg. salary	Hourly rate
   1	California	$80,874	$39
   2	District of Columbia	$68,973	$33
   3	New York	$68,944	$33
   4	Washington	$67,366	$32
   5	Michigan	$66,152	$32
   6	Illinois	$64,081	$31
   7	Colorado	$63,673	$31
   8	Virginia	$63,339	$30
   9	Massachusetts	$62,117	$30
   10	Pennsylvania	$60,056	$29
   11	Arizona	$57,200	$28
   12	Oregon	$56,613	$27
   13	Florida	$56,252	$27
   14	Utah	$55,364	$27
   15	North Carolina	$54,389	$26
   16	Minnesota	$53,780	$26
   17	Missouri	$52,550	$25
   18	Texas	$51,098	$25
   19	Ohio	$48,386	$23
   20	Georgia	$47,869	$23

   Average custom designer salary by company

   Company

   Rank	Company	Average salary	Hourly rate	Job openings
   1	General Motors	$100,667	$48.40	58
   2	Texas Instruments	$97,416	$46.83	4
   3	Michaels Stores	$92,000	$44.23	58
   4	Genentech	$90,758	$43.63	3
   5	Tucson Electric Power	$90,126	$43.33
   6	eBay	$87,594	$42.11	2
   7	Citi	$83,927	$40.35	1
   8	Mastercard	$83,548	$40.17
   9	Capital One	$75,243	$36.17	30
   10	Jo-Ann Stores	$70,372	$33.83
   11	Bayer	$68,308	$32.84
   12	Amazon	$68,083	$32.73	236
   13	GPAC	$66,811	$32.12
   14	PTC	$66,286	$31.87	1
   15	CenturyLink	$65,381	$31.43
   16	Activision Blizzard	$64,650	$31.08	4
   17	Red Privet	$64,320	$30.92
   18	Florida Blue	$63,149	$30.36
   19	UNS Energy	$63,043	$30.31
   20	American Electric Power	$62,732	$30.16

4. Writing a custom designer job description

   A good custom designer job description should include a few things:

   • Summary of the role
   • List of responsibilities
   • Required skills and experience

   Including a salary range and the first name of the hiring manager is also appreciated by candidates. Here's an example of a custom designer job description:

   Custom designer job description example

   Responsible to the assigned supervisor to perform and manage technical work-related activities associated with the planning, engineering, design, analysis, research, development, testing, construction, maintenance and operation of Company equipment and facilities. Customer Design Supervisor- Non Exempt responsibilities and job scope are specific to the organizational unit (e.g. OpCo, district, etc.) and may be provided on an addendum to this job description, as prepared by the organizational unit.
   ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS are listed below:
   ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS are listed below:
   
   1) Communication and interpersonal skills: Leads and facilitates meetings effectively. Networks with peers inside and outside the AEP System. Identifies key stakeholders. Uses informal network to get things done. 2) Decision making and business awareness characteristics: Uses diverse approaches to make decisions in the absence of a definite framework or where few precedents exist Makes decisions that may affect the operations or results of the section and which may impact the business unit. Demonstrates the ability to handle conflicting interests related to projects or special tasks. Demonstrates the ability to analyze options and risks. 3) Technical proficiency: Demonstrates the ability to understand more complex technical issues in relevant area of assignment. Demonstrates an above average ability to use technical and computer tools to perform assignments in most cost effective method possible. 4) Leadership and guidance: Leads, facilitates, and coordinates work activities within work group, team, department, or other corporate entity as necessary to perform all routine engineering technical assignments. Provides advanced training to employees Ensures the contribution of all employees within the Distribution Design group in developing methods and approaches by maintaining close involvement with the employees and listening to the ideas, needs, and recommendations. 5) Planning and organization ability: Plans work and suggests work plans of others to complete non-routine work within time constraints. Plans effectively with AEP suppliers and internal or external customers. Reviews trends of materials and equipment performance and initiates necessary corrective action. Monitors design, material, and work progress on department projects to control costs within estimated budget and to ensure codes, standards, and schedules are met. 6) Customer Focus: Ensures that each employee maintains a customer focused attitude by conveying a thorough understanding of customer expectations and instill the importance of achieving superior customer satisfaction. Requirements BASIC QUALIFICATIONS
   
