Great design comes from asking the right questions. Learning to formulate and ask questions to find the best design solution is a key process for coming up with a successful project.

The ability to ask questions is a powerful tool with which you can identify several options for solving a problem, reveal the hidden needs of users, and suggest the best solution. That’s why when choosing a CAD designer, it's important to ask the right questions. Who you work with will determine the success of the final product. It, in turn, affects how your customers interact with you and your services. Therefore, a lot depends on the first meeting or first communication with the designer.

Can You Walk Me Through Your Portfolio?

Anyone with experience hiring a designer will tell you that a design portfolio is your most valuable resource, besides the designer himself. If a designer has come this far in your hiring process, chances are that you are already familiar with their portfolio. However, seeing it with their own eyes while they provide the background allows us to understand it on a whole new level.

How do you approach a new project? Let's put this clearly: good design is about solving problems. The problem could be something a little wider, as a friendlier image is required, or something more black and white like a sales quota meeting. Either way, hiring the right CAD designer will help you solve these problems. Every new designer needs to understand the client's needs - a problem that needs a solution - before putting a pen on paper. Look for designers who answer this question by turning to finding solutions: exploring user data, talking to the team, browsing archives of older design work, etc. Each designer has their own problem-solving process, but what you are really looking for is whether they have a solid process in place.

What Is the Realistic Timeline for the Completion of the Project?

Designers and clients often argue about when the results will be ready. You can avoid disappointment by setting realistic expectations from the start. Setting tight deadlines will allow you to plan what to do next

Just remember that the job may not always be done when you want it. Ask this question to discuss not only the completion date of the project but also the intermediate stages of work completion.

By the way, this question could lead to the designer’s completed projects. Don’t hesitate to ask which project the designer is most proud of and why. The answer could help you to find out the following information:

• How well the designer can lead a project or situation;

• What is his/her approach to problem-solving;

• How experience can help in the successful management of the project;

• What was the work ethic

• How the designer handles stress;

• What was the most significant professional experience

Have You Ever Worked in a Team?

CAD designers are more likely to work independently, especially freelancers. Recruiters can put together a team to create projects, and the skill of cooperating and getting along with colleagues does not hurt. The search for talented workers isn’t an easy process as well. Mostly, recruiters appeal to engineering marketplaces where all talents are gathered in one place. It is truly the most convenient way of finding experienced specialists.

So as projects can be large, 3-5 designers can work on one at the same time. The designer doesn’t need to have experience in collaboration, but it is essential to correctly design the part of the work so that others can interact with it. Additionally, the designer should share how he/she prioritizes and meets deadlines while working on multiple projects at the same time.

What Creative Tools Do You Prefer to Use?

Obviously, the advent of AutoCAD completely changed how design should be approached, ushering in a new era of design practice based primarily on computers. However, this isn’t the only tool that can be used in the project.

Therefore, it would be great to ask a candidate what 3d modeling tools he/she has been using or has been aware of while working on projects. The answer could help you understand how well a candidate is familiarized with designing tools and what programs are of his/her interest.

What Experience Do You Have in our Industry?

The world's best residential designer doesn't necessarily make a great project for a non-residential company. It's not just about understanding how a business works, but also knowing the target audience of a particular industry. If the designer already has experience with your audience, this is always an advantage.

Take some time to find out exactly what kind of experience a designer has in your industry. If you have little experience, but you like the designer's style, tell him about some of the nuances of your business yourself.

Could You Provide Me with a Recommendation?

You can get nervous hiring a stranger, even if he doesn't seem to be hiding anything. If in the course of interacting with a designer you have any doubts, it is worth checking where he worked previously, or even contacting some past clients to find out how comfortable it was to work with him. 

What Are the Stages of Your Working Process?

All designers have their own unique habits and work routines, which can be problematic if they don't fit your needs. To avoid unrealistic expectations, ask the designer how they plan to work on your projects. For example, if a designer is a night owl, you shouldn't expect him to present you with work at the end of the day.

It also helps to establish realistic timelines for the completion of work. Perhaps your designer first thinks about all the options for a long time - during this period you will not get any visible results - and then creates the final design in a few hours. Or vice versa: the designer quickly decides in which direction to move, and then elaborates the design for a long time and carefully. If you do not ask the appropriate question, you may get the wrong impression of how well the project is progressing.

Author:  Timothy Miller