1. What qualifications do you look for when hiring a designer or design firm?
Very ImportantImportantSomewhat ImportantNot ImportantResponse Average
Portfolio
66% (37)25% (14)9% (5)0% (0)1.43
Experience
47% (26)38% (21)15% (8)0% (0)1.67
Price
27% (15)52% (29)21% (12)0% (0)1.95
Resume
7% (4)20% (11)54% (29)19% (10)2.83
Schooling
5% (3)15% (8)40% (22)40% (22)3.15
Personality
51% (28)40% (22)7% (4)2% (1)1.60
References
40% (22)29% (16)27% (15)4% (2)1.95
Talent
71% (40)27% (15)0% (0)2% (1)1.32
Ethics
78% (43)15% (8)7% (4)0% (0)1.29
Total Respondents  58
(skipped this question)  0
2. How many years of post-educational experience do you think a designer should have before you would feel comfortable with hiring him or her?
 Response PercentResponse Total
  1-2 years
47.4%27
  3-4 years
40.4%23
  5+ years
12.3%7
Total Respondents  57
(skipped this question)  1
3. In the design industry, what qualities describe 'ethics'?
 Total Respondents  
33
(skipped this question)  25
4. How important do you rank the following graphic design business ethics?
Very ImportantImportantSomewhat ImportantNot ImportantResponse Average
Always acts in the best interests of the client and the client's business.
84% (48)16% (9)0% (0)0% (0)1.16
Always works with contracts for the mutual protection of themselves and clients, abides by said contracts, and never unreasonably withdraws services.
55% (31)32% (18)12% (7)0% (0)1.57
Always engages in ethical business practices, which include maintaining honest and forthright communications with clients, avoiding hidden fees or costs, and avoiding unsolicited electronic marketing.
77% (44)19% (11)4% (2)0% (0)1.26
Always documents all agreements with clients and keeps accurate records.
54% (30)34% (19)11% (6)2% (1)1.61
Always protects the privacy and rights of clients by never inappropriately disclosing information about a client's business, and avoiding conflicts of interest.
75% (43)23% (13)2% (1)0% (0)1.26
Always represents themselves and their skills accurately and professionally.
69% (38)29% (16)2% (1)0% (0)1.33
Always promotes client education of best practices in the areas of design and/or marketing.
38% (21)39% (22)20% (11)4% (2)1.89
Total Respondents  57
(skipped this question)  1
5. Graphic Designers should adhere by the following promises for every project:
Very ImportantImportantSomewhat ImportantNot ImportantResponse Average
Strive for excellence in branding, aesthetic design, and visual communication, with the goal of improving the business of every client.
71% (39)25% (14)4% (2)0% (0)1.33
Strive for excellence in the quality of every project, so that they are free of mistakes and technically sound in order to achieve efficient production.
62% (35)36% (20)2% (1)0% (0)1.39
Strive for excellence in communication with every client and production contact so that every step of the project flows smoothly.
57% (32)41% (23)2% (1)0% (0)1.45
Total Respondents  56
(skipped this question)  2
6. Graphic Designers should endeavor to maintain the highest level of integrity in their profession, and promote the value and legitimacy of design and marketing by:
Very ImportantImportantSomewhat ImportantNot ImportantResponse Average
Never working on speculation or for the promise of future payments or work.
25% (14)30% (17)25% (14)20% (11)2.39
Never plagiarizing the works of others, or knowingly infringing upon copyrights or trademarks.
71% (40)20% (11)7% (4)2% (1)1.39
Never creating work that disregards the health and safety of the community, or is blatantly discriminatory or offensive.
54% (30)36% (20)7% (4)4% (2)1.61
Never using work for the purpose of self-promotion without the knowledge and consent of clients.
41% (23)36% (20)18% (10)5% (3)1.88
Never reselling or repurposing finished works to other clients.
56% (32)25% (14)16% (9)4% (2)1.67
Never sacrificing design quality or integrity, no matter how small the project.
52% (29)41% (23)4% (2)4% (2)1.59
Never misrepresenting involvement or failing to attribute proper credit for collaborative or work-for-hire projects.
56% (31)35% (19)7% (4)2% (1)1.55
Never using unattributed/uncredited text, articles or other materials the designer did not create for the purpose of self-promotion or self-marketing.
51% (29)39% (22)7% (4)4% (2)1.63
Never allowing skills and knowledge of the industry to stagnate or fail to evolve.
39% (22)40% (23)21% (12)0% (0)1.82
Total Respondents  57
(skipped this question)  1
7. Would you find it helpful if a web site existed that was specifically targeted toward clients and provided information about working with designers, the design process, and getting the most out of the designer/client relationship?
 Response PercentResponse Total
  yes
90.9%50
  no
9.1%5
Total Respondents  55
(skipped this question)  3
8. If an organization existed that set forth a Code of Ethics for graphic designers and required members to adhere to those ethics, would you be more likely to do business with a member than with a non-member?"
 Response PercentResponse Total
  yes
75%42
  no
25%14
Total Respondents  56
(skipped this question)  2
9. What sort information would you like to see available on a web site for each member of an organization described in Question 7?
Very ImportantImportantSomewhat ImportantNot ImportantResponse Average
Resume
16% (9)44% (24)25% (14)15% (8)2.38
Schooling
9% (5)22% (12)44% (24)25% (14)2.85
Experience
56% (32)37% (21)7% (4)0% (0)1.51
Client list
21% (12)49% (28)26% (15)4% (2)2.12
Portfolio
72% (41)18% (10)7% (4)4% (2)1.42
Total Respondents  57
(skipped this question)  1
10. Please rank the following according to how important you feel each should be when considering designer membership into the organization described in Question 7.
Very ImportantImportantSomewhat ImportantNot ImportantResponse Average
Five pieces of work
47% (27)39% (22)11% (6)4% (2)1.70
Client-focused case studies
28% (16)44% (25)25% (14)4% (2)2.04
Client/employer references
37% (21)44% (25)12% (7)7% (4)1.89
Educational background
7% (4)25% (14)42% (23)25% (14)2.85
Experience
43% (24)46% (26)9% (5)2% (1)1.70
Company name
21% (12)34% (19)20% (11)25% (14)2.48
Website url
44% (24)25% (14)20% (11)11% (6)1.98
Contact email
45% (25)33% (18)16% (9)5% (3)1.82
Services provided
55% (31)41% (23)2% (1)2% (1)1.50
Total Respondents  57
(skipped this question)  1
11. Unethical business practices within the design community harms both clients and designers.  Would you be willing to join an organization as described in Question 7 in order to stand up for the Code of Ethics and for the opportunity to contribute to better client/designer relations?
 Response PercentResponse Total
  yes
61.1%33
  no
38.9%21
Total Respondents  54
(skipped this question)  4
12. Please share any other issues relating to the client/designer relationship that you feel should be addressed.
 Total Respondents  
13
(skipped this question)  45