   Education and Work Experience requirements are listed below: Associate Degree in Electrical/Electronic/Civil/ Mechanical Engineering Technology or related fields, with a minimum of 6 years of related utility industry work experience, OR High school diploma or GED, with a minimum of 8 years of related utility industry work experience, including experience in work activities and projects requiring technical engineering knowledge. Required License(s)/Certification(s) are listed below: Must possess and maintain a valid state driver's license. Must meet all vehicle operation requirements as designated by federal and/or state law.
   
   OTHER REQUIREMENTS
   Depending on assignment, may be required to work on customer facilities in remote or rough terrain. Must have the physical capabilities to perform all work assignments. Job may entail some travel and exposure to situations that require the knowledge, understanding, and adherence to applicable safety procedures. May require extended hours to accomplish assigned tasks to meet work requirements and schedules.
   
   Physical demand level is Sedentary

   Copy this example

   

5. Post your job

   There are various strategies that you can use to find the right custom designer for your business:

   • Consider promoting from within or recruiting from your existing workforce.
   • Ask for referrals from friends, family members, and current employees.
   • Attend job fairs at local colleges to find candidates who meet your education requirements.
   • Use social media platforms like LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter to reach potential job candidates.

   Post your job online:

   • Post your custom designer job on Zippia to find and attract quality custom designer candidates.
   • Use niche websites such as dribbble, authentic jobs, working not working, coroflot.
   • Post a job on free websites.

6. Interview candidates

   Your first interview with custom designer candidates should focus on their interest in the role and background experience. As the hiring process goes on, you can learn more about how they'd fit into the company culture in later rounds of interviews.

   You should also ask about candidates' unique skills and talents to see if they match the ideal candidate profile you developed earlier. Candidates good enough for the next step can complete the technical interview.

   The right interview questions can help you assess a candidate's hard skills, behavioral intelligence, and soft skills.

7. Send a job offer and onboard your new custom designer

   Once you've selected the best custom designer candidate for the job, it's time to write an offer letter. In addition to salary, this letter should include details about the benefits and perks you offer the candidate. Ensuring that your offer is competitive is essential, as qualified candidates may be considering other job opportunities. The candidate may wish to negotiate the terms of the offer, and you should be open to discussion. After you reach an agreement, the final step is formalizing the agreement with a contract.

   It's also important to follow up with applicants who do not get the job with an email letting them know that the position is filled.

   To prepare for the new custom designer first day, you should share an onboarding schedule with them that covers their first period on the job. You should also quickly complete any necessary paperwork, such as employee action forms and onboarding documents like I-9, benefits enrollment, and federal and state tax forms. Finally, Human Resources must ensure a new employee file is created for internal record keeping.

8. Go through the hiring process checklist

   • Determine employee type (full-time, part-time, contractor, etc.)
   • Submit a job requisition form to the HR department
   • Define job responsibilities and requirements
   • Establish budget and timeline
   • Determine hiring decision makers for the role
   • Write job description
   • Post job on job boards, company website, etc.
   • Promote the job internally
   • Process applications through applicant tracking system
   • Review resumes and cover letters
   • Shortlist candidates for screening
   • Hold phone/virtual interview screening with first round of candidates
   • Conduct in-person interviews with top candidates from first round
   • Score candidates based on weighted criteria (e.g., experience, education, background, cultural fit, skill set, etc.)
   • Conduct background checks on top candidates
   • Check references of top candidates
   • Consult with HR and hiring decision makers on job offer specifics
   • Extend offer to top candidate(s)
   • Receive formal job offer acceptance and signed employment contract
   • Inform other candidates that the position has been filled
   • Set and communicate onboarding schedule to new hire(s)
   • Complete new hire paperwork (i9, benefits enrollment, tax forms, etc.)

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