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What is the Design Process?
The process always starts with a strategy. Design without strategy can be pretty, but if it doesn’t fulfill it’s purpose, then you aren’t getting any return on your investment. Just like any investment, the reasons and goals should be carefully thought out and then implemented.
We begin with a careful measure of the client’s established brand or needs, and who the audience is they are trying to reach. With input from the client, we build a creative brief (the strategy) that outlines the goals and the audience and how we are going to reach them.
Then we craft the design work to fit the strategy, using our guidelines for the creative content, whether it’s copy, imagery or other elements. The back-and-forth with the client is important in this step, they will know their market best. Often times, the client and the designer won’t see eye to eye in this step (Make the logo bigger!) but we don’t have to live with the results, the client does. So, we try to let the client exercise as much control over the final output as they are comfortable with, while doing our best to keep consistent with the creative brief and the client’s goals.
The final step is the delivery of the files to the printer. We pride ourselves in passing along clean files to the client or printer. We can help oversee the process and help ensure the final result meets the client’s expectations.
How Long Does it Take?
The simple answer is “as long as it needs”. We try not to rush the process, we’d rather spend the time to give our clients the best effort we can, without upsetting the budget.
That said, a sample timeline for say, a logo project, might look like this:
Mon: Client OK’s budget, gives initial direction for logo project.
Thurs: Deliver 5 initial logo ideas to the client.
Mon: Client reviews/sends back feedback for revisions
Wed: Send back revised logos to client for feedback
Fri: Client sends final revisions
Mon: Present finished logo
Tues: Any final tweaks
Thurs: Send finished art to printer/client
Do you do the printing?
We are not the printer, although we partner with a number of printers to be able to get you the best prices we can. Most of the time we are able to get a good deal on that printing, or we can just send you the files and have you use the printer you are comfortable with.
Who owns the artwork?
You, the client owns the files. We will send them to you in whatever format fits your needs best. We keep backup copies of everything (just in case) We reserve the right to use the artwork in our portfolio.
What if I just need some Creative Help?
We can help you if all you need is some fresh ideas or creative consulting.
What does it take to get a website going?
The answer is simple (and it’s not design!) Content. Content is both the most important part of a site and paradoxically, the first step. You have to think from the end point first, what content (text, images, links, etc) will you need, and have that ready to go before the design phase. A site can be a fully custom design and implementation, or an adaptation of an existing template. Both have advantages and disadvantages.
Generally, we can have a semi-custom site going in a few weeks from start, depending on the complexity, where a fully custom site might take several months.
What if I just need you to change some existing artwork?
Most often, we can help you with this. The cost will depend on the complexity and the format the artwork is in. This kind of project falls under our production hourly rate.
Do you do Pro Bono work?
We love what we do and love to help the community. So, if you have a worthy cause or project that you feel needs a professional touch, contact us to see if we can help.
So, why do I need a graphic designer?
Big businesses know the value of a good brand. They spend millions to create, spread and protect their brands. A graphic designer, along with a solid marketing strategy, can help your new or existing business take your image to the next level.
Good design sets your business apart from the competition and can make you look more professional and established.
We can help you create or refresh an existing logo/identity system, expand that into collateral (brochures, etc.) and even your web presence.
Do you guarantee your work?
While we try to meet all the client’s needs and wants, not every partnership is destined for success.
We want you to be happy with what you get. If you are dissatisfied with an outcome of a project, we will terminate the contract and bill only for work that has been completed. If there is a problem and it is our fault, we will work to the best of our ability for a mutually beneficial outcome. |
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