As a graphic designer, one of the first questions and tasks I am assigned when starting to work on something new, is “how many hours will it take?” aka timeframe estimation.
It is a tricky question and a task not easily done.
My main suggestion and advice would be comparing the job at hand to previous similar jobs. In case a job is completely new, something you never had a chance to do before, it will probably take more time than most things you do on a regular basis.
The tricky part about estimating a time needed for completing a job is the fact that creative juices are not flowing equally every time we sit and do the work. Brainstorming and creative thinking is generally not something we can put a timeframe to. If, while you are doing the task of time estimation, you have ideas in your head, or a clearly given instruction as to where the design needs to be, it is easier to estimate and you can cross out the time for creative brainstorming off of the list.
It is important to leave room for mistakes, revisions and a possibility of you changing your mind on certain things.
My formula for time estimation is this: if something takes approximately 2 hours to finish, you add the same amount of time as room for mistakes and revisions. Now we are at 4 hours of work for an illustration that would take 2 hours. If this said illustration is to be made with an illustrative style you are familiar with and it looks like it is not extremely elaborate, add another 2 hours to it! Finally, if it is not clearly instructed or you do not have ideas as to how to execute the job, add another two hours. In the end, for a job that is supposed to take 2 hours, we estimated 8 hours. I believe this is a great way to always have your job done within the timeframe you estimated. My advice is as follows: double an initial estimate with every obstacle you might be facing, be it unfamiliarity with design style, no clear directions and instructions or lack of experience.
It is another matter whether you should be giving an estimate if the design brief is incomplete or complicated to understand. It would be best to have every nitty gritty detail of work laid out and perfectly clear before giving an estimate and working further on developing a concept.
I believe time estimation is something you get a hang off, you get better at it the more you do it.
Remember tho, tracking the time as you do the work is important as it helps with future time estimation. While a designer sells a skill, it is important to always remember, you are also selling your time invested in creating the work and the time learning the skills to do the work!
Keep us in the back of your mind as we are constantly working on creating new interesting blog texts. And if you are a designer interested in working with a marketing agency, I will be back with more niche topics, as a one designer working with marketing people, that I come across as I come across them.
