If you're reading this, you probably need a level or a map built and you're trying to figure out whether a given freelancer can actually deliver it. Here's what I'd check if I were on your side of the table.

Look at Process, Not Just Final Screenshots

Anyone can post a pretty final render. What tells you more is whether they show greybox iterations, blockouts, and playtesting notes. A portfolio that only shows finished art with no process behind it is a portfolio you can't judge — you have no idea how many iterations it took, or whether they can repeat it under a deadline.

Match the Engine to the Project

"Level designer" covers a wide range of actual skills. Someone who's great at competitive Source 2 maps (CS2, Dota 2) isn't automatically strong at narrative Unreal Engine environments, and vice versa. Ask directly which engines and genres they've actually shipped work in, not just "worked with."

Ask About Scope Before Price

A freelancer who quotes a number before understanding what you need is guessing. A short scoping conversation — map size, target platform, deadline, whether you need scripting or just layout — should always come before any estimate. If someone skips straight to a price, that's worth noticing.

Communication Matters More Than People Expect

Level design is iterative. You'll be reviewing greybox passes, giving feedback, and asking for changes multiple times before anything is final. Ask how they handle check-ins — weekly builds, async updates, a shared task board — before you commit, not after the first missed deadline.

Reasonable Questions to Ask

  • Can you show a project where the brief changed partway through, and how you handled it?
  • What tools do you use for blockouts, and can I get a playable build early?
  • Do you sign NDAs?
  • What happens if the scope grows after we start?

What a Healthy Engagement Looks Like

Brief and scope get confirmed in writing before pricing. You get a realistic timeline with milestones, not just a final delivery date. You see playable builds early, not just a reveal at the end. And there's a clear plan for revisions and handoff once the work is done.

That's roughly how I structure client work myself — you can see the specifics on my hire page, or look through the portfolio directly to judge the process for yourself